PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1283, 8 July 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wrdnekday, July 7.

Sir F. Whitakur moved the second reading; of the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill. The motion was agreed to. The adjourned debate on Sir F. Whitaker’s resolution regarding the New Hebrides question was resumed by Dr Menzies, who moved an amendment to the effect that the Great Powers should arrange that European convicts should not bo sent to the Western Pacific Islands. A long debate ensued until the adjournment hour. The Council resumed at 7 30. when the debate on the New Hebrides resolutions was continued.

Sir F. Whitaker, In replying, said that the New Hebrides were of no possible use to the colonies, and it would be better that the French convicts should be permitted to settle in the New Hebrides rather than they should be allowed to the over-run the whole of the Pacific Group. It would in his opinion be an insult to Imperial Government, and also to the Qouee of Representatives if the Council did not express an opinion with regard to the proposed treaty.

Sir F. Whitaker’s resolution went to a division —Ayes, 17 ; Noes, 10.

Sir F. Whitaker then withdrew the motion for the second reading of the French Criminals Bill. The Connell adjourned at 10 p, ra.

HOUSE OFJREPRESENTATIVBS.

Wednesday July 7 The House met at 7.30 p.m. QUESTIONS.

Replying to questions it was stated that steps would be taken during the recess to obtain suitable books for primary schools, on agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture ; that the reports in the newspapers as to the unsatisfactory nature of the New Zealand exhibits at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition were contradicted by private letters received by the Government, bat that enquiry had been made by cable and a reply was expected in a few days ; that Tawhlao had been offered a seat in the Legislative Council, which was refused, bat the offer was still open BU.LS

Tfad Native Laads Ooart Bill was reported from Committee, read a third time and pasaed. Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Gisborne Prison Biil. The motion waa rgreed to. ■ Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Destitute Persons Act Amendment BiH, the object of which waa to enable the wife to give evidence against her husband, or the husband against the wife. The motllfn was agreed to. Mr Tole moved the eeoond reading of the Animals Protection Act, 1850 Amendment Bill, the object of whch waa to get pveradifliouityinconneotlon with the word “ game ” in the original Act. The motion was agreed to. Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Oodlln Moth Act Amendment Bill, and explained that the Bill had already paesed the Legislative Connell. Its object was that the Governor may declare any part of the colony affected with the moth.—After some discussion, in which Mr Fescock, Mr Hobbs, and Mr Ormand took part, the second reading waa carried by 33 to 19. Mr Ballanco the second reading of the Defencs Bill. It waa to a large extent a consolidation measure. It dealt with the classification of those persons liable to serve in the militia of the colony, and also referred to the volunteer system. The Bill further enab'od.the Government to call out the volunteers if necessary, for active service. This was rendered during the recent Russian scare there was no ue :63aary owing to its beingfouad that power to call out the permanent mili ia and armed constabulary. The second reading was agreed to. Mr Hailance moved the second reading of the Police Free Bill. If carried it would enable the police to he put on the electoral roll. The motion was agreed to. The Counties Bill was reported from committee, read a third time, and parsed. The Premier moved the second reading of theHospitalsand Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill. He said the Biil was brought in to provide for increasing the subsidy on voluntary contributions to 245, and enable the Treasurer to make advances to boards. Mr Macarthur aaiid theta were many necessary amendments which were not inserted in *his bill. Mr Seddon aut ported the bill. The debate was interrupted by the 5 30 ,p.m. adjournment. The debate on the Hospital and Charit-

able Aid Bill was continued in the evening by Messrs Lake, Walker, Whyte, O’Con nor, Buchanan, Steward, Kerr, G. F. Richardson, W. F. Buckland, Sutter, Hursthouse, Reese, Levestam, McMillan, and Dr Newman, who criticised both last, year’s Act and the present bill from various standpoints In reply, the Premier said he could not deal with all the points raised. He hoped the districts would not be made smaller. He could not see how the burden was to be thrown on the property-tax, as some members wished. There was nothing to prevent local bodies taking charge of Industrial schools if the; were prepared to do so. Several practical suggestions had been made which he would be glad to confer with hon members upon before the bill was committed. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Premier moved the second reading of the Civil Service Reform Bill. It provided that no t ne should enter the s rvica except as a cadet, with certain exceptions in the case cf exports. They must also pass examinations equal to the fourth standard before they could obtain a salary of more than £IOO a year. Norainatiors were to be left for members of the House Mr Conolly took exception to the working of some of the clauses, and urged that there was no necessity for the special provision re women, who could now enter the service. The service was a

very good one as it was, and the Bill wonli do harm rather than good. He considered the nomination system proposed was unworkable, and objected to reducing the salaries by five per cent. The proposed commission was absurd and impossible. There was not the slightest necessity for the Bill, and be moved it be read that day six months. Mr Kerr thonght more coaid be saved by economy ia the public department than by this Bill. Mr Joyce remarked that if Mr Conolly thought the service was good enough as it was, he had learned very little in his two years of office. Mr Samuels was In favour of the three months’ notice clause, but saw little to like in the rest of the Bill.

Mr Montgomery saw no objection to the nomina'ion of candidates by M.H.R.'s, bit he disagreed with the proposed oommiiaion and other provisions of the Bill. Messrs Hatch, G >ro ; Bruce, Richardson, oiwan and Dr Newman, spike more or less In favor cf the measure.

Mr Rolleston said some vary improper appointments had been made by the Go vernment to the Civil Service, and the Bill wat possibly deaignedto validate them. There was no attempt at economy whatever in it, and it would destroy all feelioga of manly independence and security of tenure on the part of the Civil Service The Premier replied with special reference to Mr Rolleston’s accusations, and Mr Ballauce also defended the appoint meats recently mile to the service

Mr Couolly’s amendment was rejected by 27 to 7, and the Bill was read a second time, and the House rose at 1.40 a.m.