PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9425, 1 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Mr Wright gave notice to move, on July 12th, that in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that the railway system extending from the Bluff to th® Waikari in the Middle Island should be placed under the management of a Board of Directors ; that such Board shall consist of five members, to be appointed for a period of five years and of whom one shall retire annually, but be eligible for reappointment ; that such Board shall not be removable at the discretion of the Ministry of the day except upon a resolution passed by this House ; that ; the Government be requested to introduce a Bill this session to give effect to the foregoing. Mr Fulton moved the reading of the Bible in hchool* Bill without comment being made upon it. He would not detain the Houge long ap he wag aware fhe

motion would not be carried. There was a great majority of parents who desired the reading of the Bible in schools and he considered it his duty to bring the motion forward. Messrs Green and Turnbull supported the motion. Mr Sheehan opposed it, and the debate lasted till the adjournment. The second reading of the Vagrant Act Amendment Bill was carried on the casting vote of the Speaker. Mr Hobbs moved the second reading of a Bill to Increase the Number of Native representatives in Parliament, and after gome debate it was adjourned. The Auckland Grammar School Bill was considered in committee and reported on the amendments. The Otago Harbor Board empowering Bill was discussed, Sir George Grey •upporting it on the ground that it was one of national importance, but the debate was interrupted by the afternoon adjournment. Major Atkinson said that the Government intended to amend the standing orders. On Friday the Land Bill would be moved by Mr Rolleston ; on Tuesday he would bring down his scheme for National insurance, and the Public Works Statement would be submitted on the first Government day. They would then proceed with the business immediately after members returned from Christchurch. The Pensions Bill was considered in Committee, amended and reported. The Protection of Telegrams Bill was further considered. Mr Hutchison moved that it be read that day six months. The Bill was bad in principle, and in detail, and it was introduced simply in the interest of a few paper proprietors who wanted to get the whole press of the colony under their thumb. Mr Petrie seconded the motion, and gaid the Bill was ntended to create a monstrous monopoly. Mr De Latour opposed the Bill. It would be as reasonable for the London Times to ask for protection. There ghould be no copywright in news. Mr J oyce drew attention to an attack on himself in the New Zealand Times, The monopoly had created a servile, toadying, slavish press in Wellington. Ultimately the motion for going into Committee on the Bill was carried, and it formed a subject for discussion until 2 o’clock in the morning. The period for protecting telegrams was reduced from 36 hours to 18 hours, and the Clause that no comment should be made on telegrams was struck out. The motion to the effect that every paper should get the telegrams on the game terms was also carried. The Bill was reported as amended, | and the House rose. Both Houses adjourned till Wednesday next to enable members to visit the Christchurch Exhibition.