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

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2177, 22 June 1886, Page 2

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

Thr House met at. 7.30 p.m. Mr Larnach moved the second rending of the Mining Bill, explaining that it was a consolidation measure intended to assimilate the present varyintf laws mi the Mih joct. It prwposed to reduce the miner's right from twenty shilling to five shilling, and to grant mining le<t«eo for three years at ten shillings an acre. Mr Seddon took exception to the Bill as practically a reversion to the Gold Mining Dusts Act of 1873, with which miners weic better acquainted, whereas the vast majority were thoroughly versed in the Act of 1877 under which the majority worked. It also interfered with the gold held-, revenue in various ways, and was, he pointed out, much narrower in its operation-* than previous ActH. He g«i\e credit to the minister for his liberal views on tin* subject, but thought he had not grasped the necessities of the case, and he asked him to allow it to be amended in committed. Colonel Eraser heartily approved of the bill. Mr Be\ an considered tho bill was calculated to .w-.i-»t tho mining industry, and no objection had been urged which could not be reinidied in committee. Mr Menteath haid it was an entirely new measu.-e so far as the South Island was concerned. After some discussion the second reading wan cvrried on the voices. The Mining Companies Bill was passed through committee without amendment, but c msiderable discus>i<>n took place on a new clause moved by Mr Lirnach, providing that no person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or dealing in any .shares in any mining company, bunk or insurance company, shall be appointed manager of any company under the Act. On a division the clause was lo<»t by 28 to 30, and the Bill was reported with amendme its.