PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4885, 5 September 1884, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Peb Pbiss Association.)

HOUSE OF " BEPEESENTATIVES

WiiMKOTON, Yesterday. The Houße met at 2 30. Mr Guineas gave notice that he would ask if Government intended abolishing the postage on newspapers in thia colony. —Mr Fergus gave notice that he would ask Government to place a sum on the Estimate! to enable local bodies to keep down the kea pest. In reply to questions, Mr Stout said that Government could see no necessity for amending the Bating Act, 1882, with a view to relief of, tenants not beneficially interested in the capital value of pro perty leased to them, but if a defect was discovered that would be remedied. Mr Johnston, gave notice he would ask when Government-intended appointing & committee to inquire into,the best route for the North Island Main Trunk railway? » The following bills were introduced and read c first time :—To enable trustees for religious, charitable, or educational purposes to form themselves into bodies corporate; Mining Companies Act, 1872, Amendment Bill; Bills of Exchange Act, 1883, Amendment Bill. Mr Boss moved the second readiflg of the Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill.—Mr Holmes c/bjected, contending that the object of the Bill was to bold out inducements to vessels going to Dunedin • instead of discharging at Port Chalmers. —Messrs Fergus and Stout supported the Bill, contending that it simply arrived at a uniform rate, chargeable at all the ports in Dunedin harbour.—Mr Macandrew charged the Otago Harbour Board with having driven away traffic from the port. He would not oppose the Bill, but in Committee be would oppose any attempts to increase the rates.—Major Atkinson supported the Bill. The ©tago Harbour Board was a body charged with a great duty, and for the mere purpose of increas* ing traffic it should not be handicapped in the way proposed.—Mr J. McKenaie moved the adjournment of the debate, which was seconded by Mr Shrimski. The, latter complaiced that Major Atkinson bad opposed a previous Bill introduced by a supporter of his, and now he is found supporting the measure. —Mr Gillies, supported the Bill, arguing that the imposition of a Becond rate for goods landed at Dunedin was a most unfair proceeding to the commerce of Otago generally.—Sir George Grey supported the Bill, contending that it was only right and proper that harbour dues, under *ueb circumstances as these in questibu, should be uniform. —Mr Bichardson saw no reason why the rate should be repealed, so long as it was not below the amounts charged at similar ports throughout the colony.—The motion for adjournment was lost.—Mr Boss, in reply, said he had it on the best possible authority that the reduction of the railway traffic would not be affected by this bill in the slightest degree.—The bill waa read a second time. Mr Hatch moved the second reading or the Invercargill Beserves Leasing Bill.— Mr Stout opposed the bill in respect that it desired to alienate a recreation reserve without making provision for some other reserve. He would not oppose the motion, but in Committee he would be careful to see that the proceeds of this alienation be devoted to the securing of a more suitable reserre. . Mr Levestam moved that a copy or the agreement existing between Government and the Union Steamship Co. for carrying inter-provincial mails be laid before tho House ; also a return of amounts, if any, paid to the said company for running extra mileage in connection with such service. He complained of irregularity in the delivery of the San Francisco mail at .Nelson. —Mr Stout read & lengthened statement, going into the details of the arrangements with the company respecting the conveyance of these mails. The delays referred f^to were exceptional, and of rare occurrence. —Mr Joyce denounced the statement just made as a most unbusinesslike affair, and called on the Government to take an early opportunity for getting it embodied in a formal contract.—Mr Bussell complained that Hawke's Bay had been equally neglected in the delivery of these mails. As a rule these mails did not reach Napier until after they had been distributed all over the colony.—Major Atkinson defended the arrangement as it stocd. He -invited the Government to look into the matter, and see if they could make any improvement on the existing arrangement. Speaking for the late Government, he said that the arrangements as they stood were the only businesslike ones which could be entered into. To make a hard and fast * agreement as had been suggested would entail an expense which the House would not agree to.—Mr Smith contended that a number of better arrangements, without entailing serious expense, could be made for the East Coast.—The motion was The House adjourned at 5.30 till tof morrow at 2.30.