PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 26 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Per Press Association. Wellington, May 25. The Speaker took his seat at 2.30. CHINESE IMMIGRATION. The Attorney - General moved the second reading of the Chinese Immigrant’s Act Amendment Bill, stating that it was only intended as a temporary measure, pendiug the decision of the Imperial Government. Mr Waterhouse opposed. It would in his opinion bo iniquitous to pass such a bill, and he moved the followiug amendment :—“ That it is undesirable to proceed further with the bill until the result of the Conference to be held in Australia is known, also the result of negotiations between English and Chiueso Government now ponding.” On the motion of Mr Scotland the debate was adjourned till Tuesday. The Rivers Board Act Amendment Bill was committed and passed all its stages. The Council rose at 4 p.m. till Tuesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Capt Russell, on account of ill-health. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that no complaints had been received against the Wellington fi-arrison Band playing in the vieinity of St Mark’s Sunday School on Sunday last; that there were no engines in the North Island iarge enough to bum firewood on the Government railway lines ; that enquiries would be made as to the advisability of cancelling licenses at present held by native interpreters if it was found they were acting as inteipreters ; that enquiries were being made as to the necessity of providing land for natives who suffered by the Tarawera volcanic disaster; that the name of editor of N.Z. Handbook was Edward Wakefield, but no remuneration had yet been fixed; that freight on dead meat could not be reduced at present as the rates were now very low ; that it was probable an Hon. Commissioner would bo appointed to represent the Colony at the Melbourne Exhibition ; that no definite information could be given as to tho date when the Financial Statement would be delivered. discipline bill Hon. Mr Fergus moved the second reading of the Naval and Military Forces Discipline Bill, providing for the maintenance of discipliuo in New Zealand. — Motion agreed to. MINING ACT AMENDMENT. Mr Richardson moved the second reading of the Mining Act Amendment BillMr Seddon opposed the bill at considerable length, and urged that it be postponed till MVsters had an opportunity of studying it. Mr Taylor moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to. ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT. Mr Hislop moved the second reading of the Administration Act Amendment Bill, which dealt with the administration of estates of deceased persons. Mr Downie Stewart supported the bill. Mr Samuel thought the bill would greatly expedite the administration of estates and make a large saving : u the costs.—Agreed to. SLAUGHTER HOUSE ACT AMENDMENT. Mr Hislop moved the second reading of the Slaughter House Act Amendment Bill, which provides that the license should be in force from twelve mouths from date, and that the fee shall be such as licensing authorities shall fix, but not exceed L 25. Mr White would like to see a nominal license fee, and he thought it should be per head of cattle slaughtered. Mr Fitzhorbert opposed the bill, as he thought it was brought in in the interests of large companies and detriment of small butchers, Messrs Cowan and Samuel supported the Bill. Mr Blake was afraid the bill would affpet small butchers, and unless it was provided that they would not have to pay L 25 he should oppose it. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. I