PARLIAMENTARY NOTES [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1723, 21 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES [BY TELEGRAPH. — SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

The Libraries Vote. Wellington, Wednesday. OOT of the £6000 voted last session for distribution to libraries, £5992 has been distributed amongst 354 libraries, whose total incomes were returned at £14,045. Alexandra got £11 (income £20); Cambridge £29 (income £90) ; Huntly £7 (income £4) ; Paterangi £8 (income £6) ; Raglan £12 (income £24) ; Te Awamntu £8 (income £8) ; Whatawhata £7 (income £9.)

Colonial Banking. Mr Bathgate yesterday tabled the following notice of motion, which, is appointed for discussion on the first proximo:—" That the present commercial depression which prevails in the colony is a matter of grave concern as regards the public interests, and demands the early consideration of this House, with a view to provide a remedy : that it is alleged it has arisen in part from undue pressure by the banks caused by a large proportion of deposits, both Government and private, wliioh should be used by the banks in promoting the commerce of the c6lony, being used and invested outside the colony ; that it is expedient that the note circulation should be protected by the deposits of colonial debentures in the Treasury, whereby a large amouut of gold coin would be liberated in aid of the commerce of the colony. That all the banks should be brought within the operation of the Joint) Stock Company's Act, 1882. That the present banking arrangements of the Treasury 'be considered, to determine whether or not it would be advisable to renew the same on its expiry, or to receive offers from other banks singly or associated, tor the management of the banking business of the colony. That it would facilitate the operations of the banks if two clearing houses were established by law, one for each Island, and the necessity for keeping a supply of gold for exchange purposes at numerous seaport towns be obviated, and the risk of loss in time of war thereby diminished. 1( That the whole subject be remitted to* a committee to consider and report."

Progress of Business. Since the disposal of the Separation resolutions business has been proceeding satisfactorily. Yesterday a number of important Government measures were advanced through different stages, the most noticeabtoof which was' thet Bankruptcy Bill, which finished in committee shortly after midnight, and just before the adjournment. Practically speaking, the New Zealand Native Land Company's Empowering" Bill has been shelved.. i?rom the first it was regarded with a great deal of suspicion, and as members became better acquainted with its provision it was felt that it could not possibly pass. Nominally it stands adjourned for a week to enable Government to consider the effect of certain further concessions by which the promoters are willing to denude it of all its public applications, as well as its preamble, leaving only, the clauses referring to 'the constitution of the company for affirmation' by Parliament. Even in that fragmentary lornf litf '/is'fTinderstdod^'the. Government verdict will be agairist it. Thus is , cleared <bf£ niore ;. debateable ;.'ntatf;er,, ,and the order paper. is again assuming' proportionsKwhioJij'gi^^faiti'Wmwe of (a short session;^. Despite the time waster],. i|^do|£bljd^ cumstences'arise.the Jfirsc or «'ccond ; wee,k anJ3ept»fiiber%ill bring aboUt thVproro-'

(MesijtjpiftSfchan anfl WJiitaker, the "ugly raf§purs curYent a few days since re the furpceSding'' in, conjunction with native mm aUniiniatratioh in Cambfitlgo are | ull^dy to give' way^ f a;l>ette^ ; «6ate of Veiling.' Judge Ptickey7 N an6fcher : lof^tiie {JVefliding judges of the late^'Cnm^ will arrive here on Sunday: ''tor&tiJivter the allegations made -'agairts'fc him.

The Electric Light. The lighting of the lower chamber by .nieafis"bf electricity has been a 'good deal oni So far.it hap' not been -an unqualified success, the appliances being imperfect. The gas lights were used as a sort of atand-by. New appliances, in the shape of a steam engine, having been got into operation it was concluded that the stand-by might safely be dispensed with. Last' night, shortly before the midnight adjournment, the I light suddenly gave out, and for a time the chambers was left in darkness.

Another No-confidence Motion. Last Night. Yet another no-confidence motion has been tabled, on this occasion by a supporter of the Government. This afternoon, on going into Committee of Supply, Mr Swanson, following in the wake of a few cavilling remarks made by Mr Hutchison, moved that progress be reported for the express purpose of returning the Estimates with instructions to Government to have them reduced by £50,000. The cue was instantly taken by the < Opposition, aud amidst a flood of sympathetic reminders from the' Opposition members, professing a desire that it should not be taken by Government as a party move, the latter was literally drawn into the position of taking up that station. It may be accepted tha.t Mr Swanson 'hid never meant it to be taken in that light, else he would not have committed himself. Indeed, at a later stage of the debate he openly avowed that such was the case. However, he had gone to far to retrace his steps, and while lie stated that if leave were granted he would withdraw from the position, if pressed on to a division he would go into the lobby in support of his motion. Meantime the trackers on both sides were at work, and as the Opposition had now the advantage of one of its best lobbyists, Mr Sheehan, they have picked up a good deal of confidence. The debate will be a heavy one, and as both sides have now become much better yoked than they were during the two previous struggles, a good tough flight is expected. During the afternoon adjournment arrangements were made for some of the crack speakers on both sides to take part in the debate. Unless, however, somethinc! unforeseen occurs, the division will take place to-night. It was also stated during the proceedings that Sir George Grey's motion re the restoration of the land tax would be taken on Thursday, so that the tribulations of the Government are not yet ended.

The Auctioneers Bill. The auctioneers have tendered a protest against the bill now before Parliament, and submit that tine bill is of too sweeping a character in many of its provisions, and if passed into law in its present form is calculated to lower the status of the profession throughout the colony. They suggest several amendments in the bill, including the excision of classes 4, 5, 6, 20, 21, and part of 32. Among the alterations they desire arc the following : That application to the treasurer of the local authority in any borough or district, find payment of the license fees, should be a sufficient qualification ; that all licenses should be applied for on a fixed day in each year, and that it should not be open for persons, even on paying the full fees, to take out licenses at other periods of the year ; that in case of clauses 4, 5, and 6 being recorded, power should be given to appeal to the Supreme Court by any auctioneer whose license had been refused by the Resident Magistrate ; that the exception in favour of bazaars or auctions for religious or charitable objects should be expunged, as also the provision requiring auctioneers to keep a bank trust account, on the ground that the latter would in many cases be unworkable ; that auctioneers should be relieved of the disabilities under the Licensing Act, and that auctioneers at present in business taking up licenses under the new act should be allowed a rebate for time unexpired under their existing licenses. Later.

The No-Confidence Motion. The No-Contidence motion to-night had a rather more animating conclusion than any of the others. Still it was evident, fora considerable time before the vote was taken, that the Opposition had not succeeded in making any great headway. Tho vote gave the Opposition a majority of one as against the number scored by them on the vote for the last confidence motion. The opposition are evidently very incensed, and mean to go in for obstruction. The very next vote brought forward was a motion for reporting progress. It was moved in a most inflamatory speech by Mr Fish. It is just now under debate, and shows a good deal of rancour in the present temper, of the Opposition. But little progress will be made in the Estimates to-night.