PARLIAMENTARY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9419, 23 May 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Parliament was opened on Friday last by the Governor in person. In his speech he referred to the measures passed last session extending the franchise, and Triennial Parliaments, which he hoped would make all classes of the community watch the deliberations of Parliament with keener interest, and conduce to the we'fare of the colony. He congratulated them on the general prosperity of the colony and the great increase in the revenue.

The proposals of last session to promote colonisation by] the construction of roads had received consideration, and the

woik of settlement was rapidly progressing. A desire to unite mining and agricultural pursuits was becoming manfest, and the time was opportune for the conduction of roads, A meai.ire would be submitted to Parliament embodying a plan for leasing agricultural land with fixity of tenure upon reasonable terms, which may be advantageously incorporated into the general system of administering Crown Lands. After alluding to tb«s Native disturbance, statin? that the thanks of the colony were due to volunteers for the readiness with which they came forward, and pro wing the AC. Force for their general good conduct on that occasion, .he said that a Bill would be laid before Parliament to render the trial of Te Whiti and Tohu unnecessary, and prevent them from going bacV to Parihaka to creat fresh disturbances. The estimates showed a gratifying increase, the surplus receipts of the railway paying 4 per cent on the cost of construction. Proposals for the development of the gold industry by extending main trunk lines of railway would be laid before them, which the increase of revenue and the revival of prosperity seemed to fully justify. Bills wou 7 d be introduced to amend the procedure in courts of law, to amend the Counties Act, to regulate the makii/g and levying of rales, to effect a change in the I/felnsurance department, to improve the law affecting lunacy, to enable affirmations and declarations to be made in lieu of osAs, to abolish the restraint on the alienation of land, to amend the law relating to the property of married women, the law relating to legal practitioners, and the better management o native lands. A committee was appointed to prepare an Add ress in Eeply. Mr Pharazyn gave notice for a return Of the expenses in connection with his

Own prosecuticn. Mr P. Euckley 2 ave notice that he would bring in a Bill to prevent children being employed in theatres. Amongst other business in the House of BepreseJtatives, Mr Turnbnll called attention to the peculiar circumstances connected with the Stanmore election, and asked for a committee to be appointed to consider whether some relief from the ■ heavy penalties incurred might not be granted to the sitting member. Major Atkinson said he would postpone app T ying for a new writ to give full time to consider whether relief was necessary. He moved for new writs for the Wakanui and North Franklin seats, and the motion was agreed to. The Trades Mark Bill vrai read a first time.

Sir George Grey gave notice of his intention to bring in a Bill to enable the people of New Zealand to make changes in their constitution whenever they shall think fit, also a Law Practitioners Act Amendment ißill ; Mr Bryce a West Coast Peace Preservation Bill; Mr Shrimski, Pensions Bill ; Mr Wm. Green, EightHoursLabor and Employers Liability for Servants. The House adjourned at 3.35.