PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 232, 20 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

IFEBSB ABBOOIATIOW TELESSiVW.J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Mcwdat, Septbmbbb 19. The Council met at 12 noon. The Railway Construction Bill was re-c’ilSr-mitted, and » number of further amendmo/.Ss made, none of great importance, except one which provides that on any company failing ta’ carry out its contract with the Government all its works shall be taken over by the Government, and if within »year the company fail’ to come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Government the works shall permanently vest in the State. Considerable obstruction was made to the- Bill, but after several divisions on motions made, with the view of throwing out the Bill,, in which its opponents were each time defeated, the opposition suddenly ceased, and tho Hon. \V. Robinson, who had led it, left the Chamber, saying that he would leave all the responsibility of passing the measure on its supporters. The Bill was then set down for the third reading next day. The Port Chalmers Dock Trust Bill, Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill, and Public Health Act Amendment Bill wore read a second time. The Council adjourned from 5 to 7130. EVENING" BITTING. The Council resumed at 730. The following Bille were read a third time and passed—Port Chalmers Dock Trust Bill, Patents Act Amendment Bill, Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill, Public Health Act, 1876" Amendment Bill, Town and Districts Bill, Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Bill. The Gold'Duty Abolition Bill was allowed to lapse and he thrown out. The following Bills were read a second time—Divorce and' Matrimonial Causes Bill and Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867, Amendment Bills. The Gisborne Harbor Board Bill was thrown out on the voices.

All other business was postponed, and the Council rose at 10'p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, Septbmbbb 19. afternoon" SITTING. The House reassembled at 2.30 p.m. NOTICES OP MOTION. Mr Bauakob gave notice that ha would move to tack the Pensions Bill on to the Appropriation Bill. Sir Q. Obey gave notice that he would introduce a Bill providing for equal rights being given to the descendants of all races in Now Zealand. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Reeves, The Hon. Major Atkinson said that steps would bo taken with the view of getting the estimates in future brought down within one month of the assembling of Parliament. Replying to Mr Reeves, The Hon. W. Johnston said that Government did not see the necessity for authorising members to frank telegrams to Ministers and heads of departments on public business. THE WAIPAWA LAND DISPUTE. Replying to Mr Tomoana, The Hon. W. Boixbston said that Government had withdrawn the Waipawa Land Dispute Bill owing to the late period of the session, but they would use their best efforts to settle the dispute during the recess. To enable him to speak to the question, Mr Tomoana moved the adjournment of the House, and proceeded to urge tha necessity for speedily settling the dispute, expressing regret at the withdrawal of the Bill.

Sir Q. Qeby greatly regretted the withdrawal of a Bill which be regarded as a most important one. He was indeed becoming hopeless of justice ever being done to the Natives, The Native affairs committee had been unanimous in their report and in the opinion that in this ease an injustice had been done to the Natives; but he really despaired of ever seeing justice done them. The Hon. W. Boixbston said he had good hopes that in this matter common sense would prevail, and the dispute be settled amicably. But it was rather rich to hear Sir G. Grey talking in such a strain, as when in office he had done nothing towards settling this question. Ho charged Sir O. Grey with delighting in stirring up and perpetuating strife. He was, in fact, an incorrigible mischiefmaker.

The Speaker ruled the words to be unparliamentary, and they were withdrawn. Mr Sheehan, after relating the facts of this dispute, hoped the Minister for Justice would look into the conduct of Mr Harding, who, although a Justice of the Peace, had, since the committee reported, been guilty of what would a few years ago have been deemed an act of war, in shooting the pigs of the Natives.

Mr Macandbbw said that, from all he could learn, the Bill would have passed in a much shorter time than they had taken to discuss the matter. He suggested that it should be put through without comment. Colonel Thimble altogether denied the correctness of Mr Sheehan’s statements as to the facts of the dispute. The Hon. J. Hall said that considering the period of the session the waste of time still going on was perfectly lamentable. Ministers were bound to arrange the business according o their own plans, aid it was manifest that in doing so they were governed by considerations which they could not always explain. On many occasions they kept quiet, and were content to be under unjust imputations rather than go on discussing and wasting the time. Mr Hutchison blamed the Government for not having brought forward their important matters during the earlier part of the session. The motion for adjournment was then withdrawn. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Babbon gave notice that he would ask the Government if they would be prepared to grant free railway passes to mayors and chairmen of county councils with the view of promoting a joint conference of these bodies at some central place, in anticipation of next session. The Corrupt Practices Bill was further considered in committee. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m, EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. COBRUPT PRACTICES PRETENTION BILL. The Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 10 was strongly contested, no fewer than fourteen divisions taking place. Ultimately the clause passed amended to read “penalty of £400.” Other clauses were also objected to, and a large number of divisions followed. Eventually the Bill passed without further alterations. Mr Babbon moved- a new clause, providing that any person neglecting to record his vote should be struck off the roll, aud not restored again till he had re-registered Ayes, 10; noes, 31. Mr Saundbbs moved as an addition that no candidate be allowed to spend more than £5 for ad rertising in any one paper—Ayes, IS ; noes, 20. The Bill was reported with amendments, which were agreed to, read a third time and passed. A motion for adjournment at 11 a.m. was under discussion at 1.35 a.m.