PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1139, 9 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, December 8.

In the Legislative Council to-day, After the routine business, Colonel Wliitmore gave notice that Agent-Generals ought to be appointed for a limited term, fixable by Parliament, The Native Affiiirs Committee reported on the petition re the Kinross case, that the Council ought to allow its officers to appear as witnesses in any future trial, or itself institute proceedings against Mr, Kinross. The report was objected to by some hon. members, who asserted that it condemned Mr. Ross unheard. There was upon this a discussion lasting over an hour, in which twelve members took part, after whioh the debate was adjourned on division by 22 votes to 10. The Council rose at a quarter to 5.

In the House of Representatives today, Mr. Hislop gave notice of motion to the effect that it incompatible with the office of the Agent-General for the Colony to take part in Imperial politics. In reply to Mr. M'Lean, Mr. Hall stated that pending definite arrangements being made with certain newspapers, re the special wire business, arrangements had been made for enabling these papers to obtain telegraphic information. Replying to a question by Mr. Kelly, Mr. Rryce said that his attention had been directed to a letter which had appeared in the newspapers to the effect that Rewi had joined the King party. He did not believe there was any truth in the statement. A request had been received from liiin some time ago that as he was going to the King Country and had met with an accident, a carriage should be placed at his disposal. That request was complied with, and Government had no reason to believe that he was displeased with the Government. The letter in question had been received by one of the Maori members, not from Rewi, but from a friend of his. The letter had been left in the member's office, and in that way it had been got hold of by the newspapers. The member himself had not given the letter to the newspapers. Mr. Te Wheoro said that fee was the member referred to.. The letter stated that was displeased with the Government, and that he would not return to the European side, and that those chiefs who had been instrumental in turning out Sir George Grey from the Government must be left to cany on the government of the country. These were the contents of the letter,'but he did not know how they got into the newspepers. Mr. Hall moved the second reading of the Revision of Statutes Bill. The Bill was read a second time,

The debate oil tlie Confiscated Lands and Maori Prisoners Bill was resumed, and a large number of members spoke upon tlie measure. The Bill was read a second time, and was then passed through Committee without any material alteration. *

The Property Assessment Bill was considered in Committee, and passed to clause 21. The only material alteration made was that agricultural implements actually in use were added to the exemption clause. The House adjournecl at 3 a.m.