GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1575, 30 April 1887, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Colonel Brett gave notice to movj the Address-in-Reply oj Friday. On Thursday, Mr Hart gave notice to move in the direction of bringing horseracing under taxation. Bills were introduced providing for the temporary appointment of a Speaker of the Council, and for the annexation of the Kertuedec Islands. The Council adjourned at 2.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Premier gave notice to move fo leave to introduce the Representation Bill. Sir Julius Vogel gave notice to move for leave to introduce a Bill providing for Female Franchise and the. Local Authorities’ Jubilee Expenses Bill. A message was received from the Governor to the effect that he had received a despatch conveying the thanks of Her Majesty for the loyal addreseses presented by both Houses of Parliament on the 50th year of He.* Majesty’s reign. ■ Replying to Mr Ross, Sir Julius Vogel said that a Bill was being prepared to amend the Land Transfer Act in respect of section 96 of the Act. Several Bills were introduced. The usual Sessional Committees were appointed. Mr Fraser (Te Aro) moved the Addrese-in-Keply. He referred to the lose of so many members by death, and particularly of Mr Macandrew and Mr Bradshaw. The celebration of the Jubilee was closely bound up with federation, and the colonies should come to some agreement between themselves before the latter question was finally settled. The proposal for the allocation of two war vessels to New Zealand would certainly give a feeling of security to the inhabitants in case of war. *He was inclined to Land Nationalisation, and thought the people were leaning more that way every dajr. He believed in the population basis ifor representation, but did not believe in abolishing the Legislative Council, though the term ought to be altered from life to five or seven yeara. The Native policy of tbs Government met with his approval.

Mr Jones seconded the Address. He looked upon the Jubilee Celebration as a great event. He advocated retrenchment and thought the deficit might be made up by direct or indirect taxation. The legislation of the present Government had been of a most important and liberal character, as ah' example of which he instanced the Loans to Local Bodies Act. He touched briefly on other subjects mentioned in the speech, and finished by saying that, from his own experience, he believed the depression that bad hung over the colony was now passing away. Major Atkinson congratulated the members who had just spoken on having got so well through the task of moving a reply to a speech which had nothing in it. He was not going to debate the Address, because he thought Government would like very much to have a long debate to give them time to pull themselves together. They expected to have the business of the country laid before them at ooce, but the Premier had oot even brought in the Representation Bill, They also wanted to know what they had to deal with this session, and whether it was representation only which had caused the House to be called together so early, or whether it was the state of the finances as well.

The Premier Raid that Major Atkinson knew very well that if (here had been anything in the conduct of the Government to criticise during the recess he would not have missed the opportunity of doing it, but the fact was that Major Atkinson did not yet know what line to adopt. The Government were quite ready with the business. The Representation Bill would be circulated ou Thursday, and the second reading could be taken on Friday and debated at once if they chose. He deprecated that nothing else could be considered this session but representation and finance. The Address was then put and carried on the voices. The House rose at 4.16 p.m. On Thursday, Mr Taylor gave notice to ask whether the report was true that after June next Government intended reducing the wages of engine-drivers, plate-layers, and other employees bn the railways, by one shilling per day, Mr Ballance gave notice to introduce the Land Acquisition Gill.

Leave of absence for two months was granted to Mr Harper, for one month to Mr J. 0. Brown, and one week to Mr Samuel on private affairs. In reply to questions it was stated that surface men on the railways could not be given a Saturday half holiday ; that the question of extending the hours of polling would be dealt with in the Electoral Act, and that re the fire in the pest office, provision was being made to obtain telephone apparatus from Sydney and Melbourne, and that Parliament would be asked to make provision for replacing the buildings. The following Bills were read a first time :To amend the New Zealand University College Bill; Representation Bill; Electoral Act Amendment Bill; West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill ; Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Land Bill ; Tong’ariro National Park Bill; Criminal Law and Procedure Amendment Bill, The Premier moved the second reading of the Banks and Bankers Act Amendment Bill. The House rose at 3.55 p.m.