PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1321, 23 October 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

RAILWAY BILL NEGATIVED BY UPPER HOUSE. ENCOURAGEMENT TO LOCAL INDUSTRIES. Wellington, Oct. 22. The whole of last night was spent in Committee of Supply. All the Estimates, including Public Works and Immigration, were passed. Two small items, proposed to be charged Provincially to Auckland, • ..~*~, »« — ami — > : i—«.«*/v_nxiii_ after debate, agreed to be made Colonial charges, and the Government withdraw proposed additional LSO to Westland's Land Commissioner. No other alterations were made. In the Agent-General's Department Mr Reynolds drew attention to the fact that Dr Featherstone and Mr Morrison were directors of the new bank. Mr Ormond said the Cabinet had considered the subject, and determined that seats on the directory of the bank were incompatible with Dr Featherstone's and Mr Morrison's official positions. A debate ensued. Mr Bell declared his conviction that Dr Featherstone would not submit to such dictation, and that it would at home be said the government of the Colony was in the hands of the Bank of New Zealand. Messrs Fitzherber*-, Stafford, and others expressed their opinion that Dr Featherstone was perfectly right in acting as he had done. Messrs Bathgate, Gillies, and others thought it should not be allowed. The Legislative Council, by 13 to 12, negatived a motion for the second reading of the Railway Bill. Mr Waterhouse immediately moved an adjournment, and the motion can be brought on to-day, and it is believed the Government can command a majority of the full Council. 7.10 p.m. Mr Waterhouse having obtained the suspension of the Standing Orders, moves the' second reading of the Railway Bill again to-night. Mr Sewell has given notice of an amendment declaratory of his opinion as to the policy of the public works which the Council is prepared to endorse. In the House, Mr Yogel announced that Mr O'Rorke had joined the Ministry, and the election of Chairman of Committees would take place before the session closed. Mr M'Lean announced the arrival of the Luna at Chatham Islands. Resolutions embodying recommendatipns from the L,ocal.{ndustrjes Committee were adopted by the House. These include enpouraging development of coal mines, offering a bonus for the production of pig iron and steel, paying export bonus on cured fish, encouraging sericulture, and holding an exhibition of flax dressing machines eighteen months' hence, with prizes of L3OO, LIOO, and L 53 respectively, for the best flax dressing machines, upon complying with certain fixed conditions. A deputation from Gold Fields' members, consisting of Messrs Sheehan, Shepherd, O'Neill, and J. C. Brown, waited on tho Premier, to urge the Government to reponsider its decision not to appoint a Minister of Mines. Mr Waterhuuse promised to reconsider the matter.