Parliamentary.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2060, 11 August 1875, Page 2

Parliamentary.

HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIYES.

WELLINGTON.

Tuesday, 6 p.m. A great many petitions were presented, ■and notices of motion given. >„ In reply to Mr Montgomery, Major Atkinson said he would get a return prepared, showing the value of rateable property in each road district and munici-* pality in the . colony, and lay the return upon the table. He told Mr Murray, in ; answer to a question, that a general measure affording, facilities for the construction of railways by local or private enterprise would be introduced this session. .

The following bills were introduced and read a first time :—Billfor Securing the Copyright of Press Telegrams; Bill for the Belief of Debtors, and for the. better Security of Creditors ; Bill for the Punishment of Fraudulent Debtors ; Bill to Amend; Bills of Sale Act, 1867. . ?

Upon a resoluticiti regarding the introduction of the Duties Bill being reported ip Committee of Ways and Means, Mr Boweh-took the opportunity of explaining • the prbvisions of the bill, which is chiefly -the consolidation of former Stamp* Acts, but introduces several recommended by the com* missioner appointed^-,inquire into the stamp laws. The bill is very long, conj- , tairiing^l^S^plauses-.i i3?he-^general opi^ibfii f6f the 1 ftousi was^tlfat;'a consolidation of ■the stamp laws was much needed, but a good deal of objection was raised to imposing stamps upon mortgages, also.to a tew other minor points. The lion, members held that these were heavier upon poor people than upon the classes. .The reply of Government was that they were anxious a3 much as the House;;,: to male taxation ; pres3 upon those able <6 bear it more than uponN thosernot so able,.and;would invite assistance^'to improve the bill when in committee. The bill was read a second time, and will be. committed this day week. : Mr Reynolds read a statement regarding the marine affairs of, the Colony since last session. Sir Donald McLean also read a voluminous statement regard-; ing the land purchase leases and negotiations in the IN orth Island. Sir G. Grey and Mr R. Wood twitted the Gorernment with reading their. Ministerial statements, and said they were prepared for them by the clerks, and that they knew little about what was put into hands, and that the Goveromentp instead of being composed of Ministers or able {men, was merely a Government of clerks. They also said that members might as well read their speeches at ptice. The Government ought to be made to deliver their statements viva voce, and show the House they really understood their business, and controlled the departments which they were the heads of. Major Atkinson indignantly repelled the insinuation, and said if the Opposition chose to test them, they would find Ministers were acquainted with their duties, and departments,, and were prepared to face and argue any point with any hon. member opposite. The House adjourned till 7.30.