Afternoon Sitting.

Thames Star, Issue 3417, 4 December 1879, Page 2

Afternoon Sitting.

Wellington, Last night. The House met at 2 30. THK MASONIC CEBEJIONIAL. Mr Johnston asked the Minister of Justice why the Government had arranged that the foundation stone of the new Supreme Court House should be laid by a secret society and what is the meaning of the inscription on the scroll deposited with the stone that it was laid in the year of Light 5883. Mr lolleaton replied the Government made no such arrangement, the way in vhich the thing was done was what was the ordinary course under similar circumstances. The contractors for the building are in possession of the ground, and are entitled to do what they may please I inside the ground and Government as a Government had nothing whatever to do ; with the arrangement. A LAND QUESTION. Mr Sutton asked the Minister for Native Affairs (1) whether Government have purchased a block of land knownas Pukiri in the Kaipara district, if so what was the date of purchase, (2) whether the whole of the purchase money.has been paid by Government, if so .to whom, (3) whether Government have a complete title to the land iv question, and if not, why not. Mr Bryce replied in the affirmative. An agreement was entered into in the year 1875, for the purchase of 20,000 acres, the sum to be paid was £1600, of that sum £1450 had been paid to the natives. The Government had not yet a complete title to the land. HARISOK IMPROVEMENTS. Mr Bowen asked the Commissioner of Custom* whether the Government will, during the recess, take into consideration the condition of the smaller harbors of the colony, wiih a vii-w to make adequate provision as asked for. 3IANBAHD. Mr DeLautour moved that the House does concur in the report from the Reporting Debates Committee that debates published in Hansard shall be condensed next sessiou.

Mr Hall disagreed with the proposal. They had not at their disposal the particular class of talent requisite for producing condensed reports. It was a class of talent highly paid far at Home, and required men intimately acquainted with political matters; and, looking at condensed reports" produced, they would agree with him that the proposal was not likely to be satisfactory. Mr Tole suggested that the members themselves should say less than they did, study the subjects better, and deliver themselves witn less verbosity.

Mr Bowen said condensed reports were accepted in other places. In England, Hansard was compiled from newspaper reports. Mr lleid spoke in support of the motion, and denied the imputation oast by the Premier that experienced persons for condensing purposes could hot be had in the colony. Mr Gisborne supported the motion. Their speeches were at present to some extent condensed as things stood, nnd he " thought further condensation might be attempted. 1-Mnjor Atkinson opposed the motion, and suggested a saving might be effected by sending manuscript copy of reported speeches to the speakers for correction and not printed slips. The House divided—ayes 29, noes 37. The molion was lost. THE COAIi INDUSTRY. Mr Reeves moved—That in the opinion of this House it id desirable to impose a duty on all coal imported into the colony. The import of coal into the colony at present represented 250,000 tons per annum, and if anything could be done to keep that trade in the place, a vast amount of good would be done towards protecting local industry. If they could increase the output of coal in New Zealand (hey would be able to reduce the cost at least 25 per cent., and a protective duty of this kind w&s more important than a duty on hops and grain. Mr McLean opposed the motion, expressing as his opinion that it would be unfair to tax coal, which in many cases could not be substituted by coal produced in the c lony. Mr Hall also opposed the motion ; the I consumption of New Zealand coal was in- j creasing rapidly, and the propoial to tax imported coal was quite unnecessary. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.