PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 272, 29 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Own Correspondent.] Wellington, October 29. Legislative Council. First Headings. In the Council yesterday The Bankruptcy Bill, the Police Offences Bill, and a Bill providing for punishment of breaches of trust were read a first time. Report. The report of the Petitions Committee on the petition of Mr. W. H. Tucker was referred to the Minister of Justice. Second Readings, The Government Insurance Association Bill was read a second time. The Greymouth Harbor Bill, the Westport Harbor Bill, and the Destitute Persons Bill were read a second time. The Drainage of Mines Bill and the Public Works Amendment Bill were passed through Committee and reported with amendments. Third Readings. The East and West Coast Railway Bill was read a third time and passed. r .tt House of Representatives. Replies to Questions. In the House yesterday Government stated that attention would be given to the question of hospitals and charitable aid during the recess. That it was a rule in the Telegraph Department that no claims for overtime were entertained unless they were extended over eight hours per day. This was taken on every fortnight’s duty. Wahanui at the Bar. On the motion of Wi Pere, it was agreed that Wahanui be heard at the bar of the House before the second reading of the Native Land Settlement Bill. Second Readings. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the New Zealand International South Sea Island Company Bill. He referred at some length to the great importance which attached to those Islands, and hoped the Bill would be carried; but even if rejected Government would feel proud of having introduced such a measure.

Mr. Wakefield said the Bill was eminently characteristic of the Treasurer, and to all intents and purposes aimed at establishing a monopoly. Mr. Moss said such a company as was proposed by the Bill would crush out existing companies, which had already developed trade with the islands under difficulties. There was no need of such a measure to extend trade with the Islands, for the people engaged in the trade would do so if let alone. The bill was a mixture of business and politics, which was always fatal either to the success of business or the tone of politics. Colonel Trimble, Mr. J. H. Thomson, Mr. Garrick, and Dr. Newman, also opposed the Bill. Mr. Macandrew supported the measure. The House divided, and the motion for the second reading was negatived by 39 to 23. On the motion that the amendments made by the Council in the East and West Coast Railways Bill be agreed to, Sir Julius Vogel said the fifth clause had been struck out, which virtually emasculated the Bill, and the measure had been so altered by the Council that Government wished it to be understood that they were not to be

charged with failure if the alterations made it impossible to obtain reasonable persons to carry out the work. After a short debate the amendments were agreed to. The Road Boards Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee with verbal amendments. The Land Act Amendment Bill has been passed through Committee and reported with several amendments. Progress has been reported on the Life Assurance Policies Bill, The House adjourned at 2.5 a.m.