PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 671, 24 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, June 23. The Council met at 2.30, but immediately adjourned to four, to enable members to take leave of the Governor. SECOND READINGS. On resuming, the Trades Marks Act Amendment Bill and the Waikato Confiscated Land Bill were read a second time. AUCKLAND HARBOR BOARD BILL. The debate on the motion to go into committee on the Auckland Harbor Bill was interrupted by the 5 p. m. adjournment. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, June 23. The House met at 2.30 and adjourned to four, to allow Ministers to see the Governor off. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. On the motion of Mr Wright, the Ashburton County Council Empowering Bill was read a second time. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, it was stated : That it had come to the knowledge of the Government that the ladies’ waiting room at Mercer Railway Station had on one occasion been used for the accommodation of lodgers, and the lessee had been cautioned against a repetition.—Government had under consideration the propriety of instituting a pension fund for all branches of the public service, the cost of which should be provided for by a compulsory and proportionate deduction from the salaries and wages of persons employed in the Civil Service.—The case of Farnie, a teacher in the Dunedin Normal School, and dismissed by the Education Board for writing a letter to one of the papers, was one with which the Government had nothing to do, as it rested wholly with the Education Board. MOTIONS.

The following motions were put and carried (Mr Johnston) —“That a committee be appointed, to consist of five members, to consider and report upon the propriety of giving the consent of the Government to the reference of Brogden claims under the provisions of the Government Contractors Arbitration Bill, 1872, the committee to consist of Sir John Hall, and Messrs Macandrew, Fulton, Montgomery, and the mover ”; (Mr O Callaghan)—“ That the House resolve into committee to consider an address to the Governor praying that a portion of the amount paid up to 1880 for incidental expenses to several Boards of Education may be restored, and will recommend for appropriation this year a sum of 5s per child on the average attendance at district schools, with a view of enabling the Boards to return the 10 per cent, deducted from the salaries of schoolmasters.” PRIVATE BILLS COSTS BILL. On the motion for the committal of the Private Bills Costs Bill, a discussion ensued, which resulted in the consideration of the proposal being postponed for a fortnight. PAYMENT OP MEMBERS.

Mr Seddon moved—“ That members of the House of Represen»atives be compensated for the expense incurred and time devoted by them to the legislation of the country, and that the said payment should be fixed by statute; and (second) that an address be presented to the Governor requesting him to recommend that a sum of L. 25,000 be appropriated out of the consolidated revenue, payable every session, and that a Bill be introduced into Parliament to give effect to that object. The Speaker ruled that the second resolution could not be put. An address could only be moved in committee of the whole. Mr Seddon said he would move the first part of the motion, and went on to argue upon the importance of getting the honorarium question fixed upon a permanent basis. He argued that there were men of ability in the colony who could not afford to devote themselves to the country without some compensation. Other colonies and countries had pursued this course with advantage to legislation and to the public. The unseemly spectacle of voting the honorarium year by year would be superseded. He reminded them that under triennial parliaments they were put to increased expense. The object was to increase the amount paid to L3OO. Mr Seddon’s motion was put and carried on the voices. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The original motion for going into Committee of Supply was then put and carried. Geological and Metrological Department, L36,4C0. The vote as printed passed. Agent-General’s Department, L 3,500. —Passed. Charitable Aid, L 40,000. —Carried. Lunatic Asylum, L 41,165. —Item, Inspector, LI,OOO. Mr George moved that it be struck out. Mr Sheehan moved that progress be reported. After considerable discussion, Mr George’s motion to strike out the item Inspector of Lunatic Asylums and Hospitals, L 1,200 was negatived on the voices. Mr Dick stated the office was not yet filled. The total vote, L 41,165, was then passed, progress reported, and the House rose at 2.5 a.m.