PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 728, 9 August 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELKIiKAI'U.j Wvlhsctos, August S. In tho Legislative Council to-day the business was unimportant. Tho Mercantile Law Further Aino.ndmsnc Bill was passed. TI.Q I)og- JSeijiafcralion ]Ji]l w:is read a. seoand time, and the House went into Committee on the Bill until the adjournment r ' : ''' c f Representatives to-

1:\. . r iinJoii asked if the Government possessed an}' land between Para.ka.riki Manawatu River to defray the expenses of a railway line through the Porirua to join the Wanganui line at Firzherbert or Foxton, should a line be found available. The Hon, J. Maoandrew aaid the Government had no land, or they would gladly give it for the purpose. In reply to a question by Mr. Tole, The Hon. J. S le eh an said tho Government had no intention to bring in a Bill for repealing ihe permissive clause in tho Comities Act and make the whole Act compulsory. '■•' In reply to Mr. George, Hon. J. SJheehau said that the i question of reducing the cost of minors' rights'was entirely a matter for arrangement by the. localities themselves. - Mr. J. E. Brown asked if the Government would introduce a Bill providing for tin- appointment of licensed weighers of agrieul:!!:;•] produce delivered at railway station;; '•■ The Hon. J. Mac nd jw said he thought the present law provided al' -leeessary facilities ; but if it was tho- ght further legislation' was requisite, the Gq/eminent would consider the.matter more fully, Mr J. C. Brown asked if the Government intended recommending the local audit of railway accounts, and the vending of tickets at other places than railway stations \ ~ The Hon. J. Macau drew said very large deductions had been made in the railway charges, and the principal cause of plaint was removed. Under these circumstances the Government did not deem it advisable to take any steps in the direction indicated. As to the latter part of the question, steps were now being taken to give effect to the proposal, and the result would probably be before the House ! before its prorogation. '

I The Hon. J. Sheehan. replying to Mr. I flursthonse, said that unless some better reasons wore discovered than were knowfi? (>f. now, tlie Government would not ask" the-Honse to legislate on the question afc classification of Crown lands. v ., c ;'' c'l J Mr. Stevens asked whether the Govern^ intent, would introduce a measure this

session dealing with the subject of'endow-: i a." Tit's for counties and municipalities, as .premised last session. '■ : ''_' '/ ■■'" Th: 7Ton. R. Stout said it was'simply imposP :: '!e that all Road Boards and Municipalities in the Colony could be endoived more than they were at present. The Government, therefore, could not -rant tho endowments looked for. Dr. Wallis moved, " That in the opinion of this House electoral dis ihili:ics of women should bo entirely removed, and i hat the same political rights and privileges should be granted to women as to men.'' The Hon. W. Fox seconded the motion. The Hon. R. Stout considered the motion an unheard of one when two liills dealing with the franchise question were before the House. He hoped the hon. member would postpone his motion until such lim." as the Electoral Bill oimo before the House. Dr. Wallis agreeing, the debate was adjourned. The Hon. J. Sheehan pointed out the awkwardness of these conventions of local bodies in Wellington during the session, iv. was absurd, to hold these conventions ir'dj by side with Parliament in session, especially when they could do all that was required by correspondence. Mr. Saunders and Mr. M'Lean defended the action of tiie local bodies in sending delegates to the municipal and county conventions at Wellington. Mr. Moss pointed out that many members of the House represented local bodies, and it seemed to him the House was under a great deal of pressure. Mr. Russell opposed the granting of endowments to local bodies, unless for the purpose of charitable aid. Mr. O.'Rorke raised a strong remonstrance against refusing the endowment to the newly created Boroughs of Auckland after certain Canterbury Boroughs had been granted rich endowments. ! The debate was interrupted by the adjournment at 0.,'J0 p.m. At the evening sittiin, t ] lo Sonthlan Boys' and Girls' Schools Act i Amendment Bill, ih; (J ° Waitaki Uigl School Rill, and the <",. uu , m Wotenvorks. Hill, were read a seeoi. ~[ time.