Parliamentary.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 980, 21 September 1881, Page 3

Parliamentary.

[riOM OUR OWN correspondent]. Wellington, Sept. 19. In the Legislative Council, on Saturday, Mr. Wilson’s motion, deprecating professional costs being allowed in R.M.’s Courts, in suits for less than £2O, was disposed of by the previous question being moved, members considering it was too late to discuss the matter this session. MR. SHEEHAN’S RESOLUTIONS ON THE REPRESENTATION BILL. Tn the House on Saturday the Premier moved the adoption of the amended schedules iyt-the Representation Bill brought down by messages from the Governor. Mr. Sheehan announced his intention to vote against every amendment in the schedule; he said Government had committed a gross breach of faith in altering schedules as they had done. Alterations had been made by secret compact outside the House, in violation of what had been said inside. He held that

the Crown had no right to initiate legislation of this kind. It could only deal with great questions of its own Prerogative, and matters of Supply. In the evening Mr. Sheehan moved “ That this House respectfully regrets that it cannot agree with His Excellency’s message for reasons'following : —l. That the Representation Bill is one exclusively affecting the powers and functions of this House. 2. That the said Bill has passed this House, after long discussion, without amendment, and has also passed the Legislative Council, and has been returned to this House by the Council without amendment. 3. That this House passed the said Bill, in full faith and assurance that the Bill would not be altered, but would become law substantially as it had passed this House. 4. That all measures dealing with members’ rights or privileges of this House, should originate in this House, and Ministers by the adoption of their present course, betrayed their trust, and have made it plain that in their opinion this estate of the realm is the * Lower House ’ in more senses than one.” Mr. Stewart contended that the Governor had taken his departure from the colony in the sense of a final departure, and not having appointed a deputy, and as such he had no status as Governor, even although he returned, and that the Chief Justice retained office until the pleasure of her Majesty was signified to the contrarv.

Mr. Reeves spoke (or rather stonewalled) for two hours and fifteen minutes, and said he was prepared to entertain the House two hours longer. The speaker suggested that it would be well to have an adjournment for half an hour.

Upon resuming at 10.30 p.m., Mr. Reeves did not appear, and Mr. Gibbs started on a discursive tour by way of killing time ; this ended the “ debate,” and the schedule was agreed to —the amendment of Mr. Sheehan being negatived on the voices. The House rose at midnight. To-day the managers appointed to consider the amendment made by the Council in the Parliamentary Privilege Bill recommended that the Bill be dropped. The report was adopted. Mr. Turnbull said it was a great mistake to allow Sir F. D. Bell to leave the colony at such a critical period. Sir Wm. Fox, while he regretted the loss of his colleague, did not think his absence had materially affected the’ settlement of the West Coast question. Mr. Brown said the aspect of affairs revived the question as to how far Mr. Bryce had been right in urging more energetic steps being taken. Mr. Ballance thought the statement made by the Native Minister was calculated to create a feeling of alarm, which might be toned down if fuller information was given, and he asked him to give that fuller information as soon as possible. Mr. Sheehan censured the Government for leaving such an important measure until the last moment, Sir Wm. Fox, being entrusted with questions involving peace or war, ought to be on the Government benches. At present there were virtually two Native Ministers, and one of them absolutely irresponsible. He did not believe a breach of the peace would be made, but if it was, he felt an intense pity for the Natives, because they would have to realise that the public peace must be maintained at any cost. He believed it would have been the salvation of the Maoris, if, two years ago, such a position had been taken up on the West Coast as would have guaranteed peace for all time. The Government must now be prepared for almost any emergency, and they must not be afraid to ask the House -to help them to do so. After further discussion the Bill was committed. , L , GOVERNMENT REQUIRE A VOTE FOR ACTIVE OPERATIONS. When the House met this morning, Mr. Rolleston said the Government proposed to deal with the various Native Bills first, as it was desirable to get them through. He added that rumors had been circulated, and had been reported in the papers, as to the position of Native affairs. The Government also have received reports which cause some anxiety as to the future ; they have however every hope that the course hitherto adopted may avert any serions difficulties from arising, at the same time, itTis only right to say that the position is one requiring greafcare and circumspection. The Government will, however, before the House rises, afford members an opportunity of learning all that it knows up to the latest moment, and will ask the House to entrust them with such funds as may enable them to deal decisively, and promptly.

The Property Tax Bill is just circulated. It imposes a tax of three farthings in the pound value—viz., a half penny for the half year ending 30th Sept, inst., and a farthing for the half year ending 31st March 1882. Insurance Companies will pay a tax of 15s and 7s 6d per £lOO respectively, on their premium income. The Stamp Act Amendment Bill is just introduced by the Hon Major Atkinson. It imposes additional duties on conveyances, and leases of Native lands ; viz., 10 per cent, on the consideration money in every first conveyance, and same on the capitalized amount reckoned at 12| times the yearly rental’. One form of stamp may be used for all purposes, and as few stamps as possible are to be used on any one document. Any officer may refuse to receive documents improperly stamped. Receipts from Imperial pensions are exempted from duty. GISBORNE HARBOR BILL THROWN OUT. Sept. 20th. The Legislative Council last evening threw out the Gisborne Harbor Bill. Mr. Johnson, in charge of the Bill, did not ask for a division.