PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 269, 14 November 1871, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

"Wellington, November 13. On tbe motion for going into Committee on the University Act Amendment Bill, Mr. Bathgate moved that it be an instruction to the Committee so to alter the BilL as to make it repeal the Act of last session, on the understanding tbat if the Bill did not pass tbis session the Government should expend no more of the £3000 grant than would suffice to meet the existing liabilities. Mr. Vogel supported the motion. Messrs. Stafford, Rolleston, and Gillies commented in strong terms on the Government opposing their own Bill, and maintained that the resolution instructed the Government to do an illegal act. On a division, Mr. Bathgate's motion was carried by 32 to 1 5, Mr. Yogel and Mr. M'Lean voting with the majority, and Mr. Fox and Mr. Gisborne with the minority. r - In Committee on the measure, Mr. Rolleston divided six times against amendments proposed for the purpose of changing the object of the Bill. The , Bill however, ultimately passed as a Bill simply repealing the Act of 1870. Some strong -language was exchanged between the/Opposition leaders and Ministers. The Legislative Council, by a majority of 13 to 11, has consented to reinstate the disputed clause, in the payment toi-Pro-vinces Bill, in order to avoid the inconvenience which would, at the present period of the session, arise by their persisting in their original resolution. The Council, however, maintained their constitu tional right to make such amendmen ts,and only refrain from asserting them in the present case on condition that the operaiton of the clause in question shall be limited to the present year, and that the point in dispute between the two Houses shall be referred to the Law officers of the Crown in England. The Low*er House agreed to these conditions on the, understanding that the opinions of the Law officers shall not be i binding on either House. It is considered doubtful if the Council will accept this/ proposal. The Insolvency Bill, and a large number of other Bills, were discharged to-day.