LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3969, 17 September 1881, Page 2

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph.]

HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES.

This Day's Sitting. Wellington, This day. The House met at 11 o'clock when the Education Reserves Act Amendment Act, Snpreme Court Procedure, and the West Coaat Settlement Reserves Bills were read a second time.

In Committee Major Atkinson asked for leave to introduce a Public Revenues Amendment Bill, bufc Mr Montgomery objected to the Bill on the ground that Supplies for a period of fifteen months was-, under the eirvu instances, too long. It was of the utmost importance that the new Parliament should be called together aa early as possible.

Mr Ballanco advocated a similar view, insisting that it was of the utmost importance Parliament should bo called together again not later than the middle of April. A great question of policy was embodied in the approaching elections, and it was constitutional that an opportunity should be given at the earliest possible moment to see who has got tbe uouddeute of the ceuotrj.

Major Atkinson said he understood tli calling together of Parliament was a qpestion of convenience for members, and that the middle of May or June had been decided on as the most convenient period of the year. He knew of no great question of policy at issue ; in fact, he could not see how members on the other side would be able to manufacture an election cry.

Mr Montgomery said that on going into Committee of Supply it was his intention of moving—" That, in the opinion of this House, the general elections should take place not later than the month of November, and that Parliament should meet not later than ihe 15th of April. He would prefer Parliament meeting in January or February, but he found that those were most iv convenient months for meeting. April, however, would obviate that difficulty. Government asked for three months' supplies beyond the 31st of March, and it was most important, they should be prevented from carrying on too long after the elections.

To put himself right with the forms of the House to move reporting progress, Major Atkinson said it was evident enough that the motion would create a lenthened discussion ; he would therefore table a notice of motion bringing the bill in the ordinary way for Monday. Mr Montgomery said that he would prefer seeing the debate taken to-night, or at all events if it was delayed till Monday, he hoped Government would not give facilities for members leaving until the question was decided.

The question for leave to introduce the bill on Monday was-then put and carried.

Later. The Counties Suspension Bill was considered in Committee.

Mr Bryce opposed the passing of the bill, which be denounced as a most pernicious one, and one he would be prepared to resist, even although he had to remain in session a month longer. So far as he could judge, the demand for the bill had come from only one County, he was told 41 Eoad Boards had petitioned for it, but considering the object aimed at, these Boards would sign a petition as all petitions of that kind—as a matter of course. Nothing surprised him more than to find Government lending itself to a measure of this kind.

After a lengthened discussion,

Mr Hall said that with the view of obviating the chief objection to the bill, he would consent to a clause being inserted to the effect that no County be allowed to take advantage of the Act whose property or funds are sufficient for the discharge of all its debts and liabilities.

Mr Ballance also objected to the Bill, commenting strongly on the impropriety of rushing a measure of so much importance through during the dying hours ot the session. He moved that progress be reported : Ayes 16, noes 36.

Mr Bryce then moved that the Chair* man leave the Chair, which was negatived on the voices.

Mr Hall then agreed to report progress promising to reconsider what could be done with the Bill in the interim.

The motion for reporting progress was then agreed to, and they adjourned at 1.45 till 3 o'clock.