PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 252, 4 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Own Correspondent.] Legislative Council. Wellington, October 4. In the Legislative Council yesterday The Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill passed through Committee, and was read a third time and passed. The Napier Harbor Bill passed through Committee, a provision being inserted Hat a majority of the ratepayers must record their votes to render a poll valid. The Pensions Bill and the Foreign Companies Bill were read a third time and passed.

House of Representatives. Motions. In the House yesterday On the motion of Sir Julius Vogel, it was resolved “ That, inasmuch as the Califorian service and the direct steam service afford the quickest means of communication to and from Great Britain and New Zealand, and mail matter brought or sent by way of Brindisi entails considerable loss, this House is of opinion that the rates on letters to and from Great Britain by way of Brindisi should be raised to one shilling per half oz., and other mail matter in proportion, and that if there is a difficulty in levying the additional amount in Great Britain the same should be collected here. Third Headings. The Parliamentary Honorarium and Privileges Bill, and the Public Health Act Amendment Bill were reported, and read a third time and passed. Second Headings. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading •<f the Westport Harbor Bill. He contended hat it was a Colonial work, and one which •vould amply repay the risk and labor. Major Atkinson supported the motion, but lemurred to the manner in which the money •vas proposed to be raised. Mr. Turnbull regretted the matter not being referred to a committee to report upon. He would support the second reading, but hoped some means would be devised in Committee for the work being carried out by the Government. Mr. Rolleston favored the suggestion of the 3ill being referred to a select Committee. Mr. Montgomery could not support the econd reading, bnt concurred in the opinion hat the work was very necessary.

Mr. Bryce agreed with the opinion that the vorks should be undertaken by Government. Sir George Grey believed that Now Zealand •vas to be the coaling station of the Pacific, ind thought it was a matter of Colonial inerest that facilities should be extended for exerting coal from the West Coast of the •liddle Island. Colonel Trimble was opposed to large arrowing powers being given to local bodies. Mr. Stout disagreed with what had been said about Government carrying on the work. It had been the curse of the colony for Government to act as a central board of works. If Government undertook the management of >ne harbor they would have to take over all >f them. Mr. Garrick said the bill was the practical tpplication by the Government of the doctrine >f Local Self-Government. It was, he relieved, the first occasion on which Government had introduced a bill which so cmihatically tended in that way. Mr. Barron hoped the bill would be referred o a committee. After Sir Julius Vogel had replied, the uuond reading was carried, and Sir Julius V'-igel moved that the bill be referred to a inimitl.ee, to report on Tuesday, which was i.lso carried. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading >f the Grey mouth Harbor Board Bill. After a few remarks from Colonel Trimble, 'ie motion was carried on the voices, and the iili was referred to the committee appointed o consider the Westport Harbor Bill. The House then adjourned,