PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 203, 26 August 1881, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Thursday. Ths House met ai 2.30 p.m. Sir W. Fox gave notice of motion affirming the desirableness of restricting the ssb of intoxicating liquor in B-Hntr-j's. In reply io quoßtior-a put, it was stated that the Government would make application to the r-ulhoriries at Sydney for particular as to the number of pereon-- attacked by small-pox, distinguishing between those who hnd been successfully vaccinited ond thoso not vaccinated ; ateo as to mortality in each class. Mr Skey, of Wellington, was analyst •appointed for testing agricultural soils and manures. Samples for analytical purposes could ba forwarded to him post free wben the samples were of a nature which could be properly transmitted by post. The supposed deßciency in the Railway Stores Department mentioned last year had arisen from frequent changes in the administration of working railways and the absence until recently of any properly organised accounting bjbtem. A Bill to authorise the construction of certain railways waa introduced and read a first time. A number of private and local bill, occupied the whole of the afternoon. The House resumed at 7.30. On the motion fcr going into Committee of Supply, Mr Brown thought tbia waß a Cuing opportunity for aecero taining when the Government intended bringing the session to a close. They were all anxious to get away. Mr Bastings said it was nonsense to speak about goiog away, they bad done absolutely nothing. If members could not tfford tbe time necessary to do the business then they should retire from the position. M-jor Atkinson reminded them this •was a private members' ntyht, und the more time they wasted io idle discussion tt c less time thty would have to do their work. Sir G. Grey said they were asked to rush through bu Imprest Supply Bill representing £250,000, He did not relish things being rushed on in that way. To mark his sense of the Treasurer's conduct he would opposs thß motion. The Government could bring in their Imprest Supply Bill tomorrow, it beiDg a Government day, Bnd ibe delay of a day could not cause much inconvenience. Major Atkinson eaid there was no use for a discussion. From circumstances **»bieh must be patent to members, he WBB prevented bringing the Bill forward at yesterday's sitting. Tbe Bill then passed through all its stages. On the motion for the committal of the Fencing Bill, Mr Andrew complained that the Bill ought to have been brought down by the Government. The Bill wss not only uncalled for, but it was actually calculated to impede agricultural settlement. Mr Bowen took exception to the remarks of the previous speaker. He ineisted that the measure was greatly needed. He also took exception to the carping tone usually assumed by the previous speaker, and charged him with an habitual practice of attempting to set claes against class. Mr Moss suggested that tbe Bill ehculd be set down co the Order Paper for to-mcrrow. It oaght to have all the prestige cf a Government measure. If that course were followed it would enable private business to be proceeded •with. Sir George Grey defended Mr Andrews from tbe remarks made by Mr Boweo. After further discussion, Mr Bryce said that ibe Bill was one of great importance, and he eid aot feel he would be justified in dropping it, aB bad been suggested. He asserted that it was not the bona fide settlers who had cause to fear a measure of the kind, but the absentee owners. He had no objection to accept Mr Swanson's suggestion tbat the Auckland Fencing Act ehould be excepted from tbe schedule of the repealed Acts. Tbe Hoase then went into committee on the Bill. The discussion in Committee lasted until 2.30 a.m., -when all the clauses were got through, and a new one was added. Progress was reported on the understanding that the Bill be recommitted. Replying to a question from Mr Speight, Mr Hall said the Government would endeavor to have the new Clause (Leasehold Qualification) which was inserted in the Representation Bill struck out again. The House rose at 2.35 a.m.