PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3489, 11 June 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

[By Telegraph. J

Wellington, June 10, The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m.

questions.

In reply to Mr Waterhouse, the Hon. Mr Oliver said 300 forms of surrender for the Government Insurance had been printed at Lyttelton gaol two years ago but they were not the “ M.P.” forms. The printing was ordered by Mr Thorne, with whom litigation was now pending, and therefore he would not be more explicit. In reply to SirG- Whitmore, the Hon. Mr Oliver said it bad been found impossible to prepare a return showing all expenditure from loan in the different countries. bankruptcy. Mr Wilson gave notice to amend the Bankruptcy Act so that all bankrupts whose debts were uuder £2O might be dealt with summarily. NEW BILL. Mr Waterhouse brought in a Bill to amend the law relating to the guardianship and custody of children, which was read a first time. BOPATA and te kooti. Sir G. Whitmore moved for all papers connected with the cases of Bopata and Te Kooti, and strongly condemned the action taken in reducing Bopata’s pension. The motion was carried. NEW BILLS. Mr Hart’s Criminal Code Bill, and the Hon Mr Oliver’s Land Transfer Begistration Bill were read a first time. PETITIONS COMMITTEE. The debate on the appointment of the Petitions Committee was concluded and the Committee appointed. Mr Scotland and tho Hon Mr Oliver defended the present petitions system, and Mr Waterhouse refused to sit on tho Committee. ADJOURNMENT. The Council rose at 4.30 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Dargavillo, the Hon. 1 Mr Mitchelson said Government would shortly bo in a position to make a formal recommendation to the House as to the route of the North Island main trunk line. He hoped to make his Public Works Statement in a fortnight, and the report aud maps would bo attached to it if not previously published. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence for one week was granted to Mr Wynn-Williams, on the motion of Mr Wakefield.

MOTION FOE SELECT COMMITTEE.

On the motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to consider Bills that may be introduced affecting lands, Mr Seddon objected in view of the advanced motion that had been given notice of. He called on the Government to state what course they proposed to pursue under the circumstances. The Hon. Major Atkinson said that as the amendment on the Address in Reply had not been tabled by a recognised leader, the Government did not think it would be right to delay the business until tho motion had been disposed of. If a recognised leader of the Opposition asked for the delay, tho Government would be prepared to acquiesce. Sir George Grey objected to the business going on, and suggested a postponement of the debate until the amendmont had been disposed of. Tho Hon. Major Atkinson said the Government at once recognised Sir George Grey ns a leader of the Opposition and willingly accepted tho proposal for a postponement, which was agreed to. It was then agreed that the motion for the Address in Reply should bo taken up at 7.30. ADDRESS IN REPLY. Dr Newman moved—“ That an Address be presented to the Governor in reply to the Speech His Excellency had been pleased to make.” The mover and MrM. W. Green, who seconded, eulogised the Address as shadowing forth a liberal and broad policy, tho latter advocating tho system of land nationalisation. Mr Steward while concurring with some part of the Speech, disagreed with a good deal, and added that the best service Government could now do the country, would be to retire, and moved as an amendment—“ That the Governor’s Address has not the confidence of the country.” Mr Levistam seconded, and in criticising the Speech, contended federation would interfere with the administration of their own affairs, and severely criticised the management of the railways. He advocated reduction in educational expenditure, and the utilising of secondary education reserves for primary school revenue. On the motion of Mr Macandrew, the debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 10.15 p.ra.