PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1079, 27 May 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Brom our own ConitE<PONDENTsj. Legislative Council. Wellington, May 23. The Council met at. 2.30. In reply to Air Buckley, the Hon. F. Whitaker said he would enquire what legislation there was in other countries regarding the employment of children in theatres, and, if necessary, would then introduce a bill on the subject. Major Baillie was re-appointed Chairman of Committees. Air Buckley asked by what authority Te Whiti amt Tohu had been allowed to go sight-seeing, and by what authority they were now detained? The Hon. F. Whitaker said there was no law either allowing or prohibiting them from going sight-seeing, and they were now imprisoned under the authority of a warrant from the bench of magistrates who committed them. Mr Buckley said he would recur to tins matter at the first opportunity. Hie Hon. F. Whitaker gave notice that he would introduce a Bill to allow affirmations and declarations to bo taken in lieu of the Oaths. 3 he Address in reply was brought up by the committee appointed to draw it up, and Mr Lahman gave notice to move its adoption on. Thursday. Col. Brett gave notice of a Bill to amend the Vagrant Act. Col. Brett gave notice to move sending an address to the Secretary for the Colonies re the Phoenix Park murders. Mr Pharazyn moved for arcturn of tb.c cost of prosecuting himself for personation at the late election. The Hon. F. Whitaker said the motion would in some degree interfere with the privileges of the House.— The motion was withdrawn. The Hon. .F. \v bitaker said he would supply the information to Air Pharazyn. The Council adjourned until 2.30 on Thursday. Thursday. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Bignau gave notice to ask if the Government would amend the (laming and Lotteries Act to legalise raffles tor religious and charitable purposes. The Hon. Air Whitaker brought in a Bill to amend the law with regard to Married Women’s property, and a Bill to enable affirmations and declarations to be taken in lieu of oaths, both of which were read the first time. The following Bills were received from the Statute lievision Commission and read the first time: Justices of the Peace, Fishery Companies, Lunatic, and Friendly Societies. in reply to the Hon. Hart, the Hon. Whitaker said the Government were going to bring in a Bill to amend Beceased Persons Estates Buties Act, 1871, by retrieving from duty property passing to widower on decease of wife, but as to varying duties payable on succession property by collateral relatives and strangers by blood, the Government had not intended to deal with the matter, but the point having been raised they would consider it, and give an answer later on. The Hon. Chamberlain’s motions for returns, ordered, shewing acreage of all Crown lands in New Zealand reserved, also, those lands proposed to be reserved for growth and preservation of timber since Lands Act, 1877, came into force for the entire Colony ; how many notices to claims for bonuses have been sent to the Government from the 18th Alay to the 3lst December, 1881; further, to the present time, for what articles, and at what dales they were given in. Lahman moved the adoption of the Address in Heply to the Governor’s Speech. Williams seconded the motion. Coi. Whitmore, in a speech lasting an hour, compared the financial policy of the Hall Government adversely with that of the Grey Alinistry. Whitaker, replying to Col. Whitmere, said he would be for the third time prepared to cuter into a finan-

cial discussion with Col. Whitmore upon financial policy of the late and present Government, but at present there was no occasion for it to be depredated in such discussion in the Council. The Government has not yet decided to ask authority for anol her loan during the present session, in any case it could not be raised till the end of the year, or beginning of next. If possible the Government would do without the Loan Bill till next session. They thought there must ultimately be further borrowing to complete and render productive works that were now partly dune. Hon. Air, Wilson urged reform in the administration of native lands, ihe present system being demoralising to both races. Hon. Chamberlain blamed the too economical policy of the Government in working the railways as the cause of most accidents. The Hon. Mr. Alantell expressed surprise that the Government despatches with regard to the West Coast affairs had not already been laid on the table. The Address was then adopted. The Council rose at 4.30.

House of Representatives. May 25. The House met at 2.30. The following Bills were given notice of :—By Mr Levestam, for the further protocol: life and property from accident by lire; by Air Holmes, to amend the Debtors ami Creditors’ Act, and amend Kcsident Magistrates’ Act. Air Macandrew gave notice to move that the Speaker leave the chair at i vory sitting during the session without question being put at 12.30 a.m., so that the House might adjourn not Liter than that hour. .Mr Atkinson gave notice that on Thursday he would move that Air Hurst be elected Chairman of Committees of the whole House. Tawhai gave notice to ask whether the Government would cause certain pamphlets on the culture of tobacco to be printed in Maori, and circulated amongst the Native race. The Address in reply to the Governor’s speech was moved this afternoon by Air Peacock, the member for Auckland City North, who delivered his maiden speech on the occasion, and spoke well and fluently for about half an hour, being warmly cheered by both sides of the house. —Mr Rutherford was not so happy in seconding the motion ; his speech, however, had one merit, that of brevity, and he succeeded in gaining the applause usually accorded to young members of the House. Air Alontgomery iuunediatelyrose to speak on the other side, and in doing so caused roars of laughter by the excitable manner in which he tore off i his overcoat previous to opening the battle. The speech was generally regarded as a great failure, and his party evidently considered it so, judging by the coldness with which his remarks were received.—After a lot of discussion by both sides the motion was carried. Considerable opposition was offered to the constitution of the usual sessional committees by various members, buttlic Mimslersstui’k to their original proposals, and carried them after much debate. The House adjourned till 2.30 on Thursday. Thursday. The House met at 2.30. The following Consolidation Bills were introduced by message from the Governor and read the first time:— Customs Laws and Customs Duties Consolidation. In reply to Mr. Levistam, the Hon. Air. Bryce said that in the case of the police handcuffing unresisting citizens apprehended for breach of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, the persons arrested were Chinamen, and as a rush was made at the time, auk handcuffing was resorted to for the purpose of securing the identity of the men. The other case under the same Act was a test case, and the police thought it advisable to consult the law officers before instituting proceedings. In reply to Mr. Stevens, Mr. Dick said it was not the intention of the Government to introduce an amendment of the Education Act this session. In replying to Air. Levin, Mr. Dick said a joint Committee of both Houses to consider the Bankruptcy laws would be moved for, and the Government would be prepared on receiving suggestions of the Committee to frame an amending Bill. lieplying to Mr Maeandrew, Mr. Johnston said the Government would make proposals during the session for the establishment of direct steam communication with England. Replying to Air. F’eldwiek, Mr. Bryce said the Volunteer Board had concluded its labors, and the report would be presented shortly. In replying to Hutchinson, Atkinson said that the measure amending the Shipping and Seamen’s Act, 1877, would be introduced. Replying to Seddon, Dick said it was intended to introduce an Amendment of the Licensing Act of last session iu order to render its operation more effective and smooth difficulties which had arisen. Steward gave notice of a Bill to amend the Gaming and Lotteries Act. AlcDonald gave notice of a Bill for the repeal of the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Alacandrew moved that during the the present session any business under consideration of tho House at 12,30

a.m., be adjourned by the Speaker, without any question being put, at that hour if the House be in Committee the Chairman, without any question being put, shall report the same to the Speaker, who shall forthwith adjourn the business, and then adjourn the House without putting any question. Business so interrupted to be put down on the Order paper for next day in accordance with standing orders affecting other interrupted business. Atkinson objected to the motion, and moved as an amendment that the whole question be referred to the Standing Orders Committee. Sheehan contended that it would be gross injustice to private members and their Bills if the motion was passed. After some further debate Afacandrew accepted the amendment, which was then agreed to. Atkinson asked leave to postpone his motion for the appointment of Air Hurst as Chairman of the Committees until the followingday. Agreed to. Sir George Grey moved that an address be forwarded to the Queen expressive of great thankfulness of the House at her preservation from the danger to which Her Majesty was recently exposed. The motion was carried, and messages were ordered to be transmitted by cable. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m, and assembled again at 7.30 p.m. The adjourned debate on the appointment of the committee to prepare an Address in reply was then resumed. Feldwick expressed regret that no amendment was proposed censuring the Government for their delay in calling Parliament .together. Air AY. Green spoke for upwards of two hours, avowing himself an entirely independent member, and stating hl's determination to vote on each question on its merits, irrespective of party. He blamed the Government for their action regarding the sale of Otago runs, and for delaying the meeting of Parliament. He objected to the Premier being in the Upper House, and to the Government ignoring Parliament by appealing direct to the local bodies re local government. Mr. Hursthouse ridiculed the idea of Mr. Green remaining a party by himself, and defended the action of the Government regarding the Otago runs. As to local government, all that was wanted was some scheme for the supply of money to make roads and bridges without local taxation. Let the find the money, and leave Be local bodies to spend it. He was opposed to further borrowing at present. He thought a great deal winch had been borrowed had been wasted. Mr. Fergus urged greater attention to gold fields interests, and did not object to further borrowing to complete public works which were likely to prove remunerative. He was not annoyed at the Premier being in the Council, and had no fault to find with the leasing of the Otago runs. Fish thought the debate waste of time, as there was no Opposition to the address. He defended the action of the Government re the Otago runs, and approved of the local Government circular. He doubted whether there was any real profit from railways, for the rolling stock was in bad order and deficient in quantity. A. Commission was wanted to enquire into the whole system of management, and there should be a Minister of Railways as well as one of Public Works. He did not object to the Premier being in the Council, but did object to Olliver being here The vacant portfolio should be filled up. He approved of borrowing to finish railway lines. J. C. Brown criticised the speech at some length. The Committee then reported the address prepared. It was brought up and adopted. It was, as usual, a mere echo of the speech. The House rose at 12.25.