PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 992, 2 August 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

July 25. SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH TO AUSTRALIA. A Committee was appointed on Mr O'Neill's motion to enquire into the subject of the construction of a submarine telegraph to Australia. Mr Vogel supported the idea of the Colony incurring pecuniary responsibility to secure the establishment of a cable, but he could not authorise it to be done. The Government had a Bill ready to introduce, if the House approved of it. Mr Luckie opposed incurring a liability for what was really a luxury. Mr Stafford moved for the due dates of the San Francisco steamers, and the dates of the actual delivery of the mails in New Zealand ports, which was agreed to.

REDUCTION OF GOLD DtJTT. Mr Collins moved a resolution in favor of an immediate reduction of the gold duty to 2s. Mr Vogel moved, as an amendment, that the subject be referred to the Groldfields Committee to consider whether the duty could be advantageously dispensed with on existing goldfields; and in view of goldfields yet likely to be discovered. He admitted that the abolition of the duty was a question of time, but doubted if it was advisable to reduce it this year. Messrs Shepherd, Merryn, Macandrew, and White, spoke in favor of the reduction. Mr White said the amendment was a palpable attempt to shelve the question, and ti frustrate attempts to reduce the (Hty. Mr Gillies supported the amendment, although opposed to the duty in theory. He asserted that the Province of Auckland spent more on her Goldfields than Bhe derived from them. Mr Creighton warmly denied this, quoting figures to show the contrary. Mr Curtis asserted that Nelson spent the whole of hor Goldfields revenue on the Goldfields. He opposed the reduction. Mr Harrison and Mr Pox supported the amendment. SMAtTi-POX ON THE NEBRASKA. Mr Gisborne stated that Dr Johnstono's on board theNebrtwka

proved that there were three or four cases of small-pox undoubtedly occurred on board her during her passage between Auckland and Honolulu g,e would, therefore, not be allowed to proceed South until she had been thoroughly cleaned and fumigated. A S(EIfI)>tEKT TO THE CONSTITUTION ACT. lathe Legislative Council, the Hon, jjr Waterhouse has given notice of a motion in favor of amending the Constitution Act, by making the Councd elective, and making provision to avoid I deadlock, through any lengthened difference of opinion between the two branches of the Legislature. July 26. Sir Curtis introduced a Larceny gill, drawn by himself as an example of how Acts may Tsj couched in plain English; devoid of legal technical language. The Bill was read a second time, after a debate, and waß referred to a Select Committee. Messrs Fox, (Jisborne, and Shepherd (Otago) opposed the Bill. Messrs Sheehan, Gillies, and Lackie supported it. The second reading of the Public Trust Office Bill was carried on a dirision by 23 to l&. The Life Assurance Companies Bill was read. a second time after some further debate. In reply to a question by Mr Swanson, Mr Fox stated that it was not intended to introduce an Education Bil[ this session, as the debates last session showed therj was not unanimity of feeling in the House on even the leading principles, and subsequent events showed that any general Bill at present would be distasteful to la-ge 'sections of the community, and Provinces whi:h had hitherto neglected education were now showing more zeal, thus obviating any urgent necessity for a Bill. An Imprest Supply Bill for £130,000 mi passed. The Tramways Bill was read a second time. Messrs. Oillies, O'Neill, Hichardson, Monro, Sheehan, and Murray all warmly congratulated the Government on the introduction of such a useful and valuable measure. The House refused Wood's motion to refer the Health Bill to a Select Committee.