PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2716, 31 October 1871, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

(FROM OUR OWN' CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, October 31. The Otago Waste Lauds Bill passed through committee last night. It was strongly opposed by Mr Pillon Bell and Mr George M‘Leau, who spoke against time for some hours. The debate terminated at halfpast four o’clock. The Bill may probably pass the House. Mr Waterhouse’s appointment gives great satisfaction, but at present he only consents to hold office during the remainder of the session. Mr Macandrew’s retrenchment resolutions came on for consideration yesterday. The first affirming the necessity for reducing the cost of the Civil Service, which has assumed dimensions beyond the circumstances and requirements of the Colony, was carried without discussion ; and the second, “ That the Go feminent bo requested, during the recess, to amalgamate offices in every direction, where such case may be effected without serious detriment to the public service ; and also that in framing the estimates of expenditure for the next financial year, all salaries, whether under the head of permanent appropriation or otherwise in excess of L4OO a year, be considerably reduced, save and excepting the salaries of political officers of State, of the Agent-General in England, and those held under special engagement for a limited period ” —was carried by 27 to 23/ The third resolution—“ That iu giving effect to the foregoing resolutions, it is inexpedient that officers of the General Government should receive salaries in excess of those paid to Ministers of the Crown, with the exception of the Chief Justice of the Colony ” —was carried on the voices. The Railways Bill was read a first time. The second reading is appointed for tomorrow. Mr Reid moved the suspension of the Standing Orders, in order to have the Otago Waste Lands Bill read a third time. There were not a sufficient number of members present, and the third reading cannot come on before Monday.

The prorogation will not be later than Saturday week.