PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 107, 2 November 1895, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. CLOSE OF THE SESSION. fPer Press Association ) I Wellington, Nov. 1. \ Dr Newman regretted the census returns would not be ready in time to ; effect any necessary re-distribution in seats, and thought the machinery used in America in taking the census should be obtained for use in New Zealand to facilitate the furnishing of the returns. Sir R. Stout thought the return of population could be obtained before September. He saw no reason why the census should not be taken on March Ist. Mr Fraser pointed out the opposition to the passage of the Census Act Amendment Bill came from the belief that if the census were taken it would be in time to give effect to the provisions of the Representation Act. Mr Mills thought there was a consensus of opinion throughout the colony that Parliament should be quinquennial instead of triennial. He also advocated a fairer adjustment of the boundaries. Mr Larnach hoped the Government will spend as little money as possible in taking the census, as a larger expenditure on public works was urgently required. Several other members also spoke. The Hon. Mr Seddon expressed the opinion that it would be an act of justice to the country if the membership of the House was increased to the number of 94. Regarding what Dr Newman had said, he would make inquiries in regard to the machine used in America, and if these were satisfactory he would order one for use in the colony. The Representation Bill would be introduced next session, and would provide for adjusting boundaries. Mr Fraser, in his references to the oopostion to the Bill, was entirely wrong as the Bill had only been dropped because of the late stage of the session. He believed if a ballot of the House were taken a large majority would be found in favor of postponing the census. Hon. Seddon, in moving the adjournment of the House, referred to the trying nature of the session, and said taking it all through he thought the House could congratulate itself on the work done. The colony now had brighter prospects than had been in view for some time past. The revenue was coming in fully up to expectations, in fact the returns were a little beyond that. He referred to the good feeling that existed on this last day of the session, and paid a compiment to Sir G. M. O'Rorke and Messrs Guinness and Joyce for their services, which Mr Guinness suitably acknowledged. The motion for the adjournment was carried by 15 to 9, and the House at 1 p.m. adjourned formally for a week.

The schedule of business of the House shows that 23 Select Committees were set up ; 177 public bills were introduced, of which 91 received the Royal assent or reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure ; 85 were dropped out, or otherwise disposed of ; two private bills received the Royal assent, one being dropped ; 518 petitions were presented, and 533 divisions taken. The House sat on 86 days, the average daily sitting sitting being 8 hours 29 minutes, 970 questions were asked of Ministers, 277 papers laid on the table, and 635 reports from Select Committees.