HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1751, 21 May 1886, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday. The Hon. R. Stout introduced the Municipal Corporations, and Counties Bills. Mr Bevan moved the Address-in-Reply, which was seconded by Mr Taylor, who explained that he did so because the present Governmont was a liberal Government, and held similar views to those he held.

Major Atkinson thought the time had arrived when they should cease to make the i Address-in-Reply the battle ground of party politics. He said he did not intend to debate the address because there was nothing in it to discuss. A number of other members also spoke to i the question, and the House adjourned at 10.45 p.m. On resuming, the debate on the Address-in-Reply was concluded, and the motion put and agreed to on the voices. Wednesday. 1 The Hon. R. Stout said he hoped it would not be necessary to introduce a Representation Bill altogether, but only to deal with those districts where increase of population required it. The following Bills were introduced : — Alienation of Land Bill (Hon. R. Stout), Native Reserve Crown Grants Empowering Bill (Hon. Mr Ballance), Native Land Administration Bill (Hon. Mr Ballance), Bill to Amend and Consolidate the Laws relating to the Native Land Court (Hon. Mr Ballance), Bill to Provide for the Limitation of Votes at the Election of Members of the House of Representatives (Sir George Grey), Bill to Regulate the Admission of Persons to Practise in Courts of Law (Sir G. Grey). Returns were moved for and agreed to of details relating to the Sinking Fund, and the membership, attendance at meetings, honoraria and travelling expenses of members of Waste Lands Boards, also of amounts paid to members of both Houses in 1885 and 1886 in excess of honoraria, together with the names of members receiving the same. Sir George Grey moved a series of resolutions relating to the New Hebrides, and the Hon. R. Stout moved as an amendment for the appointment of a Committee to consider what action the Colony should pursue in the matter. After several members had spoken to the question Sir George Grey withdrew his resolutions, and Mr Stout withdrew his amend- , ment on the understanding that the latter j would move on the next day for a committee to consider the whole general relations of | New Zealand to the islands of the Pacific. |