PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9143, 27 August 1888, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Saturday. The Council met at half-past two p.m., having adjourned at five minutes past two a.m. GOVERNMENT LIFE insurance bill. This Bill was read a third time, and passed. NATIVE LAND BILLS. Mr. Stevens moved the third reading of the Native Lands Bill. Mr. Reynolds would like to see all the Native Land Courts, Native Judges, and Native Ministers abolished. He was sure if all matters relating to natives were left to themselves the colony would save a large amount of money, and that settlement would progress far better than with all the absurd tinkering which was now taking place, and had been going on for years. Mr. Wilson would like to see "all the Native Land Courts abolished. He looked on them as useless machinery which did as much harm as good. He was strongly opposed to the Bill, whioh, in his opinion, was not just to the natives. After further discussion, the Council divided : Ayes, 19 ; noes, S. The Bill passed with amendments. The Native Land Court Act Amendment passed without further discussion. The Native Lands Fraud Prevenion Act, 1880, Amendment Bill was committed, and passed with amendments as made by the Native Affairs Committee, without discussion. The Maori Real Estate Management Bill was next committed. Mr. Wahawaha characterised the Bill as resembling a wellbaited hook, which concealed from the fish the hidden danger. The Bill was then reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. district railways Mr. Stevens moved the second reading of the District Railways Purchasing Act Amendment Bill, when the Council " adjourned for dinner. At 7.30, on resuming, Mr. Reynolds asked the Speaker's ruling as to whether the Bill was a money Bill? The Speaker ruled in the affirmative. The Bill was then committed. Clause 13, relating to rates to be collected, was struck out on a division by 11 to 5. The Bill was then laid aside. SPECIAL POWERS AND CONTRACTS. Mr. Stevens moved the second reading of the Special Powers and Contracts Act, 1886, Amendment. Bill. Mr. McLean moved an amendment, "That it be read this day three months." The Council divided, with the result that the amendment was carried by 11 to 7. THE MINING ACT. The report of the free conference on the Mining Act Amendment Bill was agreed to. MISCELLANEOUS. The Rating Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee, and passed. The Thorndon Reclamation Act, 1882, Amendment Bill was read a second time, passed through the committee, reported with amendment and passed. The amendments made to the Auckland Hospital Reserves Act Amendment Act Bill were agreed to. The Council rose at half-past nine p.m. During the debate on the Native Lands Court Act, 18S6, Amendment Bill, clause 8, referring to Crownjelaims, was struck out as recommended by the Native Affairs Committee, A new clause was added, referring to land or shares in land deemed to be tranferable. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Saturday. The following is the continuation of our report of Parliament after two a.m. : — Otago Central, £40,000. Mr. Goldje moved to reduce the vote by £15,000. Lost by 41 to 21. The remainder of the railway votes passed with little discussion.

Emigration, £9110. The Premier said £1000 would be required for the purpose of bringing out young girls whose parents were already here. Hs explained that the vote asked was to complete existing engagements.

The vote passed. Public Works Department, £5500. The Minister said the abolition of the Department would take place soon after the House rose. An attempt to reduce the Under Secretary's salary was negatived. Messrs. Goldie and O'Callaghan complained that there had been no reduction in the number of officers.

Mr. Mitchelson said seventy officers had been dismissed since the 31st March, and when the works in progress were completed the overseers would be discharged. The item was passed. The remainder of the Public Works Estimates passed with little discussion. Supplementary Estimates: Rabbit-proof fence South Canterbury, £5000. Carried. Gold Passes for Members, £220. Retained.

Village Settlement, £6000. A long discussion took place on the utility of these settlements, Mr. R. Thompson attacking those north of Auckland. Messrs. Hobbs, T. Thompson, and others defended them.

The it-em passed. Purchase of Lands for re-sale in small blocks, £10,000, was, after long discussion, passed by 26 to 22. Unauthorised Expenditure account, £107,636: passed; also, Public Trust, £5050 ; and Government Insurance, £45,517.

The House rose at 7.5 a.m. till 11 a.m. on Monday.