PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 981, 22 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Wednesday’s Sitting. The Native Affairs Committee brought up their report, which was to the effect that Judge Smith should be summoned to give evidence with regard to the Middla Island Native Claims.

Mr Bryce said the Commission qad been unduly prolonged. One member drew £IOOO for personal expenses, although only £2OOO was all that was authorised to be spent on it. A liability of £3OOO had been altogether incurred. The difference between £2OOO and £3OOO had been paid while he was out of office. To bring Judge Smith down was quite unnecessary. Mr Sheehan said Judge Smith should certainly be brought down, and the dishonored promise of the colony should b* redeemed.

The report was ordered to be laid OB the table, and the motion authorising payment was negatived. In reply to questions, members of the Ministry stated that the attempt to cultivate tea and silk in the North Island was not satisfactory; that Government would make inquiries respecting spurious coins circulated in Christchurch ; that steps would be taken to prohibit thd placing of names on electoral rolls within three months previous to an election, so as to prevent sham electors from being placed on it, but that they would not make it penal to canvass electors, nor prohibit the use of vehicles for the conveyance of voters. Mr Sheehan made an explanation to the effect that he found he had been wrong in stating that one member who had declined to accept his honorarium hsd applied for it on finding that he would not be re-elected.

Mr DeLatour pointed out that. the member referred to, Dr Hodgkinson, had drawn only £SO out of a sum of £207 due to him, on the ground that the former sum was sufficient to defray his expenses. The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, after a long discussion. The Constitution Act Amendment Bill, which proposes that the people of New Zealand should have power to alter their constitution whenever they liked, came on for debate. Mr Eolleston, after denouncing: the Bill as the most extraordinary be had ever seen, moved that it be read that day six months. | Colonel Trimble.opposed the Bill, band supported the amendment for -reading it that day six months. Sir John Hall contended that the colony had already power to alter their constitution whenever it was deemed necessary. He was in favor of an elective 1 Legislative Council, and was sorry. Government had not seen fit to bring in a measure to that effect. The Bill practically abolished the representatives of the Crown, and it had not the least chance of passing. Mr Bryce said if Mr Montgomery would not support the Bill, he ought, as leader of the Opposition,to second Mr Rolleston’s amendment. After some further discussion Government refused to go on with any other business until the measure was disposed of, and made it a party question. A very animated debate ensued on • motion for the adjournment of t he debate moved by Mr Turnbull, but it was lost by a majority of 4. Mr Montgomery expressed the opinion that the Legislative Council should be elected by the same constituents and on the same qualification as members of tee Lower House, but elected, for five years. If there was then a disagreement he thought the two should meet, and it the two were then unable to agree the Government should be able to dissolve both Chambers. After Sir George Grey had replied the House adjourned at 1.5 a.m. Thursday’s Sitting. ; j> There was nothing of any public im- ■ portanc« in Thursday’s sitting. The Titnaru Harbor Bill as well as several other local Bills passed thrsugh Cemmitte with slight amendments.

A long discussion took place on the Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill lasting up to the adjournmentat 5.30.

The remainder of the evening was spent over Mr Feldwick’s Protection of Telegrams Bill. The.debate was over the clause inserted in the Bill on the motion of Mr Ivess to the effect that any one applying for telegrams should get them at the same price as those joined in the Press Association, and ultimately the clause was struck out.