PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10414, 12 April 1897, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BT KLKORAPH.— PKKSS ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Satobday. Thk Council met at 11 a.m. THE CHINESE. Replying to Mr. Shrimski, Mr. Walker said 21 Chinese had applied for letters of naturalisation prior to September, 1896, and 12 since. The consideration of these had been postponed until the pleasure of Her Majesty regarding the Asiatics Bill was received. STEAU BESVIOE TO WEST AUSTRALIA. Mr. Reeves moved a motion regarding direct steam service with Wesb Australia. The Minister of Education said no effort had been spared to carry oub this desire. The question was whether the service could be satisfactorily established. Mr. McLean said the difficulty was tbab nothing came back in exchange for our products. The motion was then carried. BANKING. Replying to Mr. Ormond re the President of the Bank of New Zealand, the Minister thought it was expedient, as the question of the Ward Association was sub judice, to defer the question. FINAL STAGES. The Public Revenue Act Amendment Bill passed all its stages, as did the Wellington Sanitation Loan Bill, and at noon tho Council adjourned until 2.30 p.m. The Council met at 2.30 p.m., and at four adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on Monday. No business of importance was transacted. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Satdrd'ay. public revenues act. Shortly after two o'clock this morning the Public Revenues Act Amendment! Bill was read a third time. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACT AMENDMENT. The Legislative Council Act Amendment Bill passed through all stages, and the House adjourned at 2.15 a.m. until 2.30 this afternoon. The House met at 2 30 p.m. QUESTIONS. The Hon. J. AicKenzie eaid he hoped to introduce a Fair Rent Bill next session Mr. Seddon said he would enquire re a fast steam service between New Zealand and Australia. Mr. Seddon said he would not commit the colony in respect to the Midland Railway Company, which was virtually non-existent, and added that the Government would strictly comply with the law regarding the contract with the company. The Hon. J. McKenzie said he hoped to introduce a Beetroot Sugar Bill next session. Mr. Seddon eaid whatever step. l * were taken in respect to the Bushy Park Estate was dono with the approval of the General Manager of the Assets Board. The Defence Minister said Railway tickets would be issued to volunteers attending shooting matches ab a very much reduced rate. Mr. Thompson addod that instructions would be issued to have ammunition on issue retested,

COLONIAL BANK. Mr. Taylor asked if the Government, in the interests of public morality, would prosecute the directors and officials of the Colonial Bank connected with the issue of alleged fraudulent balance sheets. The Premier replied that the matter was one which the Supreme Court should decide. POLICE REFORM. Replying to Mr. Taylor, the Hon. T. Thompson said there was nothing within hie knowledge demanding inquiry into the question of police reform, BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. In reply to Mr. Joyce's question respecting offering the Bank of New Zealand for sale in London as a goiug concern, the Premier said the institution was improving its position every day. The Government had, he eaid, offered the position of general manager to Mr. Tegetmeier, an acknowledged financial authority in London, and there was every prospecb of his accepting it. The Government was also attempting to secure the services of a gentleman who had had nothing to do with either tho Bank of New Zealand or the Colonial Bank for the position of one of the auditors of the Bank. The Government, he said, proposed to lay on the table of the House returns respecting the realisation of the estates of the Bank of New Zealand, which has been satisfactory. OLD AGE PENSIONS. Referring to oldage pensions, the Premier said next session he trusted to pass a measure which would commemorate the Queen's Record Reign.

GOMDIOOING INDUSTRY. The Premier favoured the gumdiggin; industry being protected against foreigners. RAILWAY MATTERS. The Minister of Railways said he had the clarification of railway employees under consideration, and the matter would be brought down next session. The Minister also said be could not consent to reduce the rates for the carriage of dead meat and to provide cool cars on the railway lines for the encouragement of meat freezing and preserving works in the country districts, THE ADDRESS TO THE QDEKN. Some discussion took place on the phraseology of the address to the Queon. Messrs. G. Hutchison, Koli.eston, and Scobie Mackenzie strongly objected to it. The Pkkmibr defended it, stating that the joint committee comprised at least five or six gentlemen who had gono through their university course. The address had been passed by the Legislative Council, and he could assure the House no matter what was their attitude the address would go home. He believed there was something underlying the action of the Opposition. On division the address was affirmed by 39 to 20. ADJOURNMENT. At 6.25 p.m. the Premier moved that the House adjourn until 2 30 p.m. on Tuesday. The House then adjourned. tuks day's sitting. As the majority of the members have left for home there will probably be a bare quorum on Tuesday.