PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 745, 30 August 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, August 29. In t l -- Legislative Council to-day, after 'io i-r;!ii-ac-i'>n of some formal busi■'■.3, a pii ••isige of arms occurred between the Colonial S. crvtury and the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse. The latter asked the former to postpone the Civil Service Bill, which lie did/hut said euch a proceeding was quite unnecessary, whereupon Mr. Waterhouse deprecated the ungracious reception of his reasonable ivquest. Savings Banks Bill, three minor amendments made by the House of Representatives, were agreed with. There then ensued a long discussion on the money clause of the Oamaru Waterworks Bill, which iriveo power to borrow L 40.000. 'The c'ause was agreed to on a division i.-y 10 to 4. Pmg'ess_ was then reported, and the Council adjourned ut 10 minutes to f;. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p. m. Mr. P. he asked to move without notice that the second ;■■ ■.-It'iLf "f f he Eduction Act Amen m ■■■■t B '1 b.; made an order of the dav ft next \V di.e.sday week. He !iriped''h>- :ioußi' won id agree to this, heof his involuntary blunder last nv-rbt. "Mr. Rheehnu. «u hahalf of the Government, ofi'-r. d no objection, and the Bill was orier. d to be -reS'Ored to the order paper. Tho CJ .vornment declines to abolish toi'p in t he Gouii'.v of E.ien. Mr. Si. -ven?. whether the Government -.M>uid lay before the House reru-ns showing the total loans raised by all local bodies throughout the Colon}'. Mr. S ! '-.\it s-sid they would make inquiry as to whether the. information could be obtain (I in sullioient time to get a return rinriiiir tin- ]);■■ :en( session. Mr. R.we asked whether the Government intended to amend the Fish Protection Act. Mr. Tviacandrew answered in the negative A batch of Bil's for endowing several harbors in the North Island were read a first time, and immediately after, Capt. Morris gave notice to introduce seven more Bills for endowing harbors. Mr. lines moved that there should be four seminaeiesef higher education iti the Colon", wi'h an eilic-ient professional staff for each, to be placed in Auckland, Wellington, Giiristclmrch, and Dunedin. The lion, sr•■idlein.-in ar/nef) to show the necessity for i-slai lUhing these institutions. H-df the work was done already, inasmuch as each place had already endowments for higher education. Mr Stout suy.h.st d that the motion be

•.: 'ihdrawu, as nothing could be done this -:-.-siou, and by n> xt s ssion the Government would probably be in a position to lay bef»r« them tin-, result of a_ Commission which they intend to appoint. The motion was withdrawn. Mr. Bees moved that all questions affecting Harbor Works in the Colony be dealt "with on a general plan and that they should not be endowed with money or land until the opinion of a competent engineer was taken approving of the work. Mr. Whitaker moved an amendment on the latter part of the resolution to the effect that endowments shall not be granted except, below high water mark, and of land abutting on the harbor, and required for the purpose of conveniently carrying on any projected harbor works. Mr. Stout said the Government could not consent to all the Harbor Bills introduced. If tliey did thiTe would neither be land for railways or anything e se. Mr. Feldwick moved that the debate be adjourned, and after a good deal of discussion it was adjourned till that day fornisjht. On Mr. Handera' motion, that the Goldfields Committee ascertain as to the practicability of amending certain provisions of the Mines Act being put to the House, a division was called for, and the motion carried by 44 against 8. August 30. At last nbht's sitting, Dr. Wallis moved the second reading of the Triennial Parliaments Bill, expressing his surprise th.it the Government had not, brought in the Bill for bringing about, this reform. Mess's. Manders and Thomson approved the Bill, and Mr. Murray-Ayns-ley supported it.. Mr. Stout said he believed the time would come when annual Parliaments

would be the rule. The measure was not •i Government one, and members of the Ministry would vote on the Bili according to their private views. Mr. Bowen said he could not approve of the Bill, on the ground that it was calculated to lessen the independence of members, to weaken the responsibility of electors, and waste the time and energies of the people. Mr. Moss supported the Bill, and said they had arrived at a time when they should be compelled to meet their constituents every three years at least. The Premier strongly supported the measure. He said by it men would become accustomed to consider the questions uppermost and regularly record f.heir votes, whereas, if they only voted onco in five or seven years, they were apt to become apathetic. He hoped the House would seize the golden opportunity to pass the Bill. Mr. Moorhouse opposed the Bill. He said there were already elections enough iu connection with local affairs, and people would be better employed in looking after their business than in running about after electors. Mr. Gisborne was in favor of a compromise of four years, Mr. Stevens warmly supported the Bill. Messrs. Rees and Tole also supported the mpasure, while Messrs. Pyke and Ttirnbull opposed it. Mr. Bunny moved the adjournment of the debate for a fortnight, and the House rose at 12.30. o'clock.