PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 71, 21 September 1893, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, September 19. Legislative (Jouncil. The Council met at 2.30. The Land and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill was put through its final stages. The Industrial and Conciliation Arbitration Bill was debated on the motion for its committal until the dinner adjournment, the tone of the debate being decidedly favorable to the principles of the measure. Mr Bowen supported conciliation without compulsory arbitration. Messrs McGregor, W. Walker, Jennings, Richardson, and Jenkinson, supported the Bill, and Messrs Stewart and Grace opposed it. Mr Shrimski objected to the compulsory clause. The Bill was committed, and progress reported on clause 3. The Conspiracy Law Amendment was read a second time. The Council rose at 10 o'clock. House of Representatives. Mr Fish occupied about an hour with a speech condemning Government for their action on the Electoral Bill and Railways Bill. Mr Rolleston and others expressed the opinion that Government were not doing right to force the Bill on in this manner, and complained of delay in bringing on Colonel Fox's report for discussion. Mr Ward said Colonel Fox's report would be taken as soon as the Railways Bill was out of the way and the Public Works Statement would be brought down to-morrow if this Bill was disposed of. The Bill was then committed. Mr Rolleston said he would not obstruct the measure, although he believed Government were in a minority on it in the country. In Clause 1, Mr Rolleston moved to increase the present Commissioners' term of office from five to six years so as to maintain the status quo for another year. Lost by 24 to 30 and the clause passed. Clause 3, appointing a Minister of Railways, was added to the Bill by 32 to 20. In clause 4, which makes the Minister ex-officio Commissioner, with a deliberative and casting vote, Mr Rolleston moved to strike out the portion of the clause that gave this power to the Minister. The amendment was lost by 33 to 17. Captain Russell moved to strike out the words in clause 4 of the Government Railway Bill, giving the Minister a deliberate and casting vote. Mr Fish moved the Chairman leave the chair. A long discussion followed, the debate being confined mostly to members opposing the Bill. On a division on Mr Fish's amendment, Mr Thos. McKenzie, one of the tellers, declined to sign the list, alleging the member for the Buller had not gone into the lobby. Mr O'Connor denied this, and Mr McKenzie persisted in his refusal. The Chairman left the chair and reported the difficulty to the Speaker. The Premier moved that the member for Clutha be adjudged guilty of contempt of the House. Mr McKenzie explained ht had taken the course in question in order to obtain the ruling of the Speaker, and he then withdrew from the Chamber. Ultimately the Premier withdrew his motion, and moved that the House insists on Mr McKenzie signing the list. The motion was carried, and Mr McKenzie signed the list. Capt. Russell's amendment was lost by 24 to 18 and the clause passed by 24 to 19. Clause 3, tenure of office of Commas* sioners was passed bj 27 to 17, After a short debate clause 6, which provides each of the Commissioners shall receive a salary not exceeding one thousand pounds per annum gave rise to con* siderable discussion, several members contending if first class men were to be secured higher salaries would have to be paid them. Mr Seddon said the present Commissioners were satisfied with their salaries and why therefore should they be ma creased. Mr Wright moved that the clause be struck out, but this was lost after a long discussion and the clause was passed by 21 to 14. Clause 9, the Minister to determine the situation for stations etc. Mr Rolleston strongly condemned this clause which he regarded as one of the worst in the Bill, and would lead co the worst forms of political corruption. The clause was retained by 22 to 12, and the remaining clauses agreed to without discussion. Mr Seddon moved a new clause providing that in future the Pubho Works Dopartment shall haye control of all moneys voted bj the House for works on open lines. Mr Rolleston said this new clause showed how utterly deceptive the Bill was. It Bimply gave the whole control into the hands of the Minister. The clause was added to the Bill by 23 to 11. Mr T. McKenzie moved a new clause making the railway refreshment rooms Bubject to the provisions of the Licensing Act, 1881. Mr Seddon said this would mean con* Biderable reduction in the railway revenue and asked the honorable member not to press the clause. The Chairman ruled the clause out of order because it was a question of appropriation. Mr Wilson moved a new clause providing that at the beginning of each session a Parliamentary Committee be set up to consider all matttrs appertaining to the Railways that are brought before the House. Mr Seddon said this question should be brought on as a Sessional order. The clause was negatived by 19 to 11. Mr T. Thompson moved a new clause the object of which was to secure a trial of the Vaile system on a section of the New Zealand railways, was lost by 32 to 11. The Bill was then reported with slight amendments which were agreed to. The third reading was set down for today. Mr T. McKenzie desired to say with reference to the incident earlier in the evening that he had no intention to show disrespect to the Chairman of Commit* tees. The Premier said after the handsome manner in which Mr McKenzie had spoken lie wished to move the resolution carried mrlier m the evening be expunged from she journals of the House. This was igreed to, and the House rose at 3.50.

Mr Walter Wateon, of Exonsdale, Apitx nvitee tenders for falling one hundred iore» of bu»h,