PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 240, 20 September 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Association.) Legislative Council. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19. There was nothing of importance done in the Council. House of Representatives. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19. The House met at 2.90. Notices. Mr. Walker gave notice of motion, That

country volunteer corps be placed on a more satisfactory footing. Mr. Seddon gave notice that vendors o patent medicine, tobaccos, etc., be licensed, and the proceeds retained for local revenue. Replies of Questions.

Replying to questions put it was stated A record of the traditions and language of the Chatham Island natives had been in hand since 1873, but had not been completed. The compiler of Maori traditions in New Zealand was paid £2OO per annum, with a bonus of £5OO on completion of the work. Government refused to erect a post and telephone office at Fortrose. The erection of siding and stock loading yards at Wallacetown would be proceeded with as soon as funds permitted. Facilities similar to those enjoyed by European exporters in the transmission by post of foreign patterns and samples would be provided for. First Readings. The New Zealand Manufacturers Bill was introduced and read a first time. Also, The False Notice of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, and the Dogs Registration Act, 1880, further Amendment Act (Steward). Bill to amend the Juries Act, 1880 (Grey). A Public Revenue Bill was introduced by message from the Governor and ordered to be read on Tuesday. Second Readings. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the Parliamentary Honorarium and Privileges Bill. Mr. Russell argued that the amount (£2lO per annum) was too much, and would move its reduction by one half when in Committee. Sir Julius Vogel replied, contending that the amount was only fair and reasonable. Members who considered it too high had their remedy, and might if they choose leave the surplus in the hands of the Treasury. He condemned the Disqualification Act, to which reference had been made, as an insult to Parliament.

The following Bills were also read a second time:— Public Health Act 1879 Amendment. Slaughterhouses Act 1877 Amendment. The House rose at 4.35. EVENING SITTING. Major Atkinson made a long speech, criticising the Financial Statement as the worst he had ever heard. Sir Julius Vogel characterised the speech of Major Atkinson as that of an old scold and one who lamented he had not brought favorable proposals forward himself. The debate occupied till after one o’clock a.m., when the House adjourned. The full report is crowded out.