PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1305, 12 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, June 10.

In the Legislative Council to-day, After the formal business, Mr. Whitaker said, replying to Mr. Wilson, that Government had carefully considered the question of purging the roll of Justices of Peace, but found tp dp sp would be too retrospective; but in future all insolvents, etc., would be called upon to resign.

In tha House of Representatives today. Major Atkinson laid on the table copy of instructions given to assessors under the property tax. JEJes also stated that a modification pf. the forms of schedules would be rpade, and that in all probability the time for collection would be extended.

In reply to Mr, M'Caughan, Mr. Hall said the Sau Francisco mail service contract did not terminate until 1883, and that it could not be terminated sooner unless a breach of contract should occur.

In reply to Mr. Hurst, Mr. Rolleston said the Government had no information that a run in Qtago had been leased by the Waste Lands Board of Qtago for the sole purpose of breeding rabbits, and thereby not complying with the Act, which provides that the lessee shall stock with either sheep or cattle, according to the carrying capacity of the country. Mr. Bain asked the quantity and value of Newcastle coal used on the Invercargill section of the 3few Zealand railways during the financial period ending ,BJst March last.

Mr. Qliver replied 2514 tons, the cost being L:3751. As soon g,s the gngines were adapted for the purpose, native coal would be substituted the same aa on the other lines.

Mr. Hall moved the second reading of the Blection Petitions Bill. It was identical with the Bill of last session, and the speaker detailed its provisions at length.. ' Dr, Wallis denounced the Bill as most unconstitutional.

Mr. Turnbull thought that the corrupt practices provided against by the Bill should be defined by the Act itself, not left for the interpretation by another statute.

The motion for thg second reading w as passed. Mr. Hall moved the second reading pf the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill. Dr. Wallis blamed the government for introducing important measures similar to the present without affording proper information as to the principles of such measures.

Sir William Fox said that the great aim of a measure of this kind was that it should be njade as inexpensive, as also as pure as possible, Mr. Moss coul4 not sep how the necgs*sary work of an election was to be done unless the candidate was allowed to pay certain reasonable and necessary expenses, such as canvassers, &o. Mr. Thomson supported the proposal for closing public houses on the day of the poll, and that at general elections all electfop §froii].d be fixed for one and the same day. Mr. Speight thought the pill went in a very good direction. Mr. Montgomery agreed with the pro r posal to close publjc houses, and he dis r agreed with localising the hire of ponyeyr ances, as this Bill would do. Mr. Seddon contended that the electors, of New Zealand were practically insulted by much that had been said that night. The Anglo-Saxon race invariably looked forwarfi to an election day as a day of pleasure. • v i

Mr. Tole thought the Bill was premature and might very properly be delayed until after the Bill for re-distribution of seats.

Mr. Eeid was not in favor of the proposal to close public houses. . The prohibition against agents and committees was rather too extreme.

Sir G. Grey agreed with the suggestions made by Sir W. Fox, and thought he deserved great credit for his moderation. The Bill, under the care of Sir Win. Fox and Dr. Wallis, as representing the two extreme ends of the House, would, he thought, be made into a very fair measure indeed.

The motion was carried, and the Bill read a second time.

Mr. George asked without notice if a rumor was true that the Government had received a cablegram announcing the resignation of the Agent-General. Mr. Hall said there was no foundation for the rumor.