PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4236, 23 September 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[By Telegraph.] HOUSE OF EEPRESENTATIVES.

September 23. At the evening sitting the discussion was continued upon going into Committee of Supply to pass THE IMPREST BILL. Sir George Grey was the chief objector. He wanted to know what provision was to be made for the Provinces the appropriations of which would fall in to-morrow week. The Premier explained that until that time arrived it was the duty of the Superintendents to act in conjunction with the General Government in providing for the administration of their Provinces. If the Superintendents failed in their duty the Government would step in and in any case they would be prepared to make suitable provision for carrying on Provincial services.

Sir George Grey demanded again and again specific information upon the point, saying he would oppose the granting of supplies until he would have to be carried out of the House from exhaustion, before he would consent unless the information he wanted was given him. The Premier repeated his assurances several times, and he further added that a large sum was required to be sent Home at once to meet the engagements of the Colony. Besides, the money was wanted for the Provinces immediately, and if the BUI did not pass, the credit of the Colony would suffer. Ultimately the Bill passed.

The remainder of the evening was taken up in motion bjpJHr Bastings, " That.the Government catt^r'tenders for thef construction of vfcbUtfdpline between Waipahee and TapanuV' whipjhthe Government opposed, eaying/^afc/many other branch railways - Wattted constructing, and if they "did-"'this/' one they would have to do— the others and would have to exceed the borrowing limits they set for themselves. Sir George Grey and a lot of the Auckland members, and a few Canterbury members supported the motion, which was only lost^bftS'^v^ir^ The House adjourned at 11.25\p.m. ABOUT THE LOBBim^ {From our own Correspondent). September S3. Messrs Stout and Macandrew leave ,by the-Ara-wata to-morrow. Mr.Maoandrew says he may never return, but Mr (Stout talks of coming back next week. »'■ In the House, last night, the Government asked for an Imprest Supply to meet the Colony's engagements with the English creditors, which Sir George Grey opposed, Baying that he hoped it would not pass in time for the mail, because if our engagements were not met a Royal Commission would issue to inquire into the financial condition of the Colony. He threatened ho would remain in the House to .oppose it, even if he were alone and would have to be carried out before one shilling should be granttd. But he did not do so, caving-in before eight o'clock, and he is still alive. Mr Bees astonished his leader by saying he would not consent to impede business anymore. Of the rest, Mr DeLautour was very Billy and sarcastic, Mr Macandrew patriotdo and plausible, and Mr Stout strongly obstructive. The Legislative Council adjourned in order to pass the Imprest Bill, but when it was read a third time Mr .Stout rose to speak, when the gong sounded so as to prevent the possibility of the Council doing so. The Council met this mowing, and passed the Bill through all its stages." ,- v At a caucus of Otago members this morning seventeen agreed to one County. At the waste Lands, Committee Mr Stout proposed that the assessment of the Canterbury runs Bhduld be half-a-crown for sheep and four and sixpence for cattle. He thinks two sheep are worth more thau a bullock.

I (Several membera are very ill from'the late hoots and mental pressure. The Amended Counties Bill is |iasned in a much improved form. The Abolition Financial Arragementa New Bill is also circulated. -• «9'^ nd ? y ,*££^ e mov«B for the repeal oijthe Qoldflelda Act, 1875, No. 1, which is considered injurious to miners by the Goldfieldß Committee.