PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 71, 3 December 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 1 PEE UNITKT) PBBSS ASSOCIATION.! Wellington, December 1. The Minister for Public Works, on rising to move the second reading of ' the Government Railway Bill, was' received with cheers. He was, he; said, asking the House to hand over j control of our railways to a non-polit-ical board. In Victoria the prineipie embodied m this Bill had been adopted with great success. The Bill was principally based upon those in force in New South Wales and Victoria. In conclusion the Minister expressed a hope that the House Would do what it could to assist the Government to pass the Bill. Mr E. Richardson congratulated the Minister on the manner in which he had introduced the Bill, and remarked that he himself supported this principle, and had prepared three Bills embodying it. ' Sir Julius Yogel said it was somewhat surprising he W&e not supporting this Bill, as formerly he had advocated the principle of it. He hoped the Bill would be considered on its merits, and not as a party measure. He should not vote for it, but not vote against it, as he considered it desirable the Bill should pass its second reading*. Sir John Hall quite concurred with that view, and hoped the Bill would not be discussed from a party point of view. Like the hon. gentleman who had introduced the BiU, he was also a convert to its principle. Mr Bruce said the whole question was one of surpassing difficulty, and it was a problem which could only be solved approximately. He intends to support the Bill, however, because he thought under it the railways would be more economically managed. Mr Marchant and Mr Kelly supported the Bill. Sir George Grey considered the past management of the railways had been good. He should Vote against the second reading. The Minister for Publio Works having replied, the motion for second reading was put and carried by 51 to 6. The amendments of the Counoil in the Midland Railway Contract were agreed to. The House went into committee on the Governor's Salary and Allowances Bill, £5000. Sir Julius Yogel wished the salary made £4000, and allowances £1000. Mr Barron thought it should be the same aa in 1868— salary £3500, and £1155 for allowances. The bill passed without alteration. The Ministers Salaries and Allowances Bill was committed. Sir 'Julius Yogel complimented Ministers on the proposed reduction of their own salaries, but thought they were going too far. He suggested £1000, with £1200 for the Premier. Mr Barron tried to reduce the number of Ministers, but was defeated by two to one. The clause bringing the I act into force from October Bth last was j carried by 56 to 16.