WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3571, 3 August 1874, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[Br Telegraph.]

(From .our own Correspondent,)

August 1. Both Houses had late sittings yesterday. In the Council, the Cons itution Act Amendment Bill was practically shelved. Colonel at the outset wanted it referred to a Select Committee, which was negatived, A discussion then ensued, and more than one member said the intent of the Bill was to out the Council ia a lower position than it now occupies. Others displayed strong conservative tendencies Dr Menzies did not consider the Council incapable of improvement, and would concur in any reasonable measure to effect a desirable improvement. Dr Pollen said the policy of the Bill was not attacked. The Bill did not interfere with the constitution of the House, but only with its action, when a contingency might arise. Members bad taken a selfish view, and seemed to think there was nothing beyond the House. It was quite true that there had been no public expression of opinion on the subject, but he held that the time be»t suited for the introduction of such a measure was one of political quiet like the or* sent. If the second reading was carried, he was agreeable to refer it to a Committee. Mr Campbell’s amendment, that the second reading take place that day six months, was carried by 25 to 8.

In moving the second reading of the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill, Mr Waterhouse said he was convinced the fate of the Bill was not to be decided by arguments, but by hard voting. Mr Stokes moved the second reading for that day six months, and said he hoped it would be carried by such a majority as would for ever extinguish the probability of its bvting brought forward again. Mr Mantell told the Council that prejudice must be overcome, and that the time would come when the measure must pass. The amendment was carried by 18 to 11.

1 he debate on the Conservation of Forests Bill in the House took a lively turn, Mr Wales showed there was a waste of timber (it for building purposes and a necessity for protecting it. Sir Cracroft Wilson strongly supported the Bill, and Mr M'Gillivray said it should be left to the Provinces. Mr Stafford made one of the best speeches : he could not have spoken more strongly if he had himself introduced the Bill. He said the members who had advocated the second reading, and them were letting the Bill drop, were either not in earnest or were playing with the subject in a manner unworthy of their positions. They were not taking the course the country had a right to expect of them, when an important national question was affected. He paid a high compliment to the Premier for the care and attention he gave to the subject, and appealed to the Premier to proceed w.th the measure and to assure the House tbat he was in earnest. Mr Vogel immediately said that the feeling with which the Bill was received, not only by the House but by the country, was evidence of the warmth of feeling of the country in favor of State forests. The Government desired most earnestly that the Bill should become law this session, and every exertion would be used to that end. Mr Stafford expressed his pleasure at hearing that, and hoped the Government would

not be too sensitive about amendments made honafide for the purpose of carrying out the insertion of the measure. If the Provinces (.-xhibited antagonism, it would be for the House to consider its position towards Provincial Governments, with respect to measures affecting the Colony. The experiment was worthy of the l egislative’s attempting. Mr Wakefield challenged the Superintendents and their tails to speak out honestly. Mr J. L. Gillies was favorable to forest conservation, but thought it should be left to the Provinces. Mr T. B. Gillies made a speech full of carping criticisms, saying the Provincial Governments bad better do the work. The Premier’s figures were fallacious, and might as well have referred to the year 14 B.C. or A.D. He ridiculed Mr Calcutt’s estimate of the profits. They should have a well-digested measure, and not one that would be a disgrace and a source of future oppression and injustice. With regret, almost amounting to annoyance, he opposed the Bill, because he agreed with the idea of conserving the forests. Mr Fitzherbert made a speech which his side think a masterpiece. He reminded the House of the Premier’s saying last year, that not one mile of railway would be made without land being taken for it. This proposal veiled the intent of taking that which dared not be taken openly. The Bill only advanced the rejected policy of last year ; the scheme was impractable and absurd. He would have no objection to try it, had it been reasonable. Mr Reader Wood concurred in every word that had fallen from Mr Fitzherbert, and recommended the postponement of the measure.

The debate was then adjourned till Tuesday, when Mr Vogel will press the Bill through. He has a majority, but the Provincial party will oppose it tooth and nail. The session may be lengthened thereby.