Parliamentary.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 962, 20 July 1881, Page 3

Parliamentary.

[from our own correspondent], Wellington, July 18. It is rumored if the Government cannot carry the Redistribution of Seats Bill, an attempt will be made to repeal the Triennial Parlia-* ments Bill. Next week the House will commence to sit on Mondays. Mr. Sheehan’s Bill to repeal the Abolition of Provinces Act only contains 3 clauses. All he will attempt is to affirm the measure, and if carried he proposes to have the matter referred to a Committee to draft a complete Bill. The debate on the Local Government question is to be resumed to-morrow, and is expected to last a fortnight. July 19 Mr. MacDonald has obtained leave to postpone the second reading of the Gisborne Harbor Bill, until this day week. Mr. Reeves gave notice to-day to introduce a bill to legalise marriage with a deceased husbands brother. Mr. Sheehan, prior to moving to bring in a Bill to repeal the Abolition of Provinces Act, asked the Ministers what course they intended taking upon it. The Premier replied he would not oppose the introduction of the Bill, but when moved, and the day fixed for the second reading, he would move the Bill be read that day six months, and a debate on the motion to take place this evening’s sitting. Mr. Macandrew protested against the Ministers making the Bill a Ministerial question. Mr. Sheehan asked for leave to introduce the motion at 7.30 p.m., but Mr. Macandrew Mr. Gisborne and others protesting Mr. Sheehan then declined to proceed with the motion. The Premier protested against Mr. Sheehans action, but said the Government was prepared to discuss the question of local Government on their own measures and moved the adjournment of the House. A long discussion ensued in which Mr Sheehan complained of the action of the Government and the Opposition, and said he would table the same motion at a later period of the session. He denied that he had arranged with the Government on the matter so as to evade discussion on the whole policy of the Government. Mr Hall withdrew his motion for adjournment. Mr Dick moved the third reading of the Licensing Bill. Mr Macandrew moved an amendment to the effect that no licensing

measure passed by the House would give satisfaction, and the matter of licensing should be relegated for legislation of provincial districts. Mr M*Donald said the measure was the worst that had ever emanated from the House, and that the clauses prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in Native districts would inflict great injury on the present licensees. Mr. Wallis said although there were some great blots in the measure he would look over all because the Bill left the liquor trade in the hands of the people. The House divided, when the Bill passed— Ayes, 46; Noes, 24. The debate on the Government police commences this evening.