THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7694, 20 July 1886, Page 6

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[by telegraph— association.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MONDAY. Tbb House met at half-past seven p.m. THB LATE MR. FITZGERALD. Sir R. Stout, in laying on the table another volume of the early edition of Hansard, took occasion to refer to the recent death of Mr. Fitzterald, to whom was entrusted the task of compiling that work. He said the deceased gentleman was a young colonial who took great interest in the work he had undertaken, although he knew he could not possibly live long. He was also a young man of great intellect and fine moral character, and he (Sir R. Stout) thought it fitting that he should make those remarks m reference to the last work completed by Mr. J?itz--B<sßir d G. GBKY suggested that the' Government should erect a tombstone to Mr. Fitzgerald's memory, showing that the Hansard just completed was the last work of his life Sir R. Stout thanked the hon. member for his suggestion. ORDER OF BUSINESS. Sir R. Stodt made a statement regarding the order in which the Government propose to take public business. The only supply they should ask for that night was an Imprest Supply Bill, and they hoped also to take a few clauses of the Charitable Aid Amendment Bill. Next day they proposed to take the second reading of the Loan Bill, so that the discussion might be taken on the Public Works Statement. If that discussion ended on that day, the second reading of the Representation Bill would be moved on Wednesday. He might say that the Government thought, if the House assisted them to push on business, they ought to get the work done ia about a fortnight. In answer to a question, the Premier eaid if the House desired it the Government would be willing to take Thursday, and sit on Saturday for private members' business. THE DEBENTURE SCANDAL. Sir R. Stout made a statement in regard to the letter written by Mr. Slee to Major Steward. Hβ had promised to consider the matter, and see whether it could be brought into a breach of privilege, and having carefully looked into the authorities on parliamentary procedure he could not see that Slee could be charged in any way with a breach of privilege. He made a further explanation, stating that when he moved the motion on Major Steward's conduct last week, he expected that his colleague, the Treasurer, would speak, but the hon. gentleman was prevented by the debate not going on. He would not say any more upon the matter, as his colleague waa taking proceedings in this matter for libel. Sir G. Gbey asked whether the Government intended to allow this matter to be inquired into further, in accordance with the suggestion of Major Atkinson? The Premier said the question had never been submitted to him. He had only been asked to consider the question if privileged. Sir G. Grey said he was aware of that, but potent reasons had been urged for clearing the matter up by inquiry. The Pbkmike preferred that notice should be given of the question. Sir G. Gbbt thought it could be answered at once. The Premier said if the Government wanted it, notice must be given of a question. Sir G. Grey moved the adjournment of the House. He said that as they were about to separate so soon some further action should be taken on this matter. He firmly believed the time had come when the House should pronounce a decided opinion on this subject, and the House should affirm the principle that an end should be put to disgraceful transactions of this kind. He would lend every assistance in his power to any body of members who would undertake a mission of this kind. The motion for adjournment, not being seconded, lapsed. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of Supply, anil an Imprest Supply Bill for £220,000 was passed through all its stages. LOCAL BODIES LOANS SILL. Sir R. Stout moved, " That the amendment made in the Legislative Council in the Local Bodies Loans Bill, in clause 33, be not agreed to." The amendment was that instead of three-fifths of the total number of votes polled for raising a loan it should be a majority of the ratepayers. He would ask the House to disagree with that amendment, and moved for a committee to dtaw up reasons for disagreement, which was agreed to. The other amendments made were agreed to. FIRST OFFENDERS. Mr. Tolk moved the recommital of the First Offender* Probation Bill for consideration of new clause. The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID. The Home went into committee on th e Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill. Progress was reported on clause 3, and leave obtained to sit again to-morrow. THE GOLD DUTY. Mr. Larnach moved the second reading of the Gold Duty Reduction Bill, the object of which was to afford relief to miners by reduction of the gold duty of one shilling for the next two years,—namely, sixpence per ounce for remaining period of financial year ending 31et Maron, 1887, and a farther reduction of sixpence per ounce for the year ending 31st March, 1888. Some discussion arose as to the propriety of introducing this Bill on the ground that a similar Bill had been rejected tnis session by the Legislative Council. Mr. Laknach pointed out that the Bill differed from the former one in the manner of making the redaction of the gold duty. Major Atkinson asked the Speaker's ruling on the matter as a point of order. The Speaker said that the House having assumed on a previous occasion, on the statement of the Premier, that the Gold Duty Abolition Bill bad been throwu out in the Legislative Council, it was not necessary now to search the records of tbe Council, and the present Bill could proceed, but that the ruling was not to b« taken as precedent in the future. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Gold field 3 Committee. MINING BILL. The Mining Bill was lurther considered in committee. The Bill was reported with amendments, and addition of several new clauses. BEER JjCTY ACT. Sir R. Stout moved the second reading of the Beer Duty Act, 1880, Amendment Bill, which, he explained, was brought in to amend some defects in the existing law. Agreed to. MORTAGAGE DEBENTURES. Sir R. Stout moved toe second reading of the Mortgage Debentures Act, 1885, Amendment Bill, which was to remedy certain defects in the present Act, bat did not conkin any new principles. Agreed to. SECOND READINGS. Mr. ToLB moved the second reading of the Deceased Persons Estates Duties Act Amendment Bill. Agreed to. Mr. Tole moved the second reading of the Administration Act Extension Bill, to render the Administration Act retrospective with respect to married women. Agreed to. Sir R. Stout moved the second reading of the Public Bodies Leaseholds Bill. Agreed to. THE CODLIN MOTH. The Codlin Moth Act Amendment Bill was farther considered in committee. In clause 2, Governor may proclaim districts as infected with moth, an amendment was proposed to add that a district may be proclaimed on the advice of an inspector appointed for the purpose. Mr. W. P. Buoklanjj moved, " That the chairman leave the chair." He said that this was a most iniquitous Act, which should not be passed. If the Bill passed it would simply crush out fruit planting. Mr. Peacock also opposed the Bill, and Mr. Hobbs supported it, Mr. Conolly said the Bill would utterly destroy the truit growing industry of the country, and would do no good whatever. He would support the amendment. The motion for leaving the chair was lost by 26 to 16 Mr. Hubsthouse moved that progress be reported. Lost by 16 to 15. Mr. W. F. Buck land moved that the Chairman leave the chair. Lost by 16 to 11. Mr. TeLE moved that progres be reported. Agreed to. The House rose at one a,m,