(Per Anglo-Australian Telegraph Agency.)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 347, 4 August 1874, Page 2

(Per Anglo-Australian Telegraph Agency.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.— Eirday. In the Legislative Council, in the debate on the Constitution Act Amendment Bill, Mr Menzies said the object of the bill was to neutralise the opinion of the Council. The bill was calculated to undormine the influence of the Council. Mr Waterhouse did npt regard the bill with feelings of apprehension. He looked upon it as a piece of political bunkum, and that the Government were not sincere was shown by their bringing it forward so late in the session. Dr Pollen thought the Council had taken a very selfish view of the subject, and had not looked beyond Council. Not a single member had assailed the policy of that bill. The amendment that the bill be read a second time that day six months was carried by 25 to 8. Mr "Watevhovso, in moving the second reading of the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, said it was useless in the present feeling of the Council to adduce arguments. Mr Stokes moved as an amendment that the bill be road a second time that day six months. This was briefly seconded by Mr Robinson. Mr Gray was in favor of any measure giving greater libeity. Ho should vote for the bill. Mr Mantell had supported the measure before, and would do so again. Tho existing prejudice would have to be overcome. Tho time would come when the measure would pass. Mr Menzies entered at length into the Scriptural arguments against the measure. Colonel Brett had promised his dear Avife to vote against the measure, as she had a handsome sister of whom she was jealous. The Amendment was c.inieil by 18 to 11.

HOUSE OF BKPRESJfiNTAIIVKS.— Fridvt. Mr O'Neill will ask iho Vwniei on Tuesday ■when Hie amngc-ments will he commenced by New

Zealand. New South W.ili^, and (.^urensl.iuil, Cos 1 the construction of' an electric c.iblc between New Zealand and New South W.iles, and from Normantown in Queensland to .Singapore, in teims of the agreement now ratified by the Parliaments of the three colonies. The debate on the Conservation of Forests Bill was continued after the House adjourned at halfpast seven o'clock. Mr Stafford in an eloquent speech supported the second reading. So thoroughly did he believe in the bill that he would sooner put it on the Statutebook with all its imperfections, and supposing every clause required amendment, than see it shelved for future legislation. The Government conld carry the measure if they desired, and lie hoped the Premier won Id show that he was in earnest by pressing it upon the House. Why cry out that it interfered with the provinces ? They had already shown that they could not carry out such ayreat scheme, and were they some little god almighty that the colony must bow if they objected. Excepting Otago they had all shown the cold shoulder to the request oi the Premier for information upon the question. Some provinces undoubtedly could deal with the matter unassisted ; but the Financial Statement showed that the majority were asking the colony for aid to carry out their ordinary functions. As to ridiculing the idea of a scientific college he said without that the whole scheme would fail. For climatic reasons alone they should pass the Bill and make a commencement. He had by personal observation seen a fertile and populous valley on the Rhone depopulated and converted, into a desert of shingle by the mountains adjacent being denuded of timber. He hoped the Government would show a willingness to accept any bonfi fide amendments, and invite the co-operation of the provinces. Already the colony was going to Oregon for sleepers for railways. He granted that the kauri forests of Auckland would last thirty years ; but after thet what then. No new kauri was growing up to replace to old. Messrs "Wakefield, G. H. Parker, and MeGlashan supported the second reading. Mr J. L. Gillies regarded it as an open attempt to wrest from the provinces the control of three per cent, of the land of the colony. In any case they were the most competent bodies to carry out such a scheme. He had good reason to doubt the accuracy of the figures given us as to the rapid disappearance of the forests of the colony. Mr Richardson supported the bill. Mr T. B. Gillies made a bitterly hostile speech, and demounced the question as one between the provinces and the colony. He doubted much of the facts and figures adduced. The denudation of forests, was not always injurious, it was sometimes beneficicial as in a forest-covered province like Aucklnnd, although tree-planting might be required in the treeless piains of Canterbury. The General Government had too much to do without looking after the forests of the whole colony. As to computations of the probable income from preserved forests, any of them might make such calculations regarding our oyster beds as to make it appear you could derive revenue enough from them to pay oft' the national debt of England. The bill would give the Government powers which should be in the hands of the House only. The only reason why they were sending to Oregon for timber was because of the viciouhncss of our native land laws in locking up the kauri forests of Auckland. Such bills were easily put on the Statute book, but it was difficult to get them off, especially when they provided for salaries. The bill was held out as a cunning bait, and he hoped the colony would refuse to take if. Mr Fitzherbert made a long and characteristic speech in condemnation of the measure as one, however disguised, which practically meant taking away from the province the control of two million of acres of the mosl valuable of their land without affording any equivalent. He had no objection to experimenting on the conservation of forests, but this way like making a model the same size as the ship you intended to construct. Mr Reader Wood concurred in all that fell from the member for the Hutt. He made an effective ' speech against, the bill. While agreeing with its principle he wished it relegated for more serious ' consideration. Mr Murray moved the adjournment of the de- ] bate, and the House rose at half-past twelve.