PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9437, 7 August 1889, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TUESDAY. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. LAND TRANSFER, On the motion of Sir F. Whitakkr. an Act to amend the Laud Transfer Act, 18S5, was introduced and read a first time. PROOBKSS OK BILLS. The Canterbury Society of Arts Reserve Bill was read a third time. On the motion of Sir F. Wuitakek, the Copyright Bill was discharged from the order paper. The Public Reserves Act Amendment Bill was committed, and read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 2.45 till to-morrow.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday. The House met at 2.30. p.m. THE CUUISTtK PETITION. An interim report of the Petitions Committee on the petition of Wm. Christie, Oamaru, was brought up, and ordered to be read. The report was to the effect that as the case in question was mbjitdice, the committee did not feel justified in dealing further with the matter.

Mr. Skddon moved that the report be referred back for consideration. He thought this was a mere attempt to burk inquiry, and that the House should have an opportunity of fully discussing the whole circumstances.

Sir H. Atkinson said the committee were perfectly justified in the course they had adopted. If the petitioner had a remedy at law he could have no recourse to Parliament. That was the invariable rule.

Mr. Parlance said the conduct of Minis ters in the Christie case required explanation.

After further discussion, Mr. Hislop said there had been no interference by Ministers with the course of justice. The amendment for referring the report back was lost on the voices, and the report was ordered to lie on the table.

THE REPRESENTATION RILL After one or two questions had been answered, the House went into committee on the Representation lull. Sir J. Maul, moved a new clause to the effect that in elections in city electoral districts where three candidates have to be elected no elector shall be allowed to vote for more than two candidates-

Messrs. Ballance, Newman, Reeves (St.. Albans), and Lance opposed the clause. Sir J. Hall was replying when the hour of 5.30 arrived, and the House rose for the dinner adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Sir John Hall resumed his remarks, defending the proposal as necessary in the interests of minorities.

Messrs. Sacxdeks, Moss, and Izard also opposed the clause, which, on division, was lost by 55 to 10. Sir John H uv said he did not propose to move the amendment in favour of female suffrage. The Premier promised to give the hon. gentleman another opportunity of discussing the principle. Mr. Reeves (Inangahua) said he objected to the withdrawal of the amendment, and would move it himself.

After some discussion, the amendment was withdrawn.

Mr. Guinness moved, "That where a candidate did not obtain a majority, the election should be again contested by the two highest candidates on the poll." Lost by 51 to 18. The Bill, as amended, was then reported, the amendments to be considered next sit-ting-day. FIRST READINGS. Several Bills were received from the Legislative Council and read a first time. BILLS PASSED. The Post Office Bill was committed, reported without; amendment, read a third time, aud passed. THE OTAGO CENTRAL. The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Otago Central Railway Bill was resumed by Mr. Guinness, who opposed the Bill. .Mr. Hutchison also opposed the Bill. Mr. E. Richardson supported the second reading, but thought the Bill should then stund over till the Public Works statement was brought down. Mr. Gkimmoko moved |he adjournment of the debate.

Mr. Walker supported the amendment, and, after some discussion, the debate was adjourned for a fortnight. LAW OK LIBEL. The House went into Committee on the Law of Libel Bill.

Clause 2 : The words thirty-three were inscribed instead of twenty-six so as to cover an interpretation of a newspaper as any monthly publication. In clause 3, protecting the publication of Court proceedings, Dr. FITCHETT moved to amend the clause to make it apply to reports of evidence only. After some further discussion, the Colonial Secretary moved to report progress. Carried by 40 to 29. THE OTAGO CENTRAL AGAIN.

The Premier moved, without notice, " That the order for the adjournment of the second reading of the Otago Central Railway Bill be rescinded, and that the adjourned debate on the second reading be placed on the Order Paper for to-morrow.' : Consent being refused, the Premier said the adjournment of the debate on the second reading of the Otago Central was carried without the knowledge of the Government, and he could not go on with other business since the House refused to allow him to make a motion without notice. Ho moved, " That the House adjourn." Agreed to. The House rose at 10.30 p.m.