PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 904, 15 August 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Dunedin Dailies.) The following are only items of general interest we can collate from the proceedings of parliament. Sir GEORGE GREY then proceeded to deliver the Finaoical Statement, simply recapitulating the figures published elsewhere. He concluded by moving that a sum of L 540,127 he appropriated for services to 30, hj September, 1879. Dr HODGKINSON dev'red to know what amount of honorarium was included in the sum stat *<l He understood that it atnounte 1 to 1,18,000 for members of both Houses. He would naive as an amendment that it be reduced to L9OOO.

Mr M 'LEAN asked if this was why they had b-eu detaiue 1 two weeks, Hejdid not think they could proceed further that night. There appeared to headeficiency of L' 293.000. That was a large sun, the deficiency sliil appeared to bp. going on, and not a word said bow it was to be made up. He sugRested one or two from both shies should meet and adjust matters. He would agree to that, but he objected to vote moneys in the way proposed. Dr HODGKINSON moved to reduce the members’ honorarium for the session to LI 00. Mr SWANSON moved to reduce it to LSO. The latter was negatived by 38 to 21, and the foi mer by 36 to 22. The PREMIER read a memo, from the Governor recommending that a further increase in the vote for school buildings to L/ 5,000 should be made in Committee. The memo, was considered, and the recommendation approved, the total vote being L 225.000. The PREMIER said that he had received a memo from his Excellency which he would read to the House.

The memo was dated August 7th, and proceeded as follows|: —*‘The Governor acknowledges receiving from both Houses of Parliament recommendations that the writs for the election should he issued at once, and that the new Parliament should be called together at the earliest possible date. The Governor recognises the importance of the recommendation in the present slate of the Colony, and as he is given to understand the G >vernment do not possess the confidence of Parliament, he would ad-

viiiu that no time should be lost in making necessary arrangements for the assembling of the new Parliament." The Premier went on to say that he had sent .the following in reply :t—----"G. Grey presents his respectful compliments to his Excellency, and will advise that the electoral writs be issued in two days after the dissolution of Parliament, and mide returnable within 30 day* of their issue." To that memo the reply received from the Governor states that the Premier's assurance as to dates was perfectly satisfactory. A great number of the Southern members and the majority of the Nothern left Wellington on Saturday. Dr Hodgkinson, when leaving, positively refused to accept a cheque for his L2OO honorarium, and insisted on a fresh one for v LSO being made out. He was urged to take the full sum and give the balance to some local object if he objected to retain it; but he said this would be robbing the public, and so he took his LSO and left the Ll5O undrawn. This is the first instance on recoid of a man acting up to his professions in this honorarium matter. On Monday the Parliament wa3 prorogued. The Prorogation was formaly made to September Ist. The House presented a very desolate appearance to-day. Very few members—hardly sufficient to form a quorum—remained. Amongst those who lingered round the scene of departed glories to the last moment there was, it was remarked, a large number of members not likely ever to return.