HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 81, 2 October 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. Replying to questions it was stated : — That during recess Government would consider the advisability of holding morning sittings of the House. That the question of establishing a home for incurables in the colony would receive the consideration of Government. That in future the weapon for mounted corps would be the Martini-Henri carbine and new weapons had been ordered and would be issued as soon as they arrive in the colony. Capt. Russell complained of the delay in filling the vacancy on the Supreme Court bench, and said it was becoming almost a public scandal Hon. Seddon said he could not make a definite statement on tbis matter until he received the return he had asked for from the Chief Justice relative to the distribution of work amongst the judges in the different districts of tbe colony. In reply to Capt. Russell, Hon. Seddon said he could not bring down a public works statement till the ordinary, departmental estimates were passed, as till those were disposed of Government would not know how much money wonld be at their disposal for public works. The House went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of estimates. Audit office, £5865. Mr G. J. Smith moved that this vote be reduced by £1 as a protest against the total vote being increased from £5381 to £5865. Several members protested against any increases being made in the estimates. Mr G. W. Russell said the Audit Department was at present the most ineffectively administered, and some change was necessary. The Hon. Seddon agreed with that statement, and said that whilst he had every respect for the Auditor General he was convinced that thorough reorganisation of the Audit Department was necessary, as it was at present in a very unsatisfactory position. He thought the system of audit should be brought under one department. After a lengthy discussion the Hon. Mr Ward said his opinion was that the Audit Department at present was undermanned. Sir Robert Stout regretted that any reduction had been moved in the Audit Department vote. Mr McLachlan moved that all salaries over £200 be reduced by 5 per cent., and over £400 by 7. per cent?— This was lost on the voices. Mr McLachlan moved to reduce the item of £320 for chief clerk by £20.— Lost by 51 to 2. Mr G. J. Smith then withdrew his amendment to reduce the total vote by £1, and moved instead that the item contingencies Audit Department £2500 be reduced by £1. Mr Ward pointed out that this item Was £105 less than last year. — Amendment lost by 31 to 24. . In Committee of Supply the Audit vote passed without alteration. During the discussion on the Registrar -General's Department, several members urged that the census should be taken next year, but Ministers thought this unnecessary. The vote was passed unaltered. On Agent-General's Department, Mr Ward, stated that after the Cabinet meeting to-morrow Government would be in a position to made a statement as to whether or not Sir W. Perceval would be re-appointed to the office. A motion to reduce the vote for the printing and stationery department was lost by 50 to 6. Colonial Treasurer's Department, £25,550. -The vote of £400, salary of the Financial Adviser to the Government in London, was struck out on the suggestion of Mr Seddon, who said he would accept the excision of the vote as an indication that someone else other than Sir M. Julyan should be appointed to the position. He (Mr Seddon) had long felt that the colony should do something for Sir Julius Yogel, and he -would be very pleased to offer him this position. Sir Robert Stout moved to strike out £50 for the item of contingencies, as an indication that the House should have been informed as to how the sinking fund debentures have been made up. Mr Ward said the action of the Government over the debentures was approved by the Law Officers of the Crown and the Audit Department. After nearly three hours' discussion, Sir R. Stout's motion was lost by 28 to 23, and the whole vote for the Colonial Treasurer's Department passed as altered. The estimates of the Justice Depart ment and Post and Telegraph Departments were passed without alteration. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 4.40 a.m.