PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 9, 31 July 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

HOUSE Oi' REPRESENTATIVES.

11l replying to questions it was stated that the Government were demanding the Land Tax in August instead of December because they had hoavy payments of interest to meet in September; that the Railway Commissioners are carefully considering the question of reducing cost of conveyance of live stock on railways. JUDICIAL SEPARATIONS. A motion by Mr Mackenzie (Clutha) that the provisions of the English law, under which, when a man i- convicted of an aggravated assault upon his wife, a judicial separation may be granted in a summaiy way, should be adopted by New Zealand, was carried by 3G to 7. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID. Mr Houston moved, That the time has arrived when the question of hospital and charitable aid should be put on a more satisfactory footing. The Hon W. P. Reeves said one of the greatest difficulties in this matter arose from the extreme diversity of views held by town and country members. What the Government proposed to do was to amend the law relating to the enlargement of hospital districts. There were applications now for hospital buildings from various parts of the colony, and it was just as well the Government should say at once that they had no money for the purpose. He might say he was preparing a Bill dealing with the subject. After a lengthy discussion, in which a large number of members took part, (he motion was agreed to on the voices. LAND TAX BILL. The Hon J. G. Ward moved the second reading of the Land Tax Bid, to impose a land tax. He sfitedthe Bill was necessary, because the Government had to provide £600,000 interest in London at the end of October next. It was necessary that the Bill should be passed that night to enable the tax to be collected by the 31st August. After several other members bad expressed their views, The second reading of the Bill was carried on division by 41 to 23. The Bill was then committed. After a lengthy discussion in committee the Bill was reported with slight amendments, and the third reading agreed to by 29 to 11. VAILE's RAILWAY SYSTEM. The Railway Committee reported adversely on Mr Vaile's system, and suggested that a modification of the stage system might be introduced in connection with the carriage of fruit. GAMING BILL. The amendments made by the committee on Sir R. Sfout’s Gaming Bill wore agreed to, and the Bill was pqt through its final stages. DIVIDING HAKBOK DISTRICTS. Mr E. M. Smith asked the Colonial Treasurer jf he would insert a clause in the Harbor Boards’ Amendment Act, of which he has given notice, to the effect that any harbor rating district shall have the power to divide such rating district into ridings, so as to gfye fairer and more equitable representation, and to gave the cost of election expenses in the 'event of one member retiring, or becoming disqualified, or dying “? The Colonial Treasurer, in replying, said he could see no objection to [lie dividing of the harbor districts into ridings, sq as j;q give far m 'pe equitable representation and to w*vp ejection expenses. An opportunity villi bo afforded the Hoq-q to m ike an amendment of the law in that direction when the Harbors’ Act Amendment Bill is under consideration.