PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 239, 1 November 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

The Railways Construction Bill has passed its second reading and through Committee in the Council. That there was great opposition to the measure is evidenced by the fact that .the unusual course was taken of dividing oh the third reading in the Lower House, which was, however, carried by 55 to 9. On reaching the Council, a warm reception awaited the measure. The Hons. Sir F. D. Bell, G. M. Waterhouse, G. Buckley, M. S. Grace, and E. Gray all opposed the Bill. A debate ensued on a side issue, as to whether the measure was an Appropriation Bill or not. After an adjournment of the debate for a day, the Acting Speaker (the Hon. Mr Richmond) gave his decision that it was not such a Bill. The effect of this decision was that the Council retained the right to go through the measure seriatim in Committee, and make such alterations as they might think fit, whereas they can only accept or reject an Appropriation Bill as it stands. As a matter of fact, it has, as we stated above, passed through Committee without material alteration, but the schedule has still (at our present time of writing) to run the gauntlet.

The Native Lawsuits Bill has been shelved. This measure was introduced by the Hon. R. Stout, to promote the settlement of some vexed questions affecting the tenure of lands acquired from the Natives, especially in Hawke's Bay. A furious opposition was raised to it, led by those primarily interested in leaving things as they are— that is, who have possession of these lands, but who seem by their action to fear that their titles will not bear investigation. The great objection raised by these gentlemen at first was that too much power was given to the Government in that the appointment of judges was left to them. Mr Stout met this by offering to

insert the tames of the judges in the Bill. That the objection was a merely captious one was proved by the fact that this concession did not in the least mollify the opponents of the measure. Ultimately the Bill was shelved on the motion of Mr Stout—''That the Chairman leave the chair," being carried by 47 to 21. The mover warned those opposing the Bill that at a future time they would probably be clamorous for such a measure, and would not succeed in getting it. Not an uncommon tate for those who resist reforms which go to rectify injustice real or imaginary. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply on Tuesday last, Mr Shrimski moved without notice — " That the next Session be held in Christchurch, in order to consult the convenience of members." The motion was carried by a majority of one, the numbers being—Ayes 29, Noes 28. Ihere is something behind the scenes here, which will no doubt come out in good time. The Government will surely take an opportunity of eliciting a more deliberate expression of opinion before initiating so important a change. The Times correspondent says : —'' This division was not on the merits, however, a number of the Ayes voting because, had the amencdtnent been negatived, the ouse would have had jto go into supply at once, and several I other motions, which members were anxious to bring on, could not have had a chance. Mr Bowen subsequently .stated this to be the cause." This, however, does not explain the matter, as the division on tha previous question—" That the words proposed to be added," &c., would have prevented the going into Supply, and enabled any further amendment to be proposed. Subsequently, Mr Montgomery proposed— " That in the opinion of this House, the financial year should close on March 31." Though this amendment was negatived on the voices, we learn that subsequently the Colonial Treasurer has agreed to the proposal, to commence in 1880. On Wednesday an attempt was made in tbe Council to consider the schedule to the Railways Bill seriatim. This was, however, successfully resisted by the Colonial Secretary, and the schedule passed as a whole by 20 to 9. The Bill was then reported, read a third time, and passed. We observe that £30,000 has been placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the "Little River and Akaroa" railway, so that at last we may fairly congratulate our readers on the fact of this important work being in a fair way of commencement. There was an acrimonious personal dis cussion between Sir George Grey and Major Atkinson on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill. The latter took the occasion to review the Government policy generally, when Sir George replied, and in doing so, in his rhetorical manner, charged Major Atkinson with all sorts of high crimes and misdemeanors. The latter moved that the words be " taken down." (Awful threat!) The Premier then retired, but his friends explained that he had only used the words in a " Pickwickian sense," and the matter dropped. The Appropriation Bill passed, and as this is the last Act on the programme, no doubt by the time these lines are in type the third Session of the sixth Parliament of New Zealand will have come to an end. On a future occasion we shall attempt to review what our legislators ha\e done, and ( far more extensive task) what they have left undone.