GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1804, 2 December 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, December 1. Tho House mot at 7 20. PETITIONS AND NOTICES. _ Several petitions were presented, including one by Mr Dick, from 4470 electors of Dunedin, praying that onesuragoment may bo given to tho production of manufactures. Sir G. Gkey presented a petition from tho tobacconists of Auckland against the high duty. Sir G. Gkey also presented a petition from 500 residents of Nelson, praying for inquiries into certain so-called treasonable conduct against God, tho Crown, and the country, on the part of Hon. John Hall, Hon. W. Rolloaton, Mr W. S. Moorhouse. and Mr A. Saunders, in connection with maladministration of certain lands of the colony. The petition was ordered to be read, but was read in such a slovenly disjointed manner as not to be understood. It was ordered to be printed. Major Atkinson gave notice that ho would next day ask the House to pass tho Wanganui Roads and Bridges Bill. HONORARIUM. Mr Pykb asked the Government what course they intended to take in tho matter of the honorarium, which was reduced by some error. Ho would like to know if the Government would give them another opportunity of discussing tho mutter by ordering tho recommittal of the vote. Major Atkinson said if the House wished it they would have no objection to comply with the request. Mr Siibuiski said he would object to the recommittal of tho item, but the Speaker ruled him out of order until the item came before tho House. QUALIF] CATION OF ELECTORS Bill. The amendments made by tho Legislative Council in the Qualification of Electors Bill were considered and adopted. SUPPLY. The House resolved itself into Committee of Supply, and proceeded with tho estimates. A motion to reduce the item, “ Expenses of members of both Houses ” by a further deduction beyond tho ten per cant, carried on Friday night, was negatived. The items, £62,189, Legislative Department; £4435, electoral ; £6548 audit, were passed. On tho item, Government statistics, £6695, Mr Hutchison called attention to the useless way in which this brauch was conducted, -and hoped some steps would be taken to reduce or abolish it next year. The item passed. Geological and meteorological, £2678; New Zealand Institute, £SOO passed. On the item, Agent-General’s Department, £3OOO. Mr Gisboenb proposed that tho sum bo reduced by £IOOO. Mr Sheimski defended tho vote in the interest of the colony, for which. Sir Julius Vogel had done so much. Mr Bowen followed in the same strain, and considered the Agent-General would be of greater service to tho colony ia tho House of Commons than out of it, Messrs Shephabd and Mueeay supported this view. Mr Swanson thought any timo Sir J. Vogel spent in the House of Commons would be at tho expense of tho colony. If they paid for his time they should receive it. Mr Levin defended the conduct of the department in the hands of Sir J. Vogel. Sir G. Geey said Sir J. Vogel had recently written against tho unity of the colony, and hoped he would not have an opportunity of promulgating such views in the House of Commons. After some further discussion the item was put and passed as printed. Charitable £18,750 (grants in aid to hospitals and charitable institutions), lunatic asylums £26,832, printing and stations) y £24.563, passed. Miscellaneous services, £34,801. A motion by Mr Kelly to strike out £2OOO for the Melbourne Exhibition was negatived on the voices. A motion to strike out the item “W. J. Hurst, services as chairman Hospital Committee, Auckland, £84,” was negatived on a division by 37 to 5. The vote then passed as printed. Government Insurance Department,£2o,94l. Mr Swanson suggested that the Government should wash their hands of this department altogether, for the accounts had shown that the arrangement had been unprofitable. Several members approved. A motion that the salary of the actuary be reduced from £6OO to £4OO was negatived on the voices. On the item £SOOO towards tho erection of Government Insurance office, a proposal was made to strike out the item. A division was taken, when the avea were 22, and the noes 30. Mr Shbimski moved that tho vote be reduced £2500. The motion was lost on the voices. The vote then passed as printed. Public Works Offices, expenses account, £975; Native reserve accounts, £1114; surplus land account, £14,000, were passe3, The Public Wo;ks estimates were then called on. . ~ Mr Sheimski said tho particulars should be before them if they were called upon to vote these items, Mr Olives said he hoped to lay the Public Works statement before tho House at the end of the present week or beginning of next week. Mr Lundon suggested that the House ■ should adjourn at this stage.