GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1581, 14 May 1887, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. la the Council on Wednesday, the debate on taxing horse-racing; was continued and the motioD was lost on the voices. The following were read a third time and passed : BaDks and Bankers Act Amendment, Cambridge and Hastings Borough Councils Act Amendment. The Council adjourned at 3.50. On Thursday, the Word Conservation of Rights Bi!! • ■ w~ through the remaining stagep. The Post-office Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Mr Ormond gave notice of the introduction of B'lls reducing the Governor's salary and allowances, and to amend the Parliamentary Honorarium Act, 1884. Mr Jarrick gave notice lo move that members' honorarium be reduced by £SO. Replying to questions it was stated that no fires had taken place in the State forests in the North Island, and Government could not interfere in piivate forests ; that the introduction of Imperial pensioners was a subject of the first importance, and it was engaging the attention of Government; thut the Coal Mines Act would be amended so as lo provide that persons occupying Crown lands for the purpose of raising coal without a license shall be liable to c penalty; that a *um of money was spent every year to keep the graves in the military cumetery at Tauranga in order ; that to lavy a tax of 5 per cent on the banks in the colony for the privilege of issuing bauk notes would be taking away from the banks a privilege granted by Parliament many years ago, but that the subject was worthy of consideration. Several Bills were introduced. Mr Bracken moved opinion of this House the adoption of a. system of Government by coercion in Ireland would prove inimical to the best interests of the Empire, and would have the effect of marring to a large extent the rejoicings which are about tj take place in celebmtion of the Jubilee of her Majesty's loyal subjects in New Zealand; that the passing of such a measure as the Crimes Bill would be a discredit to the «r*-at and free Empire to which we are proud to belong." Ha spoke at length on the quesiion of coercion, and said it was calculated to disgrace his fello v-country-men. Mr Moss felt proud to second the moiion, and maintained the right' of the House to discuss such mntiere. Mr Samuels did not think it wise for the House lo interfere in matters of this kind, and he moved the previous question. The Premier considered the House nas quite»fiee to discusis nuch a proposition; he himself intended to support it. Sir George Grey, Messrs Reese, Turnbu'l, O'Connor, end oi hers supported ihe motion, and Meßsis Bruce, Suiter, Hitch, and Colonel Trimble opposed it. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7-30. Mr Tupuri moved the eecoad reading of the Native Land Administration Act Amendment Bill, which was brought in to exempt the Western Maori Electoral District from the Act passed last session. He spoke at great length on the measure. Mr Ballance said he could not comprehend the meaning of the Bill. He was willing to let it go to the Native Affairs Committee, but would reserve the right to oppose it there. In the course of the debate which followed, Mr Kolleston said it was quite clear the Natives did not understand what they were doing k°,l session in supporting the Bill, and how unworkable it ! would prove. The Bill was read a second time. Mr Samuel moved the second reading of the Auctioneers' Bill. It wps similar to, but more simple than, that introduced by Mr Seddon last session. It consolidated some fourteen Acts referring to auctions. The second reading was agreed to. The Public Advances on Land Bill was read a first time on the motion of Mr Ivess. i The Premier asked that the Representation Bill should be postponed till Friday. - Agreed to. In answer to a question from Mr Bryce, the Premier said the financial debate would not be taken on Friday. [ The Post-office Act Amendment Bill' passed through Committee. The Electoral Acts Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee. An amendment in clause 6 was-carried confining the extension of the hours of polling till 7 p.m. to boroughs and cities. This was again emended by altering the I hour to 6 p.m., the same as at present, land finally the clause was struck out , altogether. A number of other amendments were lost and the Bill was reported as amended. ™ | The House met at 2.30 p.m. on ThuraReplying to questions it was stated that Government could not recommend a reduction to five Ministers, and that the Ministerial salaries were not considered excessive in view of the large demands made on them ; that no steps had been taken to nut a stop to glove fights, as they were not "considered iliea-al as long as a breach of the peace wub not committed ; that the charges of members of the Waste Lands Boards in Auckland, Wellington, and Otago were according to the Land Act, but that a saving might be effected if fewer meetings were held, and that a circular had been sent out to that eflect; that the report of Mr Blackett's retirement from the Public Works Department was utter y without foundation. The Wellington Harbor Reclamation Bill was read a second time. The Ne'son Foreshore Reserve _ bill olicin d a lengthy discussion in Committee, st .v.-rii! members objecting to the clause providing that the corporation is not liable for mortgage. The debate was interrupted by thoo.oU p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at /.ou The Sydenham Borough Council Empowering Bill was read a third time and Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the Women's Suffrage Bill, asking members not to treat it in a frivolous spirit. v i i After a number of members liad ; I spoken, Mr Barm,, |* the adjourn-

merit of ihe deb.te which was lost by 32 t-i 29. Thu motion for the second reading was Pureed to by 40 to 22. Of the SouM> Canterbury members, Messrs Rolleston and Steward voted for it and Messrs Sutter and Turnbull against it.