HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 30, 20 August 1885, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

NOTICE OF QUESTIONS. Mr Macarthur gave notice to ask, Whether the Government had received any intimation from the Agent-Gen-aral as to his probable resignation ; if so, whether they had entered into negotiations with any other person to fill the office. — Sir George Grey gave notice to ask the Governraeni tomorrow, If they intended to undertake the construction of the East and West Coast Railway, so as to connect Christchurch and Hokitika.

NATIVE ADMINISTRATION.

A long discussion took place on the motion that the resolutions from the Committee of Supply be reported to the House. — Major Atkinson contended that Mr Ballance had not shown where the promised saving of L 14.000 from other departments was to come from. — The Hon Mr Ballaace said he had already proved that in Committee. He defended his conduct of the Native Department at some length, and said his administration of it had been as economical as that of his predecessors.

LAND BILL. Hon. Mr Ballancee moved the committal of the Land Bill, and in doing so said he thought the amendments made in the bill by the Waste Lands Committee had improved it. He then detailed the nature of the amendments, made. The bill was one of the most important of the session, and the House would not be wasting time in fully discussing the measure. Sir George Grey thought Mr Ballance did not understand the amendments made by the Committee. His own opinion was that Crown hinds were the property of all. Hon. Mr Stout agreed that the Crown Lands should be the property of all, but not without payment as suggested by Sir Gesrge Grey. Sir George Grey was opposed to perpetual leasing system, «n.d yet he advocated that system in his speech.

Mr J. McKenzie thought the bill of great value, inasmuch as it repealed 26 statutes, and he strongly supported the motion for committal.

The Stewart hoped that if the bill passed it would remain on a Statute Book for a number of years and not be subject to alterations which were constantly being made in the land laws.

The motion for committal was carried on the voices.

August 19. ANBWEBB TO QUESTIONS.

Replying to questions, it was stated A thht Government had received no intijnation as to the Agent-General's resignation. — That the whole natter of priyate sidings on railways was to be reconsidered by Government. — That informatioH as to the intentions of the Government respecting the East and West Coast railway would be found in the public Works Statement.