EVENING SITTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1922, 18 August 1888, Page 2

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed -at 7.3U p.m. MAIL SBRVIOB BESOiUTIONB. The debate on the Mall service resolutions was continued. Captain Russell moved a farther amend* ment postponing consideration of the question till next session, Government to make all necessary enquiries m the mean* time. Mr F>'sh withdrew his'amendment for a monthly service. Mr Ward said that Oaptaln Rassell's amendment wao merely intended to bark the direct Issue raised by his (Mr Ward's) amnndment. Mr Fish supported Captain Russell. Mr Buohanan opposed Oaptaln Russell'i amendment ■ Mr Kerr spoke Btrongly against the San Francisco route and m favor of a direot steam service. Sir John Hall did not see any reason for ! postponing consideration of the question, . Rather was there a necessity for a propel p margin of time In whioh to ooudact negotatlons. | |Mr Reeves (St Albane) said delay was the last refuge of generals who knew that they were outnumbered, bat he expressed surprise at the member for > Hawke's Buy being the man to bring for* ; ward such an amendment. He thought Government had got quite enough to look after during the recess already. The Committee divided on Oaptaln Russell's amendment . i Ayes 25, noes 47. The amendment was lost. Mr Barron aald that he Intended to vote against subsidies either to the San Francisco line or the direot line. Mr Fish moved that all subsidies be discontinued . Major Steward thought the Committee had better stick to the direot Issue of San Francisco or no San Francisco servloe, and leave the question of subsidies out for the present, He could see no arga* ment m favor of the American service ; It was merely for the benefit of a few sharp Yankees who laughed at us. We were not satisfied till we got direot steam oommonloatlon and now we wanted to starve It, As one who had travelled via San Francisco, he felt sure no business man could hesitate for a moment which he would* use. Mr Wbyte considered It absurd to snp> pose that a subsidy of £25,000 was a matter of life or death to the ocean-going companies. He pointed oat that under the law bb It stood steamers could be com* polled to oarry mails at a penny per letter, which would only mean about £600 a year as against £59,000. Mr Ward remarked on the quietness of the Auckland members to-night, and hinted that finding the retention of the San Franoigoo servloe hopeless they had been Instructed to do their best to kill the direct service. Mr Monk said suoh a statement wai an Intuit to the Auckland representatives! and he claimed the protection of the chair. Mr Hamlin ruled Mr Ward m order, and he proceeded to advise the Committee not to be drawn Into a dlsousslon of inappropriate lsaues. After further discussion, Mr Fish with* drew his amendment, and the Committee divided, with the result that Mr Ward's amendment discontinuing the subsidy to the San Franolioo service was carried by 45 to 27. Mr Samuel then moved a farther amendment to discontinue subsidies' to the direot services. Lost by 48 to 24 The Premier eaid it was useless to go on with the remainder of the resolutions. lie took the decision of the Committee to mean that Government should call for tenders for a direot fortnightly servloe and submit them next session ■• meanwhile to 'communicate with Canada and the other cronies as to the probability of establishing a Vancouver line. Mr W»rd moved that the basis of pay* meat to the direct service should be by weight and Government should oall for tenders for a fortnightly servioe, The Premier In order to take the seme of the House moved to report the resolutlpn to the House. Mr Ward withdrew his amendment, and the Premier's motion was agreed to, IN COMMITIIB. The Dlstriot Railways Purohailng Act Amendment Bill was further considered m Committee and reported with amendments. . The Coroner's Act Amendment BUI was passed with slight amendments, also the Interpretation Act Amendment BUI, The fioatt roee »U . 30 1. m,