PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2658, 24 August 1871, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(from our own correspondent.) Wellington, August 24. The debate on the Coasting Trade Regulations Bill has been adjourned to Tuesday. The Port Chalmers Agreement Validation Bill has been read a third time in the House.

August 17. RECOVERY OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN. Mr Gillies moved for leave to bring in a bill to enable claims againsa the Crown to be recoAered. The subject was one of considerable importance considering the position the Government would be placed in uu 'er the Public Works Bill, audit was desirable that contractors should be enabled to recover claims against the GoVurnmcnt without being put to the trouble of recovering in sdoh a roundabout manner as tiny would be compelled to do unless such a b II w, re in existence. A similar b : il existed in Victoria, which had proved beneficial in giving private pa "tie a a direct mode of recovering debts duo by the Crown.

Mr Gisborne said the Government agreed with the remains of Mr Gillies that there should be some means by which private parties could recover, The Government would cither carry through the bill as a Government measure or would be Willing to gDc every assistance in their power. Mr Fox thought it would be better that the hill brought in by Mr Gillies should be read a first time, and if the Covernment approved of it they would adopt it as a Government measure. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time ordered to be printed, and its second reading deferred ABOLITION OF IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. Mr Gillies moved for leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the abolition of imprisonment for debt. His r'a -on was simply to see imprisonment for debt abolished, and if the Government wou\l take charge of the Bill he would bo most happy, t e would like to seethe crime of fraudulent insolvency i unished more severely than at pres nit, but he did not believe in a man suffering imprisonment at the instance of a vindictive creditor.. Mr Fox observed that the Government was favorably inclined towards the view taken by the bon member, and if, on inspection, the bill was found to be a desirable one, they would follow the same course as in the previous case, The same course was adopted as in the last bill. DRAINAGE ACT, &’C. Mr Murray asked the Premier if it was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill to encourage the improvement of land in New Zealand, on a principle similar to the Imperial Drainage Acts, 0 and 10 Victoria, Ac. ; also, if it was the intention of the Government to introduce a measure to cheapen and simplify the titles to laud, by combining the Crown Grant with the Land Transfer Paper; also, if it was the intention of the Government to take any steps to induce the 1 mperinl Gim rnraent to permit this Co’ony to make special tariff arrangements with other Colonies, with Great Britain, or with the United Stales of America ; also, if it was the intention of Government to take into considerati m m -asnres for the establishment of a Colonial State Bank of Issue. Mr Fox said the Government was not prepared to bring in a bill under the Ist clause of the motion, although the mind of the Government was favorable to it. In answer to the second question, the Government desired that the trans cr of land should be effected as cheaply as possible, and stops in the direction intimated would be taken. To the third question he would say that correspondence was going o i between the Colonial and Imperial Governments and verylikely sonic action would be taken soon. It was not tho intention of the Government at present to entertain the question of establishing a bank of issue.