Parliament Day by Day.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7356, 2 November 1898, Page 1

Parliament Day by Day.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY,

(from our own correspondent.)

(SV TBIEGKAPH.) Wellington. November 1. This afternoon the Premier, in reply to Mr O'Regan, promised to set up a committee early next session to inquire into the high prices charged for Westport coal throughout the colony. It was a most important matter, as there was such a great difference between the prices charged for coil. He was sorry that the committee had not been set up this session.

The Minister for Public Works moved the second reading of ths Railways Authorisation Bill. IS authorises extensions on the railways in various parts of the colony. Mr J. Allen objected to a siding to a Canterbury colliery, on the grounds that it was for a private company, and he wished to know why one private company should be treated in this manner, while others received no concessions.

Mr Guinness, in his speech, brought the Midland Railway again into prominence, and he moved an amendment to the effect that it was inexpedient to spend such a small amount yearly for the construction of railways, and suggested that the Government should introduce a measure next session authorising a loan sufficient to finish the incompleted lines of the colony. This was negatived on a divisioa by 45 to 7.

Mr J. Allen then moved that the Bill should be referred to the Railway Committee for consideration.

This was negatived on the voices. Mr Pirani moved an instruction to the committee that a clause should be insetted in the Bill to prevent the transference of money voted from one railway to another. This was negatived by 30 to 20, and the Bill passed its Becond reading; It was then committed, but the proposals respecting the Canterbury colliery met with eo much objection that eventually progress was reported. The Minster for Lands' Beserves Endowments and Crown and Native lands Kxchange, Sale, Disposal, and Enabling Bill was committed. It deals with a number of exchanges and sales of land in different parts of the colony, and caused much discussion. After nearly two hours' consideration it passed the committee stage. The Juries Act Amendment Bill was committed, and as the provisions for the abolition of grand juries promised to block progress of the Bill the Hon. Mr Thompson's clause was struck out and the remaining clauses agreed to. The Premier has given notice to move that the House, in Committee of the Whole, consider the following resolution "'I hat it is desirable to draw closer the bonds which unite this colony to the Mother Country, and for this end to take such practicable measures as will have a tendency to embody a policy of sympathy and co-operation with the Mother Country, in the interest of common welfare 5 that the initiation of this policy can be most readily attained by stimulating and encouraging trade with the Mother Country in preference to foreign countries ; that in order to give effect to tt>e foregoing consideration, all articles or materials which are the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United Kingdom of fir eat Britain and Ireland, shall on and after the day of 18th [month omitted], be permitted to be entered for duty or taken out of warehouse for consumption in this colony at a reduction of 5 per cent, from the amount of duty payable in accordance with the Oustoms tariff in force at the time of payment of such duty, provided that such reduction shall be made only in the case of goods imported direct from the United Kingdom, and shall not apply to any of the following articles : —New Zealand wines, malt liquors, tinctures and medicinal spirits, and articles containing more than 33 per cent, of proof spirit, tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, and snuff \ that it is desirable to give the benefit of a similar reduction to any British possession or colony the Customs tariff of which imposes no duty on any of the staple natural products of this colony, and that power be given to the Governor-in-Council to declare what British possessions or colonies shall be entitled to the said reduction." The Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill was committed.

Clause 2—A solicitor in practice for five years may be enrolled as a barrister. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Thompson, the clause was amended to provide that the five years' practice has been continuous. Ihe olause was further amended to provide that solioitors who have been acting as managing clerks for five years may be enrolled as barristers. The Bill was reported, and subsequently passed its final stages. Tho amendments made in the Junea Act Amendment Bill were agreed to, and it passed its ,final stage. , „ The Reserves Endowments and Crown and Native Eandß Exchange Sale and Enabling Bill passed its final.stage. The .Homing Pigeons Bill passed its second reading, Committee, and its final stages. The House adjourned at 1.35 a.m.