PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 196, 15 August 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, August 6. The Premier laid a letter upon the table from Mr. Thomas Russell in reference to the Webb penalties, and said the Government had concluded not to risk the expense of taking proceedings against Mr. Webb for the recovery of the penalties.

August 7. It is reported that heads have been counted, and that there are 48 certain supporters for abolishing the provinces in the North Island.

August 8. Mr. Carrington presented a petition from Mr. J. S. Macfarlane against Mr, Von der Heyde’s election on the ground that he is an alien.

August 10. The Judges of the Native Lands Courts have reported against the Native Lands Bill of last session.

The Forest Bill has been thrown entirely over.

Mr. Vogel may, if driven, appeal to the country on the question of obtaining security for the liquidation of Colonial liabilities.

Mr. Vogel has given notice that he will move on Thursday that, considering the present circumstances of the colony, it is desirable to abolish Provincialism in the North Island, at the same time fixing Wellington as the seat of Government, and providing for the localization of land revenue according to the compact of 1856, and that the Government, during the recess, consider the best means of giving effect to the resolution.

The Evening Post this evening has the following: — A telegram appears in the New Zealand Herald, from its special correspondent in Wellington, saying, “ Von der Heyde is satisfied that his election is void, and Macfarlane will probably take his seat.” Great indignation is felt among the friends as well as the opponents of Macfarlane. If the election proves to be void, all will demand another election, as the contest was conducted in good faith of Von der Heyde being eligible, and large numbers of Macfarlane’s votes were Maoris. The transaction is considered even more discreditablerthan the way in which John M'Leod was forced out of the Assembly. The Immigration and Public Works Loan Bill provides for a four million six per cent, loan, £300,000 being for railways already authorized; £50,000 for goldfields ; £60,000 for North Island roads ; £SOO,(XX) for immigration; £390,000 for public works, buildings, telegraph, lighthouses, &c. .. <i" •< CABLE COMMUNICATION WITH AUSTRALIA.

Mr. O’Neill asked,—“ When arrangements will be commenced by New Zealand, New South Wales, and Queensland for the construction of an electric cable between New Zealand and New South Wales, and from Normantown, in Queensland, to Singapore, in terms of agreement now ratified by the Parliaments of the three colonies ?”

Mr. Vogel was understood to reply that the arrangements were expected to be completed very shortly. On the motion for the committal of the Licensing Bill, Mr. Fox made a vigorous speech, chiefly in advocacy of the prohibitive principle of the Bill passed last year. He stigmatised the Premier's Bill, the motto of which appeared to be, “ Let those drink now who never drank before,” and “(hose who drank still drink the more.”

Mr. Vogel defended the Bill on the ground that the Government had given the utmost attention to the subject, in order to remedy the defects of the Bill of last year. The premier said the hon. member for Rangitikei was too enthusiastic to allow him to take a rational view of the subject. A discussion ensued on the various clauses, and a division was taken on the question whether the Government should appoint the Licensing Benches or the people Licensing Boards, in the same way as Road Boards.

The original motion was carried by 42 to 20.

Two bars allowed in one house was carried.

The bottle license clause is only to apply to those provinces that have or shall provide for their issue.

The Premier said he expected the session to be over in a fortnight. IMMIGRATION STATEMENT. August 11. The Premier, in making his immigration statement, said the number of souls introduced between June, 1873, and June, 1874, was 17,513 ; of these 7,503 were brought out under the Immigration and Public Works Act,and there were now on the water 14,530 persons, being nearly as many as arrived during the past year. He referred the House to the immigration correspondence laid upon the table, which showed the history and position of immigration. He said he could not deny to the House that immigration had not been carried out to the satisfaction of the Government, but notwithstanding that the AgentGeneral and the Government were not at one. Dr. Featherston had still worked most zealously, according to his own ideas, as to the selection, and he considered that, on the whole, the immigrants were of a class such as the colony should be satisfied with.