PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 816, 7 December 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

—o—(Condensed from our Exchanges.) Wellington, October 27. The only item which excited much dis. mission in the Estimates last night was the vote of L3OOO honorarium to Sir Julius Vogel. Mr Hodgkinson was particularly bitter about this, and Sir George Grey also spoke strongly against it., Messrs Wood, DeLautonr, and some others who opposed it in this form, said that at a future period they would be inclined to support a still larger sum as a gift to Sir, Julius Vogel’s family, in recognition of his services. In the discussion on the- Survey Department, Mr Macandrew expressed a hope of being able to effect a saving of one-third on the Estimates.

Mr Murray, in a speech of upwards of an hour, propounded to almost empty benches an entirely now and original financial and native policy.

Tho’Governraent are going to introduce a short Bill to continue in existence the present Waste Lands Boards, which otherwise expire by the effluxion of time in three days. This is done to prevent any inconvenience arising from a delay in passing the Land Bill.

The Education Boards also expire by effluxion of time in a few days, but as the Council has not insisted on the amendment to which the House disagreed in the Education Bill, that measure has finally passed, and will be assented to in time to prevent any inconvenience.

The Governor has signed the writ of summons calling Mr J. N. Wilson to the Council.

Mr Larnaeh is seriously.ill, and is scarcely likely to be in the House this session again; but Mr Sheehan to-day contradicted a statement in a local paper that his illness was of such a nature as to he likely to necessitate his retirement from office.

Mr Swanson made a roost amusing speech to-day in reference totheGreenwood Pension Bill about the gilt stick, as he called the mace. He recommended its removal to the Museum, and throw the House into roars of laughter by his description of the different ways it was carried. Dr Greenwood is 76 years of age,land very infirm, and as the pension is only Ll2O only eight members were found to oppose it. To-night Mr Ormond will criticise Mr Sheehan’s native policy on the second reading of the Native Land Act Amendment Bill, which of itself is only a technical measure. November 28. Mr Ormond was marvellously mild in his speech, and highly complimentary to Mr Sheehan. The debate, if it can be cal'ed one, was interesting to-day. Nearly the whole afternoon was occupied in a wild recriminatory discussion on Abolition, the County system, its merits and defects, constitutional changes, and things in general. The Canterbury runhblders are very much frightened about their extension of tenure if the present Land Bill is dropped and another one introduced, which is not improbable. Mr Fisher to-day let drop some remarks causing an impression that it is by no means certain the Government will yet accept the 10 years’ extension ; but many of their supporters who opposed the long tenure when the question urns before the House now urge Ministers to accept and carry out the decision conic to.

A dispatch has} been received from the Secretary of State granting the title of “Honorable” for life to'[ex-Judges Gresson and Chapman. Mr J. N. Wilson was [sworn in in the Council to-day. •■- K Mr LamacH is much"better.

Two formal protests against the Education Bill were yesterday handed to the Speaker of the Legislative Council, to be sent to the Governor, through whom they are to bo transmitted to the Home authorities. The following members protest against the Bill because it falls to provide for any recognition of the Christian religion, or oven of a Supreme Being : Messrs Kenny, Richmond, and Peter Miller, The other protest is signed by Messrs Hall and Monzies, and objects to the Bill for the same reasons as the others, but gives as additional grounds that the law is not only absolutely wrong, but it is opposed to the general wishes of the people of New Zealand. November 29. The Employment of Females Amendment Bill last night met with very scant favour, and Mr Burns did not even attempt a division on it. To-day the Land Bill was re-committed, and a fight is expected to-night over Mr Stout’s clauses, extending the deferred payment to Canterbury partoral lands. The Government now want the Bill passed and sent to the Legislative Council, where any necessary alterations to adapt it to their policy can lie made. The main features of the new policy will, however, be embodied in a separate measure It is said the Government policy will bo to sell all lands by auction at prices according to classification, the minimum b'dng 20s per acre, and in Canterbury, 40.“,

Tho Bill to reduce Ministers’ salaries does not meet with much favour except from a small section of the House. It is to come on to-night. Mr Shrimski’s motion to throw it nut altogether will probably bo lost, but in Committee tho Bill is likely to bo altered m a ridiculous manner. A slight reduction may be made in tho Premier’s salary, but probably another minister, or two Parliamentary under-soeretariea will bo added to tho civil list.

A rumour is current that Mr Carruthurs, Engineer-in-Chiof, has resigned. It is not known yet as fact, but ho is known to bo very uncomfortable under the new reign, and after the extraordinary evidence he gave beforo the Railway Management Committee, his resignation would not cause much regret in the House. The Council is likely to pass the Mines Bill. November 30. A lot of time was wasted last night over the Bill to reduce Ministers’ salaries, but it was generally regarded as more political claptrap, and many of those who voted for it were very glad it was not carried. The division was a very mixed, and not a party one. Messrs Hursthouse, Gibbs, and Murray, of that side, voted for the Bill; and Messrs Barff, Evans, Brown, and others of their side, against it. Mr Sheehan hinted at the political Under-Secretary, but did not urge it, although he said such an appointment would soon be necessary.

Mr Stout’s attempt to get the deferredpayment system extended to Canterbury pastoral lands, was defeated by a majority of three; and the Land BiU was then passed, and sent to the Council.

The Financial Arrangements and Loan Bills will not be ready till to-morrow.

The House sits to-morrow. An hour and a-half was wasted in useless and undignified discussion about the late Ministers vacating their residences. It came to nothing. Several members left for home last night; and to-day in the Council the call took place. Several members were absent, but except the Hon. 11. Campbell, all others had leave from the Governor, or sent medical certificates, or other valid reasons for nonattendance. There was no proof that Mr Campbell had received the notice, so dealing with him was postponed.

Sir George Grey has just introduced the Waste Lands Sale Bill, embodying the Government land policy.

December 1. Nothing interesting took place last night. The Land Sales Bill was circulated early this morning, and the Finauoial Arrangements Bill late in the afternoon. The criticism on the latter related almost entirely to details ; and although it will be attempted to be shown that the schedule will not extricate the Colony from its difficulties, but rather increase the temporary difficulties, both Bills will pass by a large majority. The House does not sit to-night.

By arrangement,, the Financial Arrangements Bid is postponed till Monday. The Waste Lands Sale Bill is to come into force on the Ist of January next, and contains only four clauses. The third and fourth are as follows In the interpreting of this Act the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them, unless there be something in the context repugnant thereto: “Land district” has the meaning as if given to that expression in the Waste Lauds Administration Act, 1876. “Town Land,” “village land,” “suburban land,” “rural land,” mean respectively lands included within the meaning of these expressions under the law in any land district in respect of which such expressions are used. “Fiee selection” means any purchase of waste lands in any land district not at public auction. From and after the coming into operarion of this Act, and until further provision is made for tlie classification of waste lands, shall be sold in accordance with the law in force in the land district where such lands are situated, but not in any case at a less price than two pounds per acre if by free selection, and where in any land district waste lands are sold or disposed of by public auction, at an upset price of not less than one pound per acre : provided that this section shall not apply to waste lands sold or disposed of on deferred or other periodical payments, or by agricultural leases.