PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7139, 29 August 1888, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

[By Tblegkaph.] [from our speciaii correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 28. Both Houses met at 11 a.m. to-day, and got through a large amount of business. The Council threw out several Bills by large majorities. An arrangement has at length been, come to between the two branches of the Legislature with reference to the Chinese Immigrants Bill. Substantially it is to the effect that the clauses originally struck out by the Council, which excluded Chinese from registering or voting at local elections, are abandoned by the House, and, on the other hand, the Council consents that the only Chinese excluded from the disabilities and liabilities imposed by the Bill (and old Act) should be those naturalised in New Zealand. So is disposed of for the time a troublesome question. It is by no means certain what will be the- fate of the Native Bills. The conference between Committees of the two Houses will meet to-morrow to endeavor to arrive at an agreement regarding the amendments made by the Council, but disagreed with by the House. An impression prevails that each side will give way a little, as in the Chinese question, and so a compromise be arrived at, but Government do not intend to give way if they can help it, as they consider that the amendments to which they object will have a very nlischievous effect in hampering or subverting the main objects of the Bill. A great deal of time was wasted in the Lower House over the Wellington School of Design Bill, which was obstructed so pertinaciously by certain Auckland, Taranaki, and Otago members this afternoon. A "tie " had resulted from a division on a motion to report progress. The Minister of Education withdrew the Bill for the session. Messrs Seymour and O'Callaghan have acted as Chairman of Committees during most of to-day's sitting, in the absence of Mr Hamlin. To-day's Order Paper has now been swept clear, excepting the third reading of the Public Works Appropriation Bill, which is postponed till to-morrow, and the third reading of the ordinary Appropriation Bill, the debate on which was taken to-night. The latter |has been grievously protracted through the action of Sir G. Grey in bringing np again the property tax question as an amendment- This gave an opportunity for very lengthy speeches from Messrs Fish and Seddon, the latter of whom accidentally missed his steamer this afternoon, and came back burning to be " at" somebody, no matter whom. " The Public Petitions Committee have recommended that the penal ies paid by Carmichael and Sons, of hristchurch, as contractors for the tjovernment Printing Office, amounting to .£3OO, should be refunded, the Department haying been more blameworthy than the contractors. A report has been received from the Com? niittee on Mr John Lundon's claim for "vrork in connection with village settlements north of Auckland. The report ie in favor of the claim, which exceeds JB2OQ. Midnight. The Premier has just informed mc that he hopes to prorogue on Thursday, but is not yet certain whether this will be practicable. It is generally thought that Friday is the more probable date! Compensation to retiring officers for loss of office from April Ist to 31st nit., was .£7974. {from our correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 28. The illuminated address to Mr Larnach, prepared by the miners of the Thames district, was presented to the hon. gentleman by Messrs Fraser and Cadman, in the lobby of the House, to-day, in the presence of a considerable number of members.