Bouse of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1106, 27 August 1880, Page 2

Bouse of Representatives.

In the House of Representatives yesterday the Native School Sites' Bill and Lodgers' Goods Protection Bill were read a second time, passed through Committee and were then read a third time and passed. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 1.30 and resumed at 4 o'clock. The Hon. J. Hall moved the second reading of the Financial Proposals Act Amendment Bill, explaining that the object of the measure was to continue subsidies to local bodies at the rate of 7s 6d in the pound. Mr. Pyke moved that the Bill be read that day six months, denouncing it as repudiation. Messrs. Thomsom, Turnbull, Barron and Gisborne spoke to the same effect. The debate was interrupted at 5.30, and the House resumed at 7.30. A number of members having spoken for and against the Bill, Major Atkinson replied, denying that it could be repudiation, as local bodies were part of the colony and subsidies paid came partly out the pockets of those bodies.

The House then divided : Ayes, 42 ; noes, 23. The Bill' was read a second time. In Committee on the Bill, there was considerable discussion on the clause withdrawing 20 per cent, of land fund from local bodies, but ultimately the clause was carried by the casting vote of the Chairman. The Bill was reported, and after considerable discussion was read a third time by 40 to 30. The Public Revenues Bill was read a second time and passed through | Committee, and was then read, a- 'third time. ' ■'■■ The Customs Duties Bill was read a second time and committed. Mr. Liindbn moved a new clause imposing an export duty of five shillings per ton on kauri gum, the amount of duty to go to the counties where raised. Major Atkinson approved of the proposal, provided it was optional on counties to impose the duty. Dr. Wallis denounced the proposal as being a tax on labor. . The Chairman ruled" the^jaoftQß ; could not be put. The Bill was reported, read a third time," and" passed. ' ,/ ; •-■• The House rose at. 1.30,^ v ,., ; -. > „ , Ministers are anxious to tiring the session to a close to-day if possible. Mr. Hall last night wanted the rule relaxed respecting taking new business 1 2. 30, but;;a numberof -members left the House and there were not sufficient left to allow the question being put. . The House will probably sit ito-.-morrow and the formal p.rorogatiojL will be on Monday. ■