PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1975, 23 June 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[Bx Telbgbafh.] [fbom otjb own cobbespondbnt.] WELLINGTON, June 22. The Census Amendment Bill introduced by Mr Dick provides that the next census shall be taken on April 3rd, 1881. The Cenßus Act which it amends simply enacts that the census shall be taken not later than April, 1881, on a day to be fixed by order in Council. The Amendment Bill thus fixes date definitely by statute. I A rumour having been revived that the Government have appointed an Inspector of Prisons, ut a salary of .£6OO, Mr CSisbomo has given notice to ask why applications for that appointment were not invited from Ireland as well as in other parts of the United Kingdom. Mr Macandrew has given notice of motion for to-morrow to the effect that before any action ia taken on the report of the Civil Service, Mr Conyers be heard in self-defenee. The rumor is being resuscitated as to pressure being brought to bear on the Government to induce the reduction of the beer tax by half. It is said that Mr Ballancs will move an amendment to this effect, and that he has strong support promised, in which case the Opposition calculate on the Government having to give way. I have no reason, however, to suppose that any such change is likely to be made. So far the debate to-day on the no-confidence motion has been very dreary. Dr. Wallace, M«Bflra Gjaborne, Murray, Montgomery and.

Hurst all spoke at some length, but were exceedingly dull. Mr Saunders is now (10 p.m.) speaking effectively. It was understood that Major Atkinson would speak at half-past 7, but I near that he does not now intend to speak before to-morrow, when it is hoped that the debate will be wound up and a division taken. I doubt, however, if this will prove practicable, as the Opposition appear desirous of protracting the debate until Thursday or Friday. The Ministerial whips still count on a. majority of at least ten, the Opposition give them six. The Civil Service Commissioners returned their commissions to the this afternoon. Their reasons for taking this step are as follows :—They consider that before they carry their investigations any further Parliament ought to have an opportunity of expressing an opinion whether it is desirable that they should go on wi*h the work, which must necessarily involve a heavy expenditure. _ Adverse comments have been made on the constitution of the Commission, which has been called a party affair, and they de3ire that Parliament should say whether it desires the work to be proceeded with and by them. They are perfectly willing to go on if the country desires it, and if backed by the usual support of Parliament they believe that they can do good service, and much more in future than in the past, as hitherto they have been under the disadvantage of the Royal Commission system generally being disapproved by the public. They have therefore returned their commissions to his Excellency. If he sends them back to them they will go forward with the task, and they entertain a very strong opinion as to its urgent ne< essity, but they hold it desirable that Parliament should be able to say whether it wishes the work to proceed, and if so] whether it desires that they should perform it or that others should take it up. In short, they "report progress," and leave to the House to say whether they shall " sit again."