PARLIAMENTART. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Last Night.,

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1398, 18 June 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTART. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Last Night. ,

The House met at 3.30, New Member. , Mr Bastings, the member for Waikaia, was introduced by Mr Ormond and Mr Richardson, and took his seat.

Address-in-Reply-An adjournment took place to present the Address-in-Reply to the Governor. On resuming, The Speaker reported that His Excellency had been pleased to receive the Address, and read a reply.

Sale of Liquors ' in the Parliament BuildingsHe gave notice that * he " would move that a Conference of both Houses be lappointed to consider the .advisability of abolishing the sals of spirituous liquors in the Parliamentary Buildings.

Leave of Absenc. Two weeks leave of absence granted to Mr Moorhouse. '

Questions. Replying to questions ifc was stated that the Government had undpr consideration what railway works ahonld be gone on with, and, on arriving at a decision would say whether or not, it was their intention to proceed with the Windsor or Livingstone line, and as regards the unemployed who it was said depended on the resumption of such work, steps would be taken to distribute them over tho colony, so as to afford them an opportunity of getting work. The Gambling 1 and Lotteries Bill of last session would be reintroduced, and if possible passed this year. The Government had not handed over to Mr Thos. Russell or any person acting on hia behalf, any portion of the Te Aroha Block. Enquiries would be made into tho circumstances under which two men were committed at the Waimate R.M. Court for refusing to pay the fine of £5 os Gd. to Major Studholme for trespassing in pursuit of game.

Auckland "Herald's" Bunkum Version of Mr Bryce's Reasons for Retiring. Mrßryce, a3 a personal matter, drew attention to the despatch from the Governor to the Secretary of State referring to his resignation as Native Minister, and saying that an extract from the JYew Zealand Herald was supposed to give Mr Bryce's own reason for retiring. He desired to say he had made it a point of honor to fulfil a promise given hia colleagues not to make to anyone a statement of his reasons for retiring. He had not done so, and was astonished at the Governor's statement. Were he to characterise His Excellency's action, he would use precisely the terms used by the High Commissioners in reference to the conduct of tlie Intercolonial Conference on the action of a newspaper statement. He asked the Govermneut to give some publicity to his real reasons in answer to the<>e erroneous statements. Mr Hall said the Ministers knew nothing of the despatch till long after ifc was sent. They would endeavour to comply with Mr Bryce's request.

The Chinese Bill. The House went into committee on the Chinese Bill. •