PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2619, 12 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGIST ATIVE COL’XGIL. Wellington, Aug. 11. The Law Practitioners Bill; Timaru Harbor Board Endowment Bill (from the Lower House) ; Law as to Fixtures Bill (Mr Whitaker) were read a lirst time. The Gaming and Lotteries Bill was received from the Lower House with numerous amendments,’ to some of which the Council assented. Others, however, were not agreed to and managers were appointed to draw up reas ms for the disagreement. The Timaru Mechanics’ Institute Act 1877 Amendment Bill was road a second time, and the Drainage Bill and the Taranaki County Council Loan Bill a third time. The Volunteer Bill passed through Committee with many amendments.

HOUSE OF REPEESENTATIYES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE OT QUESTION. Sir George Grey gave notice he would ask upon what principle the ton percent reduction was refunded to ex Judges Harvey and Weston, and if it is the intention of Government to refund other such reductions on the application of Civil servants. KEFLIES TO QUESTIONS. Eeplying to Mr Beeves, Mr Johnston said he would take into favorable consideration the advisability of reducing the present charge for ordinary telegrams. Eeplying to a question put by Mr Eichardson without notice, Mr Hall said the Public Works Estimates could be brought down on Monday, not before. Eeplying to Mr Hutchison, Mr Dick said that where the compulsory section of the Education Act was in operation the police had instructions to take cognizance of children arrived at school age who did not attend school. Eeplying to Mr Ballance, Mr Dick said ho was not aware there had not been a strict compliance with the law as to having supplementary electoral rolls printed, and instructions had been issued for strict compliance in future. FENCING BILL. Mr Bryce moved the second reading of the Fencing Bill, which he explained was in effect a transcript of tiie Bill of last session. It aimed at the consolidation of the various Provincial Acts. The Bill was read a second time. UUKATIuN OF FA If LI AMENTS BILL. Mr Murray moved the second reading of the Delation of Parliaments Bill, lie said he did not mean it to become law this session. His object was to bring the matter before the constituencies and elicit their opinions on its provisions. Its provisions were elastic enough to meet the views of those who advocated annual elections. Its great object was to have the representation as much as possible in accord with the opinions of the people. Dr Wallis objected to the Bill as an attempt to prolong Parliaments indefinitely, Mr Macandrew was of a similar opinion, and regretted that the time should be take up thus frivolously.

Mr Pykc condemned the I3i!I, and challenged Government to give an expression of opinion on its contents. Mr George also condemned the Bill, He argued that it provided that the Triennial Parliaments Act should be repealed, and then that this oil! should come into operation when the'dissolution took place. Under these circum stances a dissolution never could take place, (hen in that case Parliament would last for ever. The House divided—Ayes, 3, noes.o3. PENSIONS bill. In Committee on the Pensions Bill, Mr Rolleston insisted licit the Bill ought not to have been brought down by a private member. He admitted that (ho granting of pensions ought to lie revised, but he denounced the Bill as opening the door for Parliament to go behind contracts already made. Mr Swanson said the matter was a pressing one, and yet Government had failed to bring down any 7 proposals on it. In that case it was their duty to aid in getting this measure passed. Sir George Grey denied that the Bill proposed going behind past transactions. It simply meant to deal with the future. Mr Pitt contended that the Bill was most complete and well drawn as it stood.

Major Atkinson asked if the desire of the House was that a pension occurring, say within a mouth after Parliament was prorogued, was not to bo paid until the Parliament had in its next session an opportunity for discussing the whole question?

Mr Sheehan desired that the Bill should be put in operation, and moved that it should be pressed. If a case like that supposed by (he previous speaker was about to take place, then it was the duty of Government to bring the papers and submit them to the House before it rose. Sir George Grey argued that if once pensions were granted, even illegally, they would have to* pass Acts making them lawful. What this Bill aimed at was to prevent that. A new- clause was added, on the motion of Mr Saunders, and the Bill was reported as amended. TAG HAN'T ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Bowen moved the second reading of the Vagrant Act Amendment Bill. Mr Dick said the Bill was a most severe one, and one that was uncalled for. Mr McLean proposed the Bill should bo killed at once. Whipping was all very well, but it ought to be proposed by Government, and not by private members. He moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr Scddon having announced bis intention to speak for an hour against the Bill, the House was counted out at 12.35 a.m.