HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2802, 28 June 1890, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(BY TELKGBAI'H—PItKSS association). FRIDAY. The House resumed at 2.30. p.m. Replying to questions, the Minister of Lands said he was making inquiries, into the advisabilness of introducing an amendment of the Selector's Land Revaluation Act, to include holders of small grazing runs. Mr Hesiop said there was no truth in the statement made in an English journal called " Fair Play " to the effect that two members of the Government owed £00,000 to the Bank of Now Zealand. It was also stated that the contract for twelve miles on the Oxfurd-Rotorua Railway would be completed in October 1891; that £4902 19s 3d was advanced to the New Plymouth Harbour Board in October last when the Cont-oi'sion Loan was being arranged, and the sum of £3391) still remained to be paid but there was a doubt whether it could be collccted out of rates ; that Judge Edwards would sit as Judge of the Supreme Court at Nelson on the 2nd July; that the Government were still taking steps in the direction of abolishing the Public Works Department but as long as they were expending public money it was necessary there should be some Department to administer it; that an expert would be sent in the course of a few months to visit the agricultural districts on the West Coast of the Middle Island with a \iewof having instructions given to those engaged in dairy and farming pursuits, and in the art of making butter and cheese ; that the Government could not place a sum on supplementary estimates to defray cost of stocking streams in the interior of the North Island with trout. Mr Fulton resumed the debate on the Registration of Electors Bill. Mr McKenzie (Clutha), and Mr Peacock supported the measure and Messrs Fisher, Reeves and Izard spoke against it.

Mr Mitchelson moved an adjournment of the debate to enable the Premier to make a statement.

Sir H. Atkinson then said that owing to the slate of his health he had for some timo past felt himself in a somewhat anomalous position. Circnmstances were so peculiar and difficult that it had been impossible to finally decide what was the right course to pursue until today, and he took the first opportunity of explaining to the House what had been done. He had unfortunately been so unwell that his medical advisers had told him that it would be absolutely dangerous for him to enter into any exciting dsbate whatever. He had therefore thought the proper course to pursue would be to retire, but hie friends were very averse to his doing that, and he therefore proposed not to resign but to retain the Premiership, and he was going to ask the House extraordinary indulgence, and to excuse him from attending the chief debates, He proposed to superintend tho work of Government, but not to undertake any work which would be dangerous to him in his present condition. He might say he was quite capable of doing work nut of an exciting nature, and he wished to assure the House that it was not from any desire to escape work he asked for an indulgence of this kind. Mr Balhince said things were not altogether unprepared on that side of the House for tho announcement that has just been made. So far as it affected the lion, gentleman's illness he might say that they sincerely and heartily extend to the lion gentleman their warm sympathy and he trusted he would not be aggravated by public business which he was able to perform. With regard to the arrangement just made, he would take an early opportunity of stating his opinion on it, but he was quite sure the indulgence asked for by the Premier, so far as regarded his own personal convenionco and health, would be readily extended to him by the House.

In reply to Mr Reeves, Sir H. Atkinson said he would be the nominal leader, and the responsibility would rest with him, but he should have to absent himself from the great debates, and that the Native Minister would* lead the House in his absence. The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr O'Connor continued the debate on the Registration of Electors Bill. Mr Mitchelson, in replying to Mr Fish, said the Government would in committee propose a clause that the Bill should not apply to the next general election. [ Mr Fish opposed the Bill, and suggested that it be held over till next session. Mr Taylor also opposed the Bill, Mr Bruce would support the second reading. Mr Moss objected to a dying Parliament passing such a measure. Mr Sanders supported the Bill and hoped the Government would carry it through. Mr Newman complained of the Government bringing in so many Bills, and would strongly oppose the present measure. Messrs McKenzie (Waihemo), Blake, Buchanan, Taiwhauga, Bryce, Duncan, and Reeves (Inangahua), spoko in opDosition to the Bill. Messrs Allen and Beethan announced their attention of .supporting it. Mr Russell thought it would be very, wrong if they did not pass the Bill as no single objection'had been made to its principle. Messrs Fraser, Buxton, and Percival considered the Bill quite unnecessary. Mr Hislop asserted it was doing the intelligence of the people of this colony, anything but justice to assert they could not understand a Bill which had already been in force in Victoria for several years. On a division being taken the second reading was carried by 30 to 23. The House rose at 10.5 p.m.