PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3938, 12 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington, Yesterday,

Mr Bastings moved that it is desirable in the interest of settlement that ballot be resorted to under the deferred payment system, and contingent upon this resolution being carried that Government be requested to give effect to the same by amending the law upon the subject. Mr Eolleston objected to the motion, alleging that under the ballot which had previously been in force, men whose luck, so to speak, happened to be out, were put to a great deal of trouble and cost in going about in the vain endeavour to get what they wanted.—The motion was carried. Mr Bryce moved the second reading of the Fencing Bill, saying it was the same as the bill which fell through last session, its objects being to consolidate the various Provincial Acts. The bill was read a second time.

Mr Murray moved the second reading of Duration of Parliament Bill. Ho explained he did not expect or wish the bill to become law at present, but desired to place it before the constituencies to elicit public opinion on the subject. Dr Wallis, Mr Macandrow, Mr Pyke, aud Mr Ucorge condemned the bill most strongly.

The motiou for the second reading was lost on a division of 63 to 3.

On considering the Pensions Bill in committee, Mr Rolleston, while admitting the necessity for the House having control over granting pensions, objected to the bill as going behind existing contracts. It was not a proper measure for a private member to brinu down.

LATER.

Wellington, This day, THE PENSIONS 13ILL.

Clause 6 was withdrawn, and also clause 8 which forbade p.-nsioricrs sitting in Par liament.

New clauses were proposed by Mr Sauaders and Mr Delautour, and some others were added, while notice of others was given for recommittal. The bill was then reported with amendments.

The Adoption of Children Bill in committee was amended by a large number of alterations, and the new clauses proposed by Mr Tole, who was in charge of the Bill, and by the addition of some new clauses proposed by Mr J. B. Fisher. The Bill was then reported as amended.

Mr Bowen moved the second reading of the Vagrant Act Amendment Bill, saying it had come from the Council, and he would in committee propose extensive alterations, such as flogging should only be inflicted with a supreme court sentence, or for second offences. Messrs Dick, McLean, and Brown, opposed the Bill altogether, and Mr Sutton thought it should be read a second time, and be amended in committee. Mr Seddon having announced his intention of speaking for an hour against the Bill, the House was counted out at 12 35.