PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 134, 5 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Friday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Sir W. Fox gave notice that he would call the attention of the Government to the fact that the prospectus of a New Zealand Company had been published in the London Times, with the name of Mr Bathgate, R.M , Dunedin, as one of the directory, and he would ask if Mr Bathgate went home on his own private business or that of the colony. Dr Wallis gave notice that he would move that the franchise be extended to females.

Replying to questions, it was stated that the providing of licenses of labor agents, with the view of preventing frauds on persons ' in search of employment, would be considered, but the matter vras not likely to be dealt with thiß sessions. £5100 has been expended on the Otago' Central railway. The lowest tender for the improvement of the Auckland Harbor was in excess of the sum at the disposal of the Government ; an outside wall for reclamation would be gone on with at once, and a further vote asked for the completion of the remainder of the work. With regard to the disposal of the Maori prisoners, the time authorised by {Parliament tad not expired ; before the time expired the Government would make a statement on the subject, in the meantime it would not be judicious to do so. Chinese immigration was under the consideration of the Government, and if not dealt with this session it would be dealt with the next session. A sum of money, .£14,000 odd, had been expended on the Hokitika-Grey railway. The Clive to Wallingford railway, via Kidnappers, had been surveyed. The Government had not yet received the report of the Railway Commissioners, and the railway expenditure was at present limited to carrying out contracts already on hand, and to provide work for the unemployed. The recommendation of the Native Affairs Committee re Rutu Manuhara's petition was being carried out. The subsidies to local bodies were .about be discontinued.

The debate was adjourned at 5.30 to 7.30. Saturday. In the House last night, the Premier moved the Becond reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill, explaining its provisions at some length. Messrs Pyke, Shephard, Montgomery, Pitt, Stevens, Gisborne, Sutton, and Moss generally supported the Bill, and Mr Shrimski opposed it. Mr Hutchison approved of the main features, but thought it needed improvement in the details. Mr Barron protested against it aa calculated to pauperise the people. Sir W. Eox considered the Bill utterly wrong in principle. They should strike at the root of pauperism — close the public houses, and encourage provident habits among the people instead of the faults, vices, and extravagances which now prevailed. Sir G. Grey Baid that Sir . W. Foxj had, though perhaps in an exaggerated manner,

traced pauperism to its true case. If the Government would give men smiling homes on the land, this Bill .would be unnecessary, and drinking habits would cease. Mr Delatour and Mr Speight strongly condemued the measure, and Mr Rolleston and Mr Oliver defended it.

The Premier replied, and the Bill was read the second time on the voices. The House adjourned at 10.15.