PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2311, 3 June 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(United Press Association.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2,30 p.m. Replying to questions it was stated that the route by Arthurs Pass for the Midland Railway had been decided both by a commission and a large majority of the House. That compilation of NewZealand year books would' entail employment of clerks, and'bo too expensive a work for the colony to undortake unless Parliament voted the necessary funds for it. That a road was being made from Murimotu towards Wanganui, money for which was taken out of the vote for opening up lands for sale. The sum of £3OOO was voted last year, half of which had been spent, and the other %alf would be spent this year. That the Napier Asylum was now practically closed. That Mr and Mrs Agnew had no claim whatever on the colony. Dr Newman moved That in the opinion of this House it is advisable that reserves in land should not be set apart for charitable aid, higher technical and primary education, and harborß, and the House requests the Government to give effect to this opinion by legislation this session. Mr Stout said if that portion about haibors were omitted from the motion it might be Ho ccmaidered fcho

freehold system had been a curse to the colony. He did not think they could afford to set aside their agricultunl reserves for harbors. He recognised that the South Island was more careful of its land than the North; but that was no fault of the North Island, A lengthy discussion ensued on the motion. Mr Turnbull said he understood that in Committee someone.intended moving that a land and income tax should be substituted for Property tax, The debate waa interrupted by adjournment at 5.30. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Mr Buckley replying to Mr Bathgate said the Government did not intend to repeal the Contagious Diseases Act. , On the motion of Mr Whitaker it wns decided to obtain a return showing expenditure of loans in each provincial district of the colony trom January 1870 to March 1886.

The Defence Bill was read a third time and passed.

Mr Buckley intimated that Mr Reynolds would bo sworn in as a member ol the Government on Thursday.