PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 204, 28 August 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, August 27. la reply to Mr Fox, the Premier intimated that the Government would institute a system of interch -nging the Judicial Circuits in < pursuance of the recommendation of the Ward-Chapman Committee. The wh ile afternoon was occupied with a discussion on the action of the Legislative Council in throwing out the Kailwa>s Bill. The Premier s-tid that the Council objected solely to the clauses relating to the purchase of the Otagb and Canterbury railways, ant as the other parts ot the Bill were of very gredt importance, he proposed to exci-e those clauses, and to send the Bill up again. He regretted exceedingly the late of the Bill, as the Government were most anxious to s c its provisions carried out, and had gone out of their way a good d al 10 secure its passing. He- could see no legitimate way out 01 the difficulty, and the Government could not be a . pa< ty to any other mode of overcoming the difficulty, which, be admitted, was very un- _ .-/.fortunate for Otago. He would remedy the matter as much a$ possible in the meantime by engaging to have a valuation made of the "'■ -liatS, and other necessary preliminaries for purchasing them gone on with during the recess.

-.. c Otago members were indignant, and Mr Reid proposed a resolution practically embodying the provisions of the objectionable clauses in the Bill, and pledging the Assembly to indemnify the Government for their action in the matter. The Premier declined to adopt such a course as unconstitutional, and making the Government liable to a -penalty. After a long and animated discussion, in which the Otago members repeatedly urged the Go* ernment to adopt a stronger line of action, the Premier promised to bring down a Bill at the evening silting asking for £60,000 to meet the purchase of the railways, so as to have the whole matter tested again. In reply to Mr Reader Wood, the Premier said that the prorogation would take place either oi Saturday or Monday ; if. the latter, there would be sufficient members left for the purpose. August 28. Something li?e a free fight took place last night upon Mr Gillies' motion as to bow a million and a-half was to be distributed as a concession to the provinces to prevent their opposition to the Public Works policy, and some warm debating ensued, several members taking the opportunity to comment upon the whole policy aud upon the abolition of provinces. Ultimately the motion was negatived on the voices. The Government passed their Bill providing for an advance of £60,000 for Otago, to be expended as the Superintendent and Executive directed. The House adjourned at 10-5 p.m. to 1230 p.m. on Saturday.