PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 25, 9 August 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

f PER UNITED FKESS ASSOCIATION. | WEiuNaToar, August 7. On the motion for Supply, Mr Taylor moved a& an amendment, Tbat the next session of Parliament be held in the City of Cbristeburch. On division, Mr Taylor's amendment was lost by 34 to 21. Mr Hutchison spoke at some length on a proposal which be had intended moving as an amendment, altering the system on which the Estimates are drawn up, and giving the House further control over certain votes. The Premier said he would consider the suggestion, and was obliged to the hon member for bringing it under his notice. The Estimates were further considered m committee. Crown Lands and Survey Departments. — The votes in this department caused a long discussion. Mr Walker called attention to the reduction in the Surveyor-General's salary from £900 to £750. He asked why the salary of such a valuable officer had been singled out for such a large reduction? — Mr R. Thompson agreed with Mr Walker.— Mr Ormqnd hoped the Minister would see that sufficient money was voted for surveys in order that settlement might not be hampered — The Minister of Lands, replying -to Mr Walker, admitted the great value of the tSurveyor-General as an officer. The Government had intended to classify the higher officers, and it wasin consequence that this salary had beeu reduced to £750. Replying to Mr Ormond, he said care would be taken that reductions did not impair , efficiency, and that there was amplesupply for the demand for land.- 1^ Dr ' Newman thought the Minister had been very unfair in this department. - He thought the reduction of the Chief Surveyor for the Wellington Provincial District to £560 was very unfair. A discussion ensued upon various- ■ items. Eventually the various voteswere agreed to without alteration. ' Slate Forests and Agricultural Department, £2380, passed. ; Native Affairs Department.—Thevote Native Department, £2055, waspassed. — -Mr Bruce moved to reduce the vote Native Land Court, £11,292,. by £600, with a view to reduction of Judge's travelling allowances. The Minister pointed out that the Judgesonly receive 12s 6d a day travelling: allowance, whereas. they used to get a guinea. * A discussion ' ensued, in ' the course of which the Premier strongly opposed the reduction.— Dr Newman remarked upon the unpleasant aroma that always hung over the Native Land Court, while Mr Seddon and others expressed disapproval of the great expense of rehearing*. Eventually Mr Bruce withdrew, his amendment, and the vote was passed. At half past 1 a discussion tdok place as to whether progress should be reported, the Premier being against it, though he. expressed hiswillingness, to leave- thiet question in the hands of the committee. He suggested that they should go to a. dm-.' sion at once. Mr" Seddon protested against the working railway estimatesbeing gone on with, and moved to report progress, which was lost by 39> to 21. Public Buildings and Domains 'Department—Public buildings, £26,2 56The vote was carried. : ' . ■ Government gardens £800,— Mr R. Reeves thought it unfair that only Wellington and Auckland should havebotanic gardens and moved : that, the vote be struck out. The vote was passed. Class 11, Working railways- — L 69.000. . " ff Mr Fish drew the attention of the Government to the action of a stationmaster at Mosgiel in interfering 'in the last general election for the purpose of prejudicing Mr J. Mackenzie's, election. * -'•' ; ; ; * Mr Mitchelspn said,the matter had not been brought under his notice, and the Premier said this was the first he had heard ofjit, but it seemed to him a most flagrant breach of discipline. -■■■.' In reply to a question, Mr Mitehelson said the Railway estimates had not been reduced, because the Government hoped to see a Board constituted shortly, whose business it would be to deal with such matters. Mr J. Mackenzie strongly condemned Mr Maxwell's management, and moved to reduce his salary by £250 as an indication that he should be dispensed with. Mr Mitcheison defended Mr Maxwell, oaying the feeling against 'him*' was on purely personal grounds. The present administration was far more ; economical than any past management. / The Premier said he had reviewed the complaints against the Railway Manager, which seemed well grounded : but in every instance he found "Mr ' Maxwell in the right. It was political influence brought to bear which ham- : pered his efforts to manage the railways for the benefit of the colony. After a lengthy debate, the Committee divided on Mr Mackenzie's amendment, which was lost by 32 to 2i. TLe Premier said the Government would undertake, if no board was appointed, to make considerable reductions in the vote, and give the House an opportunity of considering them. He accepted a reduction of £10,000 on the total vote on this understanding and the amount was then passed. JulyS. Replying to Mr Seddon, the Premier said that the Public Works Statement would be delivered after the Native Bills and San Francisco mail service had been disposed of. r j The committals cf the Native Land I Bill and Native LaDd Court Bill were • postponed till next day. '^ I Tiie Commissioner of Customs moved the second reading of Customs '^ Duties Consolidation Act Amendment Bill which was agreed to. ";/• '• i A number of private Bills were ad-. vanced a stage, and the House aid. 1 journed. : :. '.'>