PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1856, 12 July 1886, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(non OCB SPECIAL COBBEBPONDENT.)

OSTBICH FASHING. The Premier, in answer to Sir George Grey, said the Government of 1882 offered a bonus for the introduction of ostriches, bathe did not know that there was any person in the Colony willing to lake np ostrich farming. He would not object to a bounty being given if any one expressed himself willing to introduce ostriches. Sir George Grey then laid on the table a letter from a gentleman willing to introduce ostriches, adding that that gentleman would introduce fifty if he got a bounty of £ls ahead. TUB COLONIAL EXHIBITION. The Premier read a cable message from the Agent General to the effect denying the report* that the display in the New Zealand Court at the Exhibition was very poor, and reporting favorably with respect to it. GOVXBNHENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION. Mr Beetham asked the Government, whether they would extend the time for receiving voting papers for the Government Insurance Association. The Premier said the Government bad nothing to do with it, and he might say that he did not think there «M any power under the regulations to extend the time. Mr Beetham suggested calling a meeting of Directors. The Premier said it «a* not competent for the Directors to make the extension. PUBLIC ADVANCES ON LAND BILL. Mr MaeAndrew moved the second reading of this Bill. He said there wae no shutting their eye* to the fact that unless produce paid better, and assistance were given, many of Ihaae aettien would not be able to meet their engagements. The Legislature, of eontse, could not control the price of produce, but it could control the rate of interest on money. " The Bill said that the interest on land was too heavy, and that it was expedient to make advaocea on moderate terms on the security of the land. He maintained that it came within the function—nay, was the bonnden duty—of the State to make these advaocea.” The advances were to be to the extent of half the value of the land, and not more than £2OOO was to be advanced te any one person or partnership. A lengthy debate followed some speakers supporting the bill as affording aid to the Agricultural class, and ethers opposing it on the grounds that the Stats ought not to be made a huge banker, and that it oonld not afford to lend money at At par cent, the rate of interest proposed. Ultimately the Bill passed it* second reading by 82 to 16 votes. The House then rose at 13.36. District Railwats CemimxE— Steward aid Vogel Charged with Improper Conduct. On Friday, in the House of Representatives the Committee appointed to make inquiries as to whether any member of the Legisia ture had negotiated for or claimed or received any remuneration or commission for promoting the passage through the House of the District Railwtys Purchasing Act, 1866, or for negotiating the sale or purchase of any debenture* connected therewith, made their report. This report state* in effect that Mr Steward improperly used bis influence as a member of Parliament to effect the sale of certain district railway debentures to the Government, and that he had in view the receipt of a heavy money commission ; also that it is greatly to be regretted that neither Mr Steward nor Sir Julius Vogel, as it appears by their respective evidence, recognise any impropriety in a member of Parliament acting as a paid agent in making a sale to the Government. The discussion on the subject was adjourned till Wednesday. Bills. Several Bills were fuither considered in Committee, and the House rose at 1 a.m.