GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1886, 22 August 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

♦ ■ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [Anglo-australian press telegraph AG-ENCY.j ■Wellington, Aug. 12. On the House meeting to-day, Mr Fitzherbert gave notice that he would, when the House was moved into a Committee of Supply, move a resolution to the effect — "That no attempt should be made to carry out any organic change involving a central and bureaucratic authority without the opinion of the people being taken, and that an Address be presented to his Excellency the Governor, praying him to dissolve the present Parliament." The announcement was received with loud applause. A Select Committee of the House has decided that Mr Von der Hyde's election is void. A new writ is issued. Mr Von der Hyde has gone North this afternoon. Mr O'Rorke made an explanation that his abssnee from the division last evening was because he had not anticipated that the debate would close so early ; had he been in the House he would have voted for the amendment of the member for Selwyn. Messrs White and Harrison also explained that when they arrived at the House they found the doors locked, and intended to vote for the previous question. Mr Wales also explained that he had not anticipated the debate would close so soon. He intended to vote for the resolution of the Premier. The Pacific Islands Trade Encouragement Bill waa discharged from the order paper. The Premier said that the Government deemed it inadvisable to proceed with the measure at this late period of the session. He stated also that for a like reason the Government din not intend proceeding with the Qualification Electors Bill, as it J was evident that the details of the Bill would occupy a great deal of time in discussion. Mr Wales opposed the Premier's proposal to withdraw the measure, and hope i the Government would re-consider their decision and proceed with the Bill, which would place upon the Electoral Roll a large class of young men of judgment and education who did not happen to hold a property qaulification. Amongst this lass were miners, and he regretted 1

to say that the principal opponents of the Bill were Gold-fields members. He wished the Bill to be made one of the questions to be submitted to the country if there was a dissolution. Mr Tribe was also anxious that the Bill should be proceeded with this session, but as it appeared to be inconvenient to go on with it now, he hoped it would be brought on early next session. The Premier stated that the Govern-, ment approved of the Bill and had a strong desire to support it, but owing to the late period of the session, and business still before them, they did not see their way to go on with the Bill. It was then discharged. ■ ,■ " Mr M'Lean moved the second reading of the Volunteers Act Amendment Bill. It enables volunteer corps to acquire land for various purposes, and vesting the same in commanders of corps and their successors. It also provided that the licenses may be granted to Volunteer corps for the purposes of rifle and artillery, practice. The Act also applied to land before purchased. It was read a second time. '• * "■ ' The House went into Committee upon the Immigration and Public Works Amendment A ct, and a new clause was introduced providing for the repair or reconstruction of the road between Hokitika and Christchurch out of the Middle Island Railway Fund account for Canterbury and Westland respectively. This was opsosed by Mr Rolleston and Mr Wilson, but the Committee agreed with the Bill. A draft Bill has been brought down, recommending a retiring allowance to Mr Wilson Gray, District Judge in Otago. The Premier spoke in high terms of his services to the country, and said he would be prepared to increase the allowance if the House so desired, as Mr Gray's health was utterly shattered, and he had again and again refused a higher position than that he now occupied. Mr Macandrew warmly supported the motion. He said Mr Gray had sacrificed his health in the service of the country night and day, and he would gladly support any proposal to make the amouni larger. Messrs Fox, O'Neill, and M'Glashan each spoke in a like manner. The Premier said the Government Government purposed to give him a year's leave of absence on full salary. Mr O'Rorke took that opportunity ol expressing a hope that the House would reconsider its decision regarding Sh James Martin's allowance, which was toe small for the first Chief Justice in the Colony. Mr M'Lean said it would be a deep reflection upon the Colony if it did nol regard the services of its first Chiel Justice in no better way than it would dc for Chief Clerk. ' . An adjournment took place for dinner,