PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 63, 8 September 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. | Per Press Association ] Wellington, September 7. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The report of the conference of managers on tho Gaming BiU was adopted. The Borough of Oamaru Leasing Bill was put through its final stages. Several other local Bills were advanced a stage. The Oaths Act Amendment Bill was committed, but practically no progress was made with the measure. The Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. PROPOSED BANK AMALGAMATION RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. The House met at 2.30. In reply to Mr Pirani, who stated rumors were afloat that a syndicate of speculators intended to buy up the Colonial Bank shares in anticipation of a rise in their price consequent on that bank's probable amalgamation with the Bank of New Zealand, Mr Ward said no proposals had yet been made to the Government as to the amalgamation. If the negotiations between the two banks were successful they would come before the Government before being ratified. Subsequently Captain Russell moved the adjournment of the House, and again referred to the banking question. He said the whole colony was aware that shares in the Colonial Bank were rapidly rising, and the colony was specially interested in knowing whether tliat rise was due to the intended amalgamation with tlie Bank of New Zealand, which had the Government guarantee. Mr Ward said that any information which Government would receive on the matter would at once be laid before the House, and whatever the negotations might be they would not be carried out till the Government and the House were made aware of th-m. In his opinion legislation would be necessary before any amalgamation could take place between the two banks. Mr Seddon denied that the Government were instrumental in instigating tho proposals for amalgamation, and he 6couted the idea that the Bank of Now Zealand would entertain any negotiations without informing the Government. After a long discussion thu subject dropped. In reply to a question Mr Seddon said the Government recognised the growing evil of the Chinese immigration and competition, and Parliament would not be dissolved without something being done in tbe matter. The Rating on Unimproved Valuj| Bill was put through its final stages The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Seddon moved for the second time tho Government Railways Act Amendment Bill to amend the Government Railways Act 1887. Ue strongly justified the introduction of the Bill in the interests of land settlement and tho encouragement of our industries. The country had also proclaimed against the present system of manage ment. Captain Russell opposed the Bill, and said as Mr Seddon would have a deliberative as well as a casting vote he would be virtually dictator of our Railways. Dr Newman moved |as an amendment, entirely on bis own account, that instead of the Bill being read a second time it ehould be referred back to Ministers so that they might alter it to make the railways revert to the Queen. Sir R. Stout seconded the amendment, because he had always been opposed to the control of the Commissioners, and he asserted some of the Trades Unions now dominated the service. After further debate Dr Newmans amendment was negatived by 47 to 7. The debate then proceeded on the main question and at 12.45 was ad* journed until Tuesday. The House then rose.