PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 137, 25 October 1895, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS BILL. Messrs Kelly, Stevens, and Ormond were appointed managers at a conference with the House to discuss the Council's amendments in the Alcoholic Liquors Bill. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES. BANK AGREEMENT. The Bank agreement for the purchase of the Colonial Bank by the Bank of New Zealand was laid on the table. Mr Mitchelson asked the Premier whether it was intended to refer it to the public accounts or any other committee, or if the members required information would the answer their questions. Mr Seddon replied that he wbs acquainted with the minutest details, and would be pleased to give information to members. He saw no necessity for referring the agreement to a committee. Mr Geo Hutchison asked if the Premier would lay upon the table a list of shareholders in the Colonial Bank. Mr Sedon replied that no reason had been given for this. If Mr Hutchison place the question on the Order Paper he would answer it. Mr Hutchison said he thought there was obvious reason for it, aud if the Premier would reconsider his apparent refusal to give the return it would be conducive to early settlement of this question. Mr Seddon said that when the Bank Act was before Parliament no such return was asked for. The return of shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand might as well be asked for. He knew of no reason for itAfter further debate the second reading of the Public Securities Bill was agreed to on the voices. ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS BILL. *.A message was received from the Legislative Council insisting on its amendments in the Alcoholic Liquors Bill. The reasons for insisting having been read, Mr Seddon moved that a Conference be asked for, and that Mr 'Mitchelson, McNab, Meredith, and the mover be the managers to represent the House. Mr Mitchelson asked that his name be withdrawn from the managers in favor of Sir E. Stout, but Sirß. Stout declined to act. Mr Seddon remarked that in the face of Sir R. Stout's contention, that it was no use to hold a conference it was not advisable to appoint him one of the managers. Mr Seddon's motion was carried by 43 to 15. BEET ROOT SUGAR. Mr Ward moved the second reading of the Beet Root Sugar Bill, which provided for the payment of £50,000 in fifteen years for the first ten thousand tons of sugar produced in the colony from beet root. Captain Russell moved an hostile amendment, but after a short debate this was rejected by 37 to 22, and the Bill was read a second time. The Bill was ordered to be committed by 32 to 24. J SECOND READING. On the motion of Mr Reeves the Lunatic Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. In the course of a ministerial statement, in reply to an article that had appeared in the Evening Post, Mr Ward said that large sums of money were lying in the various lending departments of the Government awaiting investment, and the Advances to Settlers Department had from £BOO,OOO to one million lying at its disposal in a special trust account. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The House went into Committee of Supply for consideration of the Public Works Estimates. Captain Russell, Sir R. Stout, and others protested against the action of the Government in dispensing with the usual debate on the Public Works Statement. Mr Seddon said the statement contained absolutely no policy, and there was nothing in it to discuss. Sir R. Stout moved to report progress, which, after a long discussion, wae negatived by 88 to 26, and discussion on the estimates proceeded. The whole of the items were passed with one reduction, the item £BOO for the Pohangina sawmill being struck out, Mr Pirani stating that a sawmill was not required in that locality.