PARLIAMENT.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 22, 7 August 1890, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, August 6. The Council met at 2.30. Petitions were presented asking assistance for private schools and the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act. After a long debate the third reading of the Legislative Council Bill was lost by 13 to 17. Debate on the second reading of the Employment of Females and Others Amendment Bill was adjourned till Friday. The Council rose at 4.30.

HOUSE OF BEPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson laid Sir Julius Vogel's petition respecting his claim on the colouy on the table, and stated that the Government had been advised that a claim of this kind should, tinder the Crown Suits Act, be laid within twelve months of the date on which it happened. He proposed to consult the House on the subject on Friday next. On the Hon. Mr Mitchelson's motion for the appointment of a Public Accounts Committee, a long discussion erißued. Mr Guineas moved to add "That the Committee should report to the House all its decisions." Mr Seddon condemned the action of this Committee last session in sanctioning the advance made to the New Plymouth Harbor Board. Mr Ballance said that such condemnation was not deserved, as the Committee had acted under a Btrong sense of responsibility, and they had no idea they werencting illegally in making this adyance. Mr Guinness* motion was eventually lost on the voice* and the original motion carried. Mr Withy brought up the report of the Hutchison Accusation Committee, as follows : — "The Committee has the honor to report that it is of opinion that it cannot usefully proceed further with the inquiry committed to it inasmuch as five of its members have expressed a desire to. now be discharged. The Committee respectfullyrequestthatitbe discharged." He moved, " That the House concurs in the request made to relieve the Committee from its duties, and also to discharge the witnesses." He pointed out the desirability of agreeing to this motion, especially as an important witness was being kept waiting in Wellington at present.— The motion was agreed to without debate. The Hon Mr Hislop, in a lengthy speech, said had the Government been able to place their intention before the Committee, he would be prepared to disprove the charges made by Mr Hutchison, and he submitted that that gentleman had not made out a prima fade case. He again challenged Mr Hutchison to forego bis privileges as a member of the House, and allow the Government to meet his charges outside the House. Mr Ballance reminded the House thai the Government had not offered to refer the matter to a judge and two members of the House until the Committee - was nearly decided upon, and he had taken objection to that proposal on the ground that it would not be right to drag a judge of the Supreme Court into the arena of politics. The subject then dropped. On the motion for going into Supplyyesterday, Sir John Hall moved, as an amendment, That the right of voting for members of the House should be extended to women. August 6. Mr Fulton brought up the report of the Waste Lands Committee on the charge of dnmmyism preferred by Mr Duncan, member for Waitaki, against Mr Thomas McKenzie, member for Clutha. The report was to the effect that the charges against Mr KcKenzie were disproved. After some further discussion, the report was ordered to lie on the table. The House then went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Estimates. Crown Lands Department, £18,200Mr Fish moved to reduce by £50 the salary of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Nelson and Westland, £450. Mr Grimmond moved that the yote be struck out altogether. The Hon Mr Richardson stated that the Committee, in its zeal for economy, was going in exactly the opposite direction. If this officer's salary were struck out, another officer would have to be appointed to perform his duties, and no saving: would be effected, but the reverse. Besides, the officer was entitled to large retiring allowance. The motion for omitting the item was carried by 37 to 32. Mr Fitchett moved that the item £500, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, be struck out. Mr Perceval suggested that the vote be reduced by £5, as an indication that this officer should not be reappointed. The Hon Mr Richardson agreed to that. Mr Perceval then moved that the vote be reduced by £1, which was agreed to. The motion to strike out the vote wag lost. Mr Thompson (Auckland North) moved to strike out the item " contribution to vote 'mines/ Invercargill,'" which was agreed to. Mr Lawry moved to reduce the item £6500 for travelling expenses, advertising, rent of offices, and extra clerical assistance, by £1000, which was agreed to. A number of further reductions were made in the Estimates and the House rose at 1.20 a.m.