PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4552, 24 November 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(By Telegraph.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 23. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE SHEEP ACT. The Sheep Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. LOCAL BILLS. A number of Local Bills were received from the lower House, and were referred to the Local Bills Committee. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL. Mr Stevens gave notice to introduce the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill next day. The Council rose at 2.40 p.m. 1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ■ QUESTIONS. Replying to questions it was stated that Government would, whenever possible, endeavour to prevent country schools being closed owing to the raising of the school ago ; that the question of making duties on Native lands payable yearly instead of in a lump sum was under consideration ; that enquiry would be made as to whether the existence of cancerous cattle was dangerous to health ; that it was intended to deal with the abolition of Waste Lands Boards in the Land Act, but not with the abolition of School Commissioners ; that the use of firewood on the railways would be as expensive as coal, and that only New Zealand coal was ever used on the railways; that Government would endeavour during the session to introduce a Bill dealing with the claims of old soldiers, sailors, ond naval and military settlers! that the concessions already made for the conveyance ' of wool to port in Southland were as far as Government could go (Mr Ward moved the adjournment of the House to ventilate this matter, A lengthy discussion followed, and the motion was withdrawn.); that a Bill would be prepared for reducing coroners’ fees, but coroners’ inquests could not be abolished j that steps would shortly be taken to close country post offices between 7 and 8 F- m - i Q oaßeß wbero it was found that no inconvenience would arise; that delayed telegrams could not be sent ns collect mes-

sages as it would result in loss to the Department ; that the Police had no power to interfere in glove fights, but it had been ascertained that their interference was not necessary in those fights ; that the experiment of advertising in railway passenger cars had been tried, but was not successful; that a Bill would be introduced next session to remove the legal restriction which now exists by which the Public Trustee is prevented from dealing with intestate estates until twelve months from the time of death ; that there was no intention of abolishing education boards or school committees. * THE MIDLAND EAILWAY. Ur Russell brought up the report of the committee on the Midland Railway. The Premier moved that the report be considered next day, in which case he should give up Friday for private members’ business. The motion was agreed to. LENGTH OF SPEECHES. Mr Samuel moved that it be an instruction to the Printing and Reporting of Debates Committees to cause the Hansard reporters to cease reporting any member after he has spoken 'for one hour, excepting only when such member is moving the second reading of a Bill or when Mr Speaker shall otherwise direct. He said that the speeches in the House were sometimes of great length, and resulted in heavy expense to the country. Some members thought the limit of an hour too long. Mr Ward seconded the motion, and said that any member who could not confine his remarks to an hour should not be there. Mr Peacock supported the principle of the motion, but was not sure this was the best means of accomplishing the object in view Major Steward understo d that the Standing Orders Committee did not see their way to deal with this matter until the House had expressed an opinion on it, Mr Allen strongly supported the motion. Mr Ballance, Mr Downio Stewart, Mr Barron, and Mr Fish, opposed the motion. Sir George Grey said that this was a serious question, and was nothing more nor less than interfering with the liberty of debate. He was speaking at the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. j THE MIDLAND PAIL WAY. On the Auctioneers Bill being moved into Committee, Sir George Grey moved the adjournment of the House to enable him to protest against the Midland Railway report being discussed till the return he had asked for, relative to the land available for selection by the company, had been furnished. Mr Samuel and Mr Pyke deprecated further delay.' The Premier said he would bo happy to consent, but for the lateness of the session. All the information wanted would be available before the necessary Act was finally passed, Mr Allen thought it was false policy to hurry on consideraton of the matter. Mr Reeves (St. Albans) said that Sir George Grey did not want the railway, and all his efforts were directed to postponing the work indefinitely. Sir George Grey said that, on the. contrary, he was a friend of the railway, and the first man who had got a vote of money for it. The motion for the adjournment was lost. AHCriONBBBS BILL. The House went into Committee on the Auctioneers Bill.

Considerable discussion took place on clauses 4,6, and 6, compelling an auctioneer to apply for a certificate. Mr Seddon explained that they aimed at the suppression of the system of Dutch auctions now carried on by men of no’ standkig. Sir Julius Vogel said they might as well propose to subject auctioneers to an examination as to their abilities for the calling, and make it a close field like the legal profession. Mr Samuel vigourously supported the clause. Mr Reeves (St. Albans) pointed out that auctioneers held a position of trust, and should rightly be subjected to examination as to character. Mr Fieli moved that the chairman leave the chairAyes 49, noes 37. The Bill was consequently thrown out. CEMETERIES ACT. Mr Moss moved the second reading of the Cemeteries Act 1882 Amendment Bill. Mr Guinness supported the Bill with the indention of moving an amendment allowing cemetery reserves to be leased on short terms. Mr R, Thompson (Marsden) and Mr Samuel opposed the measure. The latter pointed out that it gave private individuals power to own cemeteries. Mr McKenzie (Clutha) moved the adjournment of the debate, as the Bill had not been circulated long enough to enable members to read it. Ayes 22, noes 52. Mr Goldie said the meaning of the Bill was that some people at Auckland had bought land which they could not turn to its intended use and now wanted to sell it for a cemetery. He protested against the measure unless it was surrounded with various safeguards. Mr Seddon opposed the second reading, but the motion was eventually passed by 38 to 23. debate on the coal duty. The debate on the question that in the opinion of this House an import duty of not less than 2s fid per ton be imposed on coal, was resumed by Mr Fish, who moved the further adjournment of the discussion. Ayes 46, noes 28. On the motion to adjourn it for a month instead of a fortnight, Mr Thompson protested on the ground that the coal industry was in a languishing condition in consequence of New South Wales flooding the country with the product of her mines, and this was the proper time for those in favour of encouraging local industries to give an expressian of opinion. . Mr Monk said the coal freights had been exceedingly useful in keeping the shipping trade going, and such an impost would have an effect on our exports. Considerable discussion ensued, which was kept up to half-past 12, when ax adjournment for a fortnight was carried on a division by 38 to 36, and the House rose.