PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1439, 26 September 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

«> [By Telegraph.] [feom the cobbespondent of thb peess.] civil servants. A return of the names of officers whose services have been dispensed with, and the appointments made since the first of December, 1877, laid on the table to the order of Mr Sutton, shows the total amount of salaries payable to new officers appointed since the date mentioned is .£4 ,303 7a 6d, and the salaries saved by officers discharged since the same date £20,866. The lirst amount includes about <£5950 on account of the appointments of railway and education officers. The retiring allowances are not set out in full, but they amount to between eight thousand and ten thousand. The new officers in lude, in some cases, transfers which have been returned in the other list, but others not. On the whole, the Civil Service costs ten thousand more than last year. FREE PASSES. Tn the House to-day Mr Bastings presented a petition in favor of granting volunteers free passes on the railways, proceeding to and from duty. Mr Bastings gave notice to ask the Government whether they will pay the railway fare in the colony of volunteer fire brigades on the occasion of the annual demonstrations. GAOLS COMMITTEE. Three weeks' extension of time has been granted to the Gaols Committee to bring up their report. MIDDLE ISLAND NATIVE AFFAIRS. Mr Taiaroa gave notice of motion in favor of placing five hundred pounds on the estimates for the translation of Alexander Mackay's work on the Middle Island native affairs. THE POLICE. The powers of the Select Committee on Police were extended, so as to enable it to call for porsons and papers relative to the powers, pay, and position of the police. DISTRICTS EXCLUDED FROM RAILWAY SCHEME. Mr Saunders gave notice to move on Wednesday next —" That in the opinion of this House no system of public works can be satisfactory or of a colonial character that proposes to exclude large tax paying areas from its benefits, and public justice demands thit the districts which present any physical features which do not justify the construction of a railway which would enhance the value of tre land and take off the traffic from the roads, should either be exempted from contributing for public works, or should be assisted from the colonial revenue in the construction of their roads, bridges, or wharves." MINES BILL. The committee to whom the Mines Amendment Act was referred recommended that it should not pass this session, but should have the careful consideration of Government during the recess. The provisions of the Bill could not be immediately carried out without causing temporary embarrassment. MIDDLE ISLAND NATIVE CLAIMS. Mr Bryce brought up the report of the Native Affairs Committee on the petition of John Tapi Patuki, which set out that certain lands in the Middle Island had been sold by the Natives possessing no title The committee reported that the question was a complex one, therefore it could not be dealt with by a Parliamentary committee. It recommended that the matter should receive the attention of the Government. THE FINANCIAL BILLS. It is generally rumoured in the lobbies that Government have definitely decided not to proceed with the Companies Income Tax Bill, and are doubtful of a majority on the Beer Duty Bill. The Opposition shows a stronger disposition to get over the business of the present session and go home. An e sy way is therefore bridged for the Government to sacrifice many measures which cannot possibly pass this session. Political prophets think the Government will at the end of three weeks, or a month at the latest, come down to the House with the statement that a largo majority of members on both sides of the House are anxious to return home, and, anxious as the Government is to proceed with many measures which the pressure of other business has delayed, they desire to yield to the wishes of the House, and will therefore prorogue on a day to be named. Some think a few important measures will be kept under sentence in the meantime, and will then be suddenly executed at a few days' notice. The Government whips have been anxiously feeling the pulse of their supporters yesterday and today re the Beer Bill, and the Opposition say there is a clear majority against the Government on this measure ; but if the Ministry make it a Government question, many wavering votes will be retained on the Government side, and the Bill will be carried by a small majority. The Opposition still remains completely unorganised. NATIVE LANDS BILL. The Native Lands Bill, which is to constitute a court and appoint it to sit continuously until all the East Coast land claims are disposed of, which has been drafted by Mr Whitakor, lias been taken up by the Attorney-General, who gave notice of $ to-day.