HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7647, 26 May 1886, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday. The House mcit at half-past two p.m. ANSWERS TO QOESTIONS. Replying to Mr. Bradshaw, if the Government will introduce a Bill to provide for a leasehold qualification to a vote for members of the House, Mr. Stout said it was not intended to introduce such a Bill. Replying to Mr. Seddon, whether the Government will this session introduoe a measure dealing with the question of mining on private lands in the colony, Mr. Larnaoh said it was not intended to to introdnce any special Act, bat that they would be dealt with in the Consolidated Mines Act. Replying to Mr. Barbox, whether in fulfilment of a promise made and recorded in Hansnrd on the 26th June, 1885, and in consideration of what had occurred at a recent election at Sydenham, the Government will this session introdnce a bill to extend the hours of polling for Parliamentary elections, Mr. Stout said the Government wonld introduoe a Bill this session to provide for the hour of polling being extended till seven p.m. Replying to Mr. Vincent Pyke, whether the Government will bring in a Bill for the amendment of Resumption of Lands for Mining Purposes Aot, 1882, Mr. Larnach said the matter would be considered in the Consolidated Mines Act. Replying to Mr. Wi Pere, whether the Government will be prepared to bring in a Bill during the present session amending the present Aot relating to the payment of native lands duty, ao that the duties may be paid yearly instead of in one sum, as at present. Mr. Ballancb said that, looking at the circumstauces of the colony, it was not intended to bring in a Bill of this nature. Replying to Mr. O'Conor, if the Government will send a competent person to some of the principal mining States of America to report upon the modes in use there of crushing ores, saving gold, hydraulics, smelting, and generally upon any improvements in mining applicable to New Zealand, Mr. Larnach said the Government couid not comply with this request owing to the large expense entailed. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced :— Bill to Reduce the Rate of Export Duty on Gold (Sir J. Vogel); Wairoa Harbour Bill (Mr. Louke) ; Dog Registration Aot Amendment Bill (Mr. McMillan); Bill to further Kegulate the Introduction of Coloured Labourers into New Zealand (Sir G. Grey). THE BUDGET. Sir J, Vogbl desired to state, for the in* formation of the House, that he would deliver the Financial Statement that evening. The reason given by Sir Julius Vogel for the siiddon announcement of the Financial Statement was that the long delay in fixing the date for ite delivery involved a certain amount of commercial disorganisation. Importers chared stocks in large quantities at considerable outlay to themselves, and lose to the revenue. Hon, member*, therefore, he concluded, would not be surprised after this statement to hear that he would bring down the Budget to-night. ALIENATION OF LAND BILL. Mr. Stout moved the second reading of the Alienation of Land Bill, and explained that it was similar in some respects to the Bill introduced last session by Mr. Conolly. The Bill was simply to enable trustees and administrators to Bell and dispose of land and to declare the powers they possessed. The Bill did not go so far as the one introduced into the English Parliament with the 6ame object. After some discussion the Bill was read a seoond time on the voice, The House rose at half-past four p.m., The House met at half-past seven. A message wm received from the Government enclosing the Estimates for the year. In Committee of Supply sir J. VoOEL made his Financial Statement (which will be found in another oolumn) after whioh the House adjourned at a quarter-past nine p.m.