PARLIAMENT.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 560, 22 October 1897, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Wellington, This Day. House of Representatives. . The House met at 2.30. On the motion of Mr O’Regan the resumption of the financial debate was postponed till 7.30. Mr Tanner moved the second reading of the Municipal Franchise Enlargement Bill, which proposed to extend municipal franchise so far as election of mayor and councillors were concerned to all male and female residents in a borough. Mr M. J. S. Mackenzie moved as an amendment that it was inexpedient to pass the Bill until the House bad an opportunity to discuss the whole question of municipal reform. The debate lifted the whole afleruoon and was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. On the motion of the Hon. T. Thompson the debate on the second reading of the Municipal Enlargement Bill was postponed for a fortnight. Mr J. H. Thomson resumed the Financial Debate. He had heard that the colony was not getting full value for the money spent on the co-operative works, and lie would like to see the subject discussed by the House. The decrease in land values and the falling off in the valus of products of the colony s manufacture was due to the policy of the Government.

Mr Montgomery said land values had increased 25 per cent, in his district, and he attributed this to the advances to settlers' scheme. The transfers of a gum amounting to about one million pounds from the consolidated fund to the public works fund during the past five years was a good beginning, at least, of a self-reliant policy. The Hon. G. W. Richardson said there was little to be learnt from the Budget and less to admire in it. He contended that the Government did not seriously intend giving effect to the greater portion of its proposals. Mr Taylor, after referring to the subjects dealt with in the Budget, said in reference to the Royal Commission to enquire into the police administration that it had been stated that the scope of enquiry was to be limited to the charges he bad made on a previous occasion. He contended that the Commission should euquire into the misconduct of those who had been responsible for the administration of the Police Department for the last few years. Mr Lawry considered that the Premier, in agreeing to tbe demands of the last Speaker for inquiry into the Police Force, had chosen to be guided by political pigmies. Tbe whole country recognised that tbe Budget was tbe most satisfactory one that we have had for many years. The debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Herries.

The House adjourned at 12.85,

Legislative Council.

The Council met at 2.30. On the motion of tbe Hon. Mr Grace tbe Supreme Court Act Amendment Bill was referred to tbe Statutes Revising Committee in order that it might consider clauses allowing registrars of the Supreme Court to sit in chambers.

Tbe Council adjoamed at 2.50 till Thursday, 26th inst.