PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1009, 1 October 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

The discussion on the Maori Representation Bill has resulted in the withdrawal of amendments, limiting the duration of the Act to the present session and to increase the number of Maori members to seven.

Mr Stafford has promised to give one additional Mauri member by dividing the present Western district. The Regulation of Elections Act ha? been read a second time, and the Stamp Duties Act passed through Committee, Mr Reynolds' amendment, to include "Water Race Companies in the exception schedule, was lost by 30 to 40. The Legislative Council passed the Newspaper Postage Bill, reducing rates thereon to one half-penny, to take eft'eet from Ist January 1873. The Departmental Estimates, as far

U the end of the Executive Departments, were passed on the 24th[The Government stated they did Lot intend to spend the whole amounts [oted but would, in the Financial Statement, indicate the amount they proposed saving. i The National Banking and Currency gill has been read a second time. The Highway Boards Act, as finally passed, limits the amount of rate to three-pence in the pound on the annual § selling value. The motion agreeing to offer a levrard to the amount of £SOOO in {jeh island for the discovery of new joldflelds, has been passed.

The Financial Statement was postponed until Friday last, owing to ina lility to get the tables in counection fith it printed earlier. The Public Works Statement will be delivered jell week, and in the meantime the Estimates will be proceeded with. In reply to a question, some few jays since, Mr Curtis said the Government would interpret the tariff as liberally as possible, so as to provide [or the admission, duty free, of portions of agricultural implements and aachinery. If necessary, legislative iction would be taken, but he thought ie object desired would be accomplished by a liberal interpretation of lie existing law.