PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 139, 23 June 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

I.PBH UNITED PH ESS ASSOCIATION. 1 Wellington, June 21. In the House of Representatives. Sereral petitions were presented in connection with the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill — from 500 residents of South Canterbury against it, and from nearly 1000 persons praying for constitution of Waimate (Canterbury) as a separate district, Mr Macarthur, in moving the second reading of the Bill, explained that it separated Manawatu from the Wanganui Hospital district, Waimate from South Canterbury, and Ashburton from North Canterbury. He had been asked whether it was necessary to present a petition for separation of Manawatu, and had replied that in his opinion it was not. He pointed out that as Wanganui was sixty miles from Palmerston, patients frequently died on the way ; and as to . a ne ,v hospital in the Manawatu, £1000 had already been raised by voluntary contribution toward its cost. He regretted that the Government had not brought in a measure dealing with this subject. Mr Bruce intimated that he should maintain a neutral attitude toward the bill and should not oppose the second reading. Mr Eh odes opposed the Bill, taking objection to the proposal to separate Waimato, Mr J. W. Steward supported the Bill and vigorously advocated the cause of those who wished the separation of Waimate from South Canterbury. Mr "W. P. Reeves likened these disputed districts to mermaids, composed of- two different parts having no affinity, and badly tacked together. As a suburban member he opposed the Bill. A long discussion ensued, in the course of which Mr Taylor moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. The Colonial Secretary said the dif • ferencea of opinion which existed .among members showed that the Government were right in deciding not to introduce this session an amendding Bill. As he had told a recent deputation the Government could not, bring in a Bill this session, though they would consider one during the recess and bring it in next session. He admitted that some change was desired, but said there would be difficulty in deciding how to make it. He considered that the principle of the Act was less to blame than the extravagant expenditure made under it. The amendment was lost by 33 to 23, and the second reading was agreed to. The Divorce Extension Bill was talked out. June 22. The Customs and ' Excise Duties Bill was further considered in Committee, the Government carrying nearly all their i proposals through, and the House rose -at 1.50 a.m.