HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1104, 23 June 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, June 19. On the motion of Weston, a return has been made of the stamps distributed and sold at the following places during the year ended April 30: — Hokitika, .£1872; Reefton, £1055; Greymouth, £964; Kumara, £194; Goldsborough, £70 ; Stafford, £44. It has been decided that the trial of strength between parties will be made immediately after the return of members from their visit to Christchurch. On the Opposition side Sheehan appears to be pulling the strings, although apparently keeping in the background. Whether successful or not it is quite clear that a want of confidence motion will be moved. It is probable that the tactics will be to put up a second or third rate man to move the hostile motion, who, if defeated, will be repudiated by his party. If successful, he will voluntarily retire into his proper position, and a leader will be subsequently chosen to take up the running. It is scarcely necessary to say that in such case the leader will be Sir George Grey. June 22. Joseph Ivess, who was introduced by Montgomery and W. White, took oath, and his seat for Wakanui. In the House yesterday afternoon, the questions asked were few and unimportant. In answer to Cadman, the Treasurer said it was not the intention of the Government to make any provision for members returning to their constituents for re-election on taking office. Shrimski's motion, re members visit to the Exhibition, was carried. Barron moved in opinion of House any proposal for the increase of the public debt of the Colony by further borrowing, should be submitted to the electors, and receive the approval of three-fifths of their number, before being finally sanctioned by the Legislature, was negatived by 44 to 25. At the evening sitting, Seddon moved the second reading of the Gold Duties Abolition Bill, the debate on which occupied till the supper adjournment. The promoter said that gold miners were a class who had contributed very largely to the colonial revenue, and he now contended that the time has arrived when some alteration should take place, and they should be relieved of their burden. Hon. Mr Rolleston said he was far from being convinced that the conclusions arrived at by Seddon were in the interest of the miners, and he trusted that the House would pause before passing a Bill that would cause confusion in financial arrangements of the country. Sheehan moved, as an amendment, that the debate be adjourned till Monday, proximo. He did this in good faith, having always voted in favor of a reduction of the tax upon gold miners. The amendment was seconded by Weston. Munro supported the second reading of the Bill, which he hoped would go to a division that night. Fergus trusted that the amendment would be agreed to, so that in the meantime the goldfields members might mature their proposals, or submit them to the Minister of Mines. If the second reading were pressed forward that evening, he would follow the promoter into the lobby to secure the removal of what he considered a most iniquitous imposition upon gold miners. Captain M'Kenzie also thought it an unjust one. Petrie, in supporting the second reading, expressed his opinion that there was not a single member of the present Ministry capable of thoroughly understanding the mining industry. Grey spoke in favor of abolishing the gold duty, and the second reading found another supporter in FitzGerald. Sheehan eventually withdrew the amendment after conferring with the promoter. Hall and Seddon having replied, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. After supper, De Latour moved that the second order of the day, the second reading of the Central Otago Goldfields Reserves Bill, be discharged from the order paper. This was agreed to, and the Pill was withdrawn. M. G. Green then moved the second reading of the Employment of Females Act Amendment Bill, Levestam intimating that when in Committee he would move the insertion of a clause providing that employers should have the power to change the half-holiday from Saturday to any other day. The motion was then agreed to. The second reading of the School Committees Election bill was next moved by Steward, who said the measure was an honest endeavor to remove certain difficulties, which those who had been connected with School Committees had found to exist under the present laws. Motion agreed to on voices, and the House rose at quarter to one, a.m.

In reply to a question Mr Rolleston said it was not the intention of the Government to bring down within the next fortnight a Special Powers and Contracts Bill. Grey's Bill dealing with pastoral lands was then read a second time on the voices, and the whole remainder of the afternoon was occupied with a debate on the second reading of the Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill, which gives the Board power to borrowing £300,000, for harbor works. The Bill passed the second reading on the voices, at 5-20 p.m.