GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2332, 23 September 1881, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press association telegram.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, September 22. The Council met at 10 a.m. The Customs and Excise Duties Bill was passed through all the stages, the Hon. Q. M. Waterhouse condemning strongly some of the provisions of the Bill. The Hon. P. Whitaker said he also did not approve of some parte of the Bill, but the Council was powerless to alter it. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was passed through all its stages. The Standing Orders Committee recommended that next session a joint committee of the two Houses should be appointed to consider the procedure relating to conferences between the two Chambers regarding privileges, &o. The following motion by the Hon. M. Holmes was allowed to lapse owing to the lateness of the session—“ That, in the opinion of this Council, the time has arrived when a change in its constitution is required, and that steps should be taken by the Government during the first session of the next Parliament, to provide for the establishment of on Upper Chamber on some other basis than that of life nomination.” The Appropriation Bill and Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Bill were passed through all their stages. The Council adjourned at 4 30 till noon on Saturday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, September 22. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House re-assembled at 4 p.m. The Special Powers and Contracts and Appropriation Bills were reported from ther Upper House without amendments. THE PROROGATION. The Hon. J. Hall intimated lh i ,t the formal prorogation would take place on Saturday at noon, until which time it wao agreed to adjourn. the elections. In reply to Mr DeLautour, The Hon. J. Hall said that the House would scarcely expect him to state a definite time when the new elections would take place. Government, however, recognised the importance of getting them through as early as possible, and they would not be later than was absolutely necessary. THE OTVIL SERVICE. Mr Reeves said that as this was probably the last occasion upon which he would have an opportunity of addressing the present House, he desired to make a few remarks upon a subject which required some explanation. Government had gone to a great deal of trouble and expenre with the view of remodelling the Civil Service. First they had appointed a Royal Commission, and then they had appointed two highly-paid civil servant* —Messsrs Bafkin and Seed —to go about from place to place and report on the subject, yet the Government had not had the courage to lay the report of these gentlemen before theHouse, Attention being called to the state of the House a count out took place, and the Speaker at 445 left the chair until Saturday at noon. [from the own correspondent of the “ PRESS.”] The business of Parliament is at length over, and members are on their way home. After all the business was done, Mr Reeves endeavored to make a speech, but members precipitately fled from the Chamber, and the Hcuse was counted out. The formal prorogation takes place at noon on Saturday.