PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3604, 15 July 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Peb Pbbbs Association.)

HOUSE OF BEPEKSENTATIVES.

Wellikoton, Wednesday. The House met at 2.30.

Mr Murray gave notice to move (1) that, subject to the approval, of Parlia- ■ meni,' Government -should invite.offers, for the purchase of a half-interest in the railways of the colony. (2.) Purchasers , to work the railways and have all the'j profits up to £5 par cent, on the, purchase; prioe, thereafter the profits up to £7 per cent, to be yearly divided with.,l^' Government. (3.) Gevernnien't to ha>e| the right to regulate freight and fares,and inspect and audit accounts. (4.). Government to have the right of repurchase at a valuation at any time after 3'o years. (5.),- That from monies sp,received Government advance to corporations or individuals half the expenditure for constructing and completing such railways, as may be authorised by Parliament upouj the terms stated in paragraphs 2, 3, and| 4. (6.) That corporations constructing; railways under paragraph, ,5 r .through* Crotrn and' native lands 'should have' ! special privileges of 'purchasing for the purposes of isettlement'. i. -: -' l\ v-\ h ) Dr Wallis gave notice that he would! ■move for the amendment ofjthei^Bleetors Act, so as to extend the franchise toj leaseholders.

Sir W. Fox presented petitions praying' for religious teaching in schools. ' In replying^? stated; that Inspectors of Coal W&i.&k ibeeni appointed, but Go?ernment would not, in; -the financial state of the colony,, make,' similar appointments for gold mines. Government was dekirotni; of affording' eveiy facility, for native girls attending European schools' for" instruction' in needlework,, as far as possible^.to.be, afforded. , . ' , „ ' <TfV ; Sir W. Fox moved that the Education, Act be amended to .pro Tide. that permi**! sire power, be granted Boards, to introduce Bible reading in schools,; subject to a time table and Qonacieneel clause. He contended tha|; a house-to-' house canvas would, prove that ajarge! proportion of parents were in favor >of the motion, and argued tha,t while professedly, a Christian community the Bible was the only book expressly exoluded from -their teaching. — ; Dr Wallis seconded the motion. <■

The Hon. Mr Bollerston opposed. He said the difficulties of the 'question bad been intensified bj the ecclesiastical feeling imported into the subject. One>eighth |f the population was' Roman Catholic,' to that the assertion that the large proportion of the parents were.in f*rbnr;df the reso* lution could not hold good. The introduc* tion of the Bible would not tend to foster, but rather to destroy the national system, of education at which the colony aimed.! The motion was therefore inopportune. They did not desire to see a return to denbminationalism; nor did they, wish to seethe system wholly in the hands of a class .professing eontejnpt for all religious instruction.,- Fublip, opinion was in favour of the system of teaching being relinious, as far as the difference of opinion prevail* ing on religious matters would permit. Mr Stewart supportedt and Messrs Saundersandlrelandopposed. .. ' ' Debate.interrupied oy, 5.^01 .tdjQurn* ment. ■ •'. . ..-..,

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Last Niffbt's Sitting,: -i '\ \ On the House reassembling, ""'•'■ „ The Hon. J. Hall proposed that, as Mr Seymour was acting-Speaker, M* Hurst; should act as , Chairman of Committees, for the night; ' ' *N i Mr Shrimski moved that Mr Thompson! take the chair. ' * >'*' r- - .- * ;

A long and bitter personal discussion; ensued. Members of the Opposition; strongly,objected to Mr Hurst occupying; the chair, and characterised the proposal, at an insult to them. .*: ''■ ' ] Sir G. Grey appealed-to the Govern-' ment not to press th* motion; , c . j Mr Thompson said he was proposed! without his consent, and could not: possibly accept the position ] unless i unanimously elected. ' 'A ;>,-:■! ' Mr. Shrimski withdrew Mr Thompson's } name. * r s -\ ~\ ' < Several,' members appealed % Mr! Hurst to do the same as Mr Thompson. ; 'The Hon. J. Hall said it was impossible j for GoTernment aftol 1 what had been said, j to retire. : ' '.<'<' „- : After upwards of an hour's discussion,; the Hoise divided on,the question thatj Mr Hurst's name stand part of the ques-i tion, which was carried by 37 t6H3. '" ' ' Mr Stewart then moved the previous; question, whereupon Mr McLean attacked j him at having himself ratted, and chame-; terised his conduct as audacious and !■• ■ pertinent, but at the request of the; Speaker he withdrew these words, saying he would use stronger terms: if»<h* kntfw any that were Parliamentary; "- ' <. i"> \ The previous question was put, and' negatived by 41 to 37. The motion* that Mr Hurst take the chair was then put and carried, whereupon Mr Beeves moved the adjournment of the House.' Oorthis being put, Mr Hnrst^rose, and; after' complaining of the unfair way in which, members had attacked him, he asked to be allowed to decline the office;; ' •■ The Hon. J. Hall concurred in this,; and asked Mr Seymour to continue to act, which he consented to do. This day. : Some time was spent in committee on! the Payment of Members Bill. Progress was then reported and leave: obtained to sit again next week. The Dentist Registration Bill passed through the committee. The remainder: of the sitting was spent in committee on! the Municipal Corporations Bill, in which sub-clause 2of clause 17, and the whole of clause 19 were struck out. ... , „' Progress was reported and leave granted to sit again. ' s The House rose at 12.30,, ..,,,,