PARLIAMENTARY Wellington, August 21.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 293, 25 August 1888, Page 3

PARL I AMENTARY Wellington, August 21.

DONATING HIS HONORARIUM. The Hon. Mr Larnaoh has handed the whole of his honorarium for the session to Father Ginaty as a contribution to the building fund of the Mount Magdala Asylum. This is Mr Larnachs second subscription.

ANTI-CHINESE LEGISLATION. It is still hoped by the Government that an arrangement can yet bo made betw een the two Legislative Chambers with regard to the Chinese Immigration Bill, and another conference will be proposed. Ministers are hopeful that they will be able to pass the Bill with a limitation of the Chinese passengers by each vessel to one to every 300 tons burthen.

A MORNING SITTING. The probability of a special sitting of the House on Thursday morning to deal with local Bills was hinted at by the Premier last night. In making his statement as to the business the Government intended to proceed with this session, the Premiei laid special stress on the importance of the Harbours Act Amendment Bill, which, he said, involved the principle whether the House was to allow local bodies to repudiate. Some members seemed to fancy that it was merely a local Bill, but he would make a statement to show its importance and the reasons why it had been introduced. The question was one which would be far-reaching in its effects, and unless some such Bill were passed the question would be opened as to how the colony was to deal with local bodies' engagements.

BILLS TO BE PROCEEDED WITH. The Bills to bo persevered with this session, and the stages ab which they stand, are: Crown and Native Lands JAating Act Repeal (to be committed), Local Courts Proceedings (second reading), Fencing Act Amendment(tobe committed), ■Rating Acts Amendment (second reading), Justices of the Peace Act Amendment (to be considered in Committee), Slaughter Houses Act Amendment (consideration of amendments by the Legislative Council), District Railways Purchasing Act Amendments (adjourned debate on question of consideration of report), Land Transfer Act Amendment (to be further considered in Committee), Public Works Act Amendment (second reading), Harbours Act Amendment (second reading), Property Tax (second reading), Special Powers and Contracts Act Amendment (second reading).

SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTSThe following are the Bills which were discharged last night in the annual slaughter of the innocents :— Foul Biood Among Bees, Calif ornian Thistle Eradica tion, Counties' Boundaries Alteration, Deceased Persons' Estates Duties Amendment, Stamp Act Amendment, Public Bodies' Powers Act Amendment, Criminal Code, Municipal Corporations, Fisheries, Electoral, Industrial Schools Amendment, Offences Against the Person, and Disorderly Houses Suppression Bills.

AN EARLY PROROGATION. The Government, according to the Premier's announcement last night, see no reason why, if the House desires to get on with business, the work of the session should not be finished this week. They consider that with the exception of the Cio\vn and Native Lands Rating j Act Repeal Bill, The District Railways Purchasing Act Amendment Bill, and the discussion 5 of the Public Works Statement, there is no pleasure that should provoke much discussion.

THE MOKAU COMMISSION. In answer to Major Hamlin fche Premier stated that the Government had not yeb received the report of the Mokau Commissioners on the case of Mr Joshua Jones. He believed it had gone to His Excellency the Governor, but the Government had nob seen anything of it. Directly it was received the Government would consider it .and announce to the House what they proposed to do, and if they considered legislation necessary they would propose it thib session. In the meantime he asked hon. members not to believe the reports they saw in the newspapers on the subject.

LEAVING FOR HOME. Members are beginning to tire of the session, and to show a disposition to bring it to a close. Dr. Pollen, the leader of the Opposition in Council, has left for home, and in the Hou^e to-day leave of absence j for the remainder of the se&sion i.s to be asked for by Mr Pyke on account of illhealth.

NEW GUINEA. By an Act. passed in November, 1887 Queensland assumed a protectorate over New Guinea, and Dr. Newman therefore intends asking the Colonial Secretary if the contribution by New Zealand of £2,669 a year to the government of New Guinea is longer needed. i

LINCOLN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Mr O'Callaghan wants to know whether the Government will appoint, during the recess, at an early date, a Commission consisting of experienced fanners ana business men, to inquire into all matters connected ■with the Board of Governors and management of the Lincoln Agricultural College, and to report on the best means to be adopted to place fche institution in a proper financial position, and to render it more in accord with the requirements of the^colony, and with the objects for which it was established.

OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS. j The Premier stated, last night, in answer to Mr W. C. Smith, that he understood there was not the least chance of the Naval and Military Settlers' and Volunteers' Land Bill passing the Legislative Council. However, he would make inquiries •and. see what could be done in the matter.

RELIEF TO GROWN TENANTS. The Premier acknowledges a feeling of great disappointment at the defeat of the Jlfair Rent Bill by the Legislative Council, The Government do nob feel justified in proposing any fresh legislation dealing with ' the difficulties of Crown tenants. The course they intend to take is to have careful inquiries made into the case of every deferred payment settler or perpetual lease- ' holder who may be su tiering wrong, and will submit to the House next session the ranger's report as to the rents -that ought to be paid. In the meantime .they will not sue for any rent which the .report shows Bhould not be levied until the House has determined whether such rent tshould be levied or not. In answer to Mr Valentine, the Premier said last night that it would not be necessary for tenants to make any application for a valuation. Replying to Mr O'Callaghan, the hon gentleman said the Government could not touch the local bodies' tenants at all. The power of dealing with that question had been given to the bodies themselves by the Act of last session.

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. The contractors for the erection of the Government Printing Office, Messrs C. O.

Michael and Son, of Christchurch, were mulcted by the Government to the extent of £300 for the delay in the completion of the work. The contractors contend that the loss of time was due to late delivery of certain materials and detail plans which the Public Works Department undertook to provide. A petition praying for a refund of the penalty was presented to the House on their behalf by Dr. Newman last night.

THE GORGE CONTRACT. Mr Ormond is asking Government to reconsider the matter of the Manawatu Gorge contract, and take the necessary authority this session to call for tenders for the work necessary to open the whole line on the samo date as the completion of the Pohangina Bridge.

CROWN AND NATIVE LANDS REPEAL. The greater part of last night's sitting was taken up in Committee with the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act Repeal Bill. The chief effective clause, No. 3, repealing the existing Bill, was passed with an amendment fixing the Ist April, 1890, as the day from which the repeal should date. The saving clause excepting rates on native lands? from the repeal was agreed to, and sundry verual and immaterial amendments were made. A clause was added on the motion of the Premier determining the amount of rates to be paid to local bodies by the Colonial Treasurer in respect of Crown lands for 14 years pending the repeal of the original Acts as follows :—ln: — In 1888-9, one half the rates levied under the property tax valuation ; for 1889-90, one fourth such amount — no sum exceeding £2,000 to be paid to any county council in one year. An offort was made by the West Coast members to increase the payment for the second year to one half the rates, but Guinness's amendment to this effect was lost by 40 to 30. Mr Blake moved to strike out the limitation of the amount payable to any body, as it only affected one body, viz., the county of Wcstland. This was carried on the voices, and the Bill was subsequently reported with amendments, and passed through its final stages.

THREATENED ALL-NIGHT SITTING AVERTED. The stonewalling of the West Coas fc Goldtield members on the Bill for the Repeal of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act bade fair to be the principal feature ot last night's sitting of the House, and everybody anticipated an all-nigh b siege. Mr R. H. Reeves made a vigorous beginning by talking against time on the motion to discharge certain Bills from the order paper. The first of these happened to be Mr Lawry's JToul Brood Among Bees Bill, now taken up by the Colonial Secretary. The hon. member for Inangahua had evidently read up on apiarian matters, and spoke for upwards of an hour on the subject of bees and their management, the distinction between humble and bumble bees, and the foods and drinks prepared from the products of the hive, varying hi» matter occasionally by allusions to the Califorman thistle nuisance, the Bill to eradicate which stood next amongst doomed measures. Exhausting at length his stonewalling ammunition for the moment, Mr Reeves had recourse to the reading of the Bill itself, whereupon the Speaker promptly pulled him up and held him to the motion before the House, adding a stern remonstrance against trifling with the House, when ihe hon. member again addressed himself to the Bill, Mr Reeves then returned to the subject of bees in general, and continued to discant upon it. While he held the floor Messrs Seddon, O'Connor, and Grimmond. were continually crossing the floor of the House to the Premier's seat, evidently faying to arrange a compromise. MiReeves at length sac down without any warning, though he had seemed the moment befoie to be ready ior some hours' further fight. From that stage the business proceeded without obstruction. It i& understood that the leason for the sudden eolLipse of the stonewall was not the result of any arrangement with the Government, but bimply arose from the fact that the West Coasters saw that there was a general feeling against them, and feaied that continued obstruction might lo^e them the concessions which the Government had already granted.

THE MEMBER FOR ST. ALBANS. An amusing passage took place last night between the Premier and the member ior St. Albans. Exasperated by an interruption in his speech by Mr Reeves, the Premier observed bai castically that if the hon. gentleman desired to attain any position in the House he would have to do something else than abuse the Government. Smart speeches were very telling when coupled with some originality of ideas, but the hon. gentleman had gained a reputation for making smart speeches upon nothing. " Yes," interposed Mr Ree\es again, " upon the Government." And after the roar of laughter which en=ued, the Premier wisely desisted from chaff.

JOTTINGS. Ministers hope to complete the business this week, and prorogue on Monday. W. P. Beeves wants to know whether the cruisers in course of construction for the defence of New Zealand are to be of the Archer type, recently stated to be a complete failure. The Council did not sib yesterday afternoon or last night, out of respect to the late Dr. Menzies, M L.C. Mr Fish is urging the Government to at once procure another shipment of salmon ova. The House is to sit on Thursday forenoon to dispose of certain local Bills. Mr I'aiwhanga still wants to know what steps the Government are taking during the recess to effect the return to the colony oi Mr JTorwood, solicitor, late of Auckland. An illuminated address to Mr Larnach from miners of the Thames is displayed in the lobbies and the workmanship is much admired. Mr Marchant wants the Government, during tecess, to formulate a scheme to provide for forest tree-planting by the State, to encourage forest tree-plan ting by private individuals.