HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1752, 25 May 1886, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thubsday. On the motion of the Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, a committee was appointed to enquire into the best means of dealing with the rabbit pest. The Municipal Corporations Bill was read a second time, and committed. Friday. In reply to a question, the Hon. Mr Stout said it was intended this session to introduce a Bill for the amalgamation of city electorates. Replying to Mr Fisher, whether it is the intention of U-overnment to invite Parliament to reconsider the subject of land grants to discharged soldiers and volunteers, and if practicable to restore their rights to all those men enrolled before the 31st October, 1876, who subsequently by continuous service completed their five years as efficient volunteers. The Hon. Mr Ballance said the whole question had been before the waste lands committee last session, which committee thought more evidence should be taken ; it would come before that committee again this session, and their recommendation wonld receive careful consideration. A number of new bills were introduced, among them one by Sir George Grey to provide for the election of land boards. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Stout, a Select Committee of twelve members was appointed to consider the Pacific Islands question. The Hon. J. Ballance moved for the appointment of a Native Affairs Committee of fifteen members. Mr Sutter moved that the chairmanship should be honorary, and complained that the Chairman of those Committees had last session given block votes for the Government. The Hon. Mr Stout and several members strongly repudiated Mr Satter's aspersion of the characters of the Chairmen referred to, but Mr Barron supported the amendment on the ground that the office being a paid one detracted from the honor of the position. Several members having expressed the hope that Mr Sutter should withdraw his amendment, he agreed to do so, and the motion was put and agreed to. A motion by the Hon, Mr Stout, that a Select Committee be appointed to consider and make recommendations relative to the proper course to be adopted on the occasion of the Queen's jubilee was agreed to, and the House adjourned till Tuesday.