PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4536, 19 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Peb Pbess Association.J

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30. The Guardians, Trustees, and Executors Company's Bill was read a second time. Leave of absence for a week was granted to Mr Mcllwraith. Replying to questions, Ministers said it was not intended this session to introduce a bill dealing with Sunday trading.—They would take steps to assist in destroying the kea birds, which are proving destructive to lambs.—They would not propose to establish a general penny post, as it would involve a loss of £20,000 a year.— They would, if possible, consolidate the law of river conservation. : The following new bills were introduced and read a first time :—Mount Ida Waterrace Trust Amendment (DeLautour); Mataura Reserves Vesting and Empower* ing (Capt. McKenzie); Invercargill Reserves Exchange (Feldwick) 5 Sheep Act Amendment (Pearson). On the motion of Mr C. Johnston a select committee was appointed to inquire whether prison labor can advantageously be employed in manufacturing New Zealand flax, and to report. :. On the motion of Mr Pyke, a select committee was appointed to consider, enquire into, and report on, all petitions al» )egi»K grievances resulting from the ex* isting system of education. Mr Sutton moved that in the opinion of this House it is necessary that permanent provision be made for the erection and maintenance of hospitals; that provision be made for the election of local boards of governors, who shall have the full conttol of hospitals and hospital buildings, and shall be empowered to invest any funds which may be placed at their disposal for the benefiit of their local trust; that the board shall be entirely independent of Government control except as regards medical inspection; that the necessary funds for either building or maintenance be provided locally ; that Government be requested to bring in a bill thia session in accordance with theseresolutions. Considerable discussion took place on the motion, but the debate, was. interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment before anything definite had been done. On resuming at 7 30 Mr Ivess moved the second reading of the Elections Petitions Act Amendment Bill.—Mr Smith thought the bill should go further, and he narrated what had occurred in his own case at the last election, to show the abuses possible under the present system. —Mr Dick did not Oppose the second reading, but Government should have been consulted about clause 4, making the country responsible for the laches of returning officers.—Messrs Harris and Sheehan supported the bill, which was read a second time. THE CONSTITUTION. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Constitution Act Amendment Repeal Bill. As the subject had been fully discussed on the motion for introduction, he would not, therefore, make any remarks at this stage.—-Major Atkinson foiled altogether to see the object of the bill; it simply proposed to repeal an Imperial Act which enabled the Assembly to amend the Constitution Act in certain respects. The House had no power to pass such a bill, and its sole object was to decrease not increase the powers of the Assembly.—Mr Trimble thought Sir G Grey was trifling with the House, and moved that the bill be read that day six months.—Mr Shepherd had voted for leave to introduce the bill, but could not support the bill itself. Clearly the House had no power to press such a bill.—-Sir, XJeo. Grey, speaking to the amendment* said the question was one of the most impor taut ever brought before the House. He maintained that the House had full power to send such a bill home to the Imperial Government for its assent. The bill was to increase the limit or the Powers of the Assembly: the power to pass a bill to repeal any Imperial Act injurious to the peace, order, and good government of New Zealand, and send it home for assent. —Major Atkinson quoted authorities to show there was no power to pass such a measure as the present one.—Mr Tole moved the adjournmentof the debate.—Sir G. G rey then com batted Major Atkinson's interpretation of the authorities quoted.— Mr Moss supported the bill, as, if passed, it would refer the question of the powers of this legislature to the Imperial Govern* ment.—Mr Connolly argued at length against the possession of the powers claimed by Sir G. Grey. For this legislature to pass this bill would make us the laughing stock of England. We might as well pass one to depose the Queen. — The motion for adjournment was negatived on the voices, and the House divided on the question that the bill be now read a second time; Ayes 26, noes 49. The bill was ordered to be read that day six months.— Mr DodffcD, in a long speech, moved tie second reading of the Compulsory Vacci nation Abolition Bill, and Mr M. W. Green strongly supported it. Latxb.—This day. The discussion on the bill was continued by Mr Posthlewaite, who supported the bill, as also did Mr Pyke, while Messrs Fish, O'Callaghan, George, Hutchison, Levestam, Joyce, Sheehan, and Dick opposed it, several of them urging the desirability of rendering compulsory vaccination and re' Vaccination more stringent. —On a division the bill was thrown out by 43 to 5.

The Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trust Board Bill (Dargaville) was read a second time. The House rose at 12.40 p.m.