PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 174, 23 July 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[The first portion of the Parliamentary proceedings will be found on the fourth page.] Sat vi day. Mr Moss denied that etich a thing as real local government existed in the colony, or had existed since that Mouse commenced to meddle with the provinces. Now that public attention was aroused, the question would not be allowed to teat until it was settled, whatever was the fate of the present debate. The present Ministry waa composed of men who had always opposed local government end until it was got rid of there was no hope for the country. lie hoped to Bee a reversion to a system of independent provinces with a federal Government, such as had really at first existed under our own constitution, each local body having power to regulate its local affairs without outside interference. The local bodies should have extensive powers in this respect, and the subjects for that Houße to deal with should be defined and restricted. The number of members of the House should then be reduced, and to guard ageinst Parliament undermining the local bodirs as it had undermined the provinces the Upper House should be made elective and bo elected by the local bodies. Under this system the management of Native atlairs might be left to the local bodies and the expenses of the General Government so reduced as to leave ample funds for the local bodies to administer. Mr Harris moved the adjournment of the debate till Tuesday and the House rose at midnight.