PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 2 June 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Per Press Association. Wellington, June l. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL The Speaker Lok his seat at 2.30. NOTICE. Mr Waterhouse gave notice to move that in the present financial condition of the Colony it is inexpedient to proceed further with North Island railways, except from Woodville to Palmerston. I'ASSED. The Public Reserves Sale Bill was read a third time and passed. OODLIN MOTH. The debate on the second reading of tho Cudlin Moth Biil was adjourned for a fortnight. CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. The Chinese Immigrants Act Amendmeut Bill was recommitted, and ordered to be read a third time on Tuesday. INTERPRETATION BILL. The Interpretation Bill was further considered in committee, read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 4.50 till Tuesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, May 31. EVENING SlTTlNG.—(Continued.) ENDOWMENT RESERVES ADMINISTRATION BILL. Dr Fitchott also opposed tho bill. Mr Turnbull would oppose tiio measure if he thought it would prejudice tho education endowments, but in-; thought too much I'. nd was locked up to the g> neral detriment of the country. They wanted more population, and he intend d to support all and every measure which helped to supply it. Mr Allen opposed it on grounds similar to preceding speakers. Mr Scobie Mackenzie said most of tho opponents were personally interested in the question. Tho fact was the trustees had to do two irreconcilable things, and naturally sought to get as much money as they could rather than to help settlement. In his opinion the Dunedin High School Board was worse than an Irish landlord. He would support the bill. At this period attention was called to the state of the House, and some difficulty was experienced in maintaining a quorum. Mr Fish deprecated such tacties, and thought it redounded little to the credit of either the Opposition or Government that so important a hill was treated in this manner. Tho bill met with his hearty approyal. Bodies who had management of these reserves were not generally favorable to cutting upland, but preferred leasing it in large blocks. This was particularly the ease in Otago. Major Steward, replying, alluded to tho attempt to count out as improper. As to the arguments against the measure, he was surprised to find anyone contending that the interests of one or two trusts were to be paramount to the necessities of the people. If instances of wrong were wanted, ho could refer them to the case recorded in the journals of tho House. No such harm could he done to education reserves as was anticipated. There was no centralism in the bill at all. as alleged. If this attempt did not succeed, it would in the future at no distant date, and ho should not be ashamed if only a dozen followed him into lobby. The House divided: Ayes, 33 ; noos, 29. Tho Bill was read a second time. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Contagious Diseases Act Repeal Bill. A lengthy debate ensued, and Dr Ilodgkinson quoted largely from medical and other reports for tho purpose of getting his reasons for supporting the bil{ fully explained in Hansard. Several members thereupon intimated their intention to have the galleries cleared, but did not press the point. The second reading was lost by 37 to 20, and the House rose at l - 5 a.ru.

Friday, June 1

The House met at 2.30 p.m, QUESTIONS.

Replying to questions, it was statod that steps would be taken to avoid changoa of text books in primary schools as much aa possible ; that Government had received no information as to the number of singlo men in and around Christchurch being so destitute) that they were compelled to sleep in the Park and other places, hut enquiries had been mado ; that instructions had been, given to the Collector of Customs not to enforce the bond for any additional Customs duties that might bo imposed by ihe House ; that Government would bo glad to levy a tax on all absentee landowners if any satisfactory means wore found of doing so ; that it was not proposed to discontinue one or other oE the ocean mail services to Great Britain ; that the question of calling for tenders from all the Banks iu lue Colony

when needing money would receive duo consideration ; that a bill was being prepared for dealing with runs tho leases of which foil on tho Ist May, 1890 ; that Government bad no intention of a-king the House to vote a grant towards enabling any harbor board in tiio Colony to pay interest on borrow;.- I money by it; (hat the question of restoring “ working” average in lieu of “ strict ” average in computing t.ho capitation, allowance to schools would come before the House for dual settlement; that tliAuctioneers’ Bill would bo introduce i this session ; that no general order had ueen given to reduce tho wages of men in railway workshops by is per day. An uniform rate of 9s was now paid to carpenters, coaohbuilders and painters. THE TARIFF. Mr Ormond said that, having looked through the tariff, he was of opinion that before proceeding to discuss the tariff itself the House should get an opinion as to the principal features of the financial policy of the Government as laid down in the Financial Statement. He should therefore move on going into Committee of Supply, That with the view of reducing (ho taxation, shown in the Financial Statement to be necessary if certain services are continued, this House is of opinion, Ist, that the school age be fixed at six years, so that the saving named by the Colonial Treasurer— viz, L 25,000, may be therefore secured ; 2nd, that the payment of subsidies to local bodies bo abandoned, in order that a saving of the duty proposed to be raised on tea rnay bo secured ; 3rd, that, in (ho present circumstances of the Colony the raising of additional revenues to the extent of Loß,ooo for two years by the imposition of a primage duty is inexpedient, and tlm deficit for last year should he added to„Jwe funded debt. He concluded by asking when it would be convenient for the Premier to take discussion. Sir Harry Atkinson said the resolution of the member for Napier was a very good one, and it would uudoubediy clear th« way for consideration of the tariff ques-

tion. He should be glad, if the House desired it, to take discussion at 7.30 that

A lengthy discussion took place, Messrs Section, D-nvnie Stewart and Ballanoo contending that the motion of the member for Napier was one of iio-cudi l- oeo. Dr Fitchott asked whether the motion was an inquired on-’.

After further debate, Mr Ormond said that after carefully considering the tariff he had intimated” to tho Premier that

morning that he would move these resolutions, and the Premier did not object to that course. He (Mr Ormond) had no desire to embarrass Government in any way. ~ , ISir 11. Atkinson said he was not ashamed to ascertain the opinion of the House in the way proposed by the membor for Napier in order to get tho country out of difficulties and to see that no unnecessary taxation was imposed. He hoped tho discussion would be carried on outsido party feelings, and that the House would consider it as dispassionately as possible. TIIE CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL. Mr Smith gave notice that he would move that the Customs Duties Bill be read a second timo that day six months. Sir H. Atldnson introduced the Customs Duties Bill, which was read a first time. Tho House rose at 5.30 p.m.