PA. LIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1054, 30 June 1882, Page 3

PA. LIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Wellington, June 23,

The intended attack of tlie Opposi ion tn-nubc collapsed utterly. It was rumored before the House met Ibis oyeuiug that this would 'probably be the case. Mr. Montgomery’ose as leader of the OppnsitiDn, but his “ claim was jumped ” by Mr. I'argaville, who proceeded to deliver a long financial speech, which he is understood to have been incubating for several days. He criticised the Budget, but there was little original, and [nothing formidable, in bis attack. His chief points seemed to be a defence of the land and income tax as against the and the assertion that there was no real sinking fund as represented. IliSjSpeeoh fell very fiat, and was only sneered at by the Opposition, who did not seem at all pleased at his action. Then Mr. Seddon came in with his paymentof members motion, and that has occupied the House until 11 p.m. The tone of the debate was not of a very dignified character several members plaiif y hinting their conviction that paying members was the only way to prevent their being bribed. However, the motion was carried item, cm , and there is now little doubt a bill will pass this session fixing ,the payment of members by the statute.

1 understand that the Colonial Treasurer will not bring down his national insurance scheme before Wednesday week I believe it will probably be first brought forward in the shape of a resolution affirming its desirableness . The Public Works Statement will most likely be delivered on the following Friday, it is in active course of preparation. The Public Petitions Committee reported to-day on the petition of the Licensed Victuallers' Association of Dunedin. As the subject matter of the petition is now under consideration of the House they do not deem it necessary to make any recommendation. June 26. I hear on reliable authority that the Colonial Treasurer will shortly introduce his scheme of national insurance, when he will make an exhaustive speech on the question. The scheme is looked upon as the most important one ever proposed by the Govern meat. The proposals will embrace provision for the sick, and a widow and orphan’s fund, and an annuity for everybody after a certain age' By this proposal it is believed to be within the power of the Government practically to abolish pauperism. The Scheme is formed on Mr Blackley’s proposals, modified to some extent. It will be introduced in the form of a r esolutionatfirming the desirableness of the principle being adopted, and then a Bill will be brought in by the Colonial Treasurer. The II on. M ajor Atkinson is, 1 lindeistand, preparing a mo t careful speech with which to introduce these proposals. The following is a copy of Mr Dyke’s Crown Bands Bales Act, 1877. Remedies Bill:-A Bill entitled an Act to remedy certain wrongs that have arisen from the operation of “The Crown Bands Sales Act, 1877.”

Any holder of a deferred-payment license or lease who shall during the period in which the Crown Land Sales Act, 1877. was in operation have selected an allotment or section from or out of a block of laud which at the time of or previous to the passing of the said Act was or had been for selection shall at any time after the passing of this Act he entitled to receive a Crown giant for the, laud included in his license or lease on paying the differerce between the sum of the rent paid by him and a sum calculated Lethe area of his allotment or section at the rate of the price, per acre at which land ip such block was or had been open for selection previous to the passing of “ The Crown Lands Sides Act, 1877,” aforesaid. The Government is not yet aware who will be Sir A. Gordon’s successor. Lady Gordon will in a few weeks proceed to Melbourne, where she is to meet Sir Arthur, and they have arranged to leave Melbourne for London by the City of Rome in August. Now that His Excellency the Governor is absent from the colony, and tnere is a probability of a fresh Governor coining to New Zealand, attempts will be made in the House to reduce the salary paid to the. Govervor. Mr H urstbouse will to-morrow ask the Government if they intend during this session to introduce a Bill to amend the Civil List to reduce the sum annually voted to the Governor. Should the Government reply in the negative, Mr Hursthouse will most likely take further action in the matter, as the present is regarded as a good opportunity to make the reduction. The Government are confident of passing the Native Reserves Bill introduced by the Native Minister. On the 24th instant the indebtedness of the goldfields counties and Boroughs to banks—being advances for which security has been given—was as follows Thames. £7031 ; Buller, £4OOO ; Grey, £0000; Inangahua, £6tl3 ; Lake, £I2OO ; Maniototo £1500; Piako. £352; Ross, £310; Tuapeka, £SOOO ; Vincent, £4835; Wallace, £000; Westland, £BOO. Total, £37,631.