PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 192, 12 September 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIVES. Wellington, Wednesday. Mr Reeves gave notice to move for the imposition of a duty on all coals imported into the Colony, Mr Wakefleid will ask when the Licensing Bill will be introduced, or whether the Government intend doing so at all. The Premier, in reference to Major Atkinson's suggestion yesterday said the Government had no objection to meet on Monday, aud to make Thursday a Government day. He gave formal notice to move that it be an order ot the House. Mr Sheebau promised that the Native Lands Bill would be in the hands of the members on Tuesday next. A long debate ensued upon a motion by Dr Hoagkinson, that the House considers it desirable that a measure for the re-adjust-ment of representation shall be introduced this session, and if that is not possible that the Government be requested to prepare one during the recess. The Premier said the Government concurring with the resolution no opposition would be offered. Soveral members expressed regret that the Government did not see their way to bring down such a measure this sessiou, or give more definite information on the matter than had been afforded. Mr Pyke opposed the introduction of such a measure when so much business remained yet to be done. Mr Sheehan said the Government agreed with the member for the Dunstan, and aaid the only other new measure of importance they proposed to introduce this session was the Native Lands Bill, and the session might be over in four weeks at the latest. On the molion of Mr Feldwick ,the debate was adjourned for a fortnight by 48 against At the request of the Gorernment the Regulation of Mines Bill, which was down for committal, was withdrawn, the Government promising to bring down a general measure next session to deal comprehensively with the whole matter. Thursday On the House resuming at 7.30. last night the debate on the Land Tax Bill was resumed, and continued till two in the morning. The following members supported the main principles of the Government proposals:

—Messrs Himtfer, Joyce, Turnbull, fieev^s, Moss, and Henry. Those bppdsed to the boVernifaeht bills were, Messrs Stevens'; atifl Fitzroy. The following members while voting for the second reading took exception to many of the details :— Messrs Montgomery, Bryce, and Green. A division was taken on Mr Wakefield's amendment, and the following was the result:—On the question being put " That the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the Bill" there were Ayes, 40; Noes, 7. Ayes — Messrs Baigent, Ballance, BarfE, Barton, Bryoe, Bunny (teller), D"c LnioUf, Dignan, Feldwick, Fisher, Fitsiroy, Georgft (teller), Green, Grey, Hamlin; Henry, Hislopj Hodgkinson, Joycfe, Kelly, Macandrew; Mandersj M'Minn, Montgomery, Mdss, tint* raji Nah'e, Pykc, Reeves, Rowe, Sheehan, SiittoD;, Swanson, Tawhiti, Teschemaker, To!e, Turnbull; Wallace. Whitaker, and Wood.— Noes ; Messrs Atkinson; Cutten, Gibbs, Hursthouse, M'Leau, Steveus (toller?,' and Wakefield (teller.) At twenty minutes past one Mr Ballance proceeded to reply to the chief arguments adduced against the principles of the Bill, and laid great stress on the argument that the fiscal policy must be considered as a whole* and, if any of the items were struck out, a compensating amount of revenue must be found from some other source. The filll was then ordered to be read a second time, and its committal was fixed for Friday. The House adjourned at 2.5. a.m.