GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1512, 29 May 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met on Wednesday. Mr Reynolds gave notice of a motion to exercise economy in the civil service ; a Select Committee was appointed to deal with the rabbit peat ; the Lost Debentures Bill was passed ; the Police Force Bill and Defence Bill were advanced a stage in Committee. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. Mr Chamberlain presented a petition from 300 colonists, protesting against the manner in which honors had been heaped on Cardinal Moran by the Government during his recent visit to the colony. Mr Buckley laid on the Table a statement showing the number of applications to the Minister for Public Works last year under the Roads and Bridges Construction Aet. The third reading of the Police Bill was agreed to, and the Bill passed. The Council adjourned till Tuesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met on Wednesday. Replying to questions it was stated that if circumstances permitted it this session a Bill would bo introduced dealing with the registration of electors ; that a bonus of £IOOO for the La Monte geld saving process hud uOt been paid, as the experiment had proved a failure ; that it was impossible to get even approximate re-

turns ef the census papers till some time next month ; that no further facilities could be afforded for the enrolment of electors and maintaining the purity of the electoral roll unless the House voted funds for it; that petitions for claims of land for military services sent in last session and not reported on by the Waste Lands Committee would be considered ibis session. Mr Guinness moved that in the opinion of this House -the railway regulations in reference to granting free passes along railways to children attending State Schools should be amended, so as to allow free passes being granted to children of school age attending schools other than State Schools. Mr Stout opposed the motion on the ground that it amounted to,a revival of denominational education. Major Atkinson thought the motion was fair and reasonable, but lie thought it did not exactly meet the case. Ha moved as an amendment—“ That the same facilities be granted to children attending private schools as to Government schools/ Several members spoke in favor of it and the amendment was carried by 3f against 25. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Limitation of Votes Bill. The motion was carried on the voices. Sir. George Grey moved, the eecond reading of the Law Practitioners Bill. On the question being put, the ayes were 34, and the noes 34. The Speaker gave his casting vote with the ayes, and the motion was agreed to. Mr Ballnnce moved the second reading of the Native Reserves Title Grant Fmpowering Bill. He explained that the Bill was brought in to enable grants to be made for native reserves in various parti of the colony. Mr Bryce opposed the Bill on the ground that it was a return to personal government on the p&rt of the Native Minister, which most of them thought had passed away. Mr B»llance denied that there was any intention to return to personal government. The object of the Bill was to give effect to the awards which had been made from time to time. Mr Bryce withdrew his objection on the understanding that the Bill would be amended in Committee. The motion w as agreed to. Mr Ballance moved the second reading of the Native Equitable Owners' Bill, the object of which was to enable trusts in certain cases to be ascertained. Mr Locke sa'd the Bill opened up a very large question, and was in fact a colonial question. Mr Bryce moved the adjournment of the debate till next day. Agreed to. The House adjourned till next day. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday, Mr Stout gave notice of the introduction of the Civil Service Reform Bill. He said if the Bill were passed it would effect a reduction in the Civil Service of the colony to the extent of £30,000 or £40,000, Major Atkinson said he desired, on behalf of the Opposition, to convey to Mr Stout their hearty congratulations for the honor of knighthood which had been bestowed on him by Her Majesty, He spoke warmly of the, Premier’s personal character and great ability, and said that, although be had had many political differences with the honorable gentleman, it bad never for a single day interfered with their personal. friendship. He said the honor conferred on the Premier was really an honor to the colony, for Mr Stout was the true type of a colonist. Mr Macandrew also offered his congratulations to the Premier, and warmly commended the graceful manner in-which the leader of the Opposition had referred to the matter. Mr Stout thanked the House for its congratulations, but in doing so he said he regretted exceedingly that the honor had not been conferred on older colonists, who were more entitled to it than he was. The House would know whom he meant. He referred to gentlemen who bad held the office of Premier. The honor had been altogether unsolicited by him, and was quite unexpected. He again thanked the House for its kindness in speaking of him. Replying to questions, it was stated that steps had been taken to set aside suitable allotments of agriculjturfd land for working men with limited means, so as to enable them to become possessed of permanent homes; that if a system of fortnightly payments to persons employed in the Public Works Department were retorted to, it would lead to a large increase in the expenditure of the department ; that the opinion waf clearly expressed by the House last session that no man should have mors than one run. The City of Dunedin Leasing, and New Plymouth Recreation Reserves Bill, were read a second time. Several motions for returns were agreed to. The Native Equitable Owners’ Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be referred to the Native Affiars Committee. Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Justices of the Peace Act Amendment Bill. Mr Rolleston was satisfied that the present system had not proved satisfactory. He had no objection to the Mayors of boroughs and Chairman of counties being made Justices, but he objected to the Chairmen of Road Boards being put in that position. He said many Justices of good position had left the Bench because of the unfitness of persons who were now appointed to the Commission of the Peace. The motion was agreed to. The House rose at 5.10.