GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1114, 28 June 1883, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. On Tuesday last a petition was presented from the principal chiefs at Wai kato praying for a less expensive mode of ascertaining the Native title to land, etc. The petition was read and ordered to be granted. It was announced that Government would give every reasonable facility to , fishermen from Scotland to come out to New Zealanrt with their own vessels with the view of folio wing their own calling in these waters. Replying to a question, it was stated that Government do not intend introducing a Bill to repeal the Contagious Diseases Act this session. The Hon Mr Johnston, replying to Mr Bracken, said that the Press would not be allowed to be represented at all enquiries into the cause of railway accidents and charges made against railway employees. Amongst the Bills read a first time were the ' Abolition of Education Districts and Education Boards.' Before calling on Sir George Grey to move for leave to introduce his Bill relating to the alteration of the constitution, the Speaker said the Bill, if passed, would clash with the law of England, and would therefore be null and void. He would however leave the matter in the hands of the House. Sir George Grey, in moving the first reading of his Bill said that the Imperial Government had given the House full power to legislate for the peace, order and good Government of the Colony. la 1865 the Act was amended, giving all the Colonial Legislatures full power to alter their constitutions as they found necessary or desirable. They could therefore pass such an Act as he proposed, and send 'it Home for the Queen's assent. If her Cabinet disapproved of it, the Bill would be sent back with their objection s or amendments for the Colonial Legislature to consider. It was absolutely necessary for the New Zealand Parliament to use the power he contended they had, and he asked the House to boldly exercise that power, and thus test the question as to what their powers [really were. Tho Colonial Treasurer said that the House had no power under any Act to abolish tho Legislative Council, only to alter the constitution of it, and the Queen could not assent to such a Bill, for only the Imperial Parliament itself could repeal its own Act. Mr Montgomery could see no objection to the Bill, as it would have more force than a mere resolution of the House, and he would support its introduction. Mr Shepherd supported the motion, with the view of testing their rights in the matter. Sir George Grey argued that to adopt a resolution would simply aggravate any complications that may exist with the Imperial Parliament. The House then divided as follows : Ayes, 38, Noes, 34. AYES. Barron Kelly Bathgate Levestam Bracken Macandrew Brown, J. C. McKenzie, F. W. Buchanan, J. McKenzie, J, Cadman McDonald Daniel Montgomery Dargaville Moss DeLautour O'Callaghan Duncan Pyke Feldwick Seddon Fish Shephard George Shrimski Green, M. W. Smith Grey Steward Harris Swanson Hutchison Thomson, J. W. Ivesß Tole Joyce White, W. NOES. Allwright McMillan Atkinson Mitchelson Beetham Munro Bryce Peacock Buchanan, W. C. Petrie J Connolly Postlethwaite ! Dick Rolleston Dodson Shaw Fergus Stevens Fitzgerald Sutter Fulton Sutton Green Tawhai Hurst Thompson, H. Hursthouse Trimble Lee Watt Mason Wilson Mcllraith Wynn Williams

The Bill was then read a first time, and the second reading ordered for July 18th. The second reading of the Bankruptcy Bill was then moved. Mr Hursthouse moved as an amendment «That the Bill be referred back to the Government, instructing them to provide for the repeal of the bankruptcy laws, and to make the legal recovery of debts impossible beyond five years after such debts have been contracted.' Mr Mongomery admitted that the Bill was a great improvement on the one now in existence, but he did not think it went far enough. Mr Barron also admitted that the Bill wiis an improvement, as Bills of Sale should be hedged more stringently than they were. A debtor giving a preference should'be punished even more severely than this Bill provided for. Mr Postlethwaite supported the Bill, on the understanding that in Committee certaiu amendments of a minor nature would be consented to. Mr Bracken opposed the Bill, and would support the amendment. The Hun. Major Atkinson moved the adjournment of the debate, to give an opportunity for considering the real effect of the amendment. This was carried on the voices. The Fisheries Bill and the Universities Bill were read a second time, and the House adjourned.

Lovely Climes.—There are lovely climes and places in which the evening zephyrs are loaded with malaria and the poison of fever and epidemics. To dwell there in health is impossible without a supply of Hop Bitters on hand. These Bitters impart an equalising strength to the system, and prevent the accumulation of deadly spores of contagion Be sure and see.