PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 140, 12 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

i .^Wellington, Friday. Last night Sir W. Fox resumed the debate on the Licensing Bill. The Temperance

party would be' satisfied with it if the provisions of local option in the present law were embodied, and a few other amendments made. He strongly opposed the proposed alterations about licenses in Native districts. Dr Wallis approved of the Bill generally, but thought that greater power should bo giveu to. the people. Mr Tawhiao condemned tho provisions about Native licenses. Mr Saunders generally approved of the Bill, which was then read the second time. The Lodgers Protection Bill, Joint Stock Companies Act Amendment Bill, Execution Against Real Estate Bill, Crown Grants Act Amendment Bill, and Otago Harbor Board Empowering Act Amendment Bill were read the second time after a short debates. The Females Redress Bill was read the second time, on the understanding that ifc was nofc to be earned further tbis session. The House rose at 12-40 a.m. The House met at 2. 30 p.m. Replying to questions, it was stated that the San Francisco mail contract terminated ] in !883, and could not ba terminated sooner, unless a breach of contract occurred — No officer in the employ of the Government acted, or received premium to act, as correspondent for the Press Association or any newspaper.— Sir John Coode's reporfc on the Buller Harbor was not expected for three months. —Mr Crombie's Property Tax pamphlet was a private speculation, aud the Government was not interested in either its cost or its profits.- One hundred and thirty West Coast natives had been detained in prison waiting their trial for eleven months. One had died during incarceration. Tbe maintenance coats £75 per week. . The Evidence Amendment Bill (Mr Stewart) was introduced and read a first time. . The Premier moved the second reading of the Election Petitions Bill. He explained the clauses, and stated that ifc was identical with the Bill which was before Parliament last session. Some discussion ensued, which was interrupted by the 530 adjournment. Saturday. The House resumed at 7.30 last night. After a few remarks from Col. Trimble and Messrs Stewart, Stevens, and Ireland, the Election Petitions Bill was read the second timo. - Mr Hall moved the second reading of tho Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill, explaining tbafc the measure was identical wiih tho Bill of last session. Dr. Wallis complained that the Bill was not sufficiently precise in its definitions. Sir W. Fox urged that tbe employment of conveyances for voters should be prohibited, and that public houses should be closed on election days, so as to make elections as inexpensive as possible. After considerable discussion, Mr Hall, iv reply, said that he would nofc object to public houses being forbidden to sell liquor on election days. The Bill was thon read the second time. The House wenfc into Committee on the Regulation of Elections Bill. A proposal to alter the words "registered elector" in clause 11 to "person" was lost on a division. A motion to extend the hours of polling to 7 p.m. was lost by 40 to 28. Progress was then reported. In reply to a question from Mr George, the Premier stated that there was no foundation for the rumor thafc Sir Julius Yogel had resigned. The House rose at 12.40 a.m.