PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 65, 6 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[by electric telegraph.] Wellington, Thursday. The House resumed at 7.30 last night. Sir GEORGE GREY'S motion that the House ask the Governor to cause £4OO to be placed on the Estimates for an essay on "Grasses and Forage Plants Likely to Prove Useful in New Zealand," was agreed to without a dissentient voice. The PREMIER moved the second reading of the Registration of Electors Act, 1875. He sought the repeal of it, as owing to defects in the Act, considerable confusion arose as to its interpretation, and a great many ratepayers had been struck off the roll in consequence, in several parts of the Colony. It was, therefore, thought better to strike it off the statutebook at once.

This led to a long "discussion. The majority, while agreeing that the Act contained many imperfections, and had been mischievous in its effects, yet the principle was still good, and it would he a pity to repeal it unless a more-maturely-consi-dered measure was brought down in its place, and a number of members agreed to vote for repealing the Bill if Government would pledge themselves to bring in a proper measure embodying the principles of the present Act, and remedying its defects ; if not, they would prefer to assist in amending the Act. Other members suggested that some clauses should be introduced into the Repealing Bill with the object of remedying the defect complained of. The PREMIER said they felt bound to take into consideration such a strong expression of opinion, and if the House would take the second reading of the Repealing Bill, he would postpone its further consideration for a fortnight, and promise that, during that time, Government would carefully consider all the objections raised and suggestions offered as to the present Registration Bill, with a view to meet them in some way. The House adjourned at half-past nine