PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1777, 31 October 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[By Tedhobaph.] WELLINGTON, October 30.

In the Legislative Council Mr Waterhouse introduced a Bill for tho destruction of rabbits. In reply to Mr Chamberlain Mr Whitaker said the Treasurer would deal with the question of existing local industries when making another financial statement. Mr Whitaker said the Government had no intention of altering the constitution of the Legislative Council. The Suppression of Gaming Houses, Lotteries, District Courts Amendment, and Protection of Pish Bills were read a first time. Mr Frazer moved for the employment of qualified medical men for Christchurch, Wellington, and Dunedin lunatic asylums. Mr Menzies advocated the cottage system. Dr, Grace said the chief cure of insanity was good medical superintendence. The Cure of Drunkards Bill was thrswn out ou the second reading: In tho House to day Mr Turnbull gave notice of a Bill for the simplification of divorce proceedings. Replying to questions, the Premier said tho adjustment of the expenditure of public money in Auckland would be based on the principle of justice to all parts of the colony. A Bill to regulate the immigration of Chinese was promised. Mr Saunders’ question regarding the late Ministry and their electioneering telegrams stood over till next day. A money bonus will be set aside for each island for the discovery of gold or diamonds. Correspondence and telegrams relating to tho alteration of polling places last election will be lard on the table. The Government promised to consider the question of promoting the establishment of a phosphorus manufactory, to provide the means for the destruction of rabbits. Mr Bryce promised to get prepared a return of the Native Office expenditure from July, 1869, to October, 1877. The Land Tax Amendment Bill was read a first time. It was agreed that the honorarium to members should be settled by Statute. Mr Sutton’s resolutions to extend and improve the system of local government, so as to enable them to carry out public works and maintain local institutions, and that Government introduce a Bill for that purpose, led to some debate. The Government promised to consider the matter during the recess, the measure required being too comprehensive to be dealt with this session. The debate was adjourned for a month. The. second readings of the Heathcote Bridges and Oamaru Harbor Board Bills were taken.

In the adjourned debate on the question of a reduction of gold duty by a shilling, Mr Fyke supported the Bill on condition that the section of the Rating Act exempting mining property from taxation should be repealed, and the duty reduced by sixpence yearly till it was abolished in 1884. This was accepted in lieu of other amendments. Considerable objection was taken to the loss of revenue to counties. A division resulted in the carrying of the amendment. Ayes, 39 ; noes, 36. The House went into committee on the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill. The remaining business on the paper to-night is not of general interest. The Ashburton Waterworks Bill went through committee very smoothly during the first hour of this evening. The only amendments made were a slight alteration in the constitution and power of the Revision Court, and the striking out of the words “ without payment of the lawful charges ” in clause 43. The Licensing Bill was debated for three or four hours, and passed its second reading without a division, though objected to by Mr Andrews with much more zeal than knowledge. There was a great deal of opposition to the compensation clauses, which are very likely to be struck out in committee next Wednesday, so Mr Saunders stated that he would strike out all power to deal with old licenses, and confine the local option principle entirely to new licenses. A great deal of work was got through last night, and it seems that work is now to be allowed to go on, though there is still a good deal of disposition to talk.