PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2390, 3 November 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUHCII. [BY TELEOKAI’H PRESS ASSOCIATION.! WEDNESDAY. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. col. notice's I’AMrm.KT. Col. Brett gave nocice to ask what steps the Government intended to take with regard to Lieut-Col. Noake's pamphlet on the volunteer forces. The Council adjourned at 2.30 till next day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICES. Hon. Major Atkinson gave notice of a series of resolutions regarding the Midland Railway to he taken in committee of the whole to-morrow. He also gave notice of the introduction of the Governor’s Salary and Allowances Bill, and a Parliamentary Honorarium and Privilege Bill.

QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, the Premier said the Government had no control over banks issuing notes in New Zealand. Such power was given by Act of Parliament. That a Bill would he brought in this session to amend the South Island Native Reserve Act, ISS3. That there was no intention of taking into considera tion the advisability of entering into negotiations with the Midland Railway Company for the purchase by the Government of the line completed by the Company from Brunnerton.

education. Mr Wilson moved that a committee bo appointed, with power to call for persons and papers to enquire : 1. If the present expenditure on Education can be reduced without unduly impairing the efficiency of the present system or closing country schools; 2. In what direction if any, the reduction should take place ;3, generally in the working of the system, committee to report within a month. Mr Fisher approved of the motion.

Mr Seddon moved an amendment referring to a committee, the question whether state-aid ean be given to denominational schools in large centres, without injuring the state system, or whether it is desirable that the Bible should Ire read in schools. A long discussion ensued, and Mr Seddon’s amendment was carried by 33 to 36.

Mr Blake moved a further amendment that enquiry should also be made into the management of the national schools. Agreed to on the voices, and the motion as amended was carried by 31 to 29. Tue House adjourned at 5.30.

The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Stewart continued his remarks on the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill.

Mr Walker supported the Bill. Messrs Rhodes and Turnbull opposed the Bill.

Mr Ballance would not oppose the Bill although it affected very closely the district he represented. Sir J. Hall hoped the Bill would not be read a second time, as he looked on it as a very dangerous measure. If districts were cut up in the manner proposed it would lead to a large amount of distress.

Dr. Hodgkinson opposed, and quite concurred in the views of the member for Selwyn. Mr Russell supported the Bill. Mr Mills supported the Bill. He had great sympathy with the position of the Waimate Hospital. The motion for the second reading was carried by 47 to 24. LAW PRACTITIONERS DILL. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill, and explained that the Bill had been before the House on several previous occasions. Mr Fitchett protested against the Bill. Mr Reeves (St. Albans) supported the Bill. Mr Meuteath said he had hitherto consistently opposed the Bill, hut the present Bill did not contain the objectionable provision that the previous one contained. He would, however, vote against it.

Mr Hutchinson supported the Bill. Taipua supported the Bill. Mr Downie Stewart opposed the Bill. Mr Joyce supported it, and thought that if it were for the welfare of the colony' that the Bill should pass, he was bound to vote for it. Mr Pratt supported the Bill. The second reading was carried by 57 to 15. The House rose at 10.50 p.ra.