PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 203, 5 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wk_l inctox. Friday. ' In the House of Representatives, Mr 0 Rorke will introduce a Bill for equalising publicans' fees throughout the Colony. Messrs Carrington and Green corroborated Major Atkinson and Mr Murray-Aynsley in saying that they paired on the Land Tax Bill ouly. It was agreed on the motion of the Premier tbat the House, on its rising at 5.30., should adjourn till 7 30 on Monday. The first Order of the Day being called, the Premier made a Ministerial Statement that after what occurred last night, he had enquired, and satisfied himself that there was a feeling amongst the Government supporters hostile to these Hills, and consequently, the Government did not think it would be practicable to pass them in such form as to render them useful measures. The Government therefore determined to withdraw them, but as tlie Colonial Treasurer would be embarrassed thereby, a statement would be made in a few days informing the House how the financial embarrassment was to be surmounted. Mr Sheehan recommended Mr Johnston to withdraw his amendment. If he did not those Government supporters who voted with him last night wou'd now vote against him. This led to a long recriminatory discussion, which was kept up till the House rose, the majority of those speaking beiug Opposition members. Mrßryce expressed the utmost astonishment at the course adopted by the Government, saying he could not believe it possible, after their assurance that tiiey would stand or fall by their policy as a whole. The majority of the Opposition speakers expressed a hope that Mr Johnston would withdraw his amendment. Several Government supporters congratulated the Government on abandoning those Bills, and said though they must have supported them, if pressed on, they still did not approve of them. .Ah* Kelly said, if he knew the Government were going to abandon the Bills, he would not have voted for the third reading of the Land Tax Bill. The debate continued almost to 5.30., when the Speaker interrupted, explaining that if the debate was cut short without being adjourned, this Bill would be killed in an irregular manner. Mr Wason, beiug the last speaker, expressed his willingness to move the adjournment of the debate. The Speaker put it and it was agreed to. The last few minutes were somewhat disorderly, and a clamor followed a complaint from Mr Stout that the Opposition were talking against time. The House rose at 5.40. p.m.