GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1406, 17 August 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[FEB PBHBB AGENCY.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, August 16. nominated immigration.

Mr Miller asked the Colonial Secretary what steps had been taken by the Government regarding the nomination of immigrants ; what facilities were afforded for securing the correctness of applications and for ascertaining the character of nominated immigrants, especially in places where there is no immigration officer. Colonel Whitmohe said precautions were being taken by the Government, in accordance with a letter received from the AgentGeneral. BILLS ADVANCED. The Public Reserves Bill and Executive Councillors Bill were read a second time. On the latter considerable discussion took place, from which it r.ppeared to be the general opinion that there should be more than one member of the Executive Council in the Upper House. Several Bills, passed in the Lower House, were advanced a stage. The Council adjourned at 4.45. EVENING SITTING. The Council resumed at 8 p.m., and passed an Imprest Supply Bill for £250,000. Mr Campbell obtained leave to give evidence before the Lower House on goldflelds. The Council then adjourned till Tuesday at 2.30. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, August 16. The House met at 2 30. PETITION EKOM CATHOLICS. Mr Pyke presented a petition from the Catholics of Otago and Southland, praying that their schools may be placod on the same footing as other schools. THE GOVERNOR'S DESPATCHES. Mr Fox gave notice to ask that his Excellency be requested to place in the hands of the House all correspondence between his Excellency, and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. THE OTTINESH QUESTION. Mr REEVES gave no! ice to move that the House is of opinion that in view of a probable influx of Chinese from the neighboring colonies legislation is called for. I'BEE RAILWAY FAS3ES. Mr Pyke gave no'ice to move for a return of the number of free railway passes issued. FINANCIAL AGENTS. Mr McLean asked who were appointed under the Inscription of Stock Act ? If the agency waß offered to Sir J. Vogel, and if not why not ? The Premier said the agents appointed were Messra Larnach, Julyan, Sergeant, and Ommany. About the same time Sir J. Vogel had intimated that ho would probably resign the Agent-Generalship, and as the Government knew that he was thinking of entering into something else, tho agency was not offered to him. RAUVrAY SURTEY. Mr Pyve asked if the Government would oause a survey to be made of the line from Clyde to Oomwcll and Lake on the continuation of tho Otago central railway via Strath Taicri. Mr Macandrkwsaid the question would be answered in the Public Works Statement. CANTEBBUKY DOMAIN. Mr Bo wen asked how tho amount voted last year for domains in Canterbury had been expended. A;r.o whether the whole sum appropriated under tho vote had been distributed for the improvement and maintenance of domains. Mr Stout replied that the whole sum voted had been paid to the local governing bodies. He laid on the table a return showing the distribution of the vote In reply to a farther question by Mr Bowcn, '' Mr Stout added that tho Government had no information as to whether the money had beon properly expendod by the bodies to

whom it was distributed, but if Mr Bowen would put the question in a more definite shape, he would answer it. THE GROIN AT KALAPOI. Mr Bowen asked whether the attention of the Minister of Public Works had been drawn to the injury done to the Kaiapoi embankment by the groin above the railway bridge; also, whether he would havo the injury repaired. Mr Macandeew replied that several surveys had been held, and the engineers were unanimously of opinion that it was not the groin but tho protective works undertaken by local bodies which hud caused the mischief. PBOTECTtON OF SEALS. Replying to Mr Feldwick, Mr Macandeew said that in the Fisheries Bill to be introduced by Government would bo found clauses protecting seal fisheries on the coasts of New Zealand. THE VOLUNTEEB FOBOE. In reply to Mr Feldwick, Mr Ballancg stated that the Government were taking steps to reorganise a volunteer force. They would lay particulars before tho House in a few days. INSTRUCTIONS TO LOAN AGENTS. Mr Ballancb, in reply to Mr McLean, promised to lay on the table all unpublished correspondence and instructions between the Government, Crown agents, loan agents, and Agent-General REGISTERED ELECTORS. In reply to Mr Bowen, a return was promised of the number of electors registered in the several electoral districts on the new rolls for the year. FIBBT READINGS. Bills read a first time —Excise Duty on Beer, Customs Tariff Act Amendment, Preservation of Fisheries, Bluff Harbor Board Amendment and Duty on Joint Stock Companies Bills. SIB w. mabtin's pension. A good deal of objection was taken to the introduction of a Bill for increasing the annuity of Sir William Martin from £333 to £SOO, but the Bill was read a first time after division, the votes being forty-two against seven. Protests were then made by Messrs M'Lean and Swanson against the practice of giving pensions. This being an exceptional case should be treated exceptionally, but the House ought to set its face against establishing such a dangerous precedent. If they did this for Sir W. Martin, they would bo sure to see several others following in his wake. IMPREST SUPPLY. A second Imprest Supply Bill for another £250,000 was road a second time. Mr Ballancb explained that the Treasury had only £30,000 left, and in another day or so there would be no funds at the Bank. INTBODUCTION OF PETITIONS. A considerable portion of the afternoon was occupied over the question of how a petition praying for relief, or a specific sum of money, should be introduced. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. The Imprest Supply Bill was passed without amendment. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House went into committee upon the estimates. Objection was taken to the following additions to salaries made on tho recommendation of the Speaker, viz.: —Addition to Speaker's permanent salary, £2OO ; addition to salary of Chairman of Committees, £IOO ; addition to clerk of Parliament's salary, £100; also to a new salary for a clerk of writs, £IOO. Mr Ballancb quoted statistics to show that all the above officers recoived smaller salaries than similar officers in any other of the Australian colonies. Messrs Swanson and Rees asked that a fixed salary might be decided upon at once for all these officers, and thus stop the bringing down of these annual additions as if they were accident.

Mr Sauxders opposed the increases as unjuatifiablo expenditure, and, if no one else did it, ho would divide tho House upon every item. He moved that they be struck out.

Mr Swanson vehemently demanded that the House should reject all the items, and compel the Government to bring down a Bill fixing the salaries once and for all, and let them prevent such offensive aud unseemly discussions for the future.

After nearly two hours' discussion, a divi sion was called for by Mr Saunders, and the additions retained by 54 against 17. Item.—Clerk of Writs, £IOO, struck out on the voices.

Sergeant-at-Arms, £250. Mr Swanson moved that the item be ftruek out, but; it was retained. Reader, £l5O. Mr Rues moved that the item bo reduced to what it was last year, £l2O. Item agreed to. The House is still in committee.