PARLIAMENTARY

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2321, 25 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Fkiday, August 20,

The Hon Mr Chamberlain moved — “In the opinion of this Council it is desirable, in the interests of the future welfare of the colony, that the Government should declare its policy either Free Trade or Protectionist.” The mover spoke at some length on the motion, which was supported by Mr Wood, opposed by Mr Whitaker, and negatived on the voices. The Hon. Colonel Brett moved—■ “ Whenever any member of the Legislative Council, who shall have attended the Council during any part of a session, shall absent himself during the said session for more than a week at a time, without express leave of absence from the Council, it shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Council to call the attention of the bon. the Speaker to the absence of any snob member ; and any member so absenting himself without leave may be dealt with by the Council in terms of Standing Orders No. % and 327.”

There was a short debate on the motion, which, on a division, was carried by 15 to 13 votes. The Hon. Mr Miller moved—“ That the Council should resolve itself into a committee to consider the Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bill.”

To this Sir F. Bell moved an amendment —“ It is inexpedient to allow the establishment of a precedent that the county fund of a county should be involved in liability for any public work undertaken, not for the benefit of the county, but only for part thereof, without the assent of the ratepayers of the whole county.”

The Oamaiu Harbor Board Bill was thrown out on the motion of the Hon. Mr Waterhouse by 14 votes to 11.

On the motion for the second reading of the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Land Act, 1874, Amendment Bill, there was considerable discussion, and the debate was adjourned

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Wellington Racing Club Bill was

shelved. The Law Practitioners’ Act Amendment, Caversham Boroughs’ Incorporation, and Port Chalmers’ Drill Shed Bills were read a third time and passed. In answer to Mr Wright, who asked the Colonial Secretary whether he was aware that he is paying a colonial insurance ollice 26s 3d per £IOO, for the insurance of Government House, while a foreign office offered to undertake the risk for 12s 6d per £IOO. The Hon. the Minister of Public Works replied in the negative, and stated that the information of the hou. gentleman was altogether incorrect. They would not encourage local industries at such a loss to the colony. Ministers, in reply to questions,stated that the question of an improvement in the law of divorce would be considered by the Law Commission, and probably a Bill introduced. The contract for the Eangitata bridge was faithfully performed.

The correct returns of the working of the Dunedin and Christchurch stations shewed for the former £I2OO and the latter £9OO.

In the event of a company being formed to complete the Wellington and Foxton line to Porirua, the Government would be prepared to lease on equitable terms the railway formation from Kaiwarra to Johnsonville ? THE OXFORD MALVERN LINE. Mr Pyke asked the Government, — (1) Whether they were aware that the railway line from Oxford to Malvern (Sheffield), recommended by the Hailway Commissioners, is a mere pretext, committing the colony to building a lino from Oxford to Temnka ; (2) whether such railway will be of any public benefit, and to what extent; (3) whether the proposed line of railway passes through the estates of the Hon. John Hall, the Premier, and of Mr Wright, a member of the Railway Commission ? Mr Oliver replied that the proposed lino would be a most useful one, and answered the other questions in the negative. WEST COAST BILL. The debate was resumed on the West Coast Bill, adjourned from the previous evening. Mr Whitaker reported to the House that it would be quite impossible for Mr Sheehan to attend that evening, for he was suffering from a very bad cold, and even if he were able to get down to the House he would not be able to make himself heard. Mr Gisborne thought the Commissioners had made one mistake. They should themselves have gone to Parihaka and personally have interviewed Te Whiti.

Sir William Fox begged to express the pleasure which he and his brother commissioner felt at the manner in which their report had been received. They also felt thankful to the Government for the great confidence which they had placed in them, and which had enabled them to bring their labors to a successful close. He likewise desired to express his thanks to the lion, member for the Thames for the manner in which he had spoken of the commission, and also to the press throughout the country, which had recognised the value of their work when it was done. He sincerely trusted the Government would carry out the recommendation of the report, and ho felt sure they would do so to a successful issue.

The Hon Mr Bryce said it was a matter of gratification to him that so much commendation had been thrown upon the Commission, and to a certain extent upon the Government for the selection they had made. The motion for the second reading was then agreed to on the voices. The Speaker then left the chair, and the House wont into Committee on the Bill.

Ultimately the Bill was read a third time and passed, and the House adjourned at 1.15 a.m.