PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 198, 22 August 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, August 19.

In the Legislative Council, the consideration of the Burial Ground Closing Bill in cominitte provoked a long discussion as to the advisability of allowing the relatives of those previously deceased to be interred in cemeteries already closed, and whether such interment should take place as a favor granted by the Governor or other person, or as a matter of right provided for by this Act. An amendment on clause 5 to the latter effect was carried. The following new clause was carried on a division by 16 to 10: —“ That it shall be lawful for any person, by will or deed duly executed, that his or her body shall, after death, be disposed of by burning the same to ashes, instead of by burial in earth, and it shall be lawful for the executor or executors of such person to carry into effect such direction, provided that such burning shall be conducted in a manner which shall not create any public or private nuisance. The Premier said he would make a correction in regard io his stdtement as to there being no precedent for Mr. O’Rorke’s conduct. Viscount Cranbourne and Lord Carnarvon, in 1867, had' made brief explanations after resigning, but while holding office awaiting the appointment of their successors.

Ou resuming the debate on the abolilion resolutions to-day, Mr. M’Glashan supported them, on the ground that what the country required was centralism. Mr. Hunter, speaking with a 35 years experience as a colonist, said the General Government had only been a colonising Government within the last four years, before that it was merely a tax-gatherer. All the good they did was to leave their heavy legacy of debt from the management of native affairs. While opposing the resolution, he must say that he would regard it as a calamity if the present Ministry retired from office, and sincerely regretted having to differ from those with whom he had so long associated himself. August 20. The Waitemata Election Committee met to-day; Mr. Cooper, Under-Secretary, produced Mr. Von der Heyde’s application for re-naturalization here since he was elected. He was previously naturalized in South Australia, and was unaware

of the necessity for registration here. Mr. Moorhouse urged the introduction of a small Bill to validate the election. Mr. Hart, for Mr. Macfarlane, contended that the Committee had no power to recommend such a procedure. The result of the deliberation of the Committee has not transpired. When the House met at 7 o’clock, the debate was resinned by Mr. Webb (Lyttelton), who stated that he started as a Provincialist, but he was not long in discovering that Provincialism was the weak element in colonial legislation. Mr. Swanson (Newton), in a long speech, condemned the Government, and eloquently lauded Provincial Institutions. He blamed the Assembly for all the troubles and poverty of the North Island. Mr. Bryce (Wanganui) supported the resolutions in an argumentative speech. Mr. White (Hokitika) condemned the resolutions and asked why not carry out the legitimate conclusions by abolishing the General Assembly and appoint a Dictator.

Mr. Kelly (East Coast) supported the resolutions and said that the province of Auckland had been insolvent for the last seven years.

W. H. Harrison (Grey Valley) opposed the resolutions. He blamed the General Government for the impecuniosity of Westland and Nelson. The Hon. Mr. Richardson, Minister for Public Works, defended his department from the charge of extravagance, and said that the departmental expenditure on £1,960,000 was not | per cent. Major Jackson (Waikato) said the Government had managed his district most satisfactorily and better than the Provincial Government was likely to do.