Parliamentary.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 July 1901, Page 3

Parliamentary.

(Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

Wellington This Day. The House mot at 10 30. The Ashburton County Council Empowering Act Amendment Bill (M;Lachlan) was read a second time. A petition was presented from Samuel Vaile praying that a trial of his zone system bo made on a section of the New Zealand Railways. Ward said that some months ago he intimated to Vaile that he would allow a trial to be made of the system on an Auckland section under certain conditions. Napier asked Government if they were aware that an ordinance had lately been passed in Fiji impo-ing a penalty on anyone who caused any Fijian to bo disaffected towards the Government.

Seddon said that the Secretary of State for the Colonies in communication had stated that no change in the constitution of Fiji should take place without the Fijians being consulted, and this Ordinance had been passed at a few hours’ notice. New Zealand was, he contended, greatly interested in the affairs of Fiji, and such a lamentable condition of affairs now prevailed that he thought it the duty of the House to ask the Imperial Government to at once institute an enquiry. He would at once submit a proposal to that effect to the House. •

The Premier announced that Camcross had been appointed Government Whip. In reply to questions it was stated that Government as far as possible would assist returned contingenters to obtain employment. That Government recognised that the Licensing Laws required material amendment, and favoured the suggestion that persons found illegally on hotel premises should be equally liable with the hotelkeeper. Canned Fish Industry. The Auckland members waited on the Premier with respect to the canned fish industry. Seddon promised to continue the bonus foa another year, and appoint a select committee to enquire into the whole question of the fishing industry, aud on their report would depend the continuance of the bonus beyond the current year. Teachers’ Commission. I understand that the Teachers Commission arc likely to report in favour of placing teachers in small schools on an equality as regards pay up to £135 per annum and recommend the increase of the capitation grant up to £4 2s fid. Staffing throughout the colony is to be generally increased and the disparity between the salaries of men and women is to be greatly reduced. The Old Age Pension Scheme.

The report of the Registrar of Old Age Pensions for the year, ended 31st March last, was laid before .Parliament this morning. The number of pensions in force, inclusive of 1,098 granted to Maoris, was 12,405, representing a yearly payment of £211,965.

During the past year 2,227 pensions were granted, 815 pensioners died, 227 pension certificates cancelled (inclusive of 202 renewal claims rejected and 65 pensions, which lapsed through nonapplication for renewal). The total amount of pension money paid during last year was £197,293, and the cost of administration was £2,415. In reply to questions. It was stated that a State sanatorium for the treatment of consumption would probably be erected at Naseby, That work on the North Island Main Truck Railway is progressing very satisfactory and was thought that everything pointed to the line being completed within the period monlioned last session, viz,,, four years. Tho House rose at one o’clock. *