GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 39, 30 July 1872, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

STORMY DEBATE. July 27, 10'30 A.id. In tho- Houae yesterday, Mr. J? ox, in reply to Mr. Swanaon, said that the Government had no inten* tion to introduce an Education Bill. He Inferred to the conflict of opinion in the House, and the religious differences in tlie provineea.which would make it very difficult to devise measures that would be generally acceptable in spite of tho renewed zeal in- the provinces regarding education. He said that the Government were desirous of giving time for the purpose of allowing the religious differences to subside. He referred in course of his speech to tho Province of Auckland, whose educational system, prior to last sesiion, had been alleged quite in-

sufficient. Mr. Gillies, followed by Mr. Creighton, both, entirely refuted the Premier s statement in. reference to Auckland. . The Tramways Bill was read" a second time. This Bill emiK)wera local bodies to conatruot tramways in different districts, without any General Government or Provincial Government liability. The Public Health Bill was committed after being ■lightlo amended ; several, new clauses being added. The Lifo Assurance-Bill has beenmlighfcly amended.. Mr. Cl-eighton supported the Bill, Mr. Fitzherbert condemned it strongly as. tending to. interfere with private enterprise.. ILe* said that a Bill like the one proposed would cause capital to be drivcil but of the country . He fiurfcher held that if-the Govern.ment really, desired to. bo consistent in its; paternal solicitudb it should l devise measures to make LifeAssurance compulsory among the peopli;. He hoped 1 that if the Government continuod in their present reckless policy people would come in with. such, ovenvheming power as utterly to. swamp their actions and take the wliol# matter put of their own: hands. , The reading of tho Highway Boards Empowering; Bill was hdjouriiedat the instigation of Maori representation! The Marriage with Deceased Wife's Sister Bill' passed, its. first reading.. A select committee was appointed to- consider the advisability of establishing a branch mint. The House agreed to a return being fuinished showing the cost of. the importation, of immigrants.. Mr. O'Rorke drew attention to tlie AgentGeneral's neglect of Ireland, and said that immigration from- Ireland. wouldi be self-supporting if: once opened. The debate- the- reduction of the gold. duty, has been, adjourned.