HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5325, 1 August 1895, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wbdnisdat, July 31. The House met at 2.40 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Maaaey, The Hon J. M'Kenzis said that the Agricultural Department had under consideration the advisablenesß of offering a bonus for encouraging the production of European flax in the colony. Eeplying to Mr Or. J. Smith, The Hon E. J. Seddon said that he had received no communication from the Mayor of Christchuroh with respect to the state of the labour market in that city. Eeplying to Mr Buddo, The Hon W. P. Beeves said that probably an amendment would be brought in in the Shopß and Shop Assistants Act to allow harvesting machinery agents to keep open on the statutory half-holiday for the eals of harvesting machinery only. Replying to Mr M'Lachlan, The Hon W. P. Beeves said that he should consult the law officers to see whether the New Zealand creditors of Miles and Co., of Chriefcchurch, could be protected from the loss sustained on their wool on the ground that the firm was ' domiciled in London. THE OTAGO CENTRAL KAIL-WAY. Mr Eabnbhaw moved the adjournment of the House to refer to the refusal of the Premier to furnish him with a return as to the expenditure on the Otago Central line. He spoke at some length, and declared that every vote for works in Otago had been deliberately withheld by the present Government. The Hon J. M'Kenzie said that Mr Earnahaw was prompted to ask for these returns by the Otago Central League, but that League had expressed itself satisfied with the action of the Government. Mr Earnshaw and the League, however, were doing more harm than good to tho Otago Central by their action. Several other members spoke on various subjects, and a lengthy discussion arose, which continued till the 5.30 adjournment.