GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 7 June 1880, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

— "» Wellington, JuneMr Shrimsti moved for a return showing the number of days and dates that Ministers had been absent Jrom the soat of Goyernment between the 19th December and the opening of the present ses» sionThe motion was discussed at some length, an eff-rt being made to get the mover 1o withdraw the motion. Sir George Grey demurred to the proposal and said it was a constant source of complaint against members of the late Government that they had been constantly running about the country. 'Ihe return askid would be valuable, so as to enable the doings of the Government to be compared with those of their prede* cessors. Mr G isborne said a similar motion some sessions ago had been moved by thp member for Egmont, and nothing was

hen said about its being., frivolous, still le thought a motion of this kind should lot be brought forward. ** The motion was eventually withdrawn. On the molion to go into Committee on .he Regulation of Elections Bill, Mr jreor^e urged that it would be better to Dostpone the Bill until the Redistribuion of Seats Bill was before them, inasmuch as the provisions of the latter migbt fo some extent affVot'the former. Clause U for example of the Regulation of Elections Act would hire to be altered, in the event of the other Sill being what it was generally expected to be. He also suggested!^ an amendment he should wish to see adopted, that members accepting portfolios should" be made to return to their constituents and at once seek for reelection. This course had been followed in England for many years past, and it would hare this co 'd effect amongst us— it would virtually. prevent members walking over from one side of the Hou3e to the other for no better reason than simpiy'to secure a seat on the Government benches. He also suggested farther amendments, but of a minor charae* ter, asd asked that the Bill should be postponed. Mr Dick said'ihat the Redistribution of Seats Bill would not be down for a few day* yet, and itfwouid be a serious inconvenience if the business, for in reality they had nothing more on the Order Paper to go on wiih, i&£ to be delayed till then. Mr Tole spoke in favor of the postponement. He considered that this Bill to a great extent affected (he question of redistribution and readjustment, and therefore it*" would be much better to consider them both together. Moreover, it had been stated that the Government did not seriously intend to bring down the redistribution measure. If such were not the case there could be no great harm result from a short delay. Mr Montgomery had no objection to go on with the first two or three clauses if the Government would then agree to report progress. He aureed in thinking that it should be considered in conjunction with the prujecied redistribu'iou measure. Mr Delatour also spoke in favor of the postponement. The motion for going into Committee was then pnt and carried. Clause 11-^Every duly registered elec« tor desiring to be a candidato for any district shall give notice to the returning officer thereof, &n. Mr Delatour moved as an amendment that the clause read ' every person desiring to be a candidate.' On a division that the clause stand as printed, the numbers were— Ayes, 35; noes, 23. Sir George Grey moved a« a further amendment that the words 'or any per* son who has at sny time been a duly qualified elector ' pc inserted after the word ' election * in the first line. The amendment was put and lost on the voices. The Committee then rose and the Hou3e adjourned. In the Legislative Council Mr Waterhouse moved for all papers connected with the conversion of the last loan, which wns equal to issuing a 4 per cent, loan at 78, while South Australia had raised a four per cent, loan at over 92, and New South Wales at £98 16s 61. He contended that if the whole of the debt was converted on the same terms it would cost the Colony £14,040,000. Colonel Whitmore seconded the motion, and said that Sir Julius Yogel had acted, without instructions, and that he should be told he was the servant, not the master of the Colony. Mr Scotland wondered tliafc the Colony had not the moral courage to get rid of Sir Julius Togel, who seemed to do as he liked with the country to which he owed every* thing, having come to New Zenland an adventurer and a broken down gambler. Colonel Brett defended Sir Julius Yogel, and was called to order. Mr Wood and Dr Pollen also defended him; Sir D. Bell said the country had made a fool of itself in the conversion of loan business. Mr Hart pointed out that the price should have been 81 instead 6f 78, which Mr Waterhoiise admitted, and after fur* ther discussion the debate was adjourned. In the House. Sir W. Fox stated that Jie had seen a prospectus of a New Zealand Land Company, published in the London Times, with the name of Mr John Bathgate as one of the directors. He wished to know whether Mr Bathgate had gone Home in a public or private capacity. In reply to Mr Hutchison, the Premier stated that the Government did not intend during the present session to deal with the subject of Chinese immigration, but would do so during next. In reply to Mr Reid as to what amount had been expended on the Grey* Hokitika Hallway out of the vote of £46;000 past last session, specifying the amounts expended before and after the close of the session, tl;e Minister of Public Works said, between the Ist- July and 19th December last, £9952 had been expended. Since that time £4080 or £14,032. In reply to Mr Reid, the Minister of Public Works stated no report had been received from the Railway Commission, and the only money now being expended was in carrying on contracts .already let, and providing work for the unemployed. Mr Hall moved the spcond reading of the Hospitnl and ChartaMe Aid Bill, when the House was left sitting,

In reply to a queaion by Mr MucDonald, the Premier stated that it was the intention of the Government to discontinue subsidies to lqca[ bodies.

Auckland, June 3 Some of the unemployed here complain that while they were to be kept at the depot till employment could be found for them the rations had been stopped, also Bring and lights, and the cook house locked up. They claim fulfilment of the original condition. Disg&sting revelations and diss closures of the City Abbatoirs' management have been made in the City Council. P'gs have been kept fora week there and fed on the remains of a heifer which died of cancer. It is said it also went to make good pork. DtJNEJDiN, June 3, Arrangements are being completed by which the enforcement of the compulsory clauses of the Education Act will in the firstinstance be carried out by the police in the Dunedin district. .