PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3962, 9 September 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

'(Pek Pbesb Association.) Wellington, Yesterday. CHAIBMAN OF COMMITTEES. Mr Gibbs moved—" That, in the opiuion of this House, the uction of the Chairnnn of Committees in refusing to accept from the Hon Mr Ghbovne, for the purpose of obtaining the opinion of the Speaker on a previous ruling of Mr Seymour's to the effect—' That lie would receive no further motions to report progress or to leave the chair, or any aoieudmeuts to the bill under consideration but such as he considered bona tide,' was contrary to Parliamentary practices aud the Standing Orders of this House, and will tend seriously to curtail the freedom of debate in Parliament, and strike a blow' at the liberties of the people:"--Mr Seymour contradicted a report that his action on the occasion challenged had. been concerted between himself aud Government. The only person to whom his intention had been communicated was the Speakor. —,Mr Stewart . supported the Chairman's ruling on the occasion complained of. —Mr Hall quoted authorities ■to prove that; the ruling was in accordance with the. practices ! observed by the Imperial Parliament, and he moved, asjan amendment, that the action of the Chairman of Committees in refusing, on ■Friday last, when the Kepresentation Bill was under consideration in Committee to report progress, and which appeared to him to be for the purpose of obstruction, was so done in the exercise of a proper discretionary power.— Mr Moss contended that it was wrong to have lined Mr Gisborue, seeing that he had taken no part in the obstruction complained of. He acquiesced in the necessity for putting an end to the obstruction, but he complained of the manner in which it had been done, as opposed to constitutional Government. He suggested that the imposition of the fine should be expunged from the records of the, House,—Mr

Ballance contended that the authorities quoted byv the Premier were not applicable to the circumstances of the proceeding under challenge. He admitted that the majority- must rule, b^t ho denied that on this occasion the majority, had ruled in accordance with the usage of Parliament and the forms of the House. —Debate interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On the House resuming at 7.30, Mr Pyke asked the Premier if it was true, as reported in the newspapers, that His Excellency was about to leave .New Zealand during the sitting of Parliament, and if so, whether it was with the consent of the Ministry.—The Premier, iv reply, said it was true. It had been previously arranged, as it was thought Parliament would be closed before this. The Emerald had now arrived at Auckland, and he could assure hon. members that no inconvenience would arise through His Excellency's departure, or any delay in public business. The Chief Justice would arrive j soon, and be sworn in, with all the powers! of the Governor himself.—Mr Pyke said 'that he would ask the Premier tomorrow | if he would take into consideration the advisability of bringing in a bill to raduce ! the salary of the Governor of New Zealand.—Mr Shrimjki moved that the amendments to the Pensions Bill made by: the I egislative Council be not agreed with. — The Premier disagreed with the motion. The bill would not affect appropriations. It simply provided that certain papers be laid on the table upon which a pension might be granted. The rules had beeu laid down that while the Council had no power to amend the Money Bill, they had; power to repeal such bill. He said the 6th clause was of the nature of a Money Bill. If the Couucil had the power to, reject it, the 6th clause was undoubtedly separateable from the other clauses.— The Speaker took a contrary view to the Premier. He was clearly of opinion that it was altogether a money bill. The clause limiting the pension ou the 6ih clause was in accord with the 6th clause, and in that ea.se the latter could not be separate from the rest of the bill.—After some discussion, the amendments made by the Legislative Council were rejected. —■vA committee, consisting of Messrs Pitt, Saunders, and Shrimski, were appointed to confer with the Council on the subject pf the Auctioneers' Bill, and the Appraisers' and Agents' Bill was withdrawn. —The Fencing Bill was passed through committee, read a third time, and passed —The Counties Act Amendment Bill .No. 2, and Neglected and Criminal Children's Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. — The Protection of Crops Bill passed through committee, was read a third time, and passed —>The amendments of the Council in Drainage Bill wer,e agreed to. —The Adoption of Children's Bill was further considered in committee, read a third time, and passed. Later, This day.The Gold Duty Abolition Bill was read a third time and passed, after a further warning from Mr h'olleston that Govern ment recognised no claim on them to make up (o the Local Bodies the revenues they would give up under this Bill. The Gold Duties Act Amendment Bill was also passed, *ud the Dentists Act Amendment Bill, tlie'JDivorce Act Amendment Bill, and Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill were .read a second time. . - ' p \ • The Gisborne Harbour filoardJßili was •strongly -opposed' by ,Mr Bollestohr buF !a proposal of his -to alter clause 0/^was