PARLIAMENTARY .

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 197, 19 August 1880, Page 2

P AR L I A M E NT ARY .

Wellington, Wednesday nigbfc. The House met at 2-30. Mr Pyke gave notice that he would ask the Government if they were aware that the line, Sheffield to Oxford, recommended by the Railway Commissioners, was a mere pretext to get the line continued to Temuka, so that it may pass through an estate owned by the Premier and Mr Wright, who was a member of the Railway Commission. Mr Hall said there was no foundation in fact for the statement set forth in the question. Mr Pyke produced a telegram on the subject, from a resident of the district, who was wellknown and highly respected in the House. He refused to give the name. The Speaker ruled the telegram could not be read. Mr Pyke desired to read it and lay it on the table. This was ruled out of order. After a remark by Mr Pyke, Mr Hall said that Mr Pyke would not give the name because he was thoroughly ashamed of himself, and the position he had taken up. Mr Pyke gave notice that in goiug iuto Committee of Supply, he would move, — Th<it an address be presented to the Governor informing him that Ministers did not conduct the business of the House in a satisfactory manner. Mr Moss gave notice that he would move — That it is expedient to relieve greatly the legislature of all duties that can be more efficiently performed by the local governing bodies directly responsible to electors by whom they were chosen ; that school districts be grouped to form road districts ; road districts grouped to form counties ; and counties prouped to form provinces sufficiently large to warrant the creation of local legislatures to maintain peace, order, and good Government within their respeclive boundaries, with power to local bodies to manage local matters in accordance with such laws as may be passed by the legislatures of the province. Replying to a question, it was stated the Government had had under consideration the recommendation of the Local Industries Commission recommending a thorough examination of the West Coast Middle Island with a view of ascertaining what aid can be given for the development of itß resources. Mr Hall moved that for the remain ier of the session Government business take pre- | cedence on Thursdays at 7'3O.— Carried on a division ot 47 to 30. Mr Murray gave notice that he would ask the House to sit on Saturdays for reconsideration of private members business. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr DeLautour moved — It is detirable that the Minister of Lands before the close of the session should give a distinct enunciation of his policy in regard to the future administration of Crown Lands in Otago now occupied by pastoral tenants on lease. Mr Rolleston said the Government had all along followed out the, principle of affording every possible facility for settlement of the Waste Lands. No cast iron rule could be laid down on the subject, but only a few general principles to be acted upon as occasion required. The policy of settlement was laid down in general terms by the Act of 1877. The course the Government proposed following under that Act was a subject on which the House had a right to expect the fullest possible information, and he was quite predared to supply that information. The discussion was interrupted by the 6*30 adjournment. \ Thursday. Sir G. Grey continued the debate on Mr De Lautour's amendment, urging the great and general importance of the laud question, and strongly condemning the way in which Mr Rolleston had spoken of Mr De Lautour. The amendment was negatived and the House went into Committee of Supply on a division of 41 to 35. In Supply the remainder of the items were passed after long discussions on some* of them. Progress was reported at 4.30 a.m. aud the House adjourned till 7.30 this evening.