PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4235, 22 September 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[By Telegraph.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. September 21. Notice waa given by Sir George Grey of his intention to ask for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for triennial Parliaments. FREE RAILWAY PASSES. Mr Bastings moved that free passes on railways be issued to members of both Houses. Every member ought to become acquainted with the natural features of os much of New Zealand as possible; and even if they used these passes in travelling upon their private business, he did not see there was much objection in that. The practice obtained in other Colonies, and ought to do so here.

The Premier opposed the motion. The natural result of it would be to enable members to live out of town, and come into their business every day, while the amount of information they would obtain would not be of any great value. Mr Brown (Ashley) said the Premier, who had a good salary allowed him, besides travelling expenses and free passes, begrudged any privilege to others. In this matter, the Government were behind the Provincial Governments. From personal experience, he was aware that this plan of free passes would have a salutary effect upon the management of the railways. In Canterbury, the railway officials were always on the qui vive to know whether a M.H.R. or M. P.C. was on the line.

* Mr Stafford did not think the motion went far enough, and moved that members of both Houses be allowed free passes by steamers and coaches, and also free hotel and lodgings and accommodation. Mr Lumsden thought the granting of free passes would encourage and promote travelling by railway, and that the railways would in the end really gain by the arrange merit,

Mr Reynolds was sorry that the Government chose to oppose this motion. The practice prevailed m the other Colonies and in the Province of Otago, and was found to work admirably. Every member of Parliament should be enabled to travel free over the whole of the Colonial railways. Mr Burns expressed extreme regret that the member for Timaru should have acted so unbecomingly. Mr Rees thought the amendment eminently characteristic of the member for Timaru, who had never originated anything, and who in this Parliament did nothing but abuse people. The proposal was a most reasonable one.

The amendment was rejected on the voices, and the House divided on the resolution—the result being thatlt was carried by 38 against 24. CORPORATION ENDOWMENTS.

A return was ordered to show, under convenient heads, the total area 6t lahda 're-' served in each Province of the Colony by way of endowment for Corporate or other public bodies, the road districts where situated, whether town, suburban, or rural lands; date, _ authority, and several purposes for which such reserves have been made; also to include, separately, reserves proposed to be so made prior to Ist October of the present year, though the Government gave no hope that it would be prepared efore next session. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. The recommendations of the Southland Rabbit Nuisance Committee, that a Bill should be introduced to establish an inexpensive machinery to keep rabbits in check; and of the Public Petitions Committee to appropriate LI 10 to John Fahey, L 139 to H, W. Famall, and a sum sufficient to re-imburse G. H. Barnes, bailiff at Dunedin, for all moneys proved to have been collected by him after hours on May 27, 1875, were adopted; A. motion to grant a gratuity of two years’ salary to the widow of the late Col. St. John wafepegatived on the voices. At the evening sitting in Committee on THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL, a number of fresh amendments were considered. Further amendments will be introduced when the Bill is re-committed. The House agreed to the amendments made in the Indemnity Bill by the Legislative Council.

i Mr Whitaker moved the second reading of the Post Office-Acts Amendment Bill, the object of which is to authorise the issue ol postal cards. The Bill was read a second time without any debate. THE HONORARIUM.

> The House then went into committee on the additional sum to be put on the Estimate* for the expenses of members in connection with their parliamentary duties this hession, when

The Premier announced, as there was a general desire that there should be something extra granted for the extra labor and protracted nature of the session, the Government were prepared to agree that two hundred gmneas should be granted this session. Mr Reid said the resolution should be amended so as to include both Houses. He hoped to see the day when the Upper Chamber would represent all shades and classes. Mr Stout agreed with the member for the Taieri.

Mr Brandon thought the Legislative Councillors might well forego any honorarium on account of the position bestowed on them.

Mr Reynolds thought those residing in the City of Wellington should not receive the honorarium, but those who came from a distance should.

Mr Brown (Ashley) was also of opinion that the Wellington city members should not be paid, nor should any of the Legislative Councillors.

Mr W asok wanted to adopt a system of so much per day. Mr Montgomery objected to anything in the shape of payment of members. Nothing should be given more than their ordinary expenses.

Mr Stevens thought it absurd to adopt any fixed sum whatever, but to give a certain rate per day. Mr Rowe said, although he was quite independent of’any honorarium, he was aware that the present honorarium did not cover the expenses of some members. Speaking for himself, it cost him as much as 15s a-day for telegrams. Further discussion was put off until Committee of Supply. MR SMYTHIES’S CASE.

On the question of going into committee on the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, Mr Reynolds asked that the committal of the Bill be postponed until Messrs Haggitt and Macassey’s affidavits in connection with Mr Smythies’s case was distributed.

Mr Burns proposed that the House should go into committee that day six months, and on a division the motion was negatived by 32 against 18. The House went into committee. Mr Reynolds then proceeded to read the affidavits, but there ensued a great deal of discussion as to whether the hon. member was in order in reading the documents. At length he moved that progress be reported to enable the affidavits to be printed in the meantime, but it was negatived by 23 to 20. A very long discussion arose upon clause 4 (no evidence to be given except to substantiate facts of which notice shall' have been given). Messrs Stout and Wakefield strongly opposed the clause, and on a division it was struck out by 23 against 21. The Bill was then reported. The Prkmier gave notice he would tomorrow ask for a further imprest supply. BILLS PASSED. Roman Catholic Church Lamii? - Canterbury New Brighton Bridge; Thames Domestic Water Supply; Roxburgh Recreation Reserve; Moa Flat School Reserve. The House adjourned at 1.20 a.m. ABOUT THE LOBBIES. Mr Andrew, M.H.R., will not resign his seat for the Wairarapa at the end of the present session, as at first undertood, but will (says the ‘Post’) retain it during the recess, resigning it about a month or so prior to the next meeting of Parliament. The third report of the Disqualification Committee has been brought up. The Committee reported that a BUI should be introduced disqualifying all officers, holders of places as profit, save seven Ministers, Speaker, and persons specially appointed by either House j all contractors and persons who are compelled to sell lands for public purposes, and persona who purchase or hold Crown lands by way of lease or license under any laws relating to waste lands; all persons paid by fees, unless barristers specially retained, to be disqualified, and that no person should be eligible for any office, otherwise than those, untU six months after he has ceased to be a member of the House or Council) unless to the offices of .'Agent* General or Judge of the Supreme Court, These amendments are to be introduced into Mr Montgomery’s Bill, , During the honorarium debate the suggestion was made in more than one quarter that the House should in future meet in Septem' ber, .and it is very likely a motion to that effect will he brought forward before the close of the session, * ‘