HOUSE OF RRPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1726, 3 December 1887, Page 3

HOUSE OF RRPRESENTATIVES.

Friday— December 2.

The House met nt 2 30 p no. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions It was atated that married women could not be allowed to take up sections m Bpecial settlements, as such concessions should not have been made to Wellington and Birmingham associations ; that there were some 338 of the unemployed on relief worka m different districts, but some of these were useful works ; that the number of young girls frequenting the Chinese quarters In Wellington and other large cities was exaggerated, and every precaution would be taken to prevent a breach of the j Chinese Aot 1881. PUBLIC WOBKS STATEMENT. Mr Seddon asked when the Public Works Statement would ba delivered. The Premier said that: it would depend on the facilities given by the honorable gentlemen opposite for getting on with the baeinesß. ADJOURNMENT. The Premier movod that the House at Its rising, adjuirn till half-past two o'clock. The motion was ngread tx MIDLAND RiILWAY. Sfr George Grey moved the ad j urnment of the Hou3D to enable him to draw attention to the fact that a return that be had asked for some days ngo, respecting the quantity of land which the Midland Railway Company would relect, was incorrect, and he hoped tbe Premier would postpone the matter till correct returns wore reetlvefl. The Premier said he oould not agree to tha postponement. A discussion ensued, after whloh the motion for adjournment was lost. The Premie* moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council m clause 3 of the Midland Railway contract be agreed to. The amendment was simply a proviso making it more certain that no claim could be made ou tho colony, and was m the same direction as that moved m the House by Mr Dowuie Stewart, Sir George Grey moved that further consideration of tho question be postponed Mil a complete return of tho names and occupiers of land m the authorised area north of Rakala be laid on the table. He epoke at some length on the question, and said that the proposal for taking land In this way would justify another diosolutloD. The Premier eald that aa the Bill authorising Government to enter into the contract would have to be brought do wo, he should Bee that all possible Information on the subject was laid on the table before that Bill was discussed. He hoped therefore that his motion would be agreed to, and that the House would get on with business. After further discussion, the Premier's motion was agreed to on tbe voices, and Sir George Grey's amendment was lost. GOVERNOR'S SALABY. The Houbb went into Committee on the Governor's Salary and Allowances Bill. Sir Julius Vognl wished to know whether tbe Premier could amend clause 2 bo as to alter it to £4000 salary ond £1000 for travelling allowances, Instead of £5000 salary without allowances, as proposed m the Bill. The Premier said that if the olauae were negatived ha should take It as a dlreotlon from the Committee to prepare a fresh clause eeparating the Governor's salary, his allowances, and his establishment. He should however divide the Committee on the clause, as he did not agree with the proposal to separate salary and allowances, Mr Bmon was m favor of reduolng tbe Governor's salary to the same amount as la 1800, namely, £8500 for salary and £1165 for allowances, Dr Fitohett moved that fte words £4COO by way of salary be Inserted In the clause. Mr Ormond hoped the Premier would adhere to the original proposal 1 the Bill. He thought that the sum of as proposed by the Premier wan quite enough for the Governor to receive. The debate was Interrupted by the 5,30, p.m. adjournment. On the Houso ireeunjlng at 730, Dr Fitchett's amendment waa negatived by 51 to 19, and the Bill passed, without alteration. I MINISTKBS SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES BILL I The Bill was committed, i Sir Julius Yogel complimented Minlet terß on tho proposed reduction of their - own salarleo, but thought they were going 1 too far. He suggested £1000 for each l Minister, and £1260 for the Premier. After aome discussion Sir Julius Yogel 3 wlthdrow hlB proposition: b Mr Barroa aaitde several attempts to 3 reduce the number of Ministers, but was 9 defeated by 2tol m each instanoe. n Clause G, reducing travelling allowances o to 30a a day elicited muoh debate, several g members insisting that it was too little, s In answer to Mr Peacock, the Premiei i. B«id the £1000 to which the total allowf anoes were to be limited did not Include c the travelling expenses of private eeoreIe tables, ft Mr Boddou proposed to make Jt £2. I, Lost on the voices. ; CJs,qiq B~Equs9 rent,

The Premier w»ld they intended to sell the residence m Tlnakorl road, but had not made up their mlods about the matter oi houses, (hey would probably retain them, as houses were not easy to get Id Wellington, but he had not quite made up hia mind as to the exact courae. He Intended to propoao that ia future Miniates should renew furniture at their own cost. Clause B—Bringing8 — Bringing the Act Into force from October Bth last, was carried after a division by 56 to 16. Several propositions In the direction of not making It leuospective having been defeated, Dr Newman proposed a new clause preventing Ministers defeated on a direot votaof no- confidence drawing salary thereafter for more than one week. Ayeß 14, Noes 16 Mr Thompson (Maraden) proposed a clause to the effect that Ministers should not draw travelling allowances during a general election. Several members said that sunn a proposition was an insult to any Ministry, and the clause was lost by 44 to 15, Mr Beeves (St Albanß) explained that he bad oalled a division and consequently had been obliged to vote for the clause, merely to Had the member for Marsden down to this undesirable proposition. The chairman said It was out of order to uae such a term. HONORARIUM AMENDMENT BILL; This was committed. Messrs Seddon and Fiah'took exception to resolutions being tabled m Council on this subject when In all probability the BUI would "bo before It la a day or two. The Premier eaid he was merely carrying out a promise made la the Financial Statement that the Council should be invited to assent to a reduction of the honorarium by resolution. Mr Seddon said the proper course would have been to get that resolution passed before this Bill was considered. The Premier said it was out of order to discuss what was going on m another place, aud the Chairman upheld him. Mr Soddon then moved to report progress so that the records of the Council might be searched, and if they found snch a resolution they would then be m order to discuss it. Mr Fish supported him. The Premier had given no reason for this peculiar behaviour. He thought the Council had a right to feel insulted at the way they were treated. Mr Seddon adverted at length to the question he had raised regarding the Legislative Council, and finished by withdrawing his motion to report progress. In clause 1, Mr Seddon moved to Insert the words " payment of members " Instead of Parliamentary honorarium. Lofit by 59 to 15. Attention wsa drawn to the faot that MrTaiwhanga was asleep on the benches, and had not voted, The chairman directed him to be awakened, and the hon member having been informed of the point under discussion voted with the ayesJ On olauße 2 Mr Peaoock moved an amendment to raise the payment of Wellington members of the Legislative Council from nothing to £50 per session. Lost by 54 to 21 Mr Kerr sought to make a distinction between town and country membars of the House of Representatives, but was defeated on the voices. Mr Feldwlck proposed aa an amend- | ment, to give the Wellington members of the House £100 Instead of £150. Dr Hodgkiuaon moved an amendment fixing a sliding coals ot remuneration, but both were loat. Mr Seddon moved a proviso reducing the allowance of the Wellington members from £50 to £25. Carrihd oa the voices. Mr Bruce moved a now clause restricting the operation of the Bill to the term of the present Government. The Promler opposed it. They were now fixing the honorariums parmanently. The new clause was lest by 45 to 26 and the BUI was reported as amended. ■ . BILL'S PASSED The Governor's salary, Ministers' salary and allowances and Honorarium Bill were then read a third time and paseed, and the House roße at 1.27 a.m.