PARLIAMENTARY.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 38, 23 September 1867, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Thursday, September, 12. There was a very angry debate in the House to-night on the motion of Mr. Moorhouse that the Timaru Local Government Bill be thiown out. After a stormy discussion the House divided when there were 22 voters against the Bill, and 25 in its favor; those who voted against it fearing that other outlying districts would follow Timaru’s example. On the motion of Mr H. A. Atkinson the following resolutions are to be considered in a committee of the whole House on Wednesday ; “1. That the Militia and Volunteer services should not be charged provincially.” “2, That the appointment of a paid Commanding Officer to any district in which war is not actually being carried on, is objectionable and should only be made in exceptional cases; and when so made, the officer appointed should also perform the duties of the Adjutant of his district.”

“ 3. That all Militia officers should be required, with the least possible delay, to qualify themselves as fay as practicable for the duties they have undertaken to perform.”

“4. That a stricter and more uniform discipline should be introduced into the Volunteer service, by the enforcement of all rules and regulations in all corps alike.” 5. That in no district (except in case of war or disturbance) should mo e than three per cent of the population be allowed to draw capitation allowance as efficient volunteers.” “6. That in any district in which two per cent of the population are not enrolled as volunteers, the first class militia should be called out for training and exercise."

“7. Th it resolution 6 should not apply t< the distnc s North of Auckland, or !o anv goldfield.” Friday, September, 13. On the motion of Major Richardson in the Legislative Council the Wellington Fencing and Scab Consolidation Acts have been read a first time. On the motion of the Colonial Treasurer the Public Revenues Bill, which divided the Consolidated Revenues of the Colony equally between the General and the Provincial Governments, was, after some discussion, read a second time. Hon members, getting tired of talking, are anxious to go home, and leave all the practical business of the season to be hurried over without any discassion at all. It has been resolved that the House shall sit on Mondays during the remainder of the session, and there is every probability that no retrenchment will be eifected, though some hon member, with an eye to his constituents, may make an attempt in that direction, with the full knowledge that the attempt would be unsuccessful, but with the view of purchasing popularity at a cheap rate. Monday, Sept. 16. In the Legislative Council to-day Major Richardson announced that the Government would introduce a Validation Bill with reference to the Highways, Fencing, and Scab Consolidation Acts passed in the last session of the Wellington Provincial Council, and which were subsequently disallowed by the Governor. There was nothing done in the House of Representatives to-day of any moment. The Surplus Revenues Repeal Bill was read a third time and passed. Tuesday, September 17. The Consolidated Provincial Loans Bill was read a second time, and referred to a select committee. On the motion of Mr Bunny, “ The sessions of the Peace Ordinance Revival Bill,” which gave so much satisfaction in the Wairarapa, Wanganui, and Hawkes Bay districts when formerly in operation, was rejected by a majority of 26 to 21 An number of other Bills were advanced a step, when the House adjourned. Wednesday, September, 18 Mr Atkinson’s resolutions were discussed to-day in a committee of the whole House. The first was rejected by a large majority, and second third, and fourth were carried, and the remainder withdrawn. It is proposed to grant a pension of £4OO to the Speaker of the Legislative Council, and a Bill has been introduced for that purpose.