HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 19, 31 July 1890, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The Hon Mr Mitchelson moved, " That for the remainder of the session Government business take precedence of all other business on Wednesdays." He said that after the experience of the last few weeks it was time that the Government took one of the private members' Bays for Ministerial business. On the motion of going into Committee of Supply, Mr Smith moved, as an amendment, "That the reductions of i' 50,000 proposed by the Government shall not apply to the Post and Telegraph Department, or to any salaries or wages below .£200." Captain Russell hoped that the House -would not pass this resolution. It seemed to be about the fifth attempt to propose a vote of no-confidence in the Government. ' Mr Fisher moved an amendment, *' That no reduction be made in the salaries of Post and Telegraph servants, or in salaries below i&OO." He did this because he wished to allow the House the freedom to vote for a reduction in the Postal and Telegraph seryices (not salaries), which they would.be prevented from boing by the wording of Mr Smith's amendment. Mr Smith asked, but was refused, leave to withdraw bis motion in favour of Mr Fisher's amendment, which, he thought, -was much clearer. After a discussion lasting two hours, Mr Smith's amendment was lost on the voices, and the House went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Estimates. Audit Office, £5265. — Passed. Begistrar-GeneraFs Department, Mr Thompson (Marsden) moved to reduce the item by MO. — Carried on the voices, and the total vote, as reduced by Jb'sO, was passed. Agent-General's Department, — Mr Ballance moved to reduce the item Secretary £700 to A long discussion ensued. — Mr Ballance's amendment -was lost. — Mr Thompson moved to reduce it by £2,oo.— The Colonial Secretary intimated bis willingness to accept a general reduction of i'soo on the whole vote. — Mr Thompson's motion was carried by 32 to 25. — Mr J. McKenzie moved that the item Accountant, J>4oo, be reduced by £100. This was carried by 31 to 26. Mr Duncan moved to reduce by £200 the item, Clerks and Messengers £920. — The Colonial Secretary was understood to say that he would accept the reduction of this item. — The reduction was agreed to on the -voices. Consulting Engineer, £800. — Mr Ward moved that the item be struck out altogether. This was lost by 30 to 27. The ■vote as reduced (amounting to £4,730) -was then, passed, and progress was reported. The House rose at 5 a.m. July 30. A committee was appointed to consider and report on the question of local government. Beplying to questions it was stated that w the Government would take steps to have a, Bill introduced next session to arrest the disease known as " foul brood " among bees. Mr Barroh moved, That it is desirable *hat the Property Tax should be annually decreased, so that it shall not exceed three farthings in the £ for the present year, one farthing for the year 1892, and that after such date it shall cease ; (2), That any deficiency in the revenue occurring it should be made good by further retrenchment in the public service. — Lost by 33 to 24. The House then went into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates. '-Fronting and Stationery, £22,798. — by £1750, and the vote was then i passed as reduced. Miscellaneous Service, £17,409.— The Item, "J. Outram, £188," (a pensioner) ■was struck out. Expenses of The Adulteration Preyention Act, £450, was also struck out. Maintenance of the Gorge Hoad, £800 — passed. Computation of the Ancient History of the Maoris, £420 — struck out. Rev. Watson, expenses for lecturing on New Zealand in England, j£lso— omitted. Crown Lands Department, £18,339. — Under-Secretary, £600— Reduced by £50. Chief Clerk, £375— Reduced by £25. IFive Clerks, £940— Reduced by £35. Clerk, L2lo— Reduced by LlO. Chief Clerk, Wellington, L 260, was reduced by lilO, and the House rose at 11.5.