Untitled

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 55, 30 August 1894, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30. In reply to a question it was stated the Government had not yet decided on increasing the import duties on wheat and flour. Replying to Mr Stevens, Hon. Ward said Government did not intend to build a new post office at Feilding, but would do so at Hunterville. Replying to Mr O'Regan, the Premier said an offer had been made to Colonel Fox to act as military adviser to the Government, but the salary suggested was not £700 a year. Mr Pirani moved that a trial of the Vaile system should be made on some sections of our railway, under the direct supervision of Mr Samuel Vaile, but after a long discussion the motion was lost by 27 to 20. The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Gaming Bill were agreed to, with the exception of a new clause inserted by the Council to the effect the President of the Representative Racing Club may issue the totalisator license. A committee was appointed to confer on the matter. M? O'Regan moved the second reading of the Referendum Bill to refer to the electors of the colony certain questions or Bills for their decision. The Bill was opposed by Ministers principally on the ground that the people already had sufficient checks. Mr Reeves said if the Upper House persisted in thwarting the will of the people, and it was found necessary to abolish that branch of the legislature, some such check as the referendum might be necessary, and he would be found supporting it. Mr Seddon looked upon the Bill as a Conservative measure. A large number of other members spoke, the debate being earned on till after midnight. On a division the second reading was lost by 24 to 19. The House rose at 12.40 a.m.