GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 61, 26 May 1882, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I Tuesday, May 23. BILLS. The following Bills were given notice of:— Mr Levestara—For the further protection of life and property from accident by fire. Mr Holmes—To amend the Debtors and Creditors Act; to amend the Resident Magistrates Act. notice of motion. The following notices were given : — Mr Macandrew—That the Speaker leave the chair without question put at 12.30 a.m. during the session, so that the House may adjourn not later than that hour. Major Atkinson gave notice that on Thursday he would move—" That Mr W.

J. Hurst be elected Chairman of Commit • tees of the whole House." Notice was given of a number of questions. THE CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT. Major Atkinson moved without noti'-e {hat a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report whether or not tbe penalties provided for by i-eeii >ns 17 ami 18 of the Corrupt Practices Act were unreasonably severe and whether or not it was advisable that the law should be altered and amended, and in that respect to report on Friday. The said committee to consist of Messrs Montgomery, Turnbull Williams. Rutherford, Connolly. Trimble, anil the mover. He intended to defer moving for the new Stanmore writ till the committee report. The motion was put and carried. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—To Defend and Regulate the Hours of Labor in New Zealand (Mr W. Green); Indemnity Bill (Mr Bryce); To Extend and Regulate the Liability of Employers to Make Compensation for Pergonal Injuries Suffered by Workmen in their Servb-e(Mr W. Green); West Coast Peace Preservation Bill (Mr j Bryce): To Amend the Law Relating to i Distress (Mr Holmes) ; To Regulate the i Admission of Persons to Practice in tho Courts of Law ; To further Enable Affini ation to be taken in Lieu of Oaths ; To Enable the People of New Zealand peaceably to make Changes in their Constitution whenever they may think it necessary so to do; To Afford Relief under certain circumstances to Deferred Payment Settlers (Sir George Gray). To Regulate the Liability of Consumers of Gas in New Zealand ; To Amend the Law of Evidence (Mr Hutchinson). The Auckland Harbor Boa r d Empowering Bill (Mr Swanson). REPLY TO TIIE ADDRESS. Mr Peacock moved : " That a respectful address be presented to the Governor in reply to the speech His Excellency was pleased to make in both Houses." Mr Rutherford seconded. ■■*'■

Mr Montgomery admitted that prosperous times bad again can-ie round to the colony in common with its Australian sisters, but the improvement was due to larger causes than any mere act or policy on the part of the Government. He referred to the experiences of the olher colonies in proof of that fact. With regard to the leasing of the public lands a great question was raised. He quoted from the late Premier's speech at Leeston a few months ago to show that he was opposed to such a proposal. The proposal re Te Whiti was in bis opinion a departure from the spirit of British law and British justice. If a Loan Bill was to be brought in, he hoped the Government would let them know where the money was to be spent, and that the amount in each work, or part of a work, would also be distinctly specified. He should have thought that member-- having come fresh from their constituents were able to discuss the question of local government, and that they were best qualified to deal with the question. The Government, however, did not seem disposed to take advantage of their experience, but passed ovpt them and sent circulars to the local bodies themselves on the subject, thereby ignoring them ns members of Parliament. The address was remarkable for its omissions. Nothing was said about reforming the other branch of the Legislature. He urged the necessity of getting the financial statement, public works statement, etc., brought down together at any early date. He would promise that, while eriticisiug their measures fairly and fully, he would guarantee that there should be no factious opposition. M-rjor Atkinson congratulated the Hons*- on the existence of an opposition with Mr Montgomery as recognised leader. After reviewing Mr Montgomery's speech he said he was quite prepared to try whether he or Mr Montgomery possessed the confidence of tbe House.

Messrs De Latour, Sutton, Holmes, Sir G. Grey, and Mr Joyce also spoke, the latter mov'ng as an amendment: "That the Governor be informed that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that tbe Premier should be a member of the representative branch of the Legislature." Mr Feldwick seconded without remarks. Sir George Grey said that on Thursday he would table an address to the Queen, congratulating her on her happy escape. After tbe Hon Mr Dick and MrTurnbull had spoken, the amendment was put and lost, and the original motion carried.