PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2865, 31 May 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

The Council met at 2 p.m, yesterday. FIRST READINGS. A Bill to amend the “ Banks and Bankers Act 1880 ” (Mr Whitaker), and a Bill to amend the u Vagrant Act 1866 ” (Colonel Brett), were read a first lime. CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN. Sir G. Whitmore moved, and Mr Whitaker seconded, an Address to the Queen, congratulating her on her escape from assassination. The Address was carried unanimously without discussion. THE BANKRUPTCY LAW. On the Hon. Mr Oliver’s motion, a Joint Bankruptcy Law Committee was appointed, the names being Messrs Wilson, P.Buckley,Hart, Holmes', Miller, McLean, Stevens, Reynolds, and Oliver. NEW COUNCILLOR. • Mr Stevens was introduced and took the oath and his seat. ADDRESS IN REPLY. The Council presented the Address in Reply to the Governor’s Speech, and at 2.30 adjourned till 2.30 on Thursday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. CONGRATULATIONS TO SIR J. HALL. On the motion of Mr Sheehan, seconded by Mr Macandrew, the House joined in hearty- congratulation of Sir John Hall upon his receiving the honor of knighthood. The Speaker, in putting the motion, endorsed the universal sentiment of the House. The new knight feelingly thanked the House and the colony for their hearty congratulation. The House adjourned to enable the Address in Eeply to be presented to the Governor. questions. In reply to Mr Feldwick, the Hon Mr Johnston said the linos inflicted on railway employees were at the disposal of the Government, who had in only one case allocated a portion thereof to a railway benefit society. A sum of £4BO had accumulated and a scheme for its allocation Would be prepared. Eoplying to Mr Hutchison, the Hon Major Atkinson said Government would refer to the Standing Orders Committee, the question of adopting means for preventing obstructive motions, and otherwise facilitating business. FIRST READINGS. . The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: —The Employment of Females Act, with a view to bring shopwomen, and boys and girls employed in the delivery of parcels apd messages, under the operation of the eight-hour clauses of that Act, and to give to the police the right to enter into factories during meal hours and after working hours (Mr Green) ; To make other provisions in the matter of the Election of School Committees (Mr Steward). THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES. The Hon. Major Atkinson proposed Mr Hurst as Chairman of Committees, and roforrrcd to his long and varied experience of Parliamentary procedure. Sir John Hall seconded the motion. Mr Hurst, while thanking his supporters, begged to withdraw from candidature. As a great deal of the old Provincial jealousy yet remained in the House, he thought Government would find his appointment likely to give offence to some of even their own side. The Hon. Majpr Atkinson deeply regretted Mr Hurst’s determination, and bogged to substitute the name of Mr Hamlin. Mr Fish moved an amendment. Ho thought Government were to blame for not being satisfied of the accoptablcnoss of a candidate before patting him up; and for exhibiting undue facility in changing its opinions. He hogged to propose Mr Thomson, who had acted in a similar capacity to the Otago Provincial Council and had sat in Parliament for twelve years. Mr DoLautour seconded this nomination Messrs W. C. Smith, J. 0. Brown, and

Captain McKenzie supported Mr Thompson’s claim The House divided on the amended motion—“ That Mr Hamlin’s name bo inserted.” Ayes 44, Noes 41. The following is the division list ; Ayes 44 All wright Mitchellson Atkinson Morris Beetliam - o’CnlJaghan Brown, J. E. Peacock Bryce Pearson Buchanan W. C, Fos(icthwaite Cadman Rolleston • Connolly Rutherford Dick Steven Filvgerald Sutton Fulton ' Swanson Hall Tawhai Hobbs Thompson, H, JHurst Trimble Hursthouse Watt Johnston, W. W. Weston Johnston, C. J. Whittaker Kelly , Whyte, J. B. Levin Williams McDonald Wilson, I. Mclllwraith Wilson, J. G. McMillan Wright Noes—4l. Barron Maoandrew Bathgate . McKenzie, F. W. Bracken McKenzie, J. Brown, J. C. Montgomery Buchanan, J. Monro Daniel Moss Dargavillo P, trie DoLatour (teller) Seaton’ Dodson Seddon Duncan * Sheehan Feld wick Shepherd Fergus Slirimski Fish (teller) Smith George Steward Green, J. Sutter Green, M. W. Taiaroa Grey Te Wheoro Holmes Tomoana Hutchinson Turnbull Joyce White, W. Levestam Pairs. Ayes. Noes. Mason Pyke INSPECTION OF GAOLS. On the motion of Mrßracken, it was agreed that there be laid before the House a return showing the amount of salary and expenses pail to the Inspector of prisons, from the date of his appointment in liondon .up to the present time, including passage money for his wife and family, all travelling expenses per steamer and railway during his inspection of gaols, and the number of days he remained in each place inspecting such gaols. At 5 p.'in. the House adjourned till 7.30 p.m. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. Hon. Major Atkinson undertook to deliver the Financial Statement on Tuesday next and immediately thereafter to bring down the Estimates. Considerable discussion took place on previous Imprest Supply Bills, originating in the passage at this stage of an Imprest Supply Bill for £300,000. Some members contended that the Estimates should have been prepared early enough to do away with the. necessity for Imprest Bills. Others thought it factious and ungracious to obstruct supplies for present needs. THE NATIVE POLICY, Mr Sheehan resumed the debate on this subject. He contended that Government had in effect adopted the policy of the Grey Government throughout. He thought the difficulty had been well faced, and that a recurrence of it should be guarded against. He advocated indemnifying the Native Minister, and investing him with further powers. Mr Moss deprecated the treatment of the Maoris as an inferior race. He viewed the keeping of Te Whiti from trial with disfavor. V Mr Montgomery paid a tribute to the genius, purity of life, and poetic temperament of Te Whiti, and violently oppo ed the Bill as a violation of all the great principles on which Britons should pride themselves. Major Te Wheoro contended that Te Whiti and Tohu should be brought to trial. He knew Government could carry the measure, but ho would oppose it to the end. . Mr J. Steven defended the policy of Government with regard to To Whiti 9 •and the Natives generally. The debate was further adjourned, on the motion of Mr Holmes.