PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 60, 5 September 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. | Per Press Association ] Wellington, vSep(ember 4. The Council met at 2 30 p.m A Select Committee was appointed to determine the proper data for hold ing the anniversary of the colony. Sir Patrick Buckley moved the second reading oE the Shops and Shop Assistants' Bill. Colonel Whitmore objected to the clause as to closing hotels during the half-holiday. Mr Eeynoldß believing that the Bill would prove injurious to small shop keepers, moved that the second read ing be taken that day six months. Mr Shrimski supported the amend ment, the Bill being cruel and tyran nical to small shopkeepers Mr Bolt supported the Bill, which would meet with the appreciation of the people. Mr Stewart said there was a diver sity of opinion in Dunedin as to which was the best day for shopping Mr MacGregor admitted the present Act wan a failure, aud unless the Bill was modified he feared it would be a failure also. The second reading was agreed to i and tho Bill sent to the Labor Bills Committee. The Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House this afternoon, Mr G. W. Russell asked the Colonial Treasurer, Are the Government aware whether negotiations are pending or contemplated or not for the amalgamation of the Colonial Bank with the Bank of New Zealand ? The Colonial Treasurer said the Government were aware negotiations were proceeding, but particulars had not yot reached Government. When they did, they would be carefully considered, and the House would be given an opportunity of considering the whole matter. Mr W. Hutchison asked, Will the Government this session bring in a Bill to prevent the formation of what is known in commercial circles as " cornors," by which the price of the staple commodities of the colony are unduly enhanced and legitimate trade is seriously injured ? The Colonial Treasurer said htj would be glad to receive suggestions to prevent " corners " being formed in the colony. Sir Robert Stout moved the idiournruent of the House to enable him to refer to Mr Seddon's reply to his question respecting bankruptcy advertisements. He said the Premier had stated that bankruptcy advertisements were not confined to newspapers on the Government list, but he did not mention that a circular had been forwarded to all Deputy Official Assignees in the colony with a list in which Government advertisements were to be inserted. Mr Seddon said that formerly officers of departments had sole control of advertising, and the result was a tremendous expense to the country. No country could afford to pay the amount that had hitherto been expended in Government advertising, aud the Government had therefore decided that the cost must be decreased. Mr J. McKenzie said that when the present Government came into office they found that the Opposition papers were treated in the same manner as was now complained of. Mr Ward spoke in a similar strain, and said that some of the Government advertisements were given to all papers. Several other members also spoke. Mr Bell took the opportunity of the adjournment having been moved to call attention to the reply given by Mr Ward to Mr G. W. Russell, when he stated that negotiations were going on for amalgamation between tho Colonial Bank and the Bank of New Zealand. He asserted that if these things were being done before the President or Directors were appointed for the Bank of New Zealand or before the colony had the slightest opportunity of being protected, the House had been betrayed and misled. Mr Ward was much surprised at Mr Bell's remarks. He pointed out that the two millions guaranteed by the colony for the Bank of New Zealand bad not yet been raised, and the Government had no responsibility yet in connection with the amalgamation. He assured the House that at the earliest possible opportunity they would be informed of the full particulars of the negotiations. After further discussion the motion for the adjournment was lost on the voioe3. The evening was taken up by a debate on the Unimproved Value Bill, which was read a 2nd time by 87 to 4. The House rose at 1 a.m.