PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2309, 28 April 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [by telegraph.—press association.] WEDNESDAY. In the Legislative Council, Col. Brett gave notice to move the address-ln-reply on Friday. • - HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: [BY TELEGRAPH—PItBSS ASSOCIATION.] WEDNESDAY. Sir R. Stout gave notice to move for leave to introduce the Representation Bill. Sir J. Vr.gel Kave notice to move for leave to introduce a Bill providing for female franchise, Local Authorities Jubilee Expenses Bill. A message was received from His Excellency the Governor to the eifectthat he had received a despatch conveying the thanks of Her Majesty for the loyal address presented by both Houses of Parliament on the fiftieth year of Her Majesty's reign. : Replying to Mr Ross, member for Roslyn, Sir J. Vogel said a Bill was being prepared to amend the Land Transfer Act in respect to iiPction 96 of tbe Act. Several Bills were introduced, and the| usual sessional committees were appointed. Mr Fraser (Te Aro) moved the Address-, in-Reply., He referred to the loss of so many members by death, and particularly of Messrs Macandrew and Bradshaw. That the, celebrating of the Jubilee was closely bound up with federation, and the colonies should come to some agreement between themselves before the latter question was finally settled. The proposed allocation of two war vessels to New Zealand would certainly give a feeling of security to the inhabitants in case of war. He was inclined to land nationalisation and thought people were leaning more that way every day, he believed in a population basis for representation, but did not believe in abolishing the Legislative Council, though the term ought to be altered from life to five or seven years. The native policy of the Government met with his approval.

Mr Jones seconded the address, but spoke in so low a voice that his words were almost inaudible. He looked upon the jubilee celebration as a great event, lie advocated retrenchement arid thought the deficit might be made up by direct or indirect taxation. The legislation of the present Government had been of the most important and liberal character, as example of which he instanced loans to local bodies. He touched briefly on the other subjects mentioned in the speech, and finished bysaying that from his own experience he believed that the depression which had hung over the colony was now passing away. Major Atkinson congratulated the members who had just spoken on having 'got on well through the task of moving the Addrpss-in-Reply to a speech which had nothing in it. He was not going to debate the Address, because he thought the Government would like very much to a long debate to give them time to pull themselves together. They expected ti> have had the "business of the country laid before them at once, but the Premier .had not even brought in the Representation Bill yet. They also wanted to know what the\ hud got to deal with this session, and whether it was representation only whicl' had caused the House to be called together so early, or whether it was the state of the finances as well. Sir R. Stout said Major Atkinson knew very well if there, had been anything in the conduct of the Government to criticisiduring the re'sess he would not have missed the opportunity of doing so. The fact was Major Atkinson did not know what line tr adopt. The Government were quite ready, with the business. The Representation Bill would be circulated to-morrow, aii'l the second reading could be taken on Friday, and debated at once if the.y shose. He deprecated the idea that nothing else should be considered this session but representation and finance. He considered if Major Atkinson had any serious fault to find with the policy of the Government be would have found an opportunity of attacking them more successfully than he had done. The address was then put and carried on the voices. The House rose at 4.15 p.m.