PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3861, 22 August 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

[By Telegraph. J

Wellington Aug 20. The Honse met at 2.30 p.m. THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL.

The Hon Mr Stout laid on the Table papers connected with the last proceeding at the Wellington Hospital. 'Mr Samuel said as the Premier had given him an assurance that ho would cause a Commission to be appointed to enquire into the Hospital proceedings,he did not intend moving the motion he bad pat on the Order Paper for appointment of a Committee. BUSINESS. The Hon. Mr_ Stoat moved that the House at its rising this day, do adjourn till Monday at 12 noon for private members’ business, the Government business to have precedence at 7.30 p.m. Mr Hunt moved as an amendment, that the House meet on Monday, at 7.30 p.m., for Government business only. The amendment was carried. LANS BILL. The Land Bill was further considered in Committee, for the considera* tion of the postponed clauses. Sir George Grey moved to strike out of clause 34 relating to the establishment of Land Boards, the word “ appointed ” and to insert “ elected.” Mr Dargaville supported Sir 6. Grey's amendment.

After some further discussion, Sir George Grey withdrew his amendment in favor of a suggestion made by Mr Fulton, that the Land Boards should only be appointed till the end of next session.

Mr Smith moved a proviso after clause 41, to the effect that sections 34 to 41 should continue in force until one month alter the termination of next session, but no longer. Agreed to.

In clause 131 A, providing that the area under the deferred payment system may be extended, if of inferior or second class land, a long discussion took place. The clause was carried.

Clause 13b, providing that the price may be reduced, was opposed by Mr Boileston, who considered it extremely objectionable, contending that the mini* mum price should be fixed at say 20s per acre instead of 10s. The Hon. Mr Ballanoe agreed with the suggestion, which however was lost by 31 to 28, and 10s was therefore retained as the minimum and the clause was agreed to. Clause 146 a providing that free grants of land not exceeding 10 acres may be given to persona who are unable to find employment, provided they comply with the conditions of occupation and residence as the Governor may prescribe, was opposed by Mr Scobie Mackenzie as being utterly unworkable. Mr Macandrew strongly defended the clause, contending that it would be a great boon to the unemployed. Mr Fulton moved an amendment to strike out the words “ such persons as may be unable to find employment.”— Agreed to. Mr Hislop moved a farther amendment to strike out the words “ male adult ” from the clause and to insert “ each person.” The amendment was lost by 37 to 32.

Mr Pyke moved an amendment to clause 146, to the effect that the lands granted should be inalienable by sale and not liable for seizure for debt.

The clause, as amended, was carried by 42 to 28. Clause 160 A, providing that land may be acquired for village settlement*, was opposed by Mr Boileston on several grounds. The Hon. Mr Stout said this clause would Only be necessary for some district®. The principle of it was that the Crown ought to lease more land than it had in the past, for it was an undoubted fact that if they were to settle the colony the State must own more land. The very fact of their having to debate this section strengthened that argument. Sir George Grey said the only effect the clause would have would be to create a race of laborers who would gradually sink till they became paupers. Major Atkinson said he should vote against the claase with some regret. The subject was a large one and would have to be faced shortly, but he thought the present Gill was not the proper place to insert it.

Several other members spoke on the clause, which was finally read a second time by 42 to 30. The remaining new clauses were passed with slight amendments till clause 218 was reached—providing for contribution from endowments for roads. This clause was retained on a division by 33 to 17. A long discussion ensued on a new clause, providing for improvements, which was finally carried on the voices. Mr J. McKenzie moved a further new clause, providing that no person shall bold more than one ran, either for himself or for the nse or occupation of any person who occupies any other rnn unless the Land Board shall permit the same, and if any original holder shall transfer or other person bolding any ran shall sublet the same without the previous sanction of the Board, he shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Act, and his lease shall be liable to be forfeited.

The clause was struck out by 27 against 10. Mr Scobie Mackenzie moved a new clause extending time for payment by deferred payment selectors. Wellington, Aug. 22.

The McKenzie clause re extending payment by deferred payment settlers waa lost on the voices. Mr Guinness moved a new clause making the perpetual leasing system apply to rural and town lands. It was negatived. In oppendex C, relating to lands in Nelson, Mr Bnrslbonse moved an amendment to eliminate that portion which provided that Land Boarda should first sanction the expenditure of rents in opening up lands. Agreed to. The remaining appendices were pgreed to without alteration, and the Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The House rose at 3 a.m.