PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1876, 10 June 1886, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVF, COI'NOIL.,/ Wednesday, Junk 9. Mr BUCKLEY, in reply to Mr Miller, sta'ed ihat the G> vermin r.t would lay a return on the table showing the amount collecfprl under ti e Pioperty Tax, with and without exempt,inns, Mr BUCKLEY,m reply to Mr Williams, said that the Government was tu ly alive to the Inspictoi’a report lelutive to the overcrowdin'/ of the Auckland Lunatic Ayylutn, which was described as ••becoming positively disgrac. ful,” The mat ter was of the utmost importance. He was aware that there were many persons immured in a<ylums who were sane, and who should not be detained. However, lie treated that very shor ly this state of thing* would be amended, and would DCt occur again. Mr MKNZIES moved—That in the opinion of this Council every School Committee should have power to du«e the Bible to be read in its school daily without comment. Af er a lively debate the Couucil divided on the mo ion, which was carriod Ayes 20, Noes 14. The adjourned debate on the motion re the address to the Queen, relative to the Kcrmadie Island being annexed to the Colony was further adjourned to Tuesday next. The Native Owners Equitable Bili was read a first time. Thu Charitable Trusts Bill was considered in Committee, and the Council adjourned till to-morrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.80. * Replying to Air Moss, Sir Robert Stout said there was no power to prevent French convictß coming to the colonies in trading vessels. An act was already in force prohibiting the importation of convicts, but it did not apply to foreigners. Mr O’CONNOR moved that, a committee he nppi inted to consider and report what retrenchment may tie made in expenditure connected wi h the l egislature. The Committee to consi-t of the Premier, Major Atkinson, Messrs Garrick, Barron, Dargaville, Levestam, T. Thompson, Brown and the mover—Agreed to. Dr NEWMAN moved—That in the opinion of this House no contracts for works out of loan should he offered to the Maoris aloue, but should be open alike to Europeans and Maoris, Lest by 39 to 87. Mr WILSON moved—That the special settlement regulations be so altered that a three month’s residence during any year from the third to the sixth after occupalion be suflicient to comply with them, Mr BRYCE warmly supported the motion. Mr BALLANCE hoped the motion would he withdrawn. He said he bad received no complaints on the matter, and there was no occasion for the motion at the present time, Mr BUSSELL also suppotted the resolution. Mr O’CONNOR opposed it. Mr KERR supported the motion, but suggested that six months’ residence be iusorted instead of three. Mr BEETHAM also ogrecd with the piiuciplesof the motion, but moved an amendment—That six months’ residence be inserted, Mr WILSON accepted the amendment. Mr ORMOND supported the amendment. He said hs should like to see some steps taken by which these lands were disposed of to bona fide settlers. He knew of many cases in which they wee not bon" fide settlers, and where the land was taken up for speculative purposes. It was not at all possible to carry ou> these settlements in the same mrnner as under the Provincial Government, lie spoke with some knowledge of the subject, having been instrumental io initiating a special se tlemcnt scheme in the Seventy Mile Bush The reason why these settlements were so successful was because of the local knowledge brought to bear which could not possibly he the case with a C ntral Government, Sir ROBERT STOUT hoped both the motion and amendment would he withdrawn, as it would tend to destroy the special settlement scheme. The foundation of their land system should bs to provide for the occupation of land. Mr HURSTHOUSE did not believe in the special settlement scheme at all, He thought it was a fad of certain politicians. After some lurtber discussiou Mr Beet ham's amendment was put and lost by 35 to 34. The following were appointed on Mr Ormond’s motion a Select Committee to inquire into and report on the subject of investments made by the Government Insurance Association in land purchases, and also to report on on the general work ingofthc institution, the Committee to consist qf Messrs Montgomery, Gore, M. McKenzie, Maeandrcw, Holmes, G. F. Richardson, Stewart, Levestam, Fraser, and the mover. Mr BROWN moved fora return allowing tho amount of the goods tratiie which was carried on the Lawrence line of railway for delivery in the interior of Otago beyond Lawrence during the last two years ending 31st March, 1886. The motion was lost by 27 to 22. Dr NEWMAN resumed the interrunted debate on the question of setting apart reserves for Charitable Aid, Education and Harbors. He moved to strike the word “Harbors” from the motion, but was refused. The motion was i ut and lost by 39 to 22. Sir GEORGE GREY' moved—That the report of the Pacific Islands Committee be considered at halDpast 7 next day. Agreed to. Mr BROWN moved in the direction of retrenchment to the effect that the Government should appoint two practical (Xpert accountants to enquire and report as ts posdh'o saving without impairing tho efficiency of the Chil Service. He explained that lie did not want an allrouu l rcductionjof ten per cent., but a reduction in the number of officers. He had been informed by a high official in the Railway department that a saving of L 50.000 could be effected in that department alone. The debate was interrupted by the 5,30 adjournment.