PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1040, 22 June 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, June, 19. In the Council yesterday a number of Bills prepared by the Statute Revision Commissioners were read a first time.— Mr Whitaker, replying to Mr Wilson, said that the Government would introduce Bills to amend the Native Land and Native Land Court Laws. The Married Woman’s Property Bill (Whitaker) was read a first time. Wednesday, June 20. In the Council to-day in reply to Sir George Whitmore, Mr Whitaker said that the reason the accounts for the last three months of the financial year had not been published was because it' was usual to reserve them for the Financial Statement. Mr Brandon moved the adoption of the Address in Reply, and Mr Barnicoat seconded. Sir G. Whitmore deprecated the action of Mr Bryce in shaking hands with Te Kooti. He questioned whether electing the Council would improve it, and said that he considered this paragraph in the speech was the greatest insult ever offered to a body of men. Mr Whitaker said that he considered that Hare’s system would be the best way of electing the Council, but he did not think anything could be done in the matter this year. Mr’Mantel! said that when any improved constitution was brought before them he would support it. The debate was adjourned. The following Bills were read a second time without debate, and referred to the Statute Revision Council : Criminal Code, Criminals Execution, Property Law Consolidation, Trustee, Crown Grants, Sheriffs.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, June 19. In the House to-day, a very large number of questions and motions were given, amongst them one by Mr Beet ham in favour of the colonies taking concerted action to secure fair repreientation in the Imperial Parliament. In reply to Mr Ivess, The Minister stated that a Bill would be introduced to. amend the Registration of Electors Act, 1879, and the attention of the Judges would be called to (he necessity of making regulations under the Elections Petitions Act, to prevent excessive charges. The following Bills,were introduced and read a first time:—Local Courts Bill, Tenants Fixtures Bill, Prisons Bill, Bankruptcy Bill (Minister of Justice) ; Chattels Security Bill, Mortgages Release Bill (Feldw’ick) ; Fisheries Bill, Impounding Bill (Colonial Secretary) ; Stamp Act Amendment Bill (Grey) ; Coroners Act Amendment Bill (Steward). The usual sessional committees were appointed. Mr Shaw moved the address in reply. The following are the main points:—He was sure that the pleasure expressed by the Governor at meeting them - was entirely reciprocal. His Excellency had earned his position by merit, and was likely to entirely sympathise with all their efforts for the good of the colony. There was no data yet available on which to found an opinion as to the advisability of Pacific annexation, but, if British interests could be advanced peacefully, no doubt they should aid it. A vote of thanks should,

he thought, be given to Mr Bryce for his native policy.’ -Ho would make no (lions distinctions between the wood growing and gold-mining industries, but he thought the importance and extent of the latter was scarcely sufficiently [-recognised. When, last session^,the - House wisely made provision for the temporary continuation of the Fr’isco mail contract, no one could have anticipated that by this time, through the pluck and enterprise of their fellow-colonists, a 43 days’ direct service would have been established. He hoped that when the present contract expired, satisfactory arrangements might be made to subsidise the enterprise. He was glad to see that the present disgraceful bankruptcy law, which encouraged knavery and folly, was to be amended, and radical reform was necessary. Mr E. J. Lee seconded the motion,.and spoke at some length, ' Mr Montgomery followed with a speech in which he strongly condemned the Government. Thursday, June 21. In the House, yesterdaj’', Sir George Grey gave notice of a Bill to repeal the Imperial statute' known as the Consitution Act Amendment Act. Replying to questions, Ministers said that in future all tenders for leasing West Coast Native Lands would be opened in public. They did not believe the highest offer was ever refused. Government would be prepared to assist Mr Thompson, of the Dunedin High School, in publishing a manual of Botany for the use of New Zealand schools. If, on examination, the work proved suitable, it could be printed at the Government offices here. Government did not intend this session to amend the Licensing Act by returning to the system of nominated committees. They would ascertain if locomotives and rolling stock could be manufactured in the colony at prices not greatly in excess of those imported, and, if so, would order them. The following new Bills were introduced and read a first time : —Evidence Amendment-,(Mr Hutchison) ; Hokitika High School (FitzGerald); St Peter’s Church, Caversham, (Barron) ; Shopkeepers Hours of Business (Green) ; Tirnaru Racecourse (Sutton) ; Murihaku Native Reserves Grants and Taumutu Native Commonage (Bryce) ; Massey Frauds, Dunedin Southern Market Amendment, and Taranaki Iron Works Land Bill Amendment (Fish) ; Mining Companies Act Amendment, and Affirmations and Declarations (Rolleston) ; Gold Duties Abolition (Seddon); Geraldine Waterworks (Postlethwaite) ; Libel (Tole).