Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 125, 19 September 1896, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Telegraph.] • [Special to Standard.] "Wellington, This day. The Council agreed to a second reading of the Chinese Immigrants Bill. The Hon. Mr Bonar gave notice to move when in Committee that it shall not apply to any Chinese now en route for the colony. Premier says he is making some "Haportant alterations in the Local Government Bill which he proposed to bring down and have read a second time, after which it would not be proceeded -with any further this session. The Commissioner of Customs told Mr McNab that he could not allow accoutrements and shooting requisites for rifle clubs to come into the colony free of duty. The Minister of Agriculture will bring before the Cabinet the question of the advisableness of sending a fully accredited expert to the principal centres of industry thoughout the world to develop the hemp industry. The first Monday sitting of the session will be taken next week, when the House meets at half-past seven for the consideration of local bills. The House disagrees with the amendments made in another place in the Advances to Settlers Bill and a free conference is to be asked for. The Premier, replying to Mr Dutbie, Said he had cabled to the AgentGeneral that the Bank of New Zealand was financially impregnable. He now again said that it was the strongest bank South of the Equator. This had been borne out by the evidence given before the Banking Committee. Mr Pirani was informed that the Premier is opposed to Mr C. C. N. Barron, late chief of the Hansard staff getting a pension, but he (Mr Seddon) is prepared to give him compensation and the matter would receive consideration in due course. The Government intends to amend the Electoral Act during the present session in the direction of abolishing the dual qualification of electors and providing for residental qualification only. The "slaughter of the innocents " took place yesterday afternoon on the motion of the Premier, forty-two bills receiving the "happy despatch." The list included the Totalisator Bill, Scripture Text Book in Schools Bill, Referendum Bill, and Restraint of Excitement to Betting Bill. The following measures will be pushed on with all possible despatch : Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill, Government Valuation of Land Bill, Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Shops and Shop Assistants Act Amendment Bill, Uudesirable Hawkers Prevention Bill, Mininig Act Amendment Bill, Tobacco Excise Duties Bill, Tobacco Act Amendment Bill, Eight Hours Bill, Horowhenua Block Bill, Alcoholic Liquors Act Amendment Bill, Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, Infant Life Protection Bill, Inspector of Machinery Act Amendment Bill, Factories Act Amendment Bill, Electoral Native Power Bill, and Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill. H time permit's the following measures will be proceeded with:—Government Fire Insurance Bill, Master and Apprentice, Customs Duties Reciprocity Act Extension, Constitution Act Amendment, Second Ballot, Chattels Transfer Act Amendment, Juvenile Depravity Suppression, Usury Prevention, Fair Rent, Rabbit Proof Wire Netting Fences, and Local Boards Constitution Reform. At the evening sitting the adjourned debate on the Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill was resumed, and after debate the second reading was agreed to on the voices. An Imprest Supply Bill for £800,(XX) was put through all its stages, and the House rose shortly after midnight. The Public Accounts Committee is not likely to make any recommendation re the Midland Railway Company's petition or the petition of the debenture-holders.