PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 274, 31 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Own Correspondent.] Wellington, October 31. Legislative Council. Bill lie-committed. In the Council yesterday On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Government Insurance Association Bill was recommitted, and clause 38 amended so as to protect the policies of persons residing out of the colony. The Bill was then reported and the third reading deferred for next day. Third Headings. The Greymouth Harbor Bill, the Westport Harbor Bill, the Workmen’s Wages Bill, and the Destitute Persons Bill, were read a third time and passed. Bill Reported. The Bankruptcy Bill was considered in Committee and reported. Bill Amended. The Police Offences Bill was committed and amended, the principal amendment being in the Sunday trading clause, in which on the motion of Mr. Reeves, a provision was added exempting newspapers from penalties for working on Sundays. Bill Thrown Out. The Drainage of Mines Bill was committed, and on the motion of Dr. Pollen progress was reported without asking leave to sit again. The Bill was therefore thrown out. Recommitted. The Public Works Bill was recommitted and reported with amendments. Second Readings. The Breach of Trusts Bill was read a second time. Mr. Wilson moved the second reading of the Printers and Newspapers Registration Bill. Mr. Reeves moved that the Bill be read that day six months. The amendment was carried and the Bill was thrown out.

House of Representatives. Notices of Bills. In the House yesterday Sir Julius Vogel gave notice of the introduction of a Property Tax Bill, and New Zealand Loan Bill. 2lain Roads. On the motion of Mr. Richardson it was ordered that roads gazetted as Main Roads on the 29th and 31st March, 1883, and 27th and 31st March, 1884, be declared main roads, in term of section 7 of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. In Committee.

The House went into Committe, and Sir Julius Vogel moved a resolution respecting the acquiring of district railways. Major Atkinson said he had always held that sooner or later it would be necessary and advantageous for the colony to take over the lines, but he did not think the Treasurer’s proposal clearly conveyed what was contem - plated, and suggested certain amendments. After some discussion Mr. Stout amended the iesolution as follows : “ That Government be requested to come to the best arrangements they can with the District Railway Companies; such arrangements to be subject to the ratification of Parliament.” Colonel Trimble, Messrs Beetham, Barron, and Buchanan opposed the resolution. Sir George Grey protested against a scheme which meant that every man woman and child, from one end of the colony to the other, would be burthened with a tax equal to £1 4s Gd pei* head. The Committee divided, and the resolution as amended by the Premier, was carried by 59 to 25. The House resumed, and the resolution was reported. Considerable discussion followed, in the course of which

Mr. Rolleston asked whether the resolution would be submitted to the Council. Mr. Stout declined to answer, characterising the question as preposterous. Amendments Agreed to. The Council’s amendments to the Westport Harbor Bill and the Workman’s Wages Bill were agreed to. The Beet Root Sugar Bill passed through Committee, with amendments.

The Westland Education District Bub' division Bill passed through Committee with amendments, and was reported. Mr. Stout gave notice to move on the following day that the House meet on day for Government business only. The House then adjourned.