GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1520, 17 June 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, Petitions were presented, by Sir F. Whitaksr in favor of France annexing the New Hebrides.

Dr Menzies presented a petition in favor of Bible reading in schools. Sir Frederick Whitaker moved that there should be a treaty between Great Britain and Franco whereby England should withdraw all opposition to the acquirement of the New Hebrides by France on condition that no more convicts should be sent by France to any of her possessions in the Western Pacific, and that religous freedom and protection should be ?iven to aU British subjects residing in or resorting to the Ne« Hebrides. He coutended that it would be better to have free French colonists in the group than that Australia should be overrun with French criminals from NewCaledonia.

The debate was adjourned to Friday. The Stock Driving Bill, Codlin Moth Act Amendment Bill, and Animals Pn ■ tection Act Amendment Bill were read a second time.

The address to the Queen praying that the Kermedec Islands be annexed to the colony was agreed to. The Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. When the House met on Monday eveniug, Major Atkinson asked the Government if, in view of the important meeting of policy-holders in the Government Insurance Association, they would be willing to adjourn. Mr Ballanco said they had no objection if the House so wished. Mr Guiuess called for a division, and the House adjourned, by 40 to 30.^ In tho House of Representatives on Tuesday. Sir Julius Vogel called attention to » scandalous paragraph which had appeared in the Christchurch Press to the effec that he had promised the Member for Waikoualti anything heasked for his dis trict if he voted for the Government in the late no-confidence division. He said'the statement was wholly unfounded. He would leave the mutter in the hands of the House, and if the House took no steps he would certainly take such proceedings against the newspaper as he was advised by his solicitor. Mr Seddon moved that in the opinion of this House a gross breach of privilege has been committed, and that the pnb Usher of the paper be called on to give the name of his informant. Mr J. C. Buckland said that the statement wns wholly unfounded.

Major Atkinson regretted ns much as anyone that attacks of this kind should be mado on public men, but thought the House would best consult its own dignity by taking no notice of the matter. He himself had been attacked by newspapers frequently in worse terms than the Treasurer complained of. He moved that the debate be adjourned. After a long discussion the Premier suggested that Major Atkinson's amendment be tccf:pt»d. Mr Seddon then withdrew his motion, and the amendment wns carried on tl e voices.

Replying to questions it was stated that it would not pay to use silver pino for telegraph pole? ; tint better accommodation would be provided for a post and telegraph station at Pahnerston North ; that £IOO,OOO would net be sufficient to complete iho Napier-Palmerston Railway to its jutictioii with tho Foxton-New Plymouth Railway at Pahnerston ; that it would bo fully two years before the mil way is through the Manawatu Gorge. Replying ti Mr Grace, the Premier said that the Government had made offers to assist the sufferers by the recent volcanic disturbances at Rotorua. He hud

now suggested that a Committee should be formed at Tauranga, who should communicate with Government, tmd Government would give assistance in dealing with cattle and sheep.—Mr Onuond ♦suggested that the Sheep Inspector should go to the district and report. The Premier thanked the liod. member for tha suggestion. He would be glad to act on it.

Mr Moss »ave notice to move for the levying of a duly on agricultural implements.

Mr Ballaoce moved (hat the Owhnkno and Kaimanara Native Lands Bill be discharged from the Order Paper, so that the Bill could be referred to o Select Committee.—The motion was ngreeii to.

The House went into Committee for further consideration of the Municipal Corporations Bill.—A number of amendments were made, after which the Bill was reported as amended. The House then went into Committee on the bounties Act. ansther consolidating measure. At clause 22, the Houss adjourned at I,e a.m.