PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 63, 9 July 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Telegraph.] (From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, this day. In the Council yesterday the Representation Act Amendment Bill and Criminal Code Amendment Bill read a third time and passed. Sir Walter Buller was the subject of another attack by the Minister of Lands yesterday afternoon. The Hon J. McKenzie said that he would give Sir Walter something more, and cautioned him to be more careful in the frequent mentioning of his (Mr McKenzie's) name. Mr Bell protested against the floe if of the House being made a vehicle of attack to which no reply could be made by any individual whether he was in the right or wrong. In the discussion which followed Mr Stevens was called on to apologise for aspersions cast upon Mr Bell through the medium of a letter which had appeared in the public press, and which Mr Stevens had quoted. Sir Bobert Stout's remark, that tfce speech

of the Minister of Lands was not that of a sensitive gentleman, had also to be withdrawn. Eventually the debate on the motion to print Sir Walter Bulier's petition was postponed. A motion tabled by Mr 0 Regan that it was desirable to discontinue the sale of Crown lands, and that the best system of tenure was the trial of the perpetual leasing with the revaluation, was negatived by 30 to 17. The Joint Statutes Revision Committee slightly amended the Coroners Bill introduced by the Minister_ of Education. The clause compelling publicans to receive dead bodies into their premises is struck out, and a new clause added, providing that no inquest shall be held in a public house. Mr Duncan is pressing the Government to bring in a Bill to establish a Board of Appeal for the police force of the colony, so that they may have the same advantage as the railway sen-ants. The cattle tick plague which is playing such havoc with the cattle in Queensland, has been engaging the attention of the Government, and Mr George Hutchison was informed that an Order in Council on the subject was now ready for the Governor's signature. The Government are also considering the question of the importation of bone-dust, which might harbor the germs of disease. The second reading of Mr Pi rani's Police Force Act, 1886, Amendment Bill, to prevent charges being made on false foundations without punishment following, was carried on a division by 32 to 25. The Minister of Lands strongly opposed the measure. Mr MeNab's Divorce Bill went through it- -econd reading stage without a division. A good deal of discussion arose over the second reading of the Bible in Schools Bill, introduced by Mr W. Hutchison. The measure proposed that those wishing to have the Bible read in school? should appoint paid teachers to do so. Sir Robert Stout promised to support the Bill if an amendment were made in the direction of giving the religious instruction out of the prescribed school hours. Mr Meredith objected to introducing the Bible in schools, as not likely to improve the present system of education. Mr Flatman's motion for adjournment was negatived by I'2 to 11. Messrs Riccarton Russell, Tanner and Willis opposed the Bill. Mr Mackintosh spoke up for State aid to Catholic schools.. Mr Collins moved that the Rill receive the happy despatch by being read six months hence, and Mr Dutliie seconded the amendment. The Minister of Lands said he had always supported the principle of the measure, and would stand by his opinion tern After further discussion Mr Collins' amendment was carried by -13 to 11, and the second reading of the Bill was refused. The following was the division list : In favor of tht conl reading.— Messrs Allen, C'arncri Duncan. W. Hutchison, Flat' "i T Mackenzie, J. M'Kenzie, M'Nah, Morrison, G. J. Smith, and Steward. Against, 48. M- Bell, Buddo, Buick. Button, Cad man, Carnell, Collins, Crowther, Dnthie, Graham, Green, liall, Hall-Jones, Harris, Heke, Hogg, Houston, Joyce, J. W. Kelly t W. KeJ\ L«'t g, Lawry. Lewis. Maslin, M ( iow R. M'Kenzie. M'Lachlan, Meredith, Mills, Mitchelson, Montgomery, Newman, O'Regan, Pinkerton, Pirani, Parata, G. W. Russell, W. R. Russell, Seddon, Stout, Tanner, R. Thompson, and Willis. The House did not look with favor on Dr Newman's Admission of Women to Parliament Bill, and the second reading was refused by 2-1 to 22.