New Zealand Parliament.

Colonist, Volume XXIV, Issue 7110, 7 September 1891, Page 3

New Zealand Parliament.

Telegraph— Per Press Association. Wellington, September 5. HOUSE. After the Telegraph Office closed last night, the House continued in Committee on the Legislative Council Bill. Mr linca considered this a most serious question, and he thought Captain Eussell, aa a member of the kte Cabinet, should inform the Committee whether or not such a pledge j had be9n given by the gentlemen lately apj pointed *o the Legislative Council. Mr T. Thompson (Auckland) said he had | taken strong objection to the appointments, and at a caucus of the supporters of the late Government he had referred to the matter. The explanation given thsn was that the members appointed to the Council had gone into it pledged to make the reform of the Chamber apply to themselves. Sir John Hall and T. McKeozio eaid they were present at that caucus, but had Do recollection of any suoh explanation bei r g given. Mr R. Thomson (Marsden) said bis impression was tbafc the late Premier stated positively et the caueu3 that the gentiecuea recently elevated to the Upper House had given a pledge that they would support a reform of the Counoil applying to themselves. Mr Bichardsoa, as a member of the late Ministry, said there was no obligation on the part of late Ministers to make any such disclosure aa advocated by Mr Bess. The Clause as emended was then passed. Clause 7— Appointment of Speaker. Mr Ballance thought that the right of appointing the Speaker should be vesied in the Crown, instead of in the Council itself aa provided by the Bill. He moved, therefore, that the whole clause be ttruck out. After a short discussion the motion was agreed to. On the motion of Mr Fish, a new clause was inserted entitling any Legislative Coun> cilor who voluntarily resigns his seat in that Chamber to a free railway pass and to have access to the Parliamentary Library. The Bill was then reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The Dentists Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. New clauses were inserted providing - 1. For the repeal of the 6th section of the Dentis a Act, 1880, and enacting instead that any person holding a dentist's certificate shall, on payment of the registration fee, be entitled to be registered under the Dentists Act, 1880, without further examination. 2. That a Board of Examiners shall hold examinations at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The Government Loans to Looal Bodies Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee, Very strong objection was taken by several members to provisions in Clause 2, allowing the Minister for Lands to expend a sum not exceeding £50,000 in any one year towards opening up blocks of land for settlement by the formation of roads and bridges to afford access to such blocks. Mr Seddon assured the Committee that the money would be judioiously and impartially spent. Mr Fergus suggested an addition to the clause that no money should be expended until after its appropriation by the House, but Mr b'edd. n said he could not accept it, and it was lost by 21 to 6. After a lengthy discussion the clause waa added to the Bill with verbal amendments. The other-clauses were agreed to, and the Bill was reported. The Dentists Act Amendment Bill and the University of Otago Council Election Bill were read a third time and passed. The House rose at 3.35 a.m.