PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4575, 3 September 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Peb Pbess Association.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, Saturday. Mr Oliver moved the second reading of the Land Acts Amendment Bill. If they gave full tenant rights there would be no fear of leasing failing to be appreciated.— Mr Holmes would support the bill as an experiment, but hoped to see it amended in committee.—Dr Menzie3 said the principle of perpetual leasing was nowhere in operation inthe colonies, and ht.s but a system of theorists. He moved that the bill be read that day six months.— 'Sir Gco. Whitmore wanted to see how the system was going to work.—Mr Miller said tbe unearned increment could be preserved to the State by adopting the perpetual leasing system.—The Premier said he would bo prepared to accept amendments in; Committee. —Mr Robinsob could ndfc understand why the Government, desired to be the largest landholders in the colony.—Mr Barnicoat failed to see why the state shoald receive the^UKearnpd increment.—Mr Hart would support the"-bill 'as "an experiment.-— Mr Wilson would support the second reading.—Dr Grace said he would , suppdrt the bill because its object was to aid 'small capitalists.—Sixteen voted for the bill, end 14t against, but Col. Brett explained that he had voted for the bill in mistake, otherwise there would have been /a tie.—The amendment being thus negatived the Council divided on the motion, when there were 16 for, and 16 against, the Speaker giving his casting vote for the 'bill.—Mr P. A. Buckley voted against the. bill on the second reading.—Mr J. Johnston, who voted for the bill on the first division, abstained from voting on the second, but Messrs Peacock and Eohere voted for it, they not having voted before. The second division Jist was as follows: —For the bill: Acland, Barnicoat, Bonar, Grace, Hart, Holmes, Kohere, Oliver, Peacock, Peters, Richmond, Scotland, Whitaker, Williams,Williamson, and Wilson. Against: Brandon, Brett, P. A. Buckley, Campbell, Chamberlain, Dignan, Henderson, Lahmaon, Mantell, Martin, Menzies, Miller, Nurse, Pollen, Reynolds, and Whitmore.

The following bills were read a first time, and their second readings fixed for Monday:—lnspection of Machinery Ex> tension Bill, Public Works Amendment Bill, Harbour Act Amendment Bill, Patent Act Amendment Bill, West Coast Peace Preservation Act, Property Assessment Act Amendment Bill, Crown and Native Lands Rating Amendment Bill, and the General Assembly Members' Expenses Bill. The special Powers and Contracts Bill, and the District Railways Act Amendment Bill were read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday.

The Counties Act Amendment Bill, Road Board Act Amendment Bill, Town District Act Amendment Bill, Adulteration Prevention Act Amendment Bill, South Island Native Reserves Bill, and Middle Island Half-caste Grants Bills, were.all read a second time. '

The Council rose at IO.iO,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington,.Saturday.

Mr Pyke gave notice of motion for Tuesday that it is essential to the wellbeing and good government of New Zealand, and for the preservation of the unity of the colony, that provision should be made for the establishment of one or more local Governments in each Island.

Mr Johnston moved, in Committee, for leave to introduce the Railway Construction Authorisation Bill. He stated that its object was to authorise the Government to construct a railway from New Plymouth to the Harbour works; the Harbour Board having already paid over to the Government £18,000, which was the estimated cost of the line. It was also to formally authorise the construction of the Gore-Kelso line, for which the House last year had voted funds,—Mr Seddon moved, as an amendment, that the title of the bill be chan* ed to the Gore and Kelso Eailway Construction Bill.— Major Atkinson said that if they interrupted the works of local bodies by questioning their authority in this way serious responsibilities wouldbe incurred by Government.—Mr Holmes denied that they were interfering with the functions of the Board,—Mr Johnston said, he was

quite willing to accept'the amendment.— rhe"title of the bill was altered as proposed, the bill introduced, reported to the House in its amended form, and read a first time.

Major Atkinson announced lie would ask for the discharge of the Leaseholders Qualification Bill. The Eoads and Bridges Construction Amendment Bill was farther considerejd in Committee. On clause 4, Mr Shrimski moved that £5000 be struck out, and £1000 substituted. The Committee divided on the question that the words remain as printed. Ayes 51, noes 2.— Clause 6 was struck put.—The bill was reported with amendments, read a third time and passed

On the motion of Major Atkinson, the Land Transfer Act 1870 Amendment Bill was read a second time, passed through Committee, and was reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. Mr Dick moved that the Otasro Harbor Board Bill be discharged. He said it had been so badly mutilated that it was rendered of no avail. —Mr Macandrew objected to the motion.—Another Bill, dealing with the same subject, gave the Board extensive powers. He moved, aa an amendment,' that the report on the bi!l should not be discharged.— Mr M. W. Green spoke neaipst the motion for discharging the bill till the adjournment at 10.30, quoting copious extracts from Hansard, and adding a narrative of Mr Macandrew's conduct in former years, bis personal predilections, &c During his speech at least half-a»dozeri times a quorum had, to be rung. The question was put that the bill be now discharged.— Ayes, 12; noes, 47.—The amendment was then put that the report be agreed to.—Mr Barr.on asked to be allowed to move the previous question.—The Speaker ruled that this amendment could not be put, and on the question that the report, be adopted a division was called for : Ayes, 46; noes, 12.

After a lively discussion, an account of which is given in another column, the bill was carried.