HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7168, 1 August 1890, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellihoton, July 31. The House met at 2.30. ME HUTCIirSOH CHARGES. Mr Withey brought up an intorim report of tho Hutchison Charges Committee, to the following effect : — " Your Committee has the honour to report that a difficulty ha 3 arisen in tho conduct of its inquiry, resulting from the refusal of the Bank of Now Zealand to produce a certain portion of the books and documents requisitioned for. This portion contains the private accounts of certain members of the Miniatiy." Appended to the report is the correapondenco between the Chairman of Committee and tho President of the Bank of Now Zealand on the subject. The report was ordered to lie on the'tablc Mr Withy then moved that tho report bo taken into consideration to-morrow at 2.30, and that permission be given to the Bank of New Zealand to bo Brat heard by counsel at the bar of tho House. In reply to tho Hon John Hall, the Speaker said counsel would be hoard boforo the report waa considered. The motion was agreed to. PABLIAMENIABY HDEAEIAK. Mr Saunders said ho understood that a Parliamentary librarian had been appointed that day, and he felt sure the majority of the House would not vote the salary for that officer. He merely wished to express the hope that the appointment should not be confirmed until after the salary waa voted. NBWSPAPEB OHABGBB OK BAIIWAYB. Mr Reeves (Inangahua) moved, That in the opinion of thia House the conduct of the Railway Commissioners in making a charge for transmission of single newspapers is vexatious and injurious to the best interests of the colony. I'he debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. Bins. The Borough of Brunnor Bill and the Auckland Hospital Reserves Bill passed through Committee without amendment, wore read a third time and passed. The Otago School Commissioners Empowering Bill, Omaka Recreation Reserve Bill, and the Waipu County Bill were read a second time. Mr Steward (Waimate) movoi that the amendments made in the Dog Registration Bill be agreed to. — The motion was agreed to, and the Bill read a third time and passed. Mr Samuel moved the second reading of the Quinquennial Parliaments Bill, to repeal the Triennial Parliaments Bill, and to provide for the duration of future Parliaments to five years. He asserted that under the prosent system the power of members waa entirely neutralised during the first two sessions, and there was great power for evil in the third session, owing to fear of offending constituents. That state of things would be remediod if Parliament were to exist for five years initead of three, as at present. — Dr Tanner supported the Bill on the score of economy. — Captain Russell opposed the Bill as a Minister, but if he were a private member he freely confessed ho should support it. Ho thought ' that bofore any ehango was made the eleotors should have another opportunity of considering it.— Dr Hodgkinson considered it would be bettor to lessen than to increase the term, and should oppose. — Mr Bruce said the measure had his moat sincere sympathy. — Sir George Grey had alwayß been a supporter of the triennial system, and he felt confident in hia own mind that the House would not assent to the present Bi]l. — Mr ReevesJJnangahua) opposed the Bill.— 'Attev Mr Ward h«d tried for an adjournment, Mr Satindera spoke in support of the Bill, and tho motion for the second reading was Iqst by 45 to 18. The Homo went intg Committoe on the Auctioneers Bill. In clause 8, providing that no person shall sell by auction unless licensed, it was agreed to strike out that portion relating to a penalty of £10, so as to provide that tho penalty should not exceed £100. Clause 4 ; Application for pertißcatg. Mr Downie Howard moved to strike out fyo words which proposed 'to enable an auctiqncor to cliooso whether ' ho would take out his licenso in tho district where he resides, or that where ho has his placo of business. —The motion w»a last by 35 to 17.— Mr Fish said ho would sacrifice liis voice and personal comfort to destroy a Bill which was bo injurious in its effect. After speaking at great length, he moved that the Chairman leave the chair. — Tho motion was lost by 81 to 51. After 11 p.m. discussion on Glau'd 4 of tho Auctioneers Bill laßtcd upwarda of three hours, progress being oventually reported. The House wont into CommUtee on the Employment of Females anf others' Act Amendment Bill which was reported without amendment. The House rose at 1 a.m.