PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 179, 20 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Wedr.esesday. The House me? at -i.'JO to-iiay. A fortnight's leave of absence wa3 granted to Mr Tairoa. In reply to Mr Wood the Premier said the Government did not intend this session to make anv changes in the constitution of the Upper House. Several motions were made of little goneral interest. Mr Richardson brought forward a motion that a select committee of 15 be uppointed to consider the proposed boundaries of counties for the Middle Isianl, and to make recommendations thereon. A Bharp dit*c<iß:ion followed. The members of Otago, Cmterbury, nnd others, objected that the motion was premature and inexpedient, and should not be br ,u«ht down before the Counties Bill was read" a sic nd time. In the courss of the remark* doubts were expressed as t) whether the Bill woul 1 ever pnß3 the second reading Ultimately the Government disclairmd having any intention of pressing there?olution. A timilar resolution, deiling with the North lalaud, was also poafp^'d iietsire going ou wiih the Orders of tho Day the Premier made au oxplanati m regarding the intentions of the Government as to the motions of Messrs Whitaker and Wftktfield Ho said if the la'.ter were carried the consolidattd revenue wonld not get so much as under the Government proposals whireas on the other hand Mr Whitaker'a motion proposed that the consolidated revenue should get everyhing. The conclusion the Go'ernm nt had arrived at wai to give an unqualified opposition to both While they he d tint they h*i tha right to re.'me to diacass any buincss with ihe resolutions hanging ovtr their h 'ad*, they would yet do all the/could to meet the convenience of members, and would, as far as possible, go ou with all ordinary business. The other business was of not much general importance, aud ths House rose at 5.30 p.m. ThursJay. The House resuued at 7.30 oa the Canterbury Pastoral Leasing Bill. Mr fiolleatpn opposed tha Bill on the grounds that it was calculated to create cl&aa

feeling, and wns opposed to the interests of the settlers aud tho country at large, as it phyed into the hands of tho squatters, though he admitted that that class had bo far acted very fairly on tho whole. Mr Harpsr fiok a similar lina of argument, but still was opposed to the Bili, and moved that it bi read that day b'sx months. Mr Fisher supportei the sacoad reading. Mr^ Sheehun moved that the Bill be rtai tint d»y three weeks. Tc wai too much calculated to pluv into t-ie hands of the squatter*, :md it aff ;cted the general policy ot the Government, Mr Bowen pointed out that the Government ware oppose! to the Bill. As tho Premier hid antiou-iccd, they intended to introluaea Bill dealing with the whole question of the administration of tho was'e lands, and a measure that would ba more acceptable to the iloire tlnn thatßd!, Mr Wakefl.M aid Mr Rees supported the adjournment of the debate. Mr J. B. Rroi-n want-ad the whole question brought up there and then. The debate was adjourn d for three week3. A loi'g discussion ensued in committee on the Cea-us At Amea.imeil Bill, the result being that the next census should not be taken later than 1879, The House then went into Committee on the Ratirnr Bill, anl a tew cliusea were passed without alteration but when it came to rhu e 40, dca : i»g with the rating of mining property, the disjustion beoame eo protracted that progress was reportei at 12.45, without anything being done, and the House adjjurntd.