PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, 26 May 1882, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday.—The Address in Reply to the Governor’s speech led to a short debate, and was adopted. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday.—Replying to questions, it was stated that it is not intended to repeal the Gaming and Lotteries Act of last session. Proptasals for establishing direct steam communication with England would be submitted. Several bills were read a first time.

An Address to the Queen on her recent escape was adopted. A discussion arose as to appointing a committee to draw up the usual Address in reply to the Governor’s speech. Mr Green spoke at great length approving the Government policy. Mr Hursthouse spoke particulary as to local self-government. Mr T. Fergus urged greater attention to gold-field interests. He did not object to farther borrowing to complete public works which were likely to prove remunerative. He was not at all annoyed at the Premier being in the Council ; had no fault to find with the leasing of the Otago runs ; and was not in the least slighted by the Government having asked advice from the local bodies.

Mr Fish thought the debate a waste of time, as there was no opposition to the address. He defended the action of Government about the Otago runs, and approved the local government circular. He doubted whether there was any real profit from the railway, for rolling stock was in bad order and deficient in quantity. A Commission was wanted to inquire into the whole system of management, and there should be a Minister of Railways as well as one of Public Works. He did not object to the Premier being in the Council, but did object to Mr Olliver being there also. The vacant portfolio should be filled up. He approved of borrowing to finish the railway lines, Mr J. C. Brown criticised the speech at some length, and then the committee was appointed, the address prepared, brought up, and adopted. It was as usual a mere echo of the speech. The House rose at 12 - 30.