NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 122, 15 June 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

[Specially Telegraphed to Star.]

[per united press association.]

WELLINGTON, Last Night. In the Legislative Council to-day, the Han. Mr. Lahman gave notice to move the address in reply to the Governor's speech, as prepared by the committee.

The Hon. Mr. Whitaker gave notice of a Bill to prevent fraud and improvidence in the alienation native land, and to extend the jurisdiction of the Land Courts to the lands of dead natives.

A number of sessional committees were appointed.

The House met at 2.30. Levestan, the new member for Nelson, was introduced by Messrs. Pitt and Shephard, and took his seat.

Replying to questions, it was stated that if a sufficient number of members desired to visit the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition, the Hinemoa would be placed at their disposal.

The Government did not propose to make any amendment in the Shipping and Seamen's Act, so as to make further provision for safe navigation of steamers engaged in the coasting trade, as the Act was deemed sufficient for all the requirements of the case, being founded on tbe Imperial one. The Government would introduce a Bill to consolidate and amend the legislation affecting lunatic asylums. The Government desired to avoid prison labor coming into competition with free labor, but it was necessary to provide prisoners with work of a reproductive character. The Government had under consideration the propriety of introducing an amended Bankruptcy Act. The Governor had reported *to the Imperial authorities regarding the case of the native prisoners, imprisoned for alleged political offences, and a copy of tlie despatch would be produced shortly. It would be impossible to put the House in possession of the census returns of the number of children of school age within a short period, as these returns had not all come in.

The following Bills were introduced, and read a first time: — Hospital and Charitable Aid, Licensing, and' Chinese Immigration. The following sessional committees were appointed: — Library, Local Bills, Native Affairs, Waste Lands, Goldfields, Reporting Debates, Standing Orders, Petitions Classification, and Petitions. Dr. Wallis complained that an unfair selection had been made of the members named for these committees, and protested against the constitution of the Waste Lands Committee in particular. Mr. Hutchison also complained of the perfunctory and unsatisfactory manner in which the Petitions Committee usually dealt with cases brought before it. Mr. Bunny's motion for a return of all dismissals from the Civil Service, and all new . appointments, and compensation paid, was agreed to. The House adjourned at 4.30 till 7.30.