Last Night's Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3618, 31 July 1880, Page 2

Last Night's Sitting.

On the motion to go into Supply, Mr Thompson drew attention to the alleged liabilities of upwards of one million on account of the purchase of native lands. As these had not been sanctioned by the House, he contended they were not liabilities.

Mr Bryce admitted that, technically, the amount might not be a. liability, but really it was so, Government having entered into agreements from which it could not withhraw.

Mr Moss moved, " That a Royal Commission should be appointed to consider the best system of local self-government for the colony, such Commission to con*' sist of nine members elected by the electors of the respective provincial districts."

The Hon. J. Hall thought no Commission could be better- qualified to consider the question of local self-government than the House itself.

Mr Macandrew supported the motion, which was then withdrawn, on the understanding that it should be brought up again. BUPPLT. The Houge then went into Supply on the item Government Insurance Depart* ment. • This'day. In supply, on the vote for the Government Insurance Department, Sir G. Grey and Messrs J. B. Fisher, Murray, and others strongly condemned the system of the Government under faxing insurance and so interfering with private enterprise. Messrs Gisborne, Macandrew, Major Atkinson and others approved of the system, and thought it had proved a great success. Mr Turnbull moved to reduce the Commissioners' salary by £1000. This was lost on a division by 27 to 14. -

The rote was then agreed to with the reduction of £5,000 for buildings moved by Major Atkinson. The House rose at 12.45.