THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7648, 27 May 1886, Page 6

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[XY TELEGRAPH.— TRSSS ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,. Wedne<day. Thb Council met at the usual hour. RETRENCHMENT. Mr. Reynolds gave notice to move on Friday, "That in thedepressedetate of the colony, it is desirable that the utmost economy should be exercised in the public service, and that a committee be appointed to devise means to carry such economy into effect." THE RABBIT PEST. On the motion of Mr. Bcckley, a select committee was appointed to inquire into the best means of dealing with the rabbit peel;. IN COMMITTEE. The Council went into committee on the Losit Debentures Bill, which was reported without amendment. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The Police Force Bill was further con. •idered in committee, and, one or two unimportant amendments haviug been agreed to, the Bill was reported with amendments, and the third reading made an order for the following day. , The Defence Bill was committeed. On the clause providing that all males, including Maoris, between the ages of seventeen and fifty-five shall serve in tho militia, Mr. Taiaroa asked that the clause might be postponed until he had time to study it. Consideration of this clauae and No. 'So was postponed. On clause 57, dealing with capitation allowance to volunteers, Mr. Brandon objected, inasmuch as it dealt with appropriation, which should emanate from the House of Representatives. He did not think the Council would be doing right in agreeing to the clause. The clause was put and agreed to. Progress wae reported, leave being given to eit again on Tuesday next. The Counoil, at ton minutes to four p.m., adjourned to next day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. The Honse met at half-past two p.m. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr. Fultos, whether the Government intend this session to introduce a Bill to amend the Registration of Electors Act, or s new measure dealing with the registration of electors, Mr. Stout said he had not overlooked the matter, and if he could see his way to bring in a Bill this session he would do so. Replying to Mr. Moss, whether the Minister of Justice intonds taking steps to provide proper facilities for the enrolment of electors and for maintaining the purity of the electoral rolls, Mr. Tolk said it was impossible to afford any farther facilities in this direction, unleßS the House voted further sums of money for it Replying to Mr. Bradshaw, if a sum of £1000, voted as a bonus to the LaMoate gold-saving process, had been paid, Mr. Larnacu said the money had not been paid, as the experiment had proved a failure.

Replying to Mr. Gui.vnhss, whether the Government intend to print and publish the essays on local industries for which prizes were recently awarded, Mr. Stout said an amount had been placed on the Estimates for this purpose. Replying to Mr. Dakgayille, at what period of the session the census returns, or that portion 0/ them necessary to enable the House to deal with the question of representation, will probably be available for the purpose, and whether the Registrar will get any additional clerical assistance to accelerate the work, Mr. Stout said it was impossible to obtain even approximate returns till some time next month. Replying to SirG. Grey, as to a taiaha placed m the library bearing the following inscription : "The name of this taiaha is Mahuta, and it is celebrated as an emblem of aukafi, and signified that the chief holding it had authority to kill any Europeans crossing* the forbidden boundary ; it was presented to the Government by Wahanui, in token of the establishment of peace, and has been deposited in the General Assembly library by the Hon. J. Ballance, Native Minister," Mr. Ballance said the Library Committee had not yet received the taiaha, and his authority for the inscription was Wahanui. Replying to Mr. Wilson, if petitions for claims of land for military services sent in last session, and not reported upon by the Waste Lands Committee, will be considered this session, Mr. Ballaxce replied that those claims would receive consideration this year. NIT BILLS. Eight new Bills were introduced. TREE RAILWAY PASSES. Mr. Guinness moved, "That in the opinion of this House the railway regulations in reference to the granting free passes along the railways to children attending State ■choola should be amended, bo as to allow free passes being granted to children of school age attending schools other than State echoole. Mr. Stout said if free passes were granted in this case they must be given all round. He oeuld not support the motion, as it would largely add to the amount already spent on education. Mr. Russell said that the more children who attended the Government schools the cheaper education would be. He said that some concession should be made to pupil teachers in country schools, as the small salaries these teachers received were often nearly all expended in paying railway fares. He suggested that papil teachere should be included in the same category as children. Sir G. Grey contended that free passes should be given to children who chose to attend prinate schools. He considered it was an advantage to the colony that there should be diversity of education. Major Atkinson said the motion was only fair and reasonable. He also thought they shonld encourage a diversity of education, provided the cost to the State was not increased. He moved, as an amendment, "That in the opinion of the House the same right as to free passes along the railway should be given to those children attending private schools as to those attending Government schools."

Mr. Dodson supported the amendment. Mr. Stout said this was undoubtedly an attempt to revive denominational education, and if the proposal were carried it would cause additional railway carriages to be need, and consequently additional cost to the colony, Mr. Tdknbdll supported the amendment as being reasonable, and only a fair concession to children attending private schools. After farther discussion, the amendment moved by Major Atkinson was carried on division by 39 to 25. PLURAL VOTING. Sir G. Gbky moved the second reading of the Limitation of Votes Bill, and explained it was intended to limit the votes for the election of members of the House of Representative!. Mr. Stout supported the Bill. He had always been in favour of only one vote being given at elections, but he considered the Bill would require some slight amendment. Mr. Trimble also supported the Bill. The motion was carried on the voices. TEE LAW PRACTITIONERS BILL. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill. On the question being put, the ayes were 34 and the noes 34. The Speaker gave his casting vote with the ayes, and the motion was agreed to. NATIYK RKSKKVEM. Mr. Ballakce moved the second reading of the Native .Reserves Titles Grants Empowering Bill. He said the Bill was brought in to enable grants to be made for native reserves in various parts of the colony. Mr. Bbyce opposed the Bill on the ground that it was a return to personal Government and personal power on the part of the .Native Minister, which most of them thought had passed away. Mr. Ballakce denied that the Bill was intended as a return to personal Government. One part of the Bill was to give effect to awards which hud been made from time to time. He would be glad to meet Mr. Bryce's objections to the Bill. Mr. Bryce withdrew hie objection on the understanding that the Bill would be amended in committee. The motion for the second reading was agreed to. ABCEKTAINMENT 0? MAORI TRUSTS. Mr. Ballance moved the second reading Of the Native Equitable Owners Bill. The object of the Bill was to enable trusts in certain cases to bo ascertained. Mr. Bkyce moved the adjournment of the debate till next day, which was agreed to. The House adjourned at 5,30 till next day,