Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 141, 8 October 1896, Page 2

Parliamentary Notes.

* IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Telegraph.] (From our SpecM Correspondent.) Wellington, This day. The Council yesterday afternoon decided to insist on its amendments in the Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment, the Land for Settlement Amendment, and the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill. Conferences with the other chamber will consequently beheld. As the Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Bill emerged from Committee in the Council the existing law has been amended by the exemption of wools and stock. The Mining Companies Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee, and the new clause was added at the instance of the Minister of Education providing that where a deputy official assignee as liquidator winds up a company he shall be entitled to receive such a remuneration as the Governor-in-Council directs, the remuneration to be payable out of moneys appropriated by ParliamentAfter clause 5 had been struck out of the Wages Protection Bill by 18 to 9 progress was reported. This clause made gumdigging subject to the provisions of the Truck Act. The second reading of the Tobacco Act Amendment Bill, which had passed the Lower House, was agreed to without debate and the Factories Act Amendment Bill was put through its final stages. The Electoral Amendment Bill was taken in Committee in the House. Mr Tanner moved to strike out the proviso to clause 2 which allowed property qualification to remain so far as present registration is concerned, but this was lost by 50 to 7. A further amendment by Mr Collins, to absolutely abolish the residential qualification from June 30th next, was likewise rejected on the Premier's motion. Clause 3, preventing the transfer from no i-residential qualification was struck on , and clause 4 was amended so as to provide that if the Registrar is satisfied as to the validity of a seaman's application for enrolment he shall issue ail electoral right and place the seaman's name on the roll.

The Minister of Mines has promised Mr O'Regan that inquiries shall be made into the efficacy of a new gold-saving process known as the " Ore autonatic reduction process," which, it was claimed, would revolutionise the goldmining industry. The Government consider that the flaxmillers themselves should select an expert to send Home and should also provide part of his expenses. Mr Thomas Mackenzie, the member for Clut-lia, who is about to sever liss connection with political life in New Zealand and to settle in the Home Country for a few years, is to be presented on Saturday night with a handsomely engrossed testimonial in book form, signed by the Speaker, the members of the Ministry and of the House of Representatives. Reference is made in terms of approbration to Mr Mackenzie's good qualities both as a private individual and as a politician and to his services as an explorer.

The House was in committee for some time last evening on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill progress being reported with leave to sit again. The House went into Committee on the Mining Act Amendment Bill. After a long discussion it was decided to postpone clauses 3 to 26, so that a compromise might be arrived at. The Joint Stock Committee held their final meeting this morning and passed a vote of'thanks to Mr Lawry, Chairman. The deputation appointed to wait on the Minister of Lands re the frozen meat and dairy industries, reported that Mr McKenzie had stated he was looking carefully into the matter, but feared thatit was too late to do anything this session.