PARLIAMENTRY ITEMS

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 313, 18 July 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTRY ITEMS

On Tuesday last the General Assembly was opened with the usual formalities. There was a large attendance of the public. A summary of the Vice-regal Speech appears elsewhere. The business transacted was of course purely formal. The Premier, in customary' assertion of the rights of Parliament, introduced,a Bill to prevent the introduction of convicts, and it was read a first time. The presentation of petitions was commenced by Mr Shrimski, with one for consideration from some immigrants nnder the Immigration Land Act, then a whole school followed from all sides and upon all subjects. The largest was Mr Swanson's, from Auckland, against the introduction of Chinese. Notices of the appointment of all the usual sessional Committees was given, and Mr Macandrew also notice of a Committee to consider the principle npon which Government advertisements should be distributed amongst newspapers. Sir George Grey gave notice of suspension of the Standing Orders next j sitting day to allow an Imprest Supply Bill and a Public Works Imprest Supply Bill to pass all their stages. Mr J. S. Macf arlane gave notice of a Committee to consider and report what conveniences and facilities in telegraphing could be afforded to the Press without causing inconvenience or loss to the public. Amongst the Government Bills given notice ot was a Bill to Suspend Plurality, of Voting in 'Local Elections, a Bill to Provide for the Inspection and' Ventilation of Mines, a Bill to Restrict the; Introduction of Chinese, Hospitals [and Charitable Institutions Bii 1, Land Tax Act Amendment Bill, Electoral Bill, and Bribery Bill. 'Mr Feldwick gave notice of ; a Local: Option Bill, and Mr Curtis of a Licensing Act Amendment Bijl. It appears that the Government have abandoned.their intention of putting up Mr Bryce as a candidate for the office of Chairman of Committees. Under the impression that Mr Bunny was to be the Government candidate, a majority, of the votes had been pledged to the other candidate, Mr Seymour.

The correspondence between the Government and the Agent-General has been laid upon the table. Writing on May 7, the Agent-General says:—" I have arranged to put on'two vessels for farmers specially, one for Otago and one for Canterbury, to carry only one claw of 'passengers, to whoni superior accommodation will be afforded to that given to ordinary emigrants. This will meet the case of men who cannot afford saloon passages, and who object to the passages usually given to emigrants. The passage money will be £23 a head. I propose in some cases giving assistance to the extent of £10 per adult to families that seem to be suitable. Finally, Mr Barry and Mr Reed both heartily approve this step, and will do their best to fill up the vessels with desirable emigrants." The Wanganuiisto be the ship for Otago with these immigrants. The name of the Canterbury ship is not given. On Wednesday very little business was done. Mr Seymour was unanimously el°cted Chairman of Committees, Sir W. Fox moving his appointment, and;the motion being seconded by . the,- Premier. Sir George Grey endeavored to get the debate on the Address" in Reply taken at the evening sitting. . His 'object' was to get such arrangement made as would enable him to transmit the debentures -for the proposed new loan by the outgoing mail, to reach England by September 9. The Speaker ruled that as there were voices in the negative, the motion could not be put. On Mr Macandrew's motion for a Select Committee re Government advertising, Mr M'Lcan moved the adjournment of the debate, which was accepted by the mover. A motion by the same gentleman for the appointment of a Select Committee to consider and report oh the best means of establishing direct steam communication with Europe, was adjourned for a week. Mr M'Farlane's motion for a Committee on Press Telegraphy was agreed to without a division, and the House adjourned at 5,30 p.m. till next :day. ■. |