PARLIAMENT.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1272, 20 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, July 16. In the House this afternoon, Mr Seddon asked the Minister of Mines whether the Government this session, intend to introduce a Mines. Aot Amendment Bill, having for its object (1.) The reduction of fees chargeable for registration of water rights and easements in connection with quartz and alluvial claims; (2.) The reduction of rents charged for quartz and all alluvial gold mining leases; (8.) The issuing of duplioate certificates,

lost original certificatesof rights granted under "the Goldfields Act 1865" or any Act amending the same, or for rights granted under "The Mines Act 1877 "jp(4.) dEftfe issuing of, duplicate triiners fights or business licenses in the. case of the original ones being lost, or destroyed ; (5) The giving of jiower to Wardens in objection cases of frivolous applications or objections to rights applied for under " The Mines Act [1^77 " of awarding costs. The Minister asked the hon. member to postpone the question until Friday next July 19. Three new Bills were introduced in the House pi Representatives yesterday afternoon, and read a first time, viz. — The VI ount Ida Water-race Trust 1878 Amendment Bill (Mr Delatour], the Invercargill Reserves Exchange Bill (Mr Feldwick), and a BUI to amend the Sheep Act (Mr Pearson). A Select Committee was appointed on the motion of Mr C. Johnston for the purpose of inquiring "whethef 1 prison labor can with advantage to the State be employed in the manufacture of New Zealand flax for export. On the motion of Mr Pyke a Select Committee was also appointed to inquire into and report upon any petition presented to the House alleging grievances resulting from the existing system of education. Mr Ivess moved the second reading of the Election Petition Act Amendment Bill. He said it might be supposed that a returning officer could be JS^a* responsible for any errors in connection with any election. But how could that be expected, seeing that the officers' fee only amounted to £5 ss. The present measure was brought, he said, in the interests of the purity of elections.. > Mr Smith Seconded the motion. Mr Sheehan had no doubt in future the Government would take care to employ more competent returning officers than in the past ;.;; Tine Second ireafcHng was then agreed to without a dissentient voice. Sir G. Grey moved that the Constitution Amending Act Repeal Bill be read a second time. The Treasurer thought the promoter ought to have given the House some idea of the object he had in view on bringing down the Bill, the object of which, he said, was simply to repeal an Act of the Imperial Parliament, authorising the New Zealand Legislature , to amend certain clauses in the constitution.' The; l^ill , was received by a majority of 23. Mr Dodson moved the second reading of the Compulsory Vaccination Repeal BilL He objected very much to compulsory legislation of any sort At the present time when a child was born he- was taken and vaccinated, whether his parents liked it or not ; he was then educated by the Government, and when he grew up his food and drink were regulated by Acts of Parliament; also, the hours during which he might drink; and he was further surrounded by laws setting forth the place at which he was allowed to turn a street corner or cross a bridge. The House divided. The Bill was thrown out by 43 to 8. On the motion of Mr Dargaville the Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trust Board Bill was read a second time, and at 12*35 a.m. the House rose.