PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4918, 14 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Pee Peeß3 Association.]

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES

Wellington, Yesterday. A. number of petitions from Otago were presented in favour of reading the Bible in schools. The Christchurch Ereethought Association presenting a petition protest" ing against heresy laws being enacted by the New Zealand Legislature, seeing there was no state religion in the colony. Mr Stout said that in anticipation of the delivery of the Public Works State ment and passing of the Estimate?, Government had determined upon passing the following as policy bills :—East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Bill, District Railways Leasing and Purchasing Bill, Government Insurance Association Bill, and West Coast Harbour Bill. Government would explain as to the other bills on the order paper at a future day.

Mr Wakefiold resumed the debate on the second reading of the East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson .Hailway Bill. Ho blamed Government for withholding their Public Works Statement until after this and other bills had passed. It prevented them from gaining information as to the Public Works policy as a whole, and he could arrive at no other conclusion than that it was an attempt on the part of Government to disguise from the public creditors the extent of their borrowing operations. He also blamed them for throwing away a vast extent of territory to an English company. It was an immoderate policy to give a company such immense blocks as this bill purposed and ho would not be one to support a group of financial measures of this kind, which were prejudicial to the interests of the colonies, tie asked hon. members to oppose this Bill, and all other similar measures, and the country would give them credit for so doing.—Mr Suiter supported the second reading.—Mr Gillies strongly opposed the measure?, and argued it would not benefit any portion of the colony with the exception of Canterbury. The grants of land to be given to the company were altogether too large. —Mr Holmes spoke in support of the Bill. The railway would be the means of opening up the large coal deposits, and also the valuable forests in the neighborhood of the lines which it would traverse. This day. Mr Bryce contended if the work was so important, it was the duty of the Governmsnt to undertake it. He objected to large tracts of land being handed over to a company. The settlement of the land was an important function devolving on Government, and it could not be carried out if blocks like this were given to private companies. He moved as an amendment, " That it is not expedient to alienate vast tracts of public land, and mineral property of unknown value, to a private company, as a premium for engaging in railway speculation in New Zealand ; as railway works, when of large colonial consequence, ought to be undertaken and executed by Government."— Mr Montgomery supported the bill, and Mr Hobbs said he would do so if the measure was altered so as to connect the east and w?st coast of the North-Island by running a line from Hokianga to the Bay of Islands.—Mr Grigg moved the adjournment of the debate, which was negatived, and the motion for the second reading was carried—Ayes, 89 ; Noes, 12. —Sir j. Vogel said, in reference to the proposal made by Mr Wilson to the effect that there was a better route, Government was inclined, from information afc hand to the belief that the route suggested by that gentleman was the best, and the matter would be considered.

The House adjourned at 1.25 a.m.