TELEGRAPHIC From the Daily Southern Cross. PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 44, 10 August 1872, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC From the Daily Southern Cross. PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

HOUSE OF - REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Thursday. Mr. Vogel withdrew the amendment lie had moved on the previous day, "That the matter be referred to the Goldfields Committee, to consider whether the duty could be advantageously dispensed with on existing , goldfields- and in view of goldfields yet likely to be discovered " He stated that the Government Would still divide against the motion, in oruer that the responsibility of making the reduction might rest on the shoulders of those who would be affected by it, the goU duty being Provincial revenue. On division, the motion reducing , the duty was carried by 34 to 11. Mr. Vogel then stated that the Government was no longer opposed to the reduction, but would either support a bill to effect it if introduced by Mr. Collins, or would introduce it. Mr. Collins requested the Government to take charge of the measure. Mr. Charles O'Neill moved his resolution in favour of giving ihe Thames an additional representative in the General Assembly. Mr. Wakcfield admitted the justice of the claim, and made a long speech on the unequalifcies of representation. He concluded by moving aa addition to the resolution to the effect that this was only <>uo of several cases proving the necessity for re-distribution. Mr. Gisborne strongly opposed the proposal to increase the number of members in the House, ami siafed that the question of distribution having been settled in 1670, the Government were not prepared to ask the i House to re-consider it this sessionMr. Macmdrew opposed the resolution, although he admitted that Mr. O'Neill had 1 made out ago >d case. He thought it quite puffioient to re-adjusf; representation iu the J last session of each Parliament. I Mr. Murray urged the reduction of the nnm- ■ ber of members of the House, and moved as I aa amendment that it was inexpedient to j interfere with the representation of the colony i unless the whole question were re-considered and re-adjusted. Mr. Sheehan supported the resolution, pointing out the inequality between the representatives of the Province of Auckland and the province of Taranaki. He urged, the taking of a member from Taranaki and the giving of the seat to the Thames. Mr. Ingles has introduced a bill to provide j for the annexation of a portion of the provinces of Nelson and Maryborough to Canterbury. . : Mr. Curtis intimated his intention of opposing the bill to the utmost. Mr. Bathgate has introduced a bill to limit j the legal rate of interest to six per cent. Greville furnishes the following to the '« Star ":—" In the Upper House, yesterday* the motion of Mr. Sewell was brought forward iu reference to the Sun Francisco mail contract, and the House weufc into committee i to consider the same. Several speakers condemned Mr. Vogel's action in the matter, and the debate was adjourned. The Upper House carried a resolution in farour of li-niting the nnmber and functions of the Ministry.