PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1066, 30 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, July. 27. The 'douse met at 2.30 p.m, MINISTERIAL ANSWERS. Replying-to question's, Ministers promised to consider the possibility of establishing a parcel post system by the direct English steamers. They would not do anything, towards repealing the Triennial Parliaments. Bill tliis session. They would push on : the tracks from Marion and Wanfranui towards opening up the. interior. They .would sec that a uniform practise of assessing, and collecting native land duties was observed. To join the Postal Uniop would involve the colony in too heavy a loss. They would not do anything to facilitate the immigration of fresh Chinamen, but would relieve those in the colony of restrictions on their movements.

VARIOUS 'BILLS. The Properly Tax .Bill (Atkinson) and Leaseholders Qualification Bill(Dick) wore introduced and read a first time. The Federation and Annexation Bill, Fugitive Offenders Jurisdiction Bill* - and Murikihu Native Reserves Grant Bill, were passed through Committee, reported, read a third time, and passed. \ BANKRUPTCY BILL. The-Bankruptcy Bill was,further considered in Committee:’ Mr Connolly intimated his intention to propose a recommittal to amend the clause carried by ’’Mr Barron. He would agree that coats should be a first"claim, wages second, and piece work third. Several clauses were amended. Interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House met at 730 p.m. • BILLS OF EXCHANGE BILL, ’ The Bills of Exchange Bill was further considered in Commhteo. Mr De Lautour moved a. new clause providing that no bill or note slialhatlach any liability to aboriginal natives, unless it appears on its face that it was interpreted to such native, and that he fully understood its purport. Mr Sheehan supported this, and thought it ought also to apply to cheques given by natives. > Mr Conolly moved to report progress, to enable him to prepare a clause to this effect.—Agreed to. ABOLITION OP OATHS. The Affirmations and Declarations Bill being in Committee, Mr Mason moved an amendment to abolish oaths in Courts of Justice,altogether. Carried on a division of 44 to 24.