PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4507, 15 June 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

' HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [Peb Pbesß Association../ Wellington, Thursday. [The following is the continuation of the Governor's speech—the commencement of which appeared in our last issue:—] Gentlemen of the House of Repee--Bentativeß, — The estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current financial year will be laid before you in the course of a few days... .._,. ,■' . ./...,-. ; ... . HoNOUBABLE &ENTLEMBN OF TH* LEGISLATIVE Council and Gentlemen or the House of Repbesentatives,-— Returns will be presented to you which will show that, notwithstanding consider* able commercial depression during a part of the last year, the public revenue has been well maintained. The increasing receipts from railways are satisfactory evidence of the general progress and well be* ing of the country. The frequent applications that are made to this Colony to take part in exhibitions in various parts of the world have led my advisers to give careful consideration to this subject, and they have come to the conclusion that the object sought by exhibition would be more effectually promoted, and at a less cost, by the establishment in London of a permanent exhibition for the products of the industries of Australasia. It is proposed to submit to you resolutions with a view of inviting the cooperation of the several Colonies in* terested. It is, I think, generally conceded that the Legislative Council has, for the most part, discharged its functions with credit to itself and with advantage to the Colony, but public opinion has, I believe, come, or is fast coming to the conclusion that time has arrived when an elective should be substituted for a nominated chamber. It is obvious that a constitutional change of such magnitude should not be attempted without mature deliberation, the more so, as opinion is very much divided as to the mode in which a suitable constituency should be created. The views of my advisers on this very important subject will bo laid , before you during the session. There are a number of subjects in reference to which legislation is more or less urgently required, but which for the last two sessions have had to give place to the several important measures that have be.en submitted by my Government for the consideration of Parliament and engrossed its attention. Those measures having, for the most part, become law, the present session, will, I hope, afford a convenient opportunity of dealing with the subjects to which 1 have referred with a reasonable expectation that they may be satisfactorily disposed of. The work of con' solidating the statutes of the colony has been steadily proceeded with during therecess and is now approaching completion. Several consolidation bills of importance will bo brought, before yon without delay. I do not doubt that all the business submitted to Parliament will receive that attention to which it may be entitled, and I earnestly hope, that under the blessing of God, your deliberations may result in promoting the happiness,; and welfare of all classes of Her Majesty's subjects in this portion of her dominions.

In the Council, after the Governor had left, Mr J. W. Barnicoat and Mr A. de B. Brandon took their seats —A message from the Governor notified that leave for the session had been given to Capt. Praser, Major Richmond, and Mr Wood. —Mr Whitaker, Capt. Bail lie, Mr G. E. Johnston, and Mr Wilson were appointed a; Committee to prepare an Address«in> Reply.—The usual formal notices having been given, the Council adjourned at 2.40 till next day.

In the House of Representatives Mr E. Shaw took his seat as member for Inan gahua. SeTeral petitions were presented, atid amongst the notices of motion and of New Bills were the following :—Mr Montgomery, to ask the Colonial Treasurer on what day the Financial Statement would be made; Mr J. MeKenzie, to ask the Minister of Public Works on

what day th*» Public Works Statement would be made and the Public Works' Kstimates be brought down. Sir Geo. Grey, on the first| motion to go; into Supply, to move that in the opinion of the House, a land tax should be imposed ; Mr Montgomery, to introduce a bill to repeal the Property Tax Assessment Actand ' the Property Tax Act; Sir Geo Grey, to introduce a bill to facilitate the annexation to New Zealand of other Islands in the Pacific which might intimate a desire to be so annexed, also of a bill to enable the people of New Zealand to make changes in their Constitution ; Mr M- VV, Green, a Local Option Extension Bill; Mr Steward, a School Committees' El c+ tion Bill; Mr Hutchison, a motion condemning the t- aching of skilled trades in gaols ; Sir G. Grey, a bill to provide that the General Assembly of New Zealand shall consist of the Governor and the House ofßepresentatives; also an Affirmation in lieu of (laths Bill^ and a Law Praetititioners Act Amendment Bill; a bill to further secure the rights and privileges of members of the House of Representatives; also a motion for the establishment of an Agricultural College in Auckland and a vote for the erection of a suitable Custom-house in Auckland City; Mr Macandrew, for returns of revenue and expenditure in the several Provinces. •

Ministers gave notice of the appoint ment of several Sessional Committees. ufajor Atkinson moved the first reading of the New Zealand University Act Amendment Bill.r—'Mr Montgomery asked why this bill was, brought on in such a hurry?— Major Atkinson said it was in accordance with custom to introduce a bill at this stage of the session.-—Sir G. Grey thought the practice quite an unnecessary one, as their rights rested on statute, not custom.- The bill was read a first time. Mr Montgomery complained that the I draughts in the House were as bad as ever; and Mr Shephard complained of i the noise of the new ventilators —The Minister of Public Works promised attention to both, and at 3 o'clock the House adjoarned until to-morrow.