NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 242, 12 October 1868, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Friday, September 11. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 'Reports brought up on Auckland Island Shipwrecks, Weights and Measures Bill, aud Protection of .Animals Act. Tlie Hon. Col. Whitmore asked if the only regiment now in New Zealand could not aid the colonial force? Dr Pollen replied that by a recent decision of the legislature refusing the otter made by the Heme Government, we were bound to fall back ou what was called the ' policy of self-re - fiance.' The Hon. -.Col. Whitmore':' motion for the consolidation of Militia and Volunteer Acts was ■agreed to. Several bills were read a second time. HOU-rE OF REPRESENTATIVES. •On Eomeqiiestions being put by various members relative to the Patea affair, the Speaker ruled that it was now irregular to put questions without notice, but it was always irregular to accompany those questions with an expression of opinion. After several -bills had been reported, the Want of Confidence debate was resumed, occupying some 50 col umns-of Hansard, and again adjourned Tuesday, September 15. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. After the consideration of several bills and other matters, the Hon. Mr Holmes moved a resolution on the subject of encouraging immigration, which, after some discussion, was withdrawn, as a measure, on the same subject was likely to emanate from the House of Representatives. The amendments introduced in the Lunatics Bill by the House of Representatives were agreed to. The Escheat Bill, Offences against the Prison Act Amendment Bill, Printers and Newspapers Legislation Bill were read a third time. The Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Railway Bill, after discussion, was read a second time. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr A. Collins asked if the Government intended to alter the provisions of the Stamp Act, as great inconvenience arose, especially in country districts, from the multiplicity of stamps required iv common business transactions. Mr Richmond replied that Government did not intend to alter the present system, but that a better supply of all kinds of stamps should be available in future. The Trigonometrical Bill and the Westland Waste Lands Bill were read a third time. The want of confidence debate was resumed (75 columns of Hansard) and again adjourned. Wednesday, Sept. 16. LEGISLATIVE COVNCIL. The Hon. Mr Menzies moved that the Government should at once introduce a bill allocating to road districts which have been or which may be hereafter constituted, at least one-third of the gross land revenue raised within the province or county. Motion agreed to. Hon. Mr Holmes introduced the Conveyances Charges Bill, which was read a first time. A very interesting conversation ensued on the practice of granting leave of absence to members, aud a motion was agreed to in order to check or limit the evil. The Distress and Replevin Bill, Westland Replevin Bill, Mortgages on Stock Bill, Provincial Audit Bill, Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Railway Bill were read a third time.