PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4240, 28 September 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

[By Telegraph.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. September 28. The House met at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. In reply to questions, the Government intimated :—(1.) That it was not the intention of Government this year to continue the usual Provincial grants of money to agricultural societies and country libraries, though they might on a subsequent occasion ask for a special vote for these purposes. (2.) It was proposed at the end of the session to return to the 200 words system at evening rates for evening papers. No prospect could be held out at present that Government could continue the present privilege of 500 words at evening rates to evening papers. It had been f6uud that telegrams for evening papers, being usually sent during the busiest hours in the day, interfered very much in delaying the telegrams of commercial peopb and of the general public. (3.) They intended to oppose the Law Practitioners' Act Amendment Act at every stage. Mr Joyce gave notice that he would move that Press telegraph charges be made uniform.

Mr De Lautour moved—"That the House to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to consider an address to the Governor, requesting he will cause provision to be made, so that an area of waste lands of the Crown should be set aside in Otago, the proceeds of which, under the waste land laws in force, or to be put in force, should be placed to a special fund as a guarantee for the payment of any moneys hereafter to be raised for the purpose of opening up the interior of Otago by main central railway." As the Government localised the land revenues of each district, it behoved the Government to see that they were spent to the best advantage, and it was their sacred duty to take steps to open up the interior lands of the Provinces, so that they might carry people instead of eheep. The Premier said the hon. gentleman had his entire sympathy when he said he wanted to see the land reserved for real settlement, but there was nothing in the resolution to show that the lands sold in the way pointed out would be sold to the rest of the settlers, and in a way to promote settlement. The question opened waa a very large one, because, if they did what was proposed in Otago, they would have to do so all over the Colony, and it appeared to him, however desirable the object migkt be, that the Colony was not now in a position to do what was asked. Mr' Retd thought a central railroad in Otago was very desirable, but the time had not yet arrived for such a work. In any case he thought such a work should be constructed out of a loan instead of by locking up the lands. The House divided, ani the motion was lost by 24 against 20. Mr Sharp moved for a grant of six months' salary to be made to the widow of the late Charles Eliott, of Nelson, which, after discussion, was carried by 40 to 12.

Mr Thomson moved for an extension of telegraphic communication to Catlin's Eiver. Mr yVhitaker said he waa aorry the Government could not accede to the motion. The district was no doubt considerable, but was very much dispersed, and wire would be of use to only a small portion of the people. The primary cost of the line would be L 2.000, and the subsequent maintenance L 250 or L3OO a-year. Messrs Burns, Murray, and Reynolds strongly supported the motion. It was argued that Mr Whitaker was out in his figures; that the expense would not be so great as indicated, and the probable revenue much greater than was anticipated. The saw-millers alone would contribute very largely. Messrs Carrington and Pyke opposed the expenditure. Mr Whitaker said if the Government could be assured against any loss in the working of the line after it was up, Government would construct the line.

Mr Thomson said although he had no authority for speaking so, he believed a guarantee would be given. He then withdraw the motion.

Mr Reynolds then gave notice to move for a return of telegraphic receipts and expenditure, giving the receipts for each station separately. The Speaker left the chair at 5.30. At the evening sitting, The second reading of the Provincial Appropriations Act Extension Bill led to considerable discussion, several members being under the impression that the present services would be placed in the hands and under the control of Superintendents and Provincial Secretaries, when the Provincial machinery is stopped. Generally, however, members considered the Bill a wise and necessary measure, in order to prevent any hitch in the change from one system to another.

Sir G. Grey announced his belief that Abolition could not take place; that the Home Government had been misled in the matter, and that as.far as Auckland was concerned he intended to contest the matter in the Law Courts of the Colony. After a good deal of discussion the Bill passed.

A gratuity of two years' salary was granted to the widow of the late Colonel St. John.

An appropriation of LI 10 was ordered in the matter of John Pahey. The Law Practitioners Act was read a third time by 23 to 20.