PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 740, 23 August 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, August 2*2. In the Legislative Council to-day, The greater,, part of the. afternoon sitting was occupied by a discussion on the address to the Queen, moved by the Hon. Mr. Eraser, congratulating her on the result of the Berlin Conference. After some verbal amendments the-Address was carried. The Hon. Mr. Chamberlain's motion for a return of the price per acre received for all Government lands (excepting town and suburban lands) sold in the Provincial Districts of Canterbury and Otago during the year ending June 30, 1878, was carried ; also the Hon. Mr. Hall's motion for return of the names of the Counties in which, the whole of the Counties Act has been brought into force. The second reading of the Southland Boys and Girls High School Act, 1877, Amendment Bill, was postponed till tomorrow ; also the second reading of the Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation Bill. At the evening sitting the debate on the second reading of the Oamaru Water Works Bill was resumed. The Hon. Mr. Waterhonse thought it would not be honest on the part of the Legislature to step in between the mortgagees and their security. Such, however, was the actual proposal contained in the Bill. After some further criticism, Mr. Waterhunse concluded by moving that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Colonel Whitmore recommended that the 3rd clause, objected to by Mr. Waterhouse, should be withdrawn. After further discussion the Bill was read a second time, and the third reading fixed for to-morrow, Mr. Waterhouse cortsenting to withdraw his amendment.

August 23. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. Mr. Wakefield asked the Government when the Licensing Bill would be brought down, and whether they wonld make it a Government question. Mr. Sheehan said the Bill would be made the first or second on the Orders of tl> Day for Tuesday next, but they did li'.fc consider the measnre one on which the Government ought to go in or out. The Government in reply to Mr. Sharp, promised a return of the number of officers employed by the various municipalities, with their salaries, travelling allowances, &c. Mr. Barton the Premier whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce a measure for the creation of two large provincial governments, one in each island, with the seat of government for the South at Christchurch, and for the North at Auckland. The Premier said the Government had not considered the matter, and he could not give any further information than he afforded yesterday, and could only add that the statements were not authorised. Mr. Bowen moved that all papers connected with the abolition of the Store Department be laid before the House. The motion was agreed to. Mr. Reeves moved; "That in the opinion of the House immediate steps should be taken to prevent the probable influx of Ciiiucse. After some discussion, Mr. Reeves withdrew the motion. The interrupted debate on the question that it be an instruction to the Goldfields Committee to ascertain the practicability of amending the Regulations of Mines Act was resumed: Mr. Reeves, who had been interrupted in the previous debate by the 5.30 adjournment yesterday, moved the previous question. The motion was again talked out at 5.30 p.m. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m., the Parnell Reserves Bill was read a second time. The Milford Harbor Board Bill was further considered in Committee. The whole of the remainder of the sitting was taken up with the continued debate on the Electoral Bill. M' - . Seaton expressed great dissatisfaction with the Bill, and did not think any Government worthy of confidence that would bring down such a measure. 'as registration all the year round was a great improvement on the present system. After objecting to female suffrage and to plurality of voting, which wonld place elections in the hands of land rings. He moved that the Bill be read that day six months. All the speakers that followed supported the Bill as a whole, though taking exception to many details, which they hoped would be remedied in Committee. The following members spoke : Messrs. M'Lean, Gibh.s, Taiaroa, Montgomery, C.i: rington, Pyke, Stevens, and Tawiti. Tue debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 12.25.