PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3944, 19 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pee Pbess Association.) Wellington, Yesterday. ANNUAL PARLIAMENTS. . In the orders of the day, the second reading of the Annual Parliaments Bill being called on, Dr Wallis said, as he believed there was only one member sufficiently advauoed in Liberalism to believe in aunual Parliaments, he would not move the second reading. Mr Brown objected to the bill being discharged, and he himself would move the second reading. Mr Swauson «nd Mr Andrews supported the principle of aunual Parliaments. . Dr Wallis then spoke in favor of the bill. The motion for its second reading was, on a division, lost by 40 to 8, and the bill was withdrawn. The Protection of Crops Bill (Mr ISaunders) was read a second time, and the Parliamentary Oaths Bill (Sir George Grey) was passed through all its remaining stages. The Gold Duty Act Amendment Bill (Mr Seeves) was read a second time. The Kakanui Harbour Board Borrowing Bill (Mr Shrimski), in Committee, was supported by Messrs Wakefield, Pitt, Grey. Macandrew, Barron, aud others, i and opposed by Messrs Hall. Hurst, Hursthouse, Weston. and others. The bill passed through Committee.—On the motion for its third reading, Mr Hall characterised the proposal as a most impudent one, and opposed the bill.—The third reading was carried on a division by 31 to 24 — The bill passed. Mr iShrimski moved the third reading of the Pensions Bill. Mr Hall said the bill would throw great obstacles in the way of Government carrying out retrenchment by amalgamation of offices, as uo retirements on pensions could be made during the recess.—Mr Stevens objected that pensioners entering that House would by the bill be debarred from receiving the honorarium. This would be unfair. After some further discussion, Mr Wakefield moved the bill be recommitted to consider clause fj, with the view of obviating the objections raised by Mr Stevens. —This was agreed to. LATEE. Wellington. This day. The Pensions Bill (Shrimski( was recommitted, and after considerable discussion, clause 6 was altered so as not to debar pensioners from having seats in Parliament, or from receiviug the usual honararium. This was carried by 36 to 16y and the bill was so reported, and read a thirdlime and passed. The Adoption of Childrens Bill (Tole) was considered in Committee, aud a motion by Mr J. B. Fisher for the Chairman to leave the chair, was lost by 39 to 17. A number of amendments were then read pro forma, ou tlit- uuderslaudiug that ths

whole bill would be re committed next week.

On the motion to go into committee on the Gold Duties Abolition Bill (SeJdon), Mr Rolleston pointed out that if the gold duty was abandoned the goldfields must not expect any exceptional assistance from the general revenue to replace the repealed duty for local works.

A long discussion theu ensued, Messrs Pybe and Weston protesting against the special taxation on miners, ami the latter saying he would do his utmost to impose a tax on wool, uuless the gold duty was abolished.

Mr iSheehan urged that the remission of duty should be left optional to the local bodies, and ultimately the House went into Committee at 2 a.m.

After a discussion, and the motion to report progress being negatived by 28 to 15, Mr Seddon proposed au amendment, that the duty should altogether cease on the Ist January, 1883 (being reduced in the meantime as originally proposed in the Bill). Mr iieeves moved the total abolition from the Ist January, 1882.

Mr Seddon's proposal was carried by 26 to 10.

Seehan then moved the introduction of a clause leaving the abolitiou duty optional to local bodies.—This was carried by 22 to 18, and it was after further discussion added to the Bill on a division of 32 to 8. The bill was then reported as amended, aud the House rose at 3.20 until 7.30 to-night.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

la the Council last night the Licensing Bill was further amended in Conr mittee, and notice was given for its further recommittal.

The Council's amendments in the Gaming and Lotteries Bill were insisted upon, and managers were appointed to draw up the reasons.

The Fisheries' Bill passed through Committee with numerous amendments.