GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1166, 13 November 1871, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

— >»- (Special report per Greville and Co., Router's agents.) Wellington, Nov. 11, 2.40 p.m. The Railway Bill has passed. Mount Rochfort aud Westport being added to tho coal-field lines. : The whole of the Estimates are passed. The Immigration and Public Works Bill passed, clause 100 being strongly but unsuccessfully opposed. Messrs Swauson and Reid proposed • additions to the railway schedule, which wore negatived. . . ; An agreement has been come to between the House and Mr Srnythies as^ to the Law Practitioners' Bill, and £100 was voted to Mr Smythies, to enable himto take advantage of its provisions to seek rcadniissioii. - • On the motion for going into committee on the .Appropriation Bill to-day, Mr' Bathgate moved a resolution that the appropriations be extended six months beyond the end of the financial year. Mr Yogel, in the interest of the public service, supported the proposal. If the Houso really wanted to see the effect of the policy initiated, it was necessary to give .Government some breathing time. They would in reality have no time to do anything if the House met at the usual period. Mr Shepherd, Otago, chai t actei'ised the proposal as a cool and daring one. Mr Haughton supported the motion. Mr Fitzherbert opposed it, as representatives would bo betraying their trust, if, having given such large powers to the Government, they now relinquished their right to demand an account at the usual time. Mr Fox strongly supported the motion, assuring members that the question when Parliament would meet would in no way affect the decision of the Government as to where it would meet. . Mr Gillies opposed the motion. Mr Gisborne supported the motion. Messrs Reid, G. M'Lean, and Andrew spoke strongly against the proposal. Mr Macaudrew supported it. Mr Reeves thought the proposal unwise, and as a true friend of the Government urged the withdrawal of the motion; if not, he should vote against it. Messrs White, Rolleston, Bunny, and Parata opposed it. : t Mr Bathgate, in view of the unmistakeable expression of opinion against the motion, asked leave to withdraw it, but was refused. , ; • Mr Stafford characterised the proposals as extraordinary and unconstitutional, saying that if such a breach of constitutional practice were carried he would immediately resign his i seat in the Legislature. •■-....!. Messrs Collins, Katene, and Swanson opposed the motion, and it was negatived on the voices. .'■''■■' '••'.■•.■.;.'■ : ■■' .-,,'.;. . The Appi'opriation Bill was read a second time; and committed. It was not read a third tinle, Mr Yogel saying that the Government would not do ho until the question of the Council's amendments to the— Payment to Provinces Bill were settled. It was possible the session might last some weeks even yet. . Mr Fox said that the session would not last long if the House would support the Government in the action it would take, if forced to do so. The Brannigan Pension Bill was withdrawn after a debate in which considerable opposition was made to the granting of the pension. The Government, in obedience to the evident wiah of the House, promised to bring down a vote in a lump snm, instead of a pension; they suggested £1200, but several' members said they would not support more than £1000. The House adjourned to noon on Monday.