PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

Colonist, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8063, 6 October 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

[Bi Telegraph.— Fbom ova own Correspondent.] Wellington, October 5. The Consols Bill was sent down to the House to-day with amendments, when the Speaker stated that in his opinion the privilege of the House had been infringed by the Council in altering clause 4, thereby reducing the time for repayment of deposits from 40 to 20 years. The same clause wa3 altered to provide that deposits should ba repayable within the Colony only. The Treas rer contended that this was Blready provided for in the Bill, therefore it was unnecessary H j moved that the amendments by the Council he disagreed with, and that Messrs Morrison, McGowan and himself be appointed to draw up reasons, for which purpose they retired, but they returned within two minutes, amid3t the hugh'et of the House, with a page of reasons duly drawn and Eigned by the three gentlemen apt oioted. lln reply to members, the Treasurer stated that when the question of the Council's amendment is Bet hd, the Government will agree by Governor's message to the amount being reduced to half a million.

The Hon. Mr Stevens' amendment on tha second reading of the Advance to Settlers' Bill, namely, that it ba read this day six months, was lost by only one vota in the L--gißlat ive Gonnei'. The Bill then passed its | second reading. A number of those who voted for it reserved the ligbt to vote against I the third reading unless material amendments are made in Committee, and it is therefore almost certain the Bill will not pa.3B, at any rate in i*s present form. All the day and evtninghas been spent in Otmmitt c on the Native Land Court 8.11. It is expected to get into Committee on the Licensing Bill after the sapper adjournment, but he time will be wasted, as .is will ba impossible to carry it into law th's session, '