PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9128, 9 August 1888, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TEIJEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday.

The Council met at half-past two p.m. mining bill. The Mining Act, ISS6, Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee, and reported with amendments. the LAND bill. The Land Act Amendment Bill was re-committed, and reported with amendments. FAIR RENT BILL. The adjourned debate on the Fair Rent Bill was continued by Dr. Pollen, who moved it be read this day six months. The debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. The Council resumed at half-past seven. After a lengthy debate on the Fair Rent Bill, the Council divided on the question, "That the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question." Ayes, 5; noes, 22. Aves: Hart, McLean, Stevens, Whitaker. \Vilson. Noes : Acland, Barna coat, Buckley, Dignan, Grace, Martin, Miller, Oliver, Peter, Pharazvii, Pollen, Richmond, Shepherd, Shrimski, Swanson, Taiaroa, Walker, Wahawaha, \\ aterhouse, Whitmore, Wigley, Williams. The amendment was carried, and the Bill thrown out. The Council rose at nine. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday. The House met at 7.30 p.m. THE PUBLIO WORKS STATEMENT. Replying to Mr. Sekdon, The " Premier said the Public Works Statement would be delivered after the Native Bills and the 'Frisco scrvice were disposed of. THE NATIVE BILLS. The Premier intimated that, at the request of a native deputation, he had consented to postpone the Native Bills till to-morrow. In reply to Sir Geo. Grey, he said there would be no objection to hearing the Maoris interested at the bar of the House so long as they appointed one or two spokesmen only. Mr. Taiwhanga gave formal notice that he intended to stonewall the Native Bills in Committee. Messrs. Fish and Samuel opposed the appearance of Maoris at the bar. Messrs. Carroll, Ormond, and others supported the proposal. Mr. Baixanck said the spokesman ought to be a representative of the whole Maori mind, not of a section only. In view of the technical nature of the legislation proposed every consideration should be shown to the natives, who would naturally find it very difficult to understand. After some further discussion progress was reported on the Bills, after they had been formally taken into committee. READ A SECOND TIME. The Customs Duties Consolidation Act Amendment, Proclamations Validation, Ross Compensation, and Mackenzie Land Bills, Interpretation Bill, Land Transfer Act Amendment, and Native Contracts and Promises Bills, were read a second time without debate ; also the Post-office, Foreign Parcels, and District Courts Act Amendment Bills. BILLS PASSED. The following Bills were passed through all remaining stages :Custom Duties Consolidation Act Amendment, Proclamation Validation, Sheep Act Amendment, Ross Compensation, Mackenzie Land, River Boards Act Amendment, Post-ofiice Foreign Parcels. District Courts Act Amendment, and Tobacco Act Amendment Bills. Several other measures were advanced one or more stages, and the House rose at twenty minutes to eleven. AN ALL-NIGHT SITTING. The House sat until twenty minutes to six o'clock on Wednesday morning discussing the Estimates. The following is a report of the proceedings after two o'clock, in continuation of what appeared in yesterday's Herald : — Class 12 : Public buildings and domains, £27,050. Passed. Class 11 : Working railways, £690,000. Mr. Fish drew the attention of the Government to the action of the stationmaster at Mosgiel in interfering in the last general election, for the purpose of prejudicing Mr. J. Mackenzie's election. Mr. Mitchelson said the matter had not been brought under his notice, and the Premier said this was the first he had heard of it, but it seemed to him a most flagrant breach of discipline. Mr. Mackenzie said he had not brought the matter before the Minister because he did not believe the man mentioned was the main culprit. In reply to a question, Mr. Mitchelson said the Railway Estimates had not been reduced because the Government hoped to see a board constituted shortly, whose business it would be to deal with the matter.

Mr. J. Mackenzie strongly condemned Mr. Maxwell's management, and moved to reduce his salary by £250, as an indication that he should he dispensed with. Mr. Mitchelson defended Mr. Maxwell, saying the feeling against him was on purely personal grounds. The present administrarion was far more economical than any past management. Mr. O'Conor also took Mr. Maxwell's part. The Premier said he had received complaints against the Railway Manager which seemed well-grounded, but in every instance he found Mr. Maxwell in the right. It was the political influence brought to bear which hampered his efforts to manage the railways for the benefit of the colony. Mr. Duncan supported Mr. Mackenzie's views.

After a lengthy debate, lasting till 5.15 a.m , the Committee divided on Mr. Mackenzie's amendment, which was lost by 32 to 21.

The Premier said the Government would undertake, if no board were appointed, to make considerable reductions in the vote, and give the House an opportunity of considering them. He accepted reductions of £10,000 on the .total vote on this understanding', and the amount then passed. The House rose at 5.40 a.m. till 7.30 p.m.