Parliamentary.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 977, 14 September 1881, Page 3

Parliamentary.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]. Wellington, Sept. 12. The House met at 11 o’clock. The Land Claims Settlements Acts Repeal Bill, was the first business taken, and the two first clauses occupied the committee an hour in disposal s the third reading is fixed for tomorrow. On the question of going into committee on the Thermal Springs Bill, but an equally general expression against clause 11, and other clausea which would tend to throw the land into tho hands of speculators. Rolleston looked at the Bill as one of the most important ones of the Session; it was, he said, primarily drafted to meet a special case—that of a township now being laid out at Rotorua ; but at the same time it purported to give power to Government to do the same thing elsewhere, a* was being done there ; it would helA the' Natives to utilise th eir’ fond, as well as being advantageous to European settle-

ment; it would be urged as being a benefit to the Natives, and not to land speculators. The Bill was then committed, and after passing the second clause, progress was reported and the House adjourned. On resuming the Premier made a statemerit as to the business to be transacted duribgi the remainder of the Session. It was 'hdped to pass six or seven of the Consolidation 'Bills on the Order Paper ; but there was little hope of passing the Public Works And Companies Bills, as they would give rise to a good deal of debate. The Government was reluctantly compelled to drop the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill, Roads Construction Bill, Share Brokers Bill, and the Patents Bill, though a good deal depended upon whether members would curtail their remarks upon them. He hoped the Friendly Societies Bill would be got through ; also the Fisheries Bill, but if there were any signs of objection, they would have to be abandoned. The same remarks would apply to the Town Districts and Counties Acts Suspension Bills. The Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill, he thought, might be referred to a committee, and he would state tomorrow the course to be adopted. The present week would be devoted to the Estimates, and with the reduction in the work suggested, he hoped business would be concluded early next week, and Parliament prorogued by the middle of the week. Considerable doubt exists in the minds of the authorities as to whether Mr. Gisborne was not right in the point he raised if the Governor’s departure from the colony for more than a month’s absence, does not, ipso facto, vacate the governorship. Several communications on the subject passed between the Premier and His Excellency to-day, and it is not yet certain whether the latter will not have to return to Wellington. It is rumoured that, with the view to saving time, and avoiding discussion .the Government may possibly drop the Property Assessment Act Amendment Bill, and will content themselves with simply passing a short Act for the re-imposition of the Property Tax or service system, as that of last year. Government hope to get through the ordinary estimates to-night, after passing Mr. Bryce’s motion for a reduction of £30,000 in the aggregate amount, which greatly strengthens the hands of Ministers in regard to further retrenchment. • THE GRANT TO THE VOLUNTEERS. Replying to Mr. Barron, Mr. Rolleston said the Government had not yet decided the form in which the sum of £lO,OOO on the estimates for volunteering purposes should be distributed, whether by capitation grant or allowance for clothing. As already stated it would depend on a report to be obtained from a Board of officers. GISBORNE HARBOR BILL Sept. 13. The Gisborne Harbor Board Bill was before a select committee of the Legislative Council this morning; they recommended the adoption of the Bill with endowment, to the consideration of the Council, where it was read a first time this afternoon. EAST COAST DISTRICT BILL. There was a hard fight last night in the House of Representatives over the East Coast District Bill, in which it was attempted by the Government to place Gisborne in the Hawke’s Bay District. Mr Moes and others divided the House, and the Gisborne district remains part of the Auckland Provincial District. Mr. McDonald who has been lobbying members of the Upper House, feels confident that the Gisborne Harbor Bill will pass. THE GOVERNOR LEFT FOR FIJI. Later. The Governor left Auckland in the Emerald to-day for Fiji ; the Chief Justice was sworn in as Acting Governor this afternoon by Mr. Justice Richmond. The House last night debated the Leaseholp Qualification Bill. Sir George Grey succeeded by a catch vote in carrying an amendment by a majority of one, providing that an elector should only have two votes for members at general elections. It is expected that the prorogation will not take place earlier than this day fortnight. It is rumored that the Leasehold Qualification Bill will be abandoned, now that Grey’s amendment has been agreed to ; but if an attempt is made to shelve it, members who are really anxious to see some limit placed to the voting qualifications will probably have something to say against it. It is further rumored that the New Plymouth Harbor Commission Bill will be set aside this Session.