PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2049, 23 July 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WEDNESDAY. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The debate on the Bank of Issue Bill was further adjourned. ' Mr Reeves moved the second reading of the Armed Constabulary Amendment Bill, extending the franchise to the police force. Mr Whitaker moved' that the Bill be road that day six months, and the Bill was thrown out by 20 to 16. ,The Council adjourned at 8.30.', : HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30.

Replying to questions, ifc was stated that if any portions of the line between Makotoko and Matamaa (Napier line) were dangerous, the Government would consider the advisableness of fencing the line; that instructions would be given to the Inspector of Machinery to inspect the donkey enginti on Nelson wharf; that no reason had been shown for the Government to mako an enquiry into the case of Regina v Bryson, latoly heard at Ashburton; that Government did not intend putting any money on the estimates for a road leading to the Waihou and Hakateramea; that it'was considered that Auckland builders would repair the Coromandel police station more satisfactorily than local men; that copies of Bills affecting commercial interests would be forwarded to various chambers of commerce; that Government would favorably consider the granting of long service medals to efficient volunteers of 20 years'service •, that it was not advisably to reduce the scale of cable charges between the colony and the Australian colonies, but that the.advisableness of reducing the cost of press messages was under consideration ; that the furniture of the Government House at Hokitika was sold by the order of the Minister of Lands, and the amount was placed to]the credit of the public account; that it was not proposed to renew the vote this year to give an increase to country telegraphists and postmasters, but a small gratuity would be given out of postal contingencies to postmasters who had no assistants; that it was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill for the establishment of railway boards. A. number of small bills were introduced and read a first time. Mr Beetham moved (1) That in order to secure the permanent unity of the empire some form of federation is 'essential, (2) That no scheme of federation should interfere with the existing rights of local parliaments, as regards local affairs. (3) That any flcheme of imperial federation sliould'combine on an equitable basis the resources of the empire for the mainten" ance of common interests, and adequately provide for an organized defence of common rights. Mr Stout moved that the debate be adjourned till Mr Macandrew's motion on the same subject was before the House. The amendment was agreed to. The House went into committee on the plurality of votes bill which was passod with slight amendments, The House went into Committee on the Presbyterian Church Property Bill, which passed with verbal amendments, The motion for the third reading of the Plurality of Votes Bill, was carried on a division by 37 to 29, The Houso rose at 5,30. EVENING SITTING On the motion being put that the Plurality of Votes Bill £ be passed, a division was called for, which resulted in a tie. Tho speaker said he would liot take upon himself the responsibility of altering tho existing law, and gave his casting vote with the noe». The Bill was therefore thrown out. Tho Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, which is intended to make clear the present law, was read & second time,

Tho Seamen's Representation Bill to discussed in Committee, An amendment was moved that no seaman should vote by virtue of the Bill if he had within six- months exercised| a vote on a residential qualification, and agreed to, and the Bill waa reported with amendments. The second reading of the Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill was agrood to. The Rating Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee, with an amendment extending exemptions to public libraries and museums. .The -Impounding Act Amendment Bill was reported with amendments. The Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Evidence Further Amendment Bill waa reported with amendments. The debate on Tho Coroners' Juries Abolition Bill was resumed by Mr Tote, who said as he had a Bill before the House reducing the number of jurors, he hoped the Bill would be withdrawn. Mr Guinness did not think He would be justified in withdrawing tha BUI. Mr Stout thought it inadvisable to do away altogether with Coroaers' juries, and

moved that the Bill be read sii months hence,: ' •' * ■ After a brief discussion the Bflwqa thrown out by 31 to 13. • "wt The Police Offences Act ■ Amendment, Bill was read a second time. The House adjourned at 12.20 a.m.