PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 67, 13 September 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I Per Press Association ] Wxlukotok, September 12. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. Dr Pollen's motion that the foundation of the Colony should be ; celebrated on the 30th January, so as to bring it in accord with historical fact, was agreed to ; but the Hon. Sir Patrick Buckley intimated that the motion would have no force unless the House of Representatives pawed a similar motion. The Timaru Harbour District Bating Bill, Bating Act Amendment Bill, and Hamilton Domain " Empowering' 'Bill passed their final:stage%. T ,% J. : ' The Oaths Act Amendment Bill and several local Bills were put through their final stages* , '.',/; ; | The Lake Forsyte Drainage Bill and Gisborne Harbour Act Alfiend* ment Bill were read a second time, and the Council then adjourned. ;K: / HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS DOOMED. GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OVER THE RABiWAtS; : The House met at 2.30. : - Replying to Mr JT. W. JEejly, Mr Seddon said if Sir Robert Stout submitted in writing the charges he made recently against the Railway Unioo in Chrietcburch, he would lay the matter before the Cabinet and take its decision as to whether or not a oommittee of enquiry shouM^be set up. Sirßobert Stout said the charges he made would be found in his spaech in Hansard. He should prefer a : committee of, enquiry into the whole matter. i;u ■ j<i :^ .^m-V ' '"■' The New Zealand Company's Land Claimants Act, 1892, Amendment Bill, Westlaud and Nelson Coal Fields Administration., AJDt2)^nModm«aßt f Billf were read a second time; ''ZSp^.vi •■;?■■ The House went into Committee on the Government Railways BilU t In reply to a question Mr Seddon said he could' not say ' at present whether an extra Minister would be appointed for the Bail way, depaiinieni. It would hare to be done Bjv another" Bill. ? It would be impossible for^any one holding the position of Premier to also hold the portfolio of Minister of Kailways. He wished to say that from the first he (Mr Seddon) had no idea of taking that portfolio nor did he desire it. ;■ v' r '\.;— r , >;! .-;' On clause 3, the Minister to be «x officio Commmissioner withpat salary in addition to three others, Mr Pinkerton moved to ■ strike - but this clause, and to insert instead that the Railway* now vested : in the Commissioners should again be vested in the Queen and the management 6f the Bailways should pass to the Minister. He dismoved this amendment at the Pretniet'a request. Mr Seddon said about two-thirds of the Government Party were in favor of the State getting control of the Railway* immediately, and he was not offended at Mr Pinkei^n?Banuindment. / ' '-^ ":['^J.' '^-''"2.':^ . •■' The debate on the clause was inter* rupted by the 6.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30, : In committee on ■ the Government Bailways Bill after further discuaeion Mr Pihkerton's amendment to elkuse 3, giving the control of the Bailways back to the Government, and abolishing the Commissioners, was carriod by 36 to 27. A proviso was was also inserted providing that those persons in the Railway Service before the appointment of thtComnfismonern should resume their, positions in the Civil Service. Consequent upon this amend* ment clauses 4 to 15 inolusive wen struck out of the Bill., v f - In clause 16, providing for a Board of Appeal for railway servant^ it was agreed the chairman of the Board should be a Judge of the District Court or a Stipendiary Magistrate. ; , The remainder of the' Bill J was altered in accordance with Mr Pinkerton's amendpent abolishing the Bailway Commissioners.: > \ ] , (L ,'< r» '■:■'-■ ' A new clause was added pving every Baiiway offiear fand employ* one week's leave ; 6f absence in the year, but this is not to limit any leave of absence granted uiider lihe Hz&ting regulations. : ' ■-*: ' ' «, : :: . v - 4 " ■ ilt Seddon promised Messrs Buick and Q. W. Busseil to consider whether it was practicable to bring down anew clause regulating admisaion^ to and providing for classification ofßaHway servants. , > i The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill to raise the age of consent to sixteen years, and a School Atteedanoe Bill making more stringent provisions for compulsory attendance of children at school were read a second time. The House rose at 1&20. { '