PARLIAMENTARY NOTES,

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1906, 31 July 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES,

(P3R PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, July 30, Almost the only topic of discussion m auy form jist now is the Otago Central Railway Bill, which with the Customs Tariff Bill, olaims the first honors as affording the leading Bubject of the Beßßi'on so far. Government are aaid to have considered the matter and come to some decision to-day, but they are very reticent on the subject, and it is probable that their viewi will have to be considerably altered m consequence of what has taken place since. A meeting of members interested m the Bill was held this afternoon, Mr Pyke m the chair. Twentytwo were present. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr W. P. Reeves, that the Bill be proceeded with, as it may be modified by its supporters, thrjs r firming the principle invokeivN^.jJegutiatlon consisting of Sir J, Hall, Meßsrs'WrF. Reeves, Barren, and Pyke was appointed to inform the Government of this resolution. The deputation accordingly waited on the Premier, and as a result, it was then arranged that consideration of the Bill should be postponed till 7.30 tomorrow night, when the Premier promises to make it the first Order of tbe day. The Bill will then be introduced m its modified form, and to this supportera of the meaeure will adhere with the view of its passing this session. At the meeting the following resolution was proposed by Dr Fltchett, but lost, only four voting for It : " That the line should be constructed by Government, the terminus to be hereafter agreed on, the funds to be furnished by the rents and sale of the Crown lands of the flietrlct. 1 ' Considerable dlsoußaion took place over the matter, but eventually it was lost, only four voting for It, „

In the Home to-night, on the motion of the Premier, the Otago Central Bill was postponed till to-morrow night at 7.30

A pertinent enquiry will be made of the Minister for Lands on Friday by Mr Cowan, who will aik — (1) Who authorised the erection of a rabbit-proof ieuqa out of the public funda on a run In the Waltaki district, which ia of questionable benefit to the run, and cannot prevent tbe spread of the pest to the adjoining country ? (2) What did the fenoe referred to cost ? (3) How Is the public purse to be recouped for the outlay J

For some time past local bodies have been allowed to frank letters on public business, but they have received notice now that they must stamp their letters. Mr Wilson is enquiring if it was by authority of the Postmaster-General that the new emulation has come into force.

The telegraphic message boys, who work on the whole as hard as any of the officers m the telegraphic sarvlce, have found a friend m Mr Fish, who has given notice to ask the Premier whether he will allow telegraphio messenger boys one woek's holiday durlrjg the year, the same as other officers of the department receive.

• Some time ago, the Pabllo Works Department imposed a penalty of £350 on Messrs Soott Bros, of Ohrlstchurch, for importing certain material which could have been manufactured locally ; their locomotive manufacturing contract atlpulattng that local material ahould be uned where po3Bib'e. The petition of Messrß Soott Broß, asking for a refund of the penalty, was before the Publio Petitions Commltee to-day, when Mr Maxwell General Mananger, and Mr Rotheram, Superintending Engineer, gave evidenoe. The Committee have cot yet considered their report.

Mr Taylor the irrepressible member for Sydenham, who is nothing if not hqmorouß has struck a new vein. With a view to adopting a plan said to have been introduced m America, he is urging on the Government to bring |q a BiU this or next session amending the law In tho direction of substituting dea'h by eleatrlolty for hanging m executions for murder.

Notice of an important question has been given by Mr Valentine, who will aek the Premier to-morrow whether he has reoolved any communication from the Governments of Victoria or Notr South Wales with referenoe to the survey of the Pacific cable route, and if so, is' it the Intention ok the Government to support the Australian Governments m their endeavor to induce the Imper'al authorU ties to employ the Borvloos of a third vessel for the purpose of carrying out the survey as ripldly as possible.

Dr Fitchett, who has from the outset been « strong Protectionist, wishes his theory to be applied m a new direction. He ia bringing under the attention of the Premier the expediency of protecting local labor by Imposing an export duty on rough or uosawn timber. It Id aofc considered probable^ however, that any steps will be taken m the direction as indicated this session.