PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 2501, 10 August 1893, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(special to stab.) WELLINGTON, August 9. MARTINI RIFLES FOR THE VOLUNTEERS. Tbe Government has been obtaining offers for the supply of Martini-Henri rifles for volunteers, as recommended in the report of Colonel Pox, and it has now been decided to accept a contract extending ' over three years for the supply of three thousand. The first thousand are to be

delivered in three months, and at the rate of 1000 a year after.

A VALUABLE GIFT.

Djuglaß McLean, son ol the late Sir Donald McLean, ol Napier, has donated a site at Oriental Bay, valued at £1000, far the Convalescent Home building. He bad previously given .£2O towards tbe building fund.

WELLINGTON. August 10. MR. CADMAN REJOINS MINISTRY.

Though averse to again assuming cares of Ministerial office, Mr Cadman isays he is prepared to re-join the Cabinet should tbe Auckland members express a general desire in tbat direction. Tbat being so his early inclusion in the Ministry may be reckoned on.

SIR ROBERT STOUT'S BILL KILLED.

Aa was anticipated, tbe Government, by agreeing to bring in a Licensing Bill, and by joining forceß with representatives of liquor trade, succeeded in defeating Stout's Bill. The measure, after a couple of hours debate, was allowed to go into committee, whereupon tbe Premier moved that progress be reported, and explained that he considered this qaeetion one on which legislation eboald be conducted by the Government, and urged those who held tbat opinion to vote with bim. The motion was carried on 3ivision by 80 to 28.

The following is tbe division list : —

Ayes (30). — Blake, Buokland, Carnoroes, Carroll, Dawson, Dunoan, Datbie, Fish, Fraser, Hainlin, Hosr, W. Kelly, Lake, Lawry, Mackintosh, McGuire, McGowan, J. McKenzie, C. H. Millfi, Mitebelson, Parata, Reeves, Rhodes, Seddon, Shera, E. M. Smith, Swan, Taylor, T. Thompson, Valentine.

Noes (28).— Allen, Brace, Buchanan, Earnshaw, Fißher, Hall, Hall-Jones, Harkness, Houston, W. Hutchison, Joyce, J. Kelly, M. J. S. Mackenzie, T. Mackenzie, McLean, Meredith, Moore, Newman, Pinkertan, Rolleston. Sandford, Saunders, Stout, Taipua, Tanner, R. Thompson, Willis, Wright. Pairs. — Ayes : Russell, G. Hutchison, Ward, Hall. Noes: Buick, Richardson, M. J. S. Mackenzie I? voted), Fergus.

The result of the motion is, of course, to shelve Stoat's bill. He and those friends of the temperance cause who voted with bitn will probably have a few words to say on Friday wben the Government bill comes on for second reading.

FEMALE FRANCHISE.

After the licensing question was shelved, Sir John Hall moved the second reading of his Women'B Suffrage Bill, which was assented to by 30 to 3. Sir John ex* plained tbat be only went on with tbe bill in order to strengthen the bands of the Council with respect to the female franchise clause in tbe Eleotoral Bill.

NATIVE LEGISLATION.

The Native Affairs Committee to-day passed the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act with slight amendments.

Members of tbe committee consider tbe Native Land Purchase and Acquisition Bill too big a measure to pass hurriedly in the expiring Parliament, and it has a poor chance of becomiog law.

MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Tbe Minister of Lands told Mr Meredith yesterday tbat tho Government had no power at present to take the lands of the Midland Bailway Company for settlement, but tbe law may be altered tbis session.