PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 1707, 7 August 1875, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

. # (-FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

The Breach of Privilege Case. Rather a warm discussion arose on the question of privilege raised by Sir George Grey, during which all admitted that his explanation of his own statement was accepted and borne out. Mr Bowen offered that if Sir George Grey wrote a letter disclaiming of the words attributed to him, he would transmit it to the Chief Justice. The matter then dropped. The Planting of Forests. In speaking to his auestion relative to setting apart of the £7,500 worth for forests, Mr Reeves spoke of the prospects held out by Mr Vogel of paying the national debt of England, and the facility for paying our own. He thought it must be an oversight and omission from the Estimates. This was Major Atkinson took it gravely, and said it was not an oversight. The Act had not been brought into operation. No Minister had been appointed, and consequently no money was required. .Mr Vogel had already taken steps for the appointment of rangers and experts in forestry. If the House desired he would place the sum on the supplementary estimates.

The South Sea Bubble. In putting the question relative to the Polynesian' Scheme, Mr Reeves reviewed the action of the House in the past, and the promises of the Government as to what should be done during the recess.

Sir Donald McLean said the Government had not given any attention to the Polynesian Scheme since last session. Sir Julius Vogel at the Baths. In reply to Mr Reeves question as to Sir Julus Vogel looking after borderers while at the German baths, Fir Donald McLean entered on a eulogy of Mr Vogel asserting he was always everywhere] working for the colony. He laid on the table papers showing h_B efforts in relation to forestry. The Naval Training Ship.

In reply to Mr O'Neill, Mr Reynolds said he had received a very satisfactory report from the Collector of Customs, who had made an enquiry at Kohimarama which would probably be received in a week and laid on the table.

Grants of Land to Volunteers. Three Southern bills of only local interest were read a first time.

On the second reading of the Hawkes Bay Volunteer Grants Bill a considerable discussion ensued on the intention of the grant of land to certain persons who had volunteered and foinghfc in 1865. Mr Buckland referred to the promises to the Defence Eorce of Auckland, which had never been fulfilled.

Mr Murray spoke of the probability of these very grants being already purchased by capitalists. Mr Kelly did not see why the Tauranga Volunteers should not also have a slice.

Mr Sheehan strongly condemned the principle of grants to Volunteers and conditional living on miserable lots.

Sir Donald McLean admitted that the system of rewarding military services by grants of land was a complete failure. It was not his intention to perpetuate the system, and even in respect of the objects of this bill he would consider if it were not better to give a direct grant of money,

Inspection of Machinery. In moving the second reading of the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill, the Government explained that the object was to give power to instantly stop machinery if defective, instead of 48 hours as before. Also, to enable the Inspector to make enquiry into accidents by the Resident Magistrate with expert Assessors; also, to alter fees. It was read a second time. University and Protection to Animals-

The University Act and Protection to Animals Act passed through all their stages.

Mr Swanson obtained a postponement of the Marine Act Amendment Bill second reading till Tuesday, to give time to those interested to consider it.

On the Ford and others Pension Bill second reading, Mr Sheehan protested against the provision contained prohibiting four widows from marrying, as being contra bonos mores, as well to the spirit of the immigration loans.

The University of Otago Site Exchange Bill passed through all its stages. Th House rose at 5.30 to take the Abolition of Provinces Bill debate immediately on resuming with the object enabling the Government to explain the provisions and then adjourn on the motion of Sir George Grey.