PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1116, 15 November 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, September 14,, In the Legislative Council to-day, A large amount of business was cleared, but only a small portion was of interest. Answering Mr. Taiaroa, The Attorney-General said Government had made ample provision for old and decripit Maoris in the South Island. There was a long discussion on a motion by Mr. Ackland, that the new County'of Timaru should not be constituted. The general opinion was against the sub-division of Counties as likely to create local ill-feeling, and increase the expense of local government. The debate was adjourned till Tuesday, on the motion of Mr. Whitaker, for the purpose of expediting the work of local Bills. Three separate Committees were formed for the consideration of local Bills, and the Standing Orders on the subject were suspended for the remainder of the session. Colonel Whitmore moved that the Government should state their intentions with regard to harbor defence and the proposed visit of Colonel Scratchley. The debate was adjourned till Tuesday. The Primitive Methodist Temporal Affairs Bill, the Elections Validation Bill, and District Law Societies Amend- ' ment Bill were passed. In the House of Representatives today, Mr. Shrimski asked the Government whether the Borough Councils of Timaru, LytteltoB s Lawrence, and Wellington obtained the benefit of prison labor, and if so, whether the various Corporations above i mentioned are charged with the cost of the same or any part thereof : if not, why it is made a condition to the Oamaru Corporation obtaining the benefit of prison labor that they should pay the cost of a warder. i Mr. Rolleston replied that wherever extra cost was involved it was charged against local bodies. After discussion, the Qualification of Electors Bill was re-committed, and in Committee sub-section 1 of clause 2 was amended, so as to eliminate the female suffrage, on a division of 31 to 22. I'n Committee on the Registration of Electors Bill, a long discussion took place as to whether or no.t the Government would bring down the promised Redistribution of Seats Bill this session, but the Ministry declined to give any information upon the matter.