HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Volume 10, 25 October 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[Pfcß PUKSS AOKNCV.] Wellington, Oetobor 22. In lhe House to-day ML 'an prc-jontcd a petition from Mossrs M'Curthy of tho Pross Agoncy praying that they mny bo placod on on equal footing witb regard to special wiro with thoso to whom monopoly was given. On tho report of the Joint Houso Committe'o recommending lhat tho city of Wellington members bo Iho House Committee during th^rocess, a discussion onsued rcspetdintf 4be**exp«uii#^Mionrro'l fy tho Committoo dnst sea ion which was ndmonishod pending tho printing of the roport. Tho Beporling Committee recom* mended tho Government to obtain an cs< timiito of tho oost of printing portions of Hansard in Maori. ' Stout promised in reply to Curtis to o msidor during the recess tho expediency of amonding tho law so bs to admit of tbo examination ot prisoners on criminal trial. In reply to Mr Foldwiok Mr Macandro<v promised to consider during tho rocess the itooossily of a Fisheries Preservation Bill. The Proraior promised to lay boforo tbo Houso to-morrow tbe Annual Marino Roport. In roply to Mr Donglas whothor, in tho event of bis charges against tho Judges being proved, bo should bo bmpcnJcd Irom practico. Mr Barton intd the question was un* worthy of Mr Douglas, und equally unworthy of notico from bim. Mr M'Lcau moved without notico that papers be laid on the tnblo rolatiyo to the jjranting of tho uso of a wpcciul wire to certain nowupnpors. Mr Stcut objectod to tho motion without notice. Mr M'Lean moved the adjournment of tho House and wont on to condomn the attempted monopoly granted to cortain newspapers as a design to crush an independent pross, especially in the faco of Dr Lomon's protest. Mr Wakefield said the improssion provnilod tbat a wrongful transaction hud boen entered into. Mr For said the Government proposod to grmta monopoly to three Minihtcrial journals which are already largely subtddisod with Government advertisements bo rest of the Pross of tbo colony wero not afforded nn opportunity, but tbo arrangement was exclusive. Mr Fisbor suid eight journal! had joined the combination, Tho now nrrnngo mont would not bogiu till next yoar, and in tbo menntimo tbo Government hoped to provido another wiro for the Press tho Governmont did soo its way at prosont to increaso tbo facilities granted to tho Pross. Maj-ir Atkinson said tlio proposod n»> rangement would give a monopoly to ono section of tho Press, and leavo tbo rest dependent on tbo elintioo.-i of another wire. Mr Biohnrdson drew tho attention of the Government to tho faot tbat ono important letter from tbo Press Agency bad been omittod from tho correspondence laid on tho table. Mr Bnllanco promised lhat tbo Idler .hould bo brought down,

Mr M'Loun said the missing letter was an offer to pay for a special wire, Government to name its own price. Would the Attorney^Gencral deny that ho had intitruetod tho.oditor of a paporin which ht was interested to mako this applicatiou. Mr Stout " that is utterly false." Tbo Spoakor ruled Nlr Stont out of ordor. Mr M'Lean contended that tho Government could not stretch another wire from Auckland to tbo Bluff by next year, nor bnd tbey any matorial. A motion for au adjournment was negatived on tbo voices. j The following orders woro to-day dis« j charged from ihe papor :— Fencing, Fino I Arts Copy Copyright, Amondment j Fisheries Preservation, Publican's Licen* ses, Babbit Nuisanco, Brands. Begistration, Impounding, Bribery, Dog Begtstrat'ons, Wanganui Harbor, Dunedin Botauioal Gardens. Sbcoban said if he drafto.l a Licensing Bill for tbo next session, it would be circulated during tho recoss. Ho believed the bost pioibod would bo to leavo fixing licnso too* to local bodies, who received thoin as rcvenu*. The Cour.cil to* day passed tbo Timaru Harbor Bill ns amended. Tbo Council appointed members *.o confer with the other chamber on Sheep Bill, Debtor's and Creditor's Law Amendment Bi 1. Tho District Bailways Bill [ was read a second time,