Parliamentary.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1005, 22 July 1881, Page 2

Parliamentary.

ESSENCE OP PARLIAMENT. Replying to questions— Mr Hall said the Government had under consideration the report of the Committee on Mrs Mansford’s petition, recommending that they should insist upon civil servants in future insuring their lives for an amount equal to one year’s pay. The point required a good deal of deliberation, all the facts requiring to he carefully considered. Mr Johnston said the Government was preparing a scheme under which the services of postmasters would bo utilised for the issue of miners’ rights.

Mr Stewart moved that a Committee should bo appointed to inquire into the reductions and removals in the police force of the colony during the last twelve months —the Committee to consist of Colbeck,Harris, Pitt, Shrimski, and the mover. Mr Rolloston hoped the motion would ho rejected. In the civil police 1.10,000 had been saved, and in the A.C. Force L 50.000. Such being the ease, he hoped the House would strengthen the Government in a matter of this kind.

The report of the Commissioners re the Central Otago railway was tabled. Mr Pyko moved that it, together with tho evidence taken therein, should bo printed. Tho report was ordered to bo printed without the evidence.

Mr Eolleston said that while the Government recognised the reservation of lands to provide for tho Otago Contrail railway, they had disposed of part thereof for settlement purposes, believing that they would afford the best guarantee that could be given for tho construction of tho work. About 30,000 acres had been so disposed of, but it was never intended to look up this laud for settlement.

Mr Dick said the order telegraphed homo for calf lymph had been despatched in a great hurry, before they had had time to inquire if a supply could be had in the colony. They had learnt that some could be had in the colony, and they would avail themselves of this, but the cost of sending Home was slight compared to tho importance of procuring a proper supply. Messrs Pyke, Weston, Levestara, and Wallis denounced the Licensing Bill as having been reduced to a perfect chaos through the indiscretion of the temperance section of the House, and intimated their determination to oppose its passing tho third reading. Mr Reeves concurred. He said that he had from his boyhood been a constant advocate of temperance, but ho denounced the shape to which the Bill had been reduced. All that they heard in the lobbies was that tho Bill was a piece of confounded rot. Members said, just let it go on, and when the proper time came they would throw it out. In its original state it was a passable Bill, but since then it had become the child of many fathers, none of whom would recognise it.

The motion for leaving the chair was negatived on the voicea. The Hon Major Atkinson said a telegram had been received from the AgentGeneral relative to the Actuaries’ report on the Life Assurance Department. It said; “Actuaries report finances department declared sound. Surplus, 1,77,000, pronounced very good. Recommend divide LOO, 000. Gave great credit department. Instruct whether wire other points.” Mr Reeves gave notice that ho would move that it is desirable that R.M.sand Wardens should be removed every three years ; also, that an export duty should be imposed on wool. _ Sir Murray gave notice to move that, in view of the plentiful supply and cheapness of money, railway works should be pushed on without delay. The Licensing Bill was read a third time, on a division of 3G for and 15 against. The bottle license applies only where it at present exists.

Mr Sheehan’s Abolition of Provinces Bill was thrown out on the motion of Mr J. C. Brown that the Bill be read that day six months.

According to “Hansard,” Mr M'Lean, membei for Waikouaiti, is reported to have said “He was acquainted with most of the newspapers throughout the colony, and he could say that two more miserable rags he had never seen than those published in Wellington.”

Dr Wallis’s Women’s Franchise Bill qualifies women who are freeholders to vote, but declares that they are not to be qualified to be sent to Parliament.

Replying to Mr Sutton, Major Atkinson said Government was in course of making certain changes, which would probably include the making of adhesive stamps of one description available for all purposes for which stamps were used. Mr Andrews has given notice of motion to the effect that only total abstainers should be allowed to insure in the Government Insurance Department. _ The Otago Pastoral Runs Committee decided on Wednesday, to summons Messrs Barron and Mackay, district surveyors, and Mr J. Ewing of St. Bathans, to give evidenceasto the auriferous localities in the lands includedin the Government proposals. Feeling on the question seems averse to any amendment of the Land Act if possible, it being dreaded that an amendment Bill would bo taken advantage of by the runholders to defeat what at present people have in the existing law. In reply to an influential deputation of Otago Members, on the subject of the Otago Central Railway, the Premier stated that it is, and will be impossible to grant the enormous amount of money required for the Otago Central Railway. The Premier suggested that the people of Otago should imitate the example of the people of Wellington and start the railway themselves, and if that were done the Government would subsidise the lino.