PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2477, 26 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (H Y Ti;t,KG K.U'ir.—-I'nK.SfS ASSOCIATION'.) Flil DAY. Tho Speaker took his seat at 2.50. CHINESE QUESTION". The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Chinese Immigrants Aet Amendment Bill, stating that it was only intended as a temporary measuro pending the decision of the Imperial Government. Hon. Sir G. Whitmore opposed it, and moved " That it is undesirable to proceed with the Jiill until the result of the. Conference to be held in Australia is known, and also the result of negotiations between the English and Chinese Governments now pending." On the motion nf the Hon. Mr Scotland, the debate was adjourned till Tuesday. The I liver Boards Aet Amendment Bill was committed, and passed all its stages. The Council rose at 1 p.m. till Tuesday.

HOUSE OF REPEEBENTATIVES

(HY Tiil.KcK.U'll —-PRESS ASSOCIATION'.) FRIDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions, it wax stated that there were no engines in the North Island large enough to burn firewood on the Government railway lines. That enquiries would bo made as to the advisability of cancelling the liceuses at present held by native interpreters. That enquiries were oeing made as to the necessity of providing Innd for natives who had suffered by the Tarawcra volcanic disaster. That the freight on dead meat would not bo reduced further at present, as the rates wero now very low. Hon. Mr Fergus moved the second reading of the Naval and Military Forces Discipline Bill, providing for the maintenance of discipline iu Her Majesty's ships in New Zealand waters. Agreed to. Mr Richardson moved the second reading of the Mining Act Amendment Bill. Mr Seddon opposed the Bill at considerable) length, and moved the adjournment of tho debate. Agreed to. Hon. Mr Hislop moved the second reading of the Administration Act Amendment Bill, which deals with the administration of estates of deceased persons. Agreed to. The Hon. Mr llislop moved -the second reading of I,In: Slaughter House Act Amendment Bill which provides that a license should bo iu force for twelve months from date, and that the fee payable for a license shall be such as the licensing authorities shall lix but is not to exceed £2 : >. Mr Whyte said he would like to see a nominal license fee and he thought it should be per head of cattle slaughtered. Mr Fitxherbert opposed the Bill, as lie thought it was brought in the interests of large companies to the detriment of small butchers. Messrs Cowan and S.itnuel supported the bill. Mr Blake said the Bill would alfcct the small butchers, and unless it were provided that they would not have to pay .£25, he should oppose it. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resinned at 7.30. Mr Buchanan supported the Bill. Messrs Levestam, Walker, Hutchinson, Turnbull and Tanner also spoke, Messrs Beetham, Duncan and Callaghan having also made a few remarks. Hon. Mr Hislop replied, stating that he had not fathered the Billl in tho way alleged. The Bill was read a second time on the voices. Tho Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Fair Rent Bill. It had been before the House for some sessions, and the Government had promised Sir George Grey to take it up, as it had now become a matter of somo urgency. He wont through the clauses explaining their bearing at some length. Mr Carroll asked that the second reading might be postponed, as the Bill effected the natives. * Mr Stewart said a good deal of log rolling would be possible under the Bill.

Hon. Mr Hislop agreed to the debate being adjourned till Tuesday next.

The 'Penalties Recovery and Remission, Justices of the Peace Act Amendment, and .Demise of the Crown Bills were read a second time without debate.

011 the motion to go into committee on tho Codiin Moth BilJ, Mr Marchant moved to defer it for a week, on the ground that scaby blight should be included in the operation of tho Bill, and read extracts from Maskell's book, showing the danger from tho pest.

Mr Dodson said scaby blight was moro devasting than the codiin moth.

Mr Hobbs thought the moth was quite enough for one Bill, and it was very important there should be some drastic legislation 011 I he subject at once. Mr Taylor said the codiin moth and blight were largely induced by planting trees in wrong soils. Mr Kerr said scaly blight was very easily dealt with through the medium of sulphur and lime.

Mr Fisher said if the Bill was postponed for a week, it would probably never be passed. Orchardists throughout the colony took great interest ill the question which was one of much importance. He suggested that the Bill should be passed through this House, and any important additions oould be made in the Legislative Council.

The lfouse went into committee on the Bill.

(Left Hitting.)