PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1783, 7 November 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[Br Teiegbaph.] PBB PRESS AaENOT. WELLINGTON, November 7. In the Legislative Council yesterday Mr Buckley gove notice to move that it was desirable that the Government should take into consideration the present charges on railways, with the view of making the different lines realise a fair profit and contribute towards the revenue of the colony. Mr Whitaker, in reply to a question, said it had been found impossible to make up a detailed account of the expenditure of the consolidated fund in time to present it to Parliament. That was the reason why the statement was condensed. Several Bills wero read a first time. The Council adjourned at 3.10 p.m. After ten, last night, the House of Representatives prooeeded to consider the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill. Messrs Adams and Rolleston wanted the Bill to be postponed, to give time for its consideration. Messrs Brandon and Montgomery opposed the Bill altogether. Mr Moss supported it. Mr Tole thought there was more imprisonment for debt now than before the passing of the Bill for its abolition. Mr Speight supported the Bill. Mr Seddon thought that dishonesty was increasing in the colony. Progress was reported, and leavo given to sit next Thursday. The remaining business was not of general interest. [FEOM OTTB OWN OOBBBSPONDENT.] The Premier stated in the House yesterday that the Government were advised that the first instalment of the land tax could not be collected, and that when it had been paid it would have to be returned. The whole afternoon was again taken up in discussing the question of ordering the production of a prisoner named Worgan to give evidence before the Native Committee. Mr Ormond spoke very strongly on the onesided character of the Committee prepared by tho late Government. All private members' Bills are obstructed by these useless debates. Mr Stevens got his Drill-Bhed Bill through Committee during the first hour of yesterday evening's sitting. The power was granted on division in a very thin house.