THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 2945, 27 July 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

FRO’H OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT, July 26. The debate on Mr Collins’s motion for the reduction of the gold duty has been ad*

journed. Mr Shepherd seconded the motion, and su} perted it in stn ng terms. Mr V o«el moved an amendment to refer the question for the consideration of the Goldiields Committee. Mr M'Glashan supported the reduction. Mr Harrison objected on the ground that it would make it impossible to carry on the Westland Government. Mr Mervyn objected that the reference to the Committee would simply shelve the question. Mr Fox invited expressions of opiniors o: the Superintendents. Mr iV.'acandrew said the duty was indefensible, and Otago could do all necessary things without it. Mr Curti3 did not think the reduction would be au uninixed blessing to the miners. Mr Gillies supported the amendment. Mr Crcighton supported the motion. Mr White was speaking in favor of the motion when the hour for adjournment arrived. It is doubtful if the motion will pass. Mr Gillies moved the second reading of the Bill to repeal the sixth section of the Highways Kmpowering Act of last session, providing for acreage rate instead of valuation. The debate was adjourned. In the adjourned debate on the Life Assurance Companies' Hill, Mr Gisbomc denied that the Government desired to deal with private offices. The object of the Bill was to extend to them the same privileges as the Government office enjoyed, and to I exact security for the fulfilment of the com- I panies' obligations in the Colony. I [The above telegram was received too late for publication last evening ] (FROM GREVILLE AM) COMPANY.) Wellington, July 27. In the House yesterday, Mr Fox said there was no intention in the part of the Government to introduce the Education Bill this scsision. He referred to the conflict of opinion in the House last session, and to the sectarian differences and difficulty of devising a satisfactory measure in the absence of any suggestsons from the country. The Government, originally took action in consequence of the inefficiency of the Provincial systems, especially that of Auckland ; but there had been renewed zeal exhibited by the Provinces since last session and the Government desired to sec whether the Province* would not deol with the difficulty, and so give time for sectarian differences to subside. The House passed the Imprest Supply Bdl of LI 30,000. The Tramway Bill, to enable local bodies to construct tramways without General or Provincial liability, was read a second time. The Public Health Bill was committed and slightly amended, as was the Life Assurance Bill In connection with the latter, Mr Vogel promised to consider the advisability of introducing a clause providing for progressive deposits proi'Oitioiiate to a company's business. Tlie Maori Representation Continuation Act, and a Bill to legalize marriage with a deceased wife's sister, were read a first tim?. A select committee was appoiuted to consider the establishment of a branch mint. Mr Vogel promised to instruct the Customs officer* to admit, duty free, in separate parts, agricultural implements now admitted ftreo. A return of the cost of immigrants was agreed to. In speaking to the question, Mr Grmond said the Agent-General, by the last mail, reported that 2,000 immigrants bad started in the commencement of April—-one-fourth of the number "being Scandinavians, and the remainder from the United Kingdom. The motion for the reduction of the gold duty was i urthor adjourned.