PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 6 June 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Association)

Wellington, June 5. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Speaker took his seat at 2.30. NOTICES. Mr Pharazyn gave notice of motion to the effect that the San Francisco mail service be not renewed after the present contract. t , Mr Waterhouse gave notice to move that it is inexpedient to proceed further with the Midland Railway construction. EDUCATION. Mr Oliver moved that Education Boards ho abolished, and that the minimum school ago bo six years. After discussion tho debate was adjourned until to-morrow. CHINESE IMMIGRATION. Sir F. Whitaker moved the third reading of the Chinese Immigration Act Bill. Colonel Brett moved an amendment that tho bill be read that day six months. Mr 'Wilson hoped the Government would withdraw tho bill. After discussion the debate was adjourned until Thursday. LAND TRANSFER ACT. The Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. The Council rose at 4.40.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that if possible steps would bo taken to prevent smuggling of tobacco and to imposo the annual license fee of tobacco and cigars, but the matter was surrounded with great difficulty; that it was not desirabio to give freo railway passes to jurors when attending the Supreme Court, as expenses were allowed to those persons; that there were no blocks of land available in T'auranga for a fishing settlement for crofters ; that Government did not intend using the Wannaford light, as it was too expensive ; that Government could not give any instructions to telegraph officers to extend to administrative officers of public bodies the same privileges in sending delayed telegrams on public business as is enjoyed by members of the House during session ; that the Crown lands in Nelson Creek, Buffer district, would he proclaimed exempted from the operation of the Midland Railway Company when tho contract was signed ; that it was not proposed to make any reduction in the salaries of Judges of the Supremo Court, as tho amount paid to those gentlemen in New Zealand was only about half that allowed to Judges in other colonics ; that Government would not interfere with Chinamen who had left China before they knew of the bill just passed by the House restricting their landing in tho Colony, but tho bill would deal with those who might leave afterwards. COMMITTEE - OF-SUPPLY.

On the motion to go into Committee of Supply Mr Lanco said lie liad an amendment to move. He asked the House to consider the question of tariff straightforwardly, and not to allow itself to be drawn into a side issue. He moved that it is undesirable to anticipate a debate on the Customs Dutica Bill by any amendment on tho motion that the' Honso go into Committee of Supply. Tho Premier could not congratulate Mr Lanco on his amendment, which would have the effect of delaying the debate on tho tariff. He asked him to withdraw' it and allow Mr Ormond’s amendments to be debated. The Government were not in favor of the latter. With some modifications they might be willing to accept tho first resolution say by the addition of abolition of school hoards, but the other two they could not possibly accept, especially tho funding of the deficit. Ho urged that Mr Ormond’s amendments should be allowed to come on so that the questions raised by them could be settled at once. Mr Ormond said that whatever action the Opposition might take to-day, they could not prevent him taking the feeling of tho House on these questions, if not now, at somo future time. They were trying to prevent the discussion of proposals which were calculated to test the feeling as to whether further burdens should be placed upon tho people of the country. He had better withdraw the last amendment and let his (Mr Ormond’s) proposals be discussed. Mr Seddou said Mr Ormond’s amendments were merely ingenious devices to draw them away from tho main question. What everyone was anxiously waiting was tho discussion on the tariff, and they ought to get to it at onco. The position taken up by Government was most , unusual and it was connived at by tho other side, and he argued that Mr Ormond • by sneaking to Mr Lance’s amendments had precluded himself from the possibility of bringing forward his own to-day. Mr Tanner denied that there was any connivance on his part of the House with Mr Ormond. Mr Barron urged that the more discussion they had on such subjects the better. Mr Samuel was astonished that Government did not oppose Mr Ormond and insist on going into committee at once. He, for one, considered the tariff proposals wisely adapted on tho whole to the prosent circumstances of tho Colony, and ho would support them in the main, but they ought to be debated as a whole, and not by side wind. Mr Titcliott thought Mr Ormond’s

past political history must make anyone Q 1-ok on such amendments emanating from him with suspicion, and Government therefor? oppose them promptly. Mr Turnbull said there was a hearty desi-e on tho part of t>fo Opposition to ]iee x . Government with their tariff, and they thought Mr Lanco’s amendment would have been readily accepted by them. Ho pointed out, speaking on tho question of finances generally, that tho real source of depression was privato indebtedness now amounting to 35 millions. Although Government did not borrow year, private individuals borrowed two millions, and this was always going on, and while this continued it would continue to suck away the life’s blood of the Colony and produce a heavier deficit each succeeding year. Ho suggested tl at a tax of onehalf per cont should be laid on mortgagees, who wero the men really making all tho profit in the Colony. This alono would bring in L 175,000 a year, and i was tho true solution of the difficulty, as ><y it people who really could pay would be got at. The amendment was lost by 42 to 35.