THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3915, 10 September 1875, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph ]

Wellington, September 10. In the Legislative Council yesterday, Mr Waterhouse gave notice that ho would move for a return showing the moneys advanced to companies under the Immigration and Public Works Act.

Mr Ngtitata moved for copies of documents allowing tfie authority under which the Crown grant to Native Land at Porirua was issued to the Bishop of Now Zealand for educational purposes. Order of the day No. I.—Consideration of message No. 4 from His Excellency, transmitting the follawing proposed amendments in the Southland "Waste Lands Bill :—ln clause 3, to omit all words of the clause to " unsurveyed " in line two, and insert " Whenever the Board shall hereafter receive an application for the purchase of any "in lieu thereof. In line 7of same clause to omit "the hud" and insert " Buch land" in lieu thereof. In line 10 of same clause, after ''shall'' to insert "after such refusal." The amendments were carried.

The following Bills were read a third time and passed without discussion:—Oamaru Waterworks 'Bill,;Nelson City Loan Bill, Campbelltown Athenaeum Bill, Plans of Towns Regulations Bills. The Goldfields Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee, and the third reading is an order of the day for to-morrow. The Wellington jlarbor Reserves Sales Bill went into Committee, and the further consideration was fixed for that day week. The Council adjourned till Tuesday. In the House of Representatives at 7.30

p.m., ! Mr Sheehan continued for half an hour with- ] out introducing anything new. Mr Fitzherbert followed, speaking so low • as to be almost inaudible. Pie said he in- '• tended to husband his resources, and would i speak for a considerable length of time, '• iu fact, he felt like one going upon a ' journey that would last for months. So 1 long aa his strength lasted and the forms of ] House permitted he intended to obstruct the passing of the Bill. In reply to a question, the Chairman in* ' formed the speaker that he might speak as long ' and as often as he liked; < Mr Fitzherbert then asked how long it would take to decide a question embracing the whole > Colony. He finished speaking at 11.20 p.m. ■ Mr Montgomery snggested that a clause be inserted in the Bill making it not come into operation until after the next meeting of Par- , liament, and that no new contracts should be entered into by Provincial Governments, and that none of their Ordinance fhould become law without the assent of the Governor; also, that all the claaises up to claiuc 4 be postponed. Mr Ashley Brown suggested that clauße 2, as to the time when the Bill is Vj come into operation, should be postponed till the Bill had gone through # committee, and that the time in clause 4 (ninety days) be left blank. Sir Donald M'Lean said if the committee were willing to pass the clausas till they came to those referred to by the lust two speakers, the Government would be prepared to consider their propositions or any others made in a fair and reasonable spirit. Mr Gibbs wanted ths committee to endeavor to improve the Bill, and if, when it came out of comrttee, it was net in a proper shape he would vote with the Opposition in preventing its becomin," law. At present they were only wasting the time and resources of the country. Mr O'Neil referred to the petition presented by Sir George Grey, and pointed out that his constituents vera as numerous as those iu the town of Auckland. He road letters showing that thoy were in favor of immediate abolition, and also a telegram regarding a large meeting at Coromandel in favor of the Abolition Biil passing as soon as possible. Mr Swanson suggested that the Government should consult the leaders of the Opposition as to what course was practicable under the circumstances. If no agreement could be arrived at the contest must bo continued to the bitter eud. Mr Wood said the Opposition would come to no compromise Th?y would keep rip the discussion till Parliament expired by etHuxion of time. lie was going to speak 111 8 a.m , when he would be relieved till 200 p.m. ; then another relief till ft. 30 p.m., and so on till the Opposition gained their point. It was painful to do this,]but it was their duty and in accordance with the wishes of the people, while the Government were going against the wishes of the people. The Bill should not pass this session ;it must be referred to the country, lie asked the indulgence of the Honss, for it was the firßt timo in hiu life that he had risen to reply with nothing to say. The Opposition were small, but were determined that the Bill should go no further. Mr Stout followed, and read extracts on federal government, and wa3 left reading them »t3 a.m., when he said ho had several point* still to touch upon.

(From our own CorraponHent.)

The Opposition still fight doggedly. Mr Stout spoke till daylight, and at 6.30 the House adjourned till 10 a.m.. since when talk baa been going on uninterruptedly. The Opposition watch is divided into five, and tho Government are obliged to keep together sufficient members to make ahouse. Every wordspokenis reported. A proposition wid be made to put in the chair, to relieve Mr O'Korke. It is now become a question,, of pure physical endurance on either side. A debate on a point of order resulted in the Chairman's decision that the committee was properly constituted being upheld. It is rumored in the lobbies that a settlement will probably be effected.■» Messr Macandr <t

and Rolleston left the Chamber this afternoon at the call of the Government whip. If. is stated that it. is-likely it will ba agreed to pass the Bill it the Government consent to not bringing it into operation until after the result of the elections