PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5159, 30 July 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 'Wellington, Yesterday. Mr Peacock presented three petitions in favor of the East Coast railway. The Congregational Union Ineorpora* tion Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Bank of Issue Bill was thrown out by 21 to 9 The Council adjourned at 5 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

' Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2 30 p.m.

Replying to questions, it was stated that it was proposed to extend the present concessions as regards the excise duty on tobacco for two years from December next, arid after that provision would be made by which the import duty on unmanufactured tobacco would be reduced Is 6d per Ib, while an excise duty of Is per lb would bo imposed on manufactured tobacco.

Sir Julius Vogel gave notice to move on Tuesday—-"That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the question of the construction of the East and West Coast railway, to make recommendations regarding the same, with power to call for persons and papers, three to form a quorum, and to report within ten days; the committee to consist of Major Atkinson, Messrs Cowan, Fraser, Garrick, Hursthouse, Macandrew, Menteith, Mitchelson, Steward, and the mover.

Mr Pyke introduced a bill to provide for the encouragement of schools other than State schools.

Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the Savings Bank Act Amendment Bill, which was agreed to. The House went into Committee on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill. In clause 21, providing for the first election of trustees by contributors to such institution, the words " and for electing honorary medical officers " were struck out by 53 against 18. In clause 23, providing for procedure at elections, the word "eighteen" was inserted, on Mr Guinness' motion, instead of "twentyone," as being the age at which a contributor should be entitled to vote. — Mr J. B. White moved in Clause 38, providing for contributions, to be estimated on the ratio of population, " That contributions should b8 proportioned to the population of a district, instead of the value of rateable property in a district."— Major Atkinson would like to see both population and rateable property struck out with a view of inserting that coutrN butionn should be public house licenses.— Sir Julius Vogel said it was an expressed desire of the members that contributions should be fixed on the rateable property instead of population.—Mr Rolleston asked under what act the rateable value of property was to be denominated ?—Sir Julius Vogel said under the Eating Act in force within the district.—After a very lengthy discussion, the amendment to strike out the population basis was put, and carried on the voices.—Mr Stout moved that the words " rateable value of rateable properties as defined und the Rating Act, 1882," be inserted in the amendment.—Carried on the voices.—Mr Stout moved that the clause should not apply to the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act, 1882.—Amendment carried by 43 to 33.

This day. la the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, clause 90 was struck out, and the remaining portion of the bill, except the schedules, was agreed to without amend" menfc.

Progress was then reported, and the House went into Committee on the Companies Act and Foreign Companies Act Amendment Bill, which provides for local companies changing from unlimited to limited liability in capital not less than £50.000. The bill was not to apply to mutual insurance companies, but if those companies insured any person not a shareholder, that company would come within its provisions. Clause 16, exempting mutual insurance companies, provoked a strong opposition.—Sir Julius Vogel said the Committee could hardly object to the clause, as it was introduced on strong recommendations.—On a division, after some further discussion, the clause was struck out by 29 to 19.—Sir Julius Vogel considered that influence had been brought to bear to excise the clause. Hon. members would see that his position was an awkward one. This was a Government measure, but to his surprise he found his colleagues did not approve of it.—The bill was then reported. Mr O'Callaghan gave notice that he would move for a re-committal, and the House rose at 1.30 a.m.