PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2992, 17 September 1891, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TCKSII.W. 1 Tim C' nutcil llHit Ml half-|l.l-t l«TI I>. 111. Till) Colonial Secret uy mo\rd Mi.it the Council flu H"< insist, tin; amendments ill tllO Selec'ors Revaluation IJiIU This was negatived and on tin l , motion of Mr Walker, Sir George Wliitiii'TU and Messrs Stevens and Walker were ;<|jpuintoil mauiigurs to draw «|» reasons why tho Council should insist, upon it . amendincuts. Tim Land Bill was hirtin.'i' considered in committee. Several verbal amendments were agreed to, and the Hill as amended was reported, read a third time, and passed. Tho Electoral Bill was further considered in committee. The Hill was reported with amendments, the third reading being li\ed for next dav. The Colonial .Secretary moved tlio second reading of tho Payment of Members Hill. Ml- Millar moved the, following umondment, " That the Council is of opinion that the proposal to increase tho payment of members of Parliament is inopportune, and not warranted by any change in tho financial position of tho colony, the Council is therefore not willing to pass a mea.-ure which would include provision tor an increased payment of its own members : as. however, the House of Representatives has decided to make larger provision for its members, tho Council does not feel justified in refusing to pass a Bill for that purpose if it is so desired after reconsideration." The debate was adjourned till next day. WEDNESDAY. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Tho Electoral Hill was iP.-comir.iUed for the purpose of reconsidering several clauses and tho clause which provides that aliens, public offenders, etc., shall not bo entitled to exercise tho franchise was amended so as to disqualify inmates of charitable institutions. The Hill was then read a third time and passed, The School Committee Election Hill was read a second time. The, Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of tins Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill. Mr Stevens hoped the Council would give this measure very careful consideration as it certainly was not the one which was drafted by the late Municipal Conference. He considered the provision with reference to borrowing was altogether uncalled lor. Mr ShrimsUi moved that the. Bill be read a second time that day six mouths, but after home discussion bo withdrew the amendment, and the second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Council adjourned nt "'.3(1 p.m. Tho Council resumed at7.3(J p.m., The Public Trust Cilice Acts Amendment Bill was slightly amendment in committee. The Stamp Act Amendment Hill *ud tho Post Uilico Acts Amen lment Hill passed thiough coinmittoe without amendment, and were lead a third time and passed. Tho Private Tramways Hill passed throught its (inul stages. The debato on the ::rc>nd reading of tho Payment of Members Hill was resumed. Dr Pollen failed to sea why members of both Houses should not receive the same payment. Ho advised Mr Miller to modify liis amendment, mid if he did not do this lie would oppose it, as lie now intended voting against the Bill. Mr Stewart spoke against tho second reading as the .Bill did not possess tlio sympathy of tho country. Messrs Reynolds and Wilson would vote against the 13ill and Mr Bowen intended to support tho amendment.

HOUSE OF KEPIIESKNTATIVES.

TUKSDAV. The 11" ise met :it half-past two p.m. The Speaker read a moniirarxla by Messrs Roes and I'almer. claiiningJUiat l.lm payment tn members fur the present session, reading together the. Acts of 1881 uutl 1887, was either KloO or £155, and also a iiiemoranduui (-1 liis own, to the elfect tiiat thu amount should bo £100 .inly. He suggested that tlie uieinorada be referred to the (iovernment, so that they might inquire as to flie real position. Mr kolleston could nut understand why llu: question should have been raised by two private members instead of being left, if there was any doubt, to the Government or the Speaker. Messrs Rees and Palmer .said they were prepared, as lawyers, to stand by the opinion the.y had given, which would be supported bv any judgo in the world. After some discussion, the memoranda was referred to the Government, with the view of (jetting the opinion of the Crown Law Ollieers. Ale Billance announced that the AgcntGeneralship had been offered to and accepted by Mr Perceval, who would proceed to London in the. course of a few woeks, to enter upon his new duties. Mr Rolle.ston .spoke of Mr Perceval's ability and integrity in terms of warm eulogy, expressing the hope and belief that as a young New Zealauder that gentleman would distinguish himself in Ilia new position. Mr Perceval's resignation as member for Christchurch was read to the House, and a writ was ordered to issue for a new election. The Premier said he would announce tomorrow the course which tho Government proposed to take in regard to tho Chairmanship of Committees rendered vacant by Mr Perceval's resignation. 11l answer to questions, it was stated that during the recess the Government would appoint an expert to assist the fruitgrowers of New Zealand. Mr Ward moved the following resolutions in connection with tho ocean mail service „ I That in the opinion of this House a twoweekly mail service should bo maintained between New Zealand and Great llritain. ■1. That ill the event of the lnipeiial Post Ullice agreeing to extend the present agreement for an appoi tiontmeut of the cost of the San Francisco and Direct mail service between that ullice and the colony or any favourable variation thereof, this House empowers the Government to arrange with the present contractors for a renewal of tho San Francisco and Direct services for a period not exceeding three years, on the following conditions : (a) that the basis of payment shall be. a rate of lis per pound on the net weight of letters convoyed (excluding those from America, by the Sin Francisco service) ; (b) that all payments or contributions from Great Pritain and other countries shall be receivable by the contractors; (c) that the colony's direct liability bo for tho payment of its out-ward letters only; (d) that at least one Now Zealand steamer in three shall be emplovod in the San Francisco service ; (o) that the time between San Francisco and New Zealand ■shall not exceed days, the port of call in the colony to be Auckland or Wellington, at the option of the contractors ; (f) that tho time between New Zealand and Plymouth shall not exceed -112 days homeward and 15 days outward, the contractors being at liberty to arrive it and depart from any New Zealand port; (g) no bonus to bo paid for early arrival and penalties, at the rate of U1 per hour, to bo enforced only when late dolivory exceeds 18 hours ; (h) that all provisions of existing agreements, where not at variance with any of tho foregoing conditions, shall be applicable to any new contract or contracts made under this authority. 3 That in the event of its being impracticable to renew tho four-weekly diruct service ou tho foregoing terms, then the Government to make temporary pro vision for an alternative fortnightly mail being sent by direct steamer at ordinary ship letter gratuity or by federal packets on such terms as it may bo possible U arrange with the contracting colonies. I. That this House also authorises a reduction of tho lirindisi-Naples lotter postage lo the universal rate ol li.'-id per half-uunee, the rates for books and newspapers being assimilated to tho rates via San I; raneihco and by the direct steamers." In committee on tho ocean maiis resolu lions, after a short discussion the liiat resolution was carried on (lie voices. In the second resolution an amendment by Dr. Newman to reduce the period to one year instead of threo years was lost by -10 to 15, and three years retained. Tho third and fourth resolutions as a whole were then reported to the House and agreed to. On the motion of Mr Pinkerton the report of the free conference of both Houses ou the Factories Hill was agreed to. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 2—constitution of new road districts'—was amended to provide that the area for a new district shouhi contain .iG ratepayers', and Lliat the rit ible value of such area should not he less than L' iO,OOD. Clause .'i— Council may declare all district roads to bo county roads—was struck out. Clauso 10 : County electors to have one voto only. The whole clause was struck out, on Colonel Frasor's motion, by 33 to 1-1,

(Iliu-e I.S f.r«::iLin r » new c-mnlii-' ijv 1 i ■ | I i m. was struck out,. | I 111 III" 111"'. i"ll "f Mi' < ' 'Hi 11.. :t I h:" ! clause v..1- added 1.1 lii" i '■;! I illal,!o>;< canity oeinrils cnntnlititin.' 1. ■ ; 1 it.'.''- lo 1 :11 Cll 11 "II • llll'li'.r til*! Jluvi'! :I I 'ii >• I table I lli'-il UtiollS Act 111 .'l!' in! tin ! ". '■ . it any time v. hen tli'i l ". ulre.oiy •*■;' iv -untiii,.' I tlnilM ■i 1 :111 I ( IL'll. \li"t ll'-r 111'"' clause w:i 11, I, 'l ull.; c 11111' v ciiiriciln |M«'**r to ;i.-l,' ir I-. riid l -, bri |oi* J . Mini oilier p 11■! 1- - ; I.H: 1 " .tirl building-' bvnu.oi- "I k'.is i'i"Ct 1 li.il v, ■ r keni-ei,,.. The Kill •"!, *' l"'i •»- rini<* 11■ 1 *"t, utnl im; I.hr■ 111 Lfil its Iin;I! ..'u Tl,i ; 11 ■ ..He...... ,ii UT.bM'.SDAY. 'I I]' l ll' I'l' '! J' 1- • I 111 .'HI v.l''. lii ;ui4l'cr I' IMr li"'-1' ' Mr I 11! ;i 11-- "'I 1,., w,l >: til .1 vet ill a position I." 1111 • v, no was l.u lurei'.ii tin! iip'iniiit ni'Mii of 1 ';i: inn 111 'if tloinii.ittees, but he 11" I 0:11 t' 1' I" !' I lii - Wl 'l\ . Mr U'i!le~l'in -!i"M '!v "!i|. c'h 'I to the Coin's.-) prop'i-'!'! t. 1 In' l.tlc u ov tin' 1 inernlllitllt "II tills II .;it I IT. :i I|. I V|i*| 11, was ;ill indecent spi'ctncle which they had witHHSM'.d in til*! lu-t, a ii't which they utin III)'111t to witness in the fuiare. to see an ollieo *i( tliis kind keut danrdiu;-' before tlio eyes of three or tour members of the House. Mr K ill 1 tic? contended tint the (ioveniinent were only askinir fur a reasonable time t" decide on 1111 important appointment like this, and they din not wish to exercise an undue Inste in the mutter. 'The House rose at o.HU 11.111. Tin) House resumed at 7.H0. The Owl Mines Bill wi- coiisid. red in committee. MrO'Conor bein*; in tli.* chair. The amendments made, were merely of 0 verbal character ami the Bill was reported, read a third thro, and passed. 11 j"ft Sntinu'.j