GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1258, 28 October 1884, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

In the Legislative Council on Friday, On the motion of Mr Buckley, it was resolved—“ That local Bills introduced by the Government as measures of Government policy be exempted from the necessity of previous notification, and of reference to the Local Bill Committee.” The Gisborne Harbor, Employment of Females, Dunedin Leasing, and Codlin Moth Bills were read a third time and pssssd The East and West Coast Railway Bill (M.L) passed its second reading by 18 to 33.

Mr Acland supported the second reading, but would endeavor to get the Bill amended in Committee. Mr Wigley also supported the Bill, reserving to himself the right, if the Bill was not amended, of voting against it on its third reading. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House on Friday, Replying to Mr Duncan, the Hon. Mr Stout said the Government recognised the necessity of doing something to meet the difficulties that exist in regard to farmers protecting themselves from damage by floods, and they would consider the best way of doing so. Reply to Mr McArthur, the Hon. Mr Stout said the Government were agreed 1 that something should be done to reform the constitution of the Legislative Council, and they would consider the matter during the recess. Replying to other questions, it was stated that Government did not intend to alter the railway tariff between Invercargill and the Bluff; that the process of creosoting native timber had been tested ; that the Government could not promise to hare a detailed survey made of the railway route from Kawakawa to Hokianga during the coming year; that the Government could not see their way to mane arrangements to enable local bodies in the neighborhood of Mosgiel to obtain road metal; that if the House accepted the recommendation of the Select Committee as to the adoption of the central line for the North Island trunk railway, they would be prepared to order that a survey should be made of a line to connect Auckland with Taranaki by means of a branch railway from the central line ; that it was not intended to add to the torpedo service of the colony by stationing a torpedo boat at the Bluff; that 27 men had recently received notice of dismissal from the Addington Workshops, in consequence of several works on which they were employed having been completed. After a debate it was decided that the central route should be adopted for the North Island Trunk Railway, The House then went into Committee on the Destitute Persons Act 1877 Amendment Bill, which was reported and read a third time and passed. After the Hon. Mr Richardson had delivered his Public Works Statement the Hon. Mr Stout said. The Government wish the House distinctly to understand that all the proposals and intentions stated by my colleague in regard to railways in both islands stand together, and stand moreover connected with Bills which have passed this House to which we have already said we attach paramount importance. Patience must be exercised by localities, so that railways may be carried on with some regard to speedily obtaining a return for works in progress. But whilst not taking a contractedly narrow vie w of local claims, the Government have no notion of seeing one island raised to a prosperous condition, and the other plunged into gloomy depression. I will go, indeed, further, and add that since there appears no inclination to bring about such a result, the Government will be no party to it, nor will they suffer it. They would sooner that this session should be entirely barren, and that another session should immediately follow with or without an appeal to the constituencies. Mr Thomson criticised the Statement at some length. The Bankruptcy Bill and Police Offences Bill were considered in Committee, and some amendments made.