PARLIAMENTARY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3769, 14 August 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. *> Monday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. MESSAGE FROM TAAVHIAO. Sir George Grey stated that he had received the following telegram from Tawhiao:—" I am prepared to send two of my people to Wellington, and they will carry my Avords and messages with them. AVhat do you think of it? Reply." Sir George Grey said, before replying, he wished to ascertain the wishes of the Government with regard to the matter, as he would not like to do anything to embarrass them in any way. Mr Bryce said he thought it would be Avell if these persons came down, it could do no harm, and might do good. At tho same time ho Avished it to be quite understood in what light the GoA'ernment regarded TaAvbiao. They looked on him as * great tribal chief, and were quite AA-illing to consult him on all matters relating to hia own tribe, but they could not recognise his so-called authority as Idng, nor would they consult him about matters relating to tribes over which his only authority Avas that which he claimed as king. THE PREMIER. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply Sir George Grey moA*ed, as an amendment, "That the Premier of tho colony should not be a manager or director of any bank or company, or receive any salary, fees, or emoluments from any such bank or company." Ho pointed out that the present Premier was the solicitor of the Bank of Noaa* Zealand, and he dwelt at great length on the enormous and irresistible _>. power which was thus in that gentleman's hands. Mr Rolleston said Sir George Grey had greatly over-estimated the political power of the Premier, and as for that gentleman'■ connection Avith any bank he did not see they had anything to do Avith it unless it could be shown that his public duties were sacrificed to or made subservient to his private interests. It would be very dangerous to disqualify men from political positions because of their commercial connections. Mr Pish, Mr Bathgate, Mr Joyce, Mr Turnbull, and Mr Seddon supported Sir George Grey's amendment. Mr Montgomery thought it should be made general, so as to apply to all Ministers of tbe Crown. Mr De Lautour supported the original proposal, and Mr J. Buchanan also spoke in favor of it. After further discussion Sir George Grey's amendment was negatived by 44 to 26, and the House Avent into COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. In Committee of Supply the Public Works and Immigration Estimates were taken. Class I.—lmmigration, £78,706.—Considerable discussion took place over the various items. Mr Hutchison and Mr Levostam opposed all further immigration, and the latter moved to reduced the vote. The amendment Avas negatived, and tlio vote was passed. s \^ Class ll.—Public Works Department.—• Vote bead oflice £6060 Avas passed.—Vote head office North Island £3947. Mr Turnbull took exception to an increase of £150 in the inspecting engineer's salary. Mr Johnston explained that the officer had been about to leave the service, and was retained by the increase ; he was a most valuable officer. Mr Fish and others strongly opposed tho increase. Mr Turnbull moved to strike it out, but this was lost on a division of 30 to 26, and the vote was passed as printed.—Vote head office Middle Island £4145. Mr J. McKenzie moved to reduce the salary of the engineer-in-charge by £100. Mr Fish asked if Ministers were aware that this officer took consulting practice. Mr Johnston said he did not knOAV, and would not alloAV it. Tho motion for reduction Avas lost by 44 to 8. Mr Duncan then moved to reduce it by £50, but it Avas negatived on the ■ voices, and the vote Avas passed as printed. Class lll.—Railways. The following votes Avere passed without alteration—Kawa - kawa, £16,000; AVhangarei to Kamo, £5050; Kaipara to AVaikato, £75,000; AVaikato to Thames, £80,000; Wellington to Napier, £115,000; Bunnythorpe to Gorge, £101; Wellington to Foxton, £3600 ; Foxton to Ncav Plymouth, £84,000 ; Nelson to Roundell, £13,000 ; Greymouth to Nelson Creek, £29,000 ; Greymouth to„ Hokitika, £6000; Westport to Ngakawau, £4000. A long discussion took place on tho vote, Picton toliurunui £55,000, _Mr Fish, Mr Levestam, Captain McKenzio, and others maintaining that the sections Picton to AAvatere, and Hurunui to Pahan, Avere not really extensions of the northern trunk lino, as tbe routo of that line Avas not yet settled. Mr Johnston defended the extension of the line to the Red Post and to the Awetere, no matter what route was ultimately adopted as the trunk line. Mr Montgomery urged stopping any northern extension for this year at least. Mr Pearson, Mr O'Callaghan, Mr Dodson, and others supported the vote as it stood, and it ultimately was passed as printed, a motion to report progress being lost. The following votes were also passed:— Hurunui and AVaitaki, with branches, £162,000; Canterbury interior main line, £11,000; Waitaki to Bluff, with branches, £241,000; Otago central, £130,000; Invercargill to Kingston, £11,000; Western raihvays, £29,500; contingent expenses, £3000 ; expenses Raihvay Commissioners, £500. Class IV.—Surveys of new lines of railways. — The folloAving votes passed,— North Island, £10,000; Middle Island, £4000. Progress was then reported, and the House rose at 2.25.