PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 143, 18 June 1891, Page 9

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN REPORTER.) '-j.

Wellington, this day, ELECTORAL BILL.

In tho course of the adjourned debate on the Electoral Eill last evening, Sir George Grey made a most effective speech, and was loudly applauded. Hβ said tho Bill reflects great credib on the Government He would prefer that the only qualification; roquired should be residence in the for a certain period of time, and that-no* property of any kind should be considered as a necessary preliminary to any person being allowed to exercise a vote for the election of member. Sir Georpre spoke strongly in f avour of extending thefranchiseto women; The Bill was very generally approved, and at; 10.30 p.m. tho debate was adjourned till to-day.

PARTY GOVERNMENT,

The annual discussion on the desirability of abolishing the system of party govornment eventuated yesterday afternoon, when Mr O'Conor took up the crusade commenced by the present Speaker, and succeeded in carrying without division a resolution appointing the following committee of inquiry:—Hon. Mr Bryce, Mr Palmer, Capfc. Russell, Dr. Newman, Messrs Buick, Sir John Hall, Saunders, J. Thompson, Hon. Ward and O'Conor.

CAPITAL AND LABOUR.

In the House yesterdayaffcernoon Mr Kees made an excellent speech in support of the urging upon the Government the desirability of opening up correspondence with the different Governments, with a view to the appointment of a conference to consider the relations between labour, capital, and State, to meet at the forthcoming Chicago Exhibition. He was followed by Mr Earnshavy, a prominent labour member, who seconded the resolution. The Hon. W. P. Reeves strongly supported the motion, which was agreed to on the voices.

THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS,

The Auckland members almost unanimou«ly are loud in their praises of the financial proposals, and more especially with the proposed substitution of a land and income tax for the property- tax. I solicited the vie\Y3 of a large number of members, who have nothing bub praise for the Treasurer's proposals, and they will have the almost unanimous support of the Government party, representing on this question a majority of about fifteen.

JOTTINGS.

Hon. Mr Mitclielson has been granted one week's Jeave of absence on urgent private business.

The Government propose to continue the subsidies to Hospital and Charitable Aid Boarde for another year. * W. H. Hutchison has beon informed that fortnightly payments are made in all Departments, and that the Government will bring under the notice of the Railway Commissioners the desirability of relieving employees as far as possible from Sunday toil.

Air Shora is moving for a return of Audit Inspector O"Hara Smith's report on Auckland Municipal accounts, Auckland Harbour Board aceouuts and Auckland Education Board accounts, and correspondence pertaining thereto.

Mr O'Conor wants published throughout the colony the terms upon which indigent and ailing persons can obtain admission to the sanatorium at Rotorua.

Ifc ia probable another Committee will bo set up this session to deal with "the confirmed losses " on, the West Coast of the North Island.

All the members are now present except Mr Mitcbelson and Mr Carroil.

Tho abolition of coroners and grand juries is the objecb of a measure which Mr Guinness gave notice of,

A Bill to permit City and Borough cils to insure againsfe fire has been read a> first time.

The Appraisers Bill and Auctioneers Bill introduced by the Hon. Mr Seddeu were read a first time yesterday afternoon. . Thefollowing Governmentßills have been Introduced and read a first time :—lndustrial Conciliation Bill, Juries Act Amendment Bill, Bankruptcy Bill, and Counties Act Amendment Bill.

Mr R. Thompson, by moving the adjournment of the House yesterday afternoon, t again demanded an inquiry with the Aikinson-Sperry charges, upon which ha •poke afe considerable length. ;, North of Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board petition the House for amendments in the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Act.

Whangarei County Council petition tha House for certain amendments in the County Councils Act.

Sir John Hall has obtained leave to in* troduce a Bill to confer the electoral franchise on women.

-The Native Minister has invited the Maori members to confer with him with a -view to obtaining land for landless natives. £10,606 has already been spent on the main road from Hunterville to Turangiriri ■in inland Pafcea, but a road is of great importance to open up the Crown lands in the North Island. The House will be asked ta vote an additional sum.

Sir George Grey on entering the House yesterday afternoon, accompanied by Hon. MrSeddon and Mr Rees, was warmly applauded, notably by the labour members. The Companies Memorandum of Association Bill, Deeds Bill, and Criminal Code Act are three new Government measures introduced in Legislative Council.

Messrs Saunders and Bryce asserted lasfa night that the present House does not represent more than half of the electors in the colony.

Mr Thos. Thompson has been elected chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, M to Z.

The Government do not propose to alter the qualifications of electors at licensing elections.

I Mr Buckland wants votes to be taken by ballot in the House of Representa« tives.

MrLawry asks if the Government will enter into negotiations for the purchase of the Manawatu Railway. 1 Mr Duthie's motion to have laid before the House a return showing the amounts realised in the various intestate estates |dminis*ered by the Public Trustee was talked out at the dinner adjournment.