LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 887, 14 November 1871, Page 2

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Nov. 7. the next session of the assembly

Last night, Mr Cfeighton moved an address to the Governor, assuring him that the House would make good the expenditure involved by holding the next session of the Assembly in Dunedirt.

Mr Williamson oppos'ed the motion, saying the expense Would not be less than £20,000;

Mr Fox opposed the motion; as the next session would be held in six or seven mouths; and the time was far too short to allow Ministers to prepare for the removal. Ministers' health could not stand the work. He could not assent to the doctrine; that in this matter the Governor was bound to obey the resolution of one branch of the Legislature. He would not say Ministers Would not advise the Governor to comply, but he did not hold them bound by the vote of one House. He would not give any special advice in the matter, but would, when the time arrived, act on his own responsibility and take tho consequences. Mr Brown (Canterbury) said the House would also retain the right to deal with a Ministry which refused to comply with its vote. Mr Macandrew thought the expense need not exceed £IOOO. Mr Reynolds wished to insert a clause in the Appropriation Act; which would oblige the Governor to call the House at Dunedin. Mr Reeves gathered from Mr Fox's statement that Ministers were not likely to comply with the wish of the House. He believed, however, that hOldidg sesslous of the Assembly in the chief cities would promote the unity of the colony. Mr D. M'Lean supported the motion, but thought that the House should vote supplies so as to enable a session to be held about January twelvemonth. Messrs Kelly, G. M'Lean; "Bunny, M'Glashan, White; and Haughton opposed the motion. Mr Shepherd and Mr Swainson sup* ported tho motion. The motion was carried by 29 to 16. NEW BILL. The Government promised to intro* duce a bill to put doWn party processions. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS SLATE TRADE. An address to the Queen was agreed to, praying her Majesty to repress slave trade in the Paciric Islands. STAMP ACT. The Stamp Act passed. A fresh proposal to exempt receipts under £5 was lost by 35 to 16, and one to make the duty a penny instead of twopence was lost by 29 to 21. COLONIAL INDUSTRIES. The report of the Committee on Colonial Industries was adopted. ' November 8. WELLINGTON DEBTS BILL. The whole of yesterday's sitting was occupied with a Warm debate on the second reading of the Wellington Debts Bill. Mr Stafford charged all the Wei* lington members, except Bryce, Brandon, and Andrew, with entering into a compact to support the Ministry if the Ministry supported this measure. The Wairarapa Railway and Reclaimed Land Bill he denounced as transparent and a sham, the object of the Bill being to provide means for further reckless expenditure by the Provincial Government of Wellington. Mr Fitzherbert positively denied the existence of any understanding with the Government, and accused Mr Stafford and his party with entering into a constitutional compact to oppose everything beneficial to Wellington. Messrs Hunter, Pearce, Bunny, Gisborne, and Johnstone also denied the existence of any compact. After a long, and, at times, very bitter personal debate, the second reading was carried by 27 to 25. After further unsuccessful opposition the Bill passed through committee. November 9. THE RAILWAYS BILD. The Railways Bill noarly passed through committee, after a long de* bate on Wellington to Wairarapa Kailway, which ultimatelv passed by 35 to 17. The following now lines were inserted in the schedule, on the motion of private members, and assented to by tho Government ;—-Tokomairiro to Lawrence, Otago; Wanganui to Waitara, Taranaki; Ashburton to Temuka, Canterbury. The Government stated that they reserved to themselves the right to

determine which of the authorised lines shall be commenced immediately. Mr Stafford refused to take any part in what he termed the scramble into which the great Government scheme had degenerated.

November, 10.

In the Immigration and Public Works Bill, last night, Westland's share of the Middle Island Railway Fund is to be immediately available for three years in one sum, so as to proceed with the works at once. Mr Harrison carried a similar provision for the South-West Gold Fields. This will liberate £IB,OOO for road Works on the South-West Gold Fields.

The railway to the Brnnner will be at once proceeded with. To-day Mr Harrison moved—" That it is desirable that the Government should, during the recess, direct their attention to the subject of the expenditure of the revenue raised under the Gold Fields and Gold Duty Acts, with view of biinging a measure, next session, for ensuring the application of such revenues to the purposes in tended by law." Mr Curtis defended the action of the Nelson Government towards the Gold Fields.

Mr Vogel asked that the motion should be withdrawn, as the Government intended, next session, to introduce a new constitution, which would deal with this and other questions.