PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2101, 22 September 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION,) MONDAY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Council met at 10 a.m,

In Committee on the District Railways Purchasing Bill, the Bill was reported with amendments, On the question that the Bill be read a third time, Mr Richmond spoke against the Bill, and moved that it be read that day fortnight. Mr McLean pointed out that the discussion on the Bill had taken place in Committee, and would not, therefore, be put on record. He thought it .would be worse for the country if they did not, pass the Bill than if they did, After a short debate a division was taken resulting in

the Bill being carried by a majority of one, The Bill was then passed, The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was passed. The Council at noon adjourned till I 2.30. ■ On resuming, the report of the Free Conference on the Land Bill was agreed to. • The Customs Duties Interpretation Bill was read a first time and a second time, committed and passed. The Wanganui Harbor Board Bill was committed. D r Grace moved that the Chairman leave the chair. This was carried by 19 to 18, On the motion of Dr Menzies another conference waa appointed on the Mines Bill, t The Council 'adjourned at 3,30 till 7.30 EVENING SITTING. The new clause added to the District Railway Bill was struck out by 17 to 15. The Appropriation Bill and Public Works and Immigration Appropriation Bill were read a third time and passed.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ■ The House met at 10 a.m. Replying to Mr Richardson, whether the Government will instruct auditors to lay information in cases of misappropriation of funds by local bodies, Mr Stodt said in questions of local Government the ratepayers should look aftertheir own interests, but in special cases the AuditorGeneral would be instructed to take action.

Replying to Mr Beetham, whether the Government would consider the advisableness of appointing a Royal Commission for the purpose of enquiring into tlie position of all local bodies, so that the Legislature next session might come to a Satisfactory decision, Mr Stout said the matter would receive careful consideration.

The Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, committed, read a third time, and passed, Mr Stout said that in consequence of amendments in Land Bill, requiring the Bill to he reported, the House would not prorogue until 2.30 to-morrow. It wa9 not intended to proceed with any other business to-morrow, as he hoped that all business would-be concluded tonight.

Sir Julius Vooel introduced the Customs Tariff Interpretation Bill, which was read a second time, committed, and passed.

Sir Julius Vogel moved that the

amendments made by the Council in the District Railways Bill he agreed to, A new Clause had been inserted, providing that no new Railways be constructed under the Tistrict Railway Construction Act.

The Speaker thought if this Bill was a money Bill the insertion of the dlause interfered with the privileges of the House,

At the suggestion of Mr Stout, the matter odjourned until 2 o'clock to time the House adjourned.

The House resumed at 2 p.m.

Mr Ballauce moved the adoption of the report on the Land Bill. He explained the amendments made in the Bill, and said the effects as to tendering for land it had been decided that where there was only one tender for perpetual leases, that that tender should be accepted at the upset price. The homestead clause had been restored, with the modification that not more than 300 acres of land should be taken up in any one district in one year. The purchasing clause in perpetual leases had been restored, but it was not to apply to Education reserves. In the punishment clauses the imprisonment portion had been struck out, and the fine of £2O increased to £SO.

In reply to Colonel Trimble, Mr Stout said he would move an addition to the punishment clause, that it should only apply where one person lit a fire on another person's property. The motion was agreed to.

Sir J. Vogel moved with reference to the amendments of the Council in the District Railways Bill, " That the Legislative Council be requested to appoint a Committee to consult with the Committee of the House of Representatives as to whether the amendment made in the District Railways Bill is a breach of the privileges of this House, the managers of the House of Representatives to consist of Majors Atkinson and Hamlin, and the mover."

Mr Montgomery thought this was a most extraordinary course for the Government to pursue. The Speaker had distinctly given it as his opinion that it was a breach of the privileges of the House, and yet the Government proposed to ask the other Chamber whether it was so or not. He hoped the leaders of the Opposition would express an opinion on the course proposed. The Speaker, after, some discussion, said he could only repeat his previous ruling, which was that the Bill, being a money Bill, the Legislative Council had no power to alter it, He felt so strongly on the matter that he would rather advise the House to embody the Bill in the Appropriation Bill and to send it back to the ©ounoil than to forego the opinion he had previously given, namely, that the Council had no power to alter it.

Major Atkinson moved that the insei

tion of the new clause infringes the privileges of this Bouse, and this House triists that this will be a sufficient reason to induce the Council to withdraw

their amendment, Sir Julius ,Yodel said this would throw out the Bill, and he should presß his motion, If the House were' against him the responsibility would rest with the House.

Mr Wakefield was surprised at the disregard of the Treasurer for the privileges of the House and his anxiety for the Bill. He himself had been a supporter of the Bill, .but he should feel

compelled after the Speaker's ruling to vote for Major'Atkinaon's amendment, Sir Julius Vogel'a resolution was then put and lost on the voices, and Major Atkinson's amendment was carried. Sir Juiics Vogel 1 asked leave to introduce forthwith a Bill to deal with the District Railways Act. Leave was refused, and he gave, notice of the Bill for next day.

Sir Julius Vogel moved the second readme of the Appropriation Bill.— Agreed to. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Bill.—Agreed to. The House went into Committee oh the Appropriation Bill, which was reported.

■ The House went into Committee on the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Bill which was passed through without amendment, was read a third time and passed, The House rose at 5.15 p.m. EVENING SITTING.'

On the third reading of the Appropria-

tion Bill, Major, Akinßon severely attacked tho policy of the Government, and the work done during the session, Mr Stout defended the Government. Mr Wakefield and Sir J. Vogel also spoke, after which tho third reading was carried on the voices, and the Bill was passed. The House rose at 11.10 p.m. till i this afternoon, when the prorogation takes place.