PARLIAMENTARY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3179, 6 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Monday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. RTTLIXG OF THE CHAIRMAN OF Co_:_.lT__E3. Mr Gibbs gave notice to move that the Chairman of Committees' conduct in refusing to accept Mr Gisberne's motion to report progress was contrary to parliamentary practice to the standing orders, tending to tlie curtailment of the privileges of parliament, and aiming a blow at the liberties of the people. PRITILEOE. Mr Sheehan, as a matter of privilege, drew attention to a series of parliamentary sketches in tho supplement of the Otago Daily Times of September 3, which contained as many libels as could possibly bo got into tlie space. Ho moved formally that Mr Charles Frazer, the printer, and Mr R. N. Adams, the publisher of the paper, be summoned to appear at the bar of the House. At the same time he had no wish to press the motion, as he feared the real culprits coidd not be got at. Having put himself in order, therefore, by concluding with a motion, he asked leave to withdraw the same, which was granted. MORNING- SITTINGS. Mr Hall gave notice to move that tho House sit at 11 a.m. on two days per week for the despatch of private members' business. QUESTION'S. Replying to questions, it was stated that the Government did not think fit to have the sentence passed on.Newman Burley, at present confined in Nelson gaol, further remitted —several years had been already taken off the original sentence of 15 years, and ifc would expire in August next; the Government did not consider that there was any necessity for establishing an arsenal for the manufacture of gunpowder and other explosives ; the late obstruction to public business was the reason why tlie New Plymouth Harbor Bill had not been circulated —the Government had no power to suspend tlie Boai-d's operations, but they had no reason for supposing that the work of the breakwator was being still pushed on • changes were in contemplation regarding the use of adhesive stamps in the payment of fees, and regarding the payment of office oharges and legal ponalties in cash instead of stamps j tho Government had examined the newspaper report of the case Edgar v. Montrose, heard at Cambridge, and considered that the?e was something singular jin the matter—the facts of the case would be formally inquired into ; the Government ) did not think it was possible to promote the weaving of woollen goods by oottagers by means of a bonus ; provision already existed for exploring and opening up the country inland from Collingvvood, and the Government would bo prepared to consider the necessity for supplementing tho same ; tho Waste Lands Board of Otago granted leases of 320 acres to the Caswell Sound Marble Company, and the Government had made some further concession in the way of carrying freight in the Government steamers. NEW BILLS. The following bills were introduced and read a first time : —Bill to enable persons entering upon the tenancy of houses where gas is laid on to be supplied with the same without being called upon to pay the arrears of previous tenants (Hutchison) j the Patents Act Amendment Bill (Dick) ; the Waipawa Land Dispute Bill (Rolleston) ; The Leaseholders' Qualification Bill j bill to enable the Governor on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers of any county to declare that the Counties Act, 1876, shall be enforced therein (Hall) ; bill to protect the property and goods of persons from unreasonable distress and seizure (Grey). REPRESENTATION BILL. The debate on the third reading of tho Representation Bill was resumed. Mr Gisborne spoke in opposition to the bill, as also did Major Harris, Mr Seddon and Mr Taiaroa. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Reeves spoke strongly against the Representation Bill, saying he felt his mouth gagged and his hands tied. Sir George Grey characterised the bill as one to further curtail the rights of the people of New Zealand, and at considerable length spoke against it, and of the evils it would perpetrate and bring about by giving increased power to the wealthy and the few. He would be quite willing to accept a bill based on population if every man was given equal electoral rights, but not otherwise. Had it not been for the unjust action taken to crush opposition, he believed he would have been able, in conjuction with Mr Macandrew, with whom he was in communication at the time, to have brought down a bill which would have satisfied all parties. He would oppose the present one to the last. New Zealand, he declared, was in a worse condition than Ireland in regard to land monopoly, and quoted figures to prove this. He disclaimed all feeling of jealousy or fear of the south. Mr Saunders followed, and replied to Sir George Grey's statements. He said there was no need for any honest man to lack work, when he was interrupted by loud hooting and yelling in the public gallery. The Speaker threatened to have the gallery cleared if any further manifestation of feeling took place. Mr Hutchison would support the bill as a step in the right direction, although purchased at too high a cost by the improper steps taken to force it through. Mr Hurst opposed the bill as calculated to make each island demand separation. Mr Lundon opposed the bill, and the amendment for six months was then negatived by 48 to 20 and the third reading carried by 48 to 19.