PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2952, 1 August 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Agency.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WELLINGTON

Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 to-duy. NEW MEMBER. Mr Reeves (Grey Valley) took the oath and his seat. He was introduced by the Hon. Mr Stout and Mr J. 0. Brown. PETITIONS. A large number of petitions were presented. TABANVKT TRIUMPHAL ARCH. Mr Hursthouse gave notice to move for the production of all correspondence with reference to the Taranaki triumphal arch. BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED. The Hon. Mr Stout gave notice that he woald ask leave to introduce several bills. The Hon. Mr ?heehan gave notice to ask leave to introduce a Licensing Bill. - HOANI NAHE AND THE AROHA OPPOSITION. Fourteen days' leave of absence was asked for the Hon. Hoani Nahe. Mr Fox asked for information with regard to the conduct of tho Hon. Hoani Nahe respcting the Te Aroha block, whMi was at least disloyalty to his colleagues. last session they were told Hoani Nahe would render his best a sist**ance towards the acquisition of the block, but instead of that, according to newspaper,, telegrams, Hoani Nahe was working might and main against the Govern-

ment. The Hon. Mr Sheehan explained that „ Hoani Nahe in common, with a number of members of his tribe, was, an owner of the land, but so far from opposing the Government in the matter he assisted all he could. Those whom he did oppose were the other claimants.

SUPPBESSION OF LOTTERIES. In reply to Mr Fox, Mr Sheehan said a bill for the suppression of lotteries and gambling was in print, and in accordance with the wishes of Mr Fox would be introduced into the Upper House. JAPANESE INDTJSTEY. Mr Fox called the attention of the Government to the fact of the presence of Japanese Commissioners in Australia interesting themselves in endeavouring to establish a trade in wool. The Premier said they had no information on the matter, but would make inquiries and communicate to the House. THE BANKSUPTCY LAWS. In reply to Mr Hunter, the Hon. Mr Sheehan said temporary measures amending the bankruptcy laws would be introduced this session, and a more comprehensive one next session. THE BABTON INQUIRY. Mr Barton was promised that all correspondence between the Mayor of, Wellington, Mr Superintendent Sherman, aad himself would be laid upon the table. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. Mr Ballance said, in replying to Mr Johnston, that the Government had no intention to place a sum on the estimates as a grant in aid of Roman Catholic schools. THE KAWAU: THE PBEMIEB AND MB JOHNSTON.

Mr Johnston aaked the Premier within what county the island of Hawaii was, and the amount of rates thereon the last financial yea' ? The Premier referred the hon. member to a map of the North Island for the first part of his question, and as to the other said the information asked for would be found in a return called for by Mr Gisborne. GEETMOXTTBC BESEBVES. Mr Woolcock asked if the Government would this session introduce a bill dealing with the Maori reserres at Greymouth. The Hon. Mr Sheehan said they had commenced an investigation of the question, but had no intention of asking the House to sanction the sale of the reserves. BILES BEAD A FIBST TIME. The following bills were introduced and read a first time:—Te Aro Reclamation Bill; Ellesmere and. Forsytb .Reclamation and Akaroa Bailway Trust Bills. .IMMIGRATION BETTJBNS. Mr Gisborne moved for a return of the expenditure for the last eight years on free, assisted, and nominated immigration, and also showing the amount of arrears, if any. ■ The motion was adjourned till this day fortnight. CUSTOMS BETTJBNS. Mr Gisborne moved for a return of the quantity and value of articles imported, into and exported from New Zealand duiing 1877; also the returns regarding ad valorem receipts during each year under the different heads of sipirits, tobacco, tea, sugar, and ad valorem, &c, which was agreed to. LOCAL GOVEBNING BODIES. Mr Gisborne moved for a return showing, at the end of March, 1878, the Borough Councils, County Councils. Eoad Boards, Harbor Boards, and Biver Boards' annual income and expenditure, distinguishing the departmental from other expenditure of each such local body, the sources of income the rateage levied, the amount of its liabilities and overdraft, the outfttandiig loans, and total amount of loans authorised to be raised; also a vffetnrn of the extent and position of the endowments of each local body, together with the market value at present. • Motion agreed to. THE ADDBESS IN BEPLY. The Speaker here announced that bis Excellency would be pleased to receive the Address presented by the House at 3.30 to-morrow. GOVEBNMENT. ;BEBEEVES. Mr Woolcock moved for a return, in detail, showing the aiiount of Crown lands and the present market value of the same that had been set aside for railways and harbors, and other local purposes connected with the various local governing bodies since the 30th of June, 1877. Motion agreed to. MEMBEBS' HONOBABIUM. Mr Woolcock moved for the return of the amount left in the treasury due to members as honorarium from last session, together with the names of the gentlemen by whom left. Motion agreed to. SUBSIDIES TO PUBLIC LIBBABIES. Mr Wakefield moved for a return showing the names of public libraries which have received subsidies under Public Libraries Act, 1877, and the amount awarded to each. Motion agreed to. THE MEKCANTILE LAW AMENDMENT BILL. Mercantile Law Further Amendment Bill was read a second time. It provides

that bills of exchange may be validly accepted if signed by the drawer. TRADES VJSlOii BILL. The Hon. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Trades lTnion Bill, the object of which is to place Trades Unions on the same footing as in Kngland, allowing them to register themselves to hold property, aud to act as a corpoiate body, so lbng as they were net fiiiilty of any unlawful act, convictions for the restraining of trade, or for regulating the wages between man a^d master, or unknown workmen not being deemed unlawful. There was nothing in the Act that was not in the English Acts, upon which the present bill was based. The bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. IMPREST BILL. The clause of the address referring to finance was read by tho Speaker, and its consideration postponed till to-morrow, when the imprest supply will, it is expected, be brought down.