PARLIAMENT.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 210, 3 October 1894, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

House of Representatives.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Legislative Council.

Wellington, This Day. The Council met at 2.30. The Land for Settlement Bill was put through its final stages. The Rating Bill was reported from Committee with unimportant amendments. On the motion for the second reading of the New Zealand Consols Bill, Mr Bowen mnved a hostile amendment that the Bill be read a seeond time that day six months. Mr Rigg and Sir G. Whitmore supported the Bill. Messrs Pharazyn, Stewart, Stevens and MeGregor opposed it. The debate was adjourned till next day.

He House met at 2.80. In reply to questions, Mr Ward said the question of allowing the Bank of New Zealand to carry on business in places outside the colony could not be considered until the advice of the new president on the point had been received; that the Government were of opinion the separation of the Estates Companies from the Bank of New Zealand should be effected but the question was one upon which they must await the guidance of the new president ; that the Government had no information as to whether the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company and the Bank of New Zealand were indebted to each other; that it would not be the duty of the president of the Bank of New Zealand to report to the Government on transactions between the Bank ami private individuals, but to exercise a general supervision ovsr the affairs of.the Bank, so that if any improper business were undei taken it would be reported to the Colonial treasurer ; that the Government were of opinion that under proper safeguards an amalgamation between the Colonial Bank and the Bank of New Zealand would have been satisfactory and would still be so. The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. The Foreign Insurance Deposit’s Bill was further considered in committee. In the interpretation clause Mr G. J. Smith moved an amendment to exempt fire and marine insurance companies from the operation of the Bill. After a long discussion the amendment was withdrawn and the clause postponed to enable Mr Ward to redraft it, in so far as it affects fire and marine insurance companies. Clause 4 providing that no foreign oompany with limited liability shall carry on life insurance was struck out. Progress was then reported. Sir Robert Stout raised the question whether the Legislative Council was within its rights in amending the land for Settlements Bill which was an appropriation Bill. If the Council eould alter this Bill, it could amend the Consols Bill, advances to Settlers’ Bill, and other money Bills brought done by the Government. The speaker said he was not aware of the nature of the amendments made by the Council in this Bill, but would look into them and give his ruling to-morrow. The Foreign Insurance Companies Deposits Bill was again committed, clause 3 struck out, and a new clause substituted, requiring every firo and marine insurance company to carry on such business. The Bill was then reported and subsequently put through its final stages. In committee on the Native Land Court Bill, clauses up to 15 were passed, and progress was reported. The House rose at 2.5 a.m.