PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 2542, 29 September 1893, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[special to stab.] WELLINGTON, September 28. MIDLAND RAILWAY.

When the Pablic Accounts Commities's report respecting tbe Midland railway proposals are under consideration to-night, Sir R. Stout will be move as an amendment, Tbat, as there is no guarantee that if the oontraot with tbe- Midland Railway Company is altered in the way proposed in tbe report of the Fublio Accounts Committee tbe railway from Nelson to Reefton and from Springfield to Hokitika will be completed, this House is of opinion that no variation should be made in tht existing contrast.

The Jostioe Department has been enquiring into tbe allegations brought by the man Jausberg against tbe R.M. at the Bluff, referred to in an Inverpargill telegram. They see no reason to inter, fere, and have informed Jansberg's counsel tbat no action will be taken unless he is prepared to bring a specifio allegation of corruption.

ELECTORAL BILL.

The Eleotorai Law Amendment Bill was read a second time.

The Hon Mr Shritnski gave notice tbat in Committee he would move that the franchise should ndt be exercised by women until January! Ist, 1894.

WELLINGTON, September 29. Both branches of tjbe Legislature have passed the Hawera Borough Council Enabling Bill. , Tbe Electoral Law Amendment Bill has passed its seoond reading in the Council. In Committee Mr. Bowen will move to give eleotorai rights to women. Yesterday afternoon's sitting of the House was occupied with the debate on Colonel Fox's report, the object being to stave off a number of opposed looal bills, which were being given the last straw. Members freely expressed tbe opinion that oountry corps should not be disbanded.

The 'Conciliatioa^Bin, having .J^ften amended by the, addition of 13 new clauses proposed by Mr. Stewart in the direction of providing boards ot conciliation, was read a tbird time. A conference between the two Houses over the bill is sure to ba asked for. /

The Stock £ill was put through its final stages in the. Honse last night. It was decided in corfnmictee tbat tbe bill should oome into opi nation on Ist January next ; also tbat dipping should take place between Januarjy let and April 80th. Clause 62, under wbaob the Governor may deolare ear marks ta be made only by punching, was struck obt. Tbe Colonial Treasurer was asked on Wednesday by Mr. G. Hutchison if he would conaitHer the propriety ot altering \be regulations under the West Coast Settlements (Reserves Act, 1892, co that the leases nnjder section 8 shall not require the lessee do insure exclusively in the name of the (lessor ? The Hon. Mr. Ward said that tbje matter was in a somewhat difficult poßfitioQ ; bat; the Government had no desirje to put obstacles in tbe way of the lessees, and would consider the matter. / The Hjouee was occupied several hours last Dignrt with the Midland Eailway proposal till 3.80 this morning. Mr Games* moved that effect be given to the rejhoit of the Publio Accounts Committee/ and Sir B. Stout moved as an amendjment tbat as there was no guarantee tbjat if tbe contraot was altered as proposed the lines from Kelson to Reefton and Springfield to Brunnerton will be compljeted, there should be no variation in tbfe existing oontraot. After a long debatfe, the Premier annuunoed that if tbe anaenldment proposed by Sir. Robert Stoul were negatived, he mave a farther amendment providbig that with the {view of enabling tbe company, to ootnfolete theoonstruotion of lines between Sprifaftfield and Brunnerton and from Beldrove and Eeefton, and to enable ibe

reserved land to be thrown open for settlement, it is expedient to. modify tha contracts r so tbat instead of land grants oa account of work hereafter done debentures beossued to the company bearing interest of 8% per cent, and tbe company surrender its rigbt to land within tbe reserved area after deductiag tbe quantity^ to which it is or mey be entitled; and ' that tbe contraot be extended for five\/ years ; that debentures be deposited with the Publio Trustee, to be issued to the company in twenty half-yearly inetal> ments, and tbat these modifications be conditional only on the company satisfying tbe Government tbat it is in a position to complete tbe works enumerated in the oontraot. Tbe debate was then adjourned - till today.

Tbe Midland Railway discussion bai extended into tbe seoond night's debate. The session is not likely to close till Wednesday. The division on tfie railway question will be very close, and it is said if a vote bad been taken last nigbt Sir B. Stout's amendment would have been carried by a majority of four.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, September 2£. The Stock Bill was committed. ' In Clause 2 it was resolved tbat the Bill j should oome into operation on Ist January 1 next.

Mr G. Hutohiaon proposed an addition ' which would provide that section 54, authorising stock to be driven only in;- the day time, should oome into operation in any district only after a petition from tbe majority of stookowners in tbe district.— Agreed to.

In , clause 42 — Annual dipping, com* ' pulsory. — It was decided that dipping should take place between the lft of January and 30th of April.'. . >, Clause 72 — Governor may declare ear. marks to be made only by punching. — AnY amendment by Mr Bnobanan to strike* out the clause was lost by 32 to 22.

The Hon. Mr MoKenzie stated tbat tbia provision would not be given effect , to for 12 months, and if be found the , majority of stookowners throughout, the JL colony were against it the Order-iu« Council would not be issued. ' -. Clause 72— having reference to fira branding — was Btruck out. The bill as amended was reported and put through itß final stages.