PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2479, 31 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (iiV TELEGRAPH.— PKESS ASSOCIATION.) WEDNESDAY. The Speaker took his seat at 2.30 p.m. In moving his resolution in connection with the enrollment of the militia, Sir G. Whitmore said it only meant making up the lists, which took a long time. It did not follow .hat the inou would be called out. The Attorney-General hoped the motion would be withdrawn, as the matter would considered by the executive. The motion was withdrawn. After some other unimportant business, the Council adjourned at 3.15 p.m. till tomorrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY. The House met at 2.30. Leave of absence for a week was granted to Messrs Peacock and Laruach. Sir H. Atkinson gave notice of a Bill to amend the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act. He also gave notice that he would move on Friday, that the Customs Tariff Bill should take precedence of all other business. He thought the discussion on the Customs Bill should be continued till the matter was finally dealt with. In reply to questions it was stated that it was the desire of the Government to facilitate the acquisition of small areas of laud in the neighbourhood of gumfields, and steps would be taken with that object. Mr Hamlin moved that a committee of ten members be appointed to enquire into the ease of Joshua Jones, of Mokau. Considerable discussion ensued, and Sir H. Atkinson said if Mr Hamlin would withdraw his motion he would consent to the appointment of a commission to enquire into the whole matter. Mr Hamlin accepted this and withdrew his motion. Mr Pratt moved that all proposed Bills affecting the native race should be translated into Maori, and circulated at least one month before the opening of Parliament. After some debate, Mr Fisher suggested that the words " whenever practicable " be inserted, which was agreed to, and the motion was carried. The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. The Educational Franchise Bill was road a third time and passed. Mr Steward moved the second reading of the Licensing Committees Election Bill, and urged that the time had come when these elections should be triennial instead of annual. Considerable debate ensued, most of the temperance advocates opposing the measure.

On a division the second reading was carried by 44 to 28.

Sir G. Grey moved tho second reading of the Land for Settlement Bill, which provides means by which every farm labourer in the colony might obtain a homestead and settle on tho land.

The Premier would not oppose the second reading, but ho was afraid as it Rtood it was not practicable, and was dangerous.

In reply, Sir G. Groy said the Government had given, or were going to give, away several million acres of land. Every day it became more urgent that land should be found for settlement. He defended the system of payment by bonds. The socond reading was agreed to on the voices. [Left sitting.]