EVENING SITTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1899, 18 July 1888, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

FAIR BENT BILL The Home resumed at 6.30 p.m., and went Into Committee on the Fair Rent BUI. After clause 2 had been passed progress inn reportrd. CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL A metßtge wm reoaived from the Governor to the effect that he had caused an amendment to be made m the Cuattm^ and E*cl»e Patles Bill by which " electrlp appliances and machinery " were placed on the free list. Replying to Dr Newman, (he Premier laid that there was an ambiguity as regards " tinsmith's furnltnre," bb m every oase power was given to free all articles txsedin manufactories. MB WITHY'S AMENDMENT. Mr Fish resumed the debate on the motion to go into Committee of Supply; He strong} f opposed any reduction Id the wages of the workmen. He would oppose the amendment of the member for Newton. The Premier rose to ask that the amendment be withdrawn, on the groend that Government h»d shown every desire ip do all possible m the direction of roireoghment, and durf'ng De recess an effort would be made to reduce expenditure to the lowest possible sum. Should the amendment be oarried it would result In one of two courses— either a sweeping redaction of the wages of workmen or a ■erlour reduction m the Education Vote. He asked Mr Withy to let the matter stand at at present and accept Government's assurance that they wonld effect every possible retrenchment.

Dr Hodgfeinson opposed the amendment being withdrawn. Mr Withy aeked leave to withdraw his amendment* as the Premjer had made bucl. an explicit statement. Mr Levestam opposed it, and the Speaker rpled that the amendment therefore could pot 'be withdraw;?. 3ff Kerr though^ that there was as rauph reason for reducing the wages of the working mep, as of pther claseee. Mr Brnpe said that the amendment if parried woujd place Government i^i a humiliating position. It would be mad yisable for Government to deal with the redaction of the wages of railway emplovets. The question should be left to bp dealt with by the railway pommiosion, the appointment of which the had §anc£ioned last eetpion. Mr Bat r on supported the amendment. Mr ~Ward opposed the amendment, bb it was simply pandering to the agitation taking place m some parts of the colony. Mr Peacock favored the withdrawal of the amendment.

Me Smith opposed any rednotlon m wage* where there had been increased taxation. . Me Hutoblaon said the amendment had been fraued to «ult the Government, but public* cfplnion f bad, 'been Expressed so ■tirongly against it that now 'they' abanfqned |t. He sa|d that Mi "Withy !s aniendmept ha 4 beep gubnalCted \o and pp'proyepT by the Premlep. Sphe Colonial Seoretary denied this, and tba^t) Mf Witpy |iad slmpfy enbrnittpd the amendment (o the premier with a view of asoertalp|ng how far he could go without the Government accepting the amendment an a want of ponfidenoe motion, as he had QO wish to embarrass the Government, Mr R. Thompson was of opinion that $b,9 tim? had come when wages must be y«daced. 1- ' PrPiiobett, 88 one of the Committee, wVife desirous bf farther economy, was not willing to see wages touohed. Mr Perceval said that a false issue had been raised. The House ought to carry A» amendment and ngga^e |>be i^ea of Interfering with wages; By rerorganisatlon large savings oould i till be made.

Mr Fitihbrbert complained that retrenchment had been made without di«oretlon. Carpenters m the Government »4tyiea had been red need to a dead level Of 9i per fcatf wl hout'jfegard to oblll. The result #as a genera.} feeling of dlseailsfaclion, Oj the motion of Mr Feldwlok the debate was adjourned till to-morrow. BILLS PASSED. The Regulation of- Local Elections Aot Amendment BUI, cod tbo Volunteec Prill