Latest Parliamentary.

Western Star, Issue 1577, 8 July 1891, Page 2

Latest Parliamentary.

(By Telegraph) Wellington, Tuesday. The Council met at 2 30 p.m. The Promoters and Directors Liability Bill, the Repeals Bill, the Partnerships Bill and the Indecent Advertisement Bill were read the third time. The House met at 2.30 p.m. .Replying to Mr Taipua, the Hon. Mr Ballance said that when the question of making further appointments to the Legislative Council was considered by the Government, the claims of the Maori race for farther representation in the Council would receive consideration, but the matter had not been finally settled by the Government.

Replying to/Mr M’Guire, the Hon. Mr Ballance said that when the Native Lands Bill came down he ‘hoped it would contain a provision to the effect that Natives who hold land in their own right should be responsible for a fair shares of rates, but the question was a difficult one to deal with.

Mr Jackson Palmer moved the introduction of the Government Railway Act Repeal Bill.—Mr Backhand contended that this measure was opposed to the Standing Orders, as if it proposed to abolish Railway Commissioners, as he understood it was meant to do, the Bill would also have to provide for compensation to be awarded to Commissioners. This would therefore make it a money bill, which no private member could introduce.—Mr Palmer explained that the bill did not contain a provision of this nature. —Motion agreed to. Mr Wilson the debate on the Financial Statement, and on Mr Fish’s amendment a motion that the Speaker leave the chair. Ho complained that the new regulations issued by the Minister for Lands would not tend to promote settlement. It was disappointment to him that the Statement made n® mention of Education, and ho had hoped that some of the surplu\would have been devoted to the assistance of schools in the country districts. He said he could not support the proposals in the linaucial Statement as at present submitted by the Government. Mr Valentine asserted that since the introduction of the Property Tax, there had been a great improvement in the condition of New Zealand, and declared that if the taxation proposals of the Government were given effect to, they would practically result in the depopulation of the colony. He condemned the administration of the Minister for Lands, and said Mr McKenzie’s idea seemed to bo that everything done by his predecessor in office was wrong and should he reversed.

The debate was interrupted by the I.BU adjournment.

Mr Macarthur, ti o member for Rangitikei, is serious!v ill at Foston. Stone in the bladder is his complaint.

Mr Palmer informs me that he contemplates bringing an action for libel tor £2,000 against the Evening Press.