PARLIAMENTARY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3051, 13 August 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

THE REPRESENTATION BILL. [united press association.] "Wellington, August 11. Mr Ross resumed the debate on the Representation Bill. Mr Pyke disapproved of the constitution of the Board, nor was he much enamoured of automatical representa'ion. The number of members was not too great. He objected to population as the sole basis, and deprecated the cry ->f the North. The bill was read a second time without division. On the motion for committal tomorrow, Mr Seddon moved to insert that day day six months, but was ruled out of order. The question was then put—Ayes, 39; Noes, 29. The division list was as follows : Ayes, 39. Ballance Macarthur Barron Mackenzie, M. J. S. Beetham M'Kenzie, J. Bruce Mitchelson Bryce Montgomery Buchanan Moss Buckland, W. F. Newman Cadman Peacock Conolly Reid Dargaville Richardson, G. F. Fergus Rolleston Fraser Russell Fulton Stout Grey Te Ao Hamlin Thompson, T. Hurst Tole Hobbs Whyte Johnston Wilson Lake Wi Pere Larnach Noes, 29. Bevan M'Millan Bradshaw Menteath Brown O'Callaghan Buckland, J. C. Pearson Cowan Pratt Dodson Pyke Gore Reese Guinness Ross Hakuene Samuel Hatch Seddon Hursthouse Sutter Ivess Turnbull Joyce Thomson, J. W. Lance Walker Levestam Pairs. For : Against: Fisher Holmes Ormoud Harper Locke Allwright Trimble Duncan Moat Taylor Atkinson Steward, W. J. Wakefield Kerr Smith O'Conor Hirst, H. Coster THE UNEMPLOYED QUESTION. VARICfUS BILLS. THE REPRESENTATION BILL. THE MINES BILL IN THE COUCIL. PASSING OF PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES, AND THE GREY-ROKITIKA RAILWAY VOTE. [from our own correspondent.] Wellington, August 11. After questions Sir George Grey raised the subject of the unemployed aud moved the adjournment of the House. A stormy discussion ensued, in which Steward, Seddon, and the Premier took l«art. Half-past five put a stop to the wrangle. At the evening sitting the Treasurer moved the re-comraital of the Stamp Act Amendment Bill. Messrs Guinness, Seddon and Menteath Crilled the attention df the Treasurer to the amendment required to give concession in the transfer of mining property. Ultimately the Treasurer consented to an amendment by which property held under miner's right or license shall be transferred on payment of the stamp duty as per seal fixed by the "Stamp Act, 1882." The Deceased Persons Estate Bill was read a second time. The Property Assessment Bill was read a second time. August 13. A severe struggle has terminated in the passing of the District Railway Purchasing Bill. The Government have suffered severely ; they only carried the main features of the bill by two votes. The Representation Bill is the allabsorbing topic, and in the lobbies the greatest excitement prevails. The Opposition have so got the Premier fixed tliMt he cannot with safety retieat. On the other hand, those opposed to the bill are determined to prevent the bill passing, even at the risk* of bieaking party allegiauce. The Opposition,

are therefore carrying a Government measure, whilst the Government supporters to a man are voting against it. The Premier has, however, Bgreed that if the motion for committal is only oar tied by a narrow majority, he will drop the bill. Whipping on both sides is carried on briskly, and the division will be close, the final result being that the bill will be dropped. There has been warm work in the Cabinet over the Bubject. Vogel, Richardson, and Larnach are against the bill, and Vogel and Richardson refuse to vote for it. The mistake in the Premier pressing this Bi'l has prolonged the session three days at least, and greatly strained party ties. The Legislative Council have withdrawn all their amendments to the Mines Bill except the one dealing with prospecting on private lands. The managers for the House will not risk a conference, so the Mines Bill may now be considered as passed ; and, on and after the first of January next, miners' rights will be reduced to five shillings (55.) and business licenses to £3. The bill in other respects will prove a great benefit to the mining industry. The business of the session will close on Saturday next. Later. The House adjourned at 3 a.m. and passed the Public Works Estimates with a single reduction. The Hoki-tika-Grey Railway vote was adveisely criticised by the member for Mataura, but the committee were in passing humour, and passed it without exception. MINING TRANSFER FEE. [CORRESPONDENT GREY ARGUS.] Wellington, August 12, In the House last night, on the order of the day for the third reading ot the Stamp Act Amendment Bill being called on, the Treasurer moved to recommit this bill for consideration of clause 3. Mr Guinness moved as an amendment that clause 2 be also considered, in order that a clause might be bo amended as to rectify a mistake in last year's Act, by which 7s 6d was charged for the transfer of mining property instead of Is, as formerly. The Treasurer objected to the amendment. He considered that it was unfair to ask that mining property should not be subjected to the same duty as was other property. Mr Seddon pointed out that there were different classes of property affected. After some further discussion the Treasurer agreed to the amendment eventually. Clauae 2 being considered in Committee, was amended as Mr Guinness wished. The bill was reported a.s amended, and read a third time and passed. i