PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 179, 30 July 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, July 29. On the House resuming iaat night, Mr Macaodrew hoped the item "Marine £11,835," would not be passed before a Bill waa introduced. The Premier defended the idea as beneficial to the whole colony. Ultimately it was passed on the voices. Tbe remainder of tbe Estimates then passed without alteration aud with slight discussion, excepting the item "Militia and Volunteers for South Island £7,401 7b 6 J," which Mr J. E. Brown considered a useless expenditure, and called for a division, but it passed on the voices. Au interesting debate took place on the Qualification of Electors Rill. Mr Andrews moved its second reading (bat day six months. . : . Mr , Keader Wood warmly supported the ; measure, end announced that several would be proposed ao as to make the Bill resemble tbe one brought

down by Mr Giaborne in 1872 by providing that the franchise be' extended to every male of 21 years of age, and that members accepting office should vacate their seats, being eligible for re-election ; writs to be more speedily iasued, and triennial Parliaments. Measrs T. L. Shepherd, O'Neill, and While, Goldfields members, strongly opposed the Bill aa virtually disfranchising tbe gold minora. After a long discussion, Mr Stafford moved the adjournment of the debate to Friday, and the House adjourned. Upon the House meeting to-rlay the Premier announced that he had received fuller information than by cable regarding the million and a-half loan, to this effect:— Tenders had been called for nominally at 98, but, owing to certain allowances made, it was reduced to £96 9., and £673,400 was disposed of at that figure, the balance of £826 000 had averaged £95 12s, a slight 'concession equalling about one per cent, haviog been made. The Premier stated that the Government had decided that it would not be advisable to let tho Electoral Bill interfere with moro imperative business, and would consequently defer its consideration till a late period of the session, and probably might not again bring it down. Mr Stafford expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the arrangement. The Speaker called attention to the fact that he had received a letter from Mr Montgomery stating that he had entered into a contract with the General Government for railwas sleepers, in ignorance of the penalties of tbe Disqualification Act, and asking for advice. On tbe motioD of Mr Reeves a Select Committee was appointed to consider the correspondence and papers on the matter, which were laid before the House by the Minister of Public Works. The business was comparatively unimportant this evening. The Premier said, in reply to Mr Fox, that the Government fully recognised the importance of inquiring into the way in which the business of the various Friendly Societies of the colony was conducted, and that the Colonial Secretary had already taken steps to obtain the necessary information. Failing that, they would act upon the hon member's suggestion, and appoint a Royal Commission te inquire into the matter thoroughly. The Premier replied to Mr M'Gillivray tbat, in consequence of the many demands upon the Telegraph Department, tbe telegraph to the Orepuki goldfield could not be opened for the present. The railway must bo further advanced before doieg co. On the motion of Mr W. Kelly, Mr M'Lean agreed lo lay on the table all official correspondence relating to the purchase of Native lands on the East Coast. Oa the motion of Mr Curtis, the Government agreed to furnish a return of all moneys paid to the Provincial Governments for rente of offices helonging to the departments of the General Government. Mr Harrison moved that it is desirable that all the Resident Magistrates of the colony and their officers should be placed solely under the control of the General Government, and their salaries be paid by appropriation of the House. This motion created a lively debate amongst the Neison and West Coast members, but it was ultimately negatived on the voices, tbe Premier having asked the House to oppose it on the ground that the intent of the motion was not strictly honest, and that it was of such a nature as lo make a Committee of the whole House the proper place in which to move it.