PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1109, 7 November 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, September 5. In the House of Representatives today, Colonel frimble gave notice that he would move that women of the age of 21, whose names were entered on the ratepayers' roll, should be placed on thg electoral roll. In reply to questions, it waa stated that the Government would enquire into the expediency of the sitting of the District Court at Riverton, A portion of the first instalment of the Land Tax only had been collected, and as the time had expired, fresh legislation would be necessary for enabling the collection of the remainder. The Government would consider means for providing townships with less householders than required by the Municipal Corporations Act with governing babies. 3?l}§ Government did not intend ta give effect to the recommendations made by the Agent-General' for altering his designation to that of Resident Minister. The

Government did not propose to appoint a Minister with an independent portfolio. The adjourned debate was resumed, that the Speafcer issue his warrant for the production, before the Affairs Committee, of Worgan, a prisoner in Wanganui Gaol. Mr. Hall said the Government still maintained that further information should have been given before the motion was made.

Mr. Moss said it would be the duty of the Committee to resign if interfered with by the Government or the House. Mr. Speight, thought the Government should have been prepared to make the question a Ministerial one. Mr. Hamlin, Chairman of the Committee, gave particulars of the action taken by the Committee and other information relative thereto.

Mr. Moorhouse understood that the Speaker's warrant would be worthless under the circumstances.

| Mr. Ormond argued the matter as one which ought to have been dealt with by the Law Courts. He doubted the bona \ fides of the case, of the petitioner. Davie was a man of indifferent character. He moved an amendment that the warrant should not be issued at present ; that the Committee report 011 the bona fulcs of the petition, and be instructed to confine the inquiry so as to ascertain whether the petitioner is or is not in a position to defray the expense of prosecuting the claim in a court of law.

Mr. de Lautour said he had investigated the affair professionally, and could satisfy the House of the bona fides of the petition. He contended that the Speaker had power to issue his warrant for the purpose, and if it could be shown he had not, no time should be lost in getting the power conferred. Mr. Adams spoke of the impolicy of summoning witnesses from a distance at the expense of the Colony, unless twothirds of the Committee concurred in the proposal. Mr. Hall said he looked upon the reasons given as sufficient to warrant the Government acquiescing in the Application. The bona fides of the petitioner having been questioned, it would be necessity to inquire into that point, and if the result was satisfactory he could see no reason why the application should not be granted. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. A t the evening sitting the .debate was resumed by Mr. Turnbull, (sic) who stated that the Government would vote for the motion.

Mr. M'Lean said this was a ten-years' old case, and it ought to have been tried by a special committee, and not left to the disposal of the Native Affairs Committee. He would, however, support tho motion.

Mr. Macandrew said if the amendment was carried, the effect would be to shelve the whole proceeding. Mr. Dick said the action of certain members would have the effect of taking the work off the hands of the Committee, which, considering that the Committee was appointed by the House to do the work, was unfair. He would support the motion.

Mr. Sutton said he had no ideauntilthat evening that such a charge could be made against him. The leal purpose was to get the balance of a sum of LIT : 500. He wished the matter fairly and fully investigated. On a division, the amendment was lost, the ayes being 21, and the noes 44. llr. Hall announced that for the convenience of members desirous of visiting the Christchurch Pastoral Show, the Hinemoa would leave Wellington tomorrow evening, after the sitting was over, returning from Lvttelton on Tuesday night; but no adjournment of the House would take place. The Mauukau Recreation, Wellington Harbor Board, Christchurch Drillshed Reserve, and the New River Pilot Station Reserve Bills were read a third time and passed. The Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill was considered in Committee and progress reported. The Situation of the Onehunga Water Reserve Bill was passed. The Licensing Act Further Amendment Bill was considered in Committee and progress reported.