PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MONDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1915, 14 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MONDAY.

The House met at 7.30 p.m. A number of petitions fioin Otago were presented in favour of the Bible-in-Schools. 'Die Ghiistchuic.h l'Yeethoujjht Association presented a petition piotesttng against the heie-^v laws being enacted by the New Zcaluid Legi«l.>tuie, seeing there was no state religion in the colony. Mr Stout .said th.it m anticipation of the delivery of the Public Woika Statement, and the passing of the Estimates-, the (i<>- , veinment had determined up(>n passing the I following as policy bills .—East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway, Distnct Railway's Leasing and Purchasing, (Government Insurance, and West Coast Harbour Bills. The (Government would explain as to the other bills on the Order Paper at a futuie day. Mi Wakefield resumed the debate on the second leading of the East and West Coast (Middle Island) anil Nelson Railway Bill. Lie blamed the Government for withhold ing their Public Works Statement until after this and other bills had passed. It pi evented them from gaining information as to the Public Works policy as a whole, and he could airivo aL no other conclusion than that it was an attempt on the part of the (-Joveinnient to disguise from the public creditors the extent of their borrowing operations. He also blamed then for throwing away a vast extent of tenitory to an English company, when cveiy cfFoit would be made to hell the land to the highest bidder, and independent altogether of the baneful effect it might eveicibe in the cause of bona fide, hettlcmcnl. It was an immodciate policy to gi\ c a company such immense blocks of territory as tins bill purposed. However much he wished to see this line constructed, it should not be one of tins kind, which in his opinion weie injudicious to the interest of the colony. He asked hon. members to oppose this bill, and all other similar measures. The country \\ ould give them ciedit for it. Mi Suttor suppoited the second reading. Mi C4illiea .strongly opposed the measuie. (Left Sitting.)