PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1830, 3 November 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

[By Telegram.]

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 |).m on Saturday afternoon.

The following Bills were received from the House and read a first time: -the Beet Root Sugar Bill and Westland Education District and Subdivision Bill.

The Drainage of Mines Bill was read a third time ttnd passed. The second reading of the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill was carried, and the Bill reported from the committee with amendments.

The Electric Lines Bill was reported without amendment and passed till its final stages. The Wanganni Harbor Board Bill was reported with amendments, and the Council adjourned at 4.30 p.m. until Tuesday next.

Mr Bryce said he did rot wish that Native lands should in any way be treated differently to Europeans. The presence of Walianui before the House was a testimony of friendly relations between tho two races. Speaking on the Bill it proposed to give the Government powars of such an astonishing nature that it would not be surprising if the natives refused to come under it. Ho was convinced that the system which had latterly prevailed in reference to their land was an unnesirnble one in any circumstances. Dealing in Native lands should not bo allowed until the title had been investigated. Sir G, Guey agreed with Mr Bryce as to the danger, of some clauses of the Bill and was glad to hear the Native Minister state that the machinery part of the Bill was to be held over till next session, aud only the prohibition clause passed, bub suggested that the Bill before Committee should be amended and circulated bo that members would know tho proposal of- the Native Mimister, The second reading was agreed to and the Bill was ordered to be committed on Tuesday.

The Timber Floating Bill and Impounding Bill was read a third time and passed,

The New Zealand Loan Bill was read a second time.

In the Property Tax Bill the second mailing was moved by Sir Julius Vogei.

Major Atkinson said under ordinary circumstances he should not have objected to tho ralttction in tax but he protested against this remission merely to favor a certain class, Mr Montgomery could not support the Bill as they could not remit this taxation without borrowing largely. Sir G.JjREY opposed the Bill as taking taxation olf the wrong class.

Mr Shrimski argued that the county was now in a state of stagnation in consequence of this tax. . Mr Buckland opposed the Bill and denied that tax had been tho cause of the present depression.

After discussion the second reading was carried by 40 to 31.

On the motion of the Premier, the House adjourned at 5.40 p.m. until 2,30 p.m. on Tuesday.