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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1347, 25 August 1883, Page 2

It appears likely that Parliament will close in about a fortnights time. The session has been a busy and somewhat eventful one. The Ministry have securely held their own, and have maintained a steady majority all through the session. The Opposition have had no opportunity for moving a direct vote of want of confidence. The attempt to obtain an expression of opinion on the part of the House in favor of some modified form of Provincialism failed, as did also the attack made on the Property Tax. The New Zealand Native Land Settlement Company’s champions met with an unlooked for and unexpected rebuff from the Ministry. But the most important measure of the session is the Bill now before the House which has for its object the remedying of the scandals connected with the dealing in Native lands, and which are at present such a disgrace to our civilisation. Should this Bill pass and become law it will, there is little doubt, be the “ hind mark” by which this .Parliament will for long be remembered. The parastical land jobbers and lawyers, against whom this measure is mainly directed will, no doubt, oppose this wholesome measure might and main, as it aims a

deadly blow at their villanous manceffc vers and frauds. The Bankruptcj Bill is another measure of great importance, riotaiono to the mercantile community in particular, but also to

the public in general, as it is likely to have an important bearing upon the present reckless system of trading upon credit, and stringent provisions are made for the punishment of fraudulent bankrupts. The necessity for some enactment to meet the requirements of justice in this matter has long been painfully apparent, and in no one single place in the Colonies has this want been so much felt as in this small, but “ highly spiced ” community of Gisborne. The charges made against the Premier by Mr Dahuaville, though causing a great sensation and scene in the House, will to all appearances, eud in smoke, as Mr JDaßgaville seems to wish himself well out of the matter. Borne of his owu friends seem to condem his action, and have requested him to withdraw his words. It is rumoured that Mr Whitaker purposes retiring from the Ministry, but it is asserted that the above accusations have no other bearing upon this point than that of protracting the period of this event. The action of the House in the Annexation question has been in general conformity with the wishes of our sister Colonies. The proposal of the Government to grant the New Zealand Shipping Company a monoply for one year of a direct steam service to these Colonies, has been referred to a Select Committee. Altogether the session has been, up to the present, a very busy and progressive one.