PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2005, 28 July 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

WELLINGTON, July 27.

In the House to day, Mr Murray gave notice to move, on going into Committee of Supply, that there be laid on the table the evidence upon which the Public Accounts Committee arrived at their decision re the Otago and Canterbury land fund. I understand that Sir G. Grey and Mr Ballance were present at the Committee, and that unusual interest was taken by certain supporters of Sir G. Grey to secure a verdict favorable to their views. This is quite in accordance with Parliamentary practice, and is of course no such thing as embracery. The Royal Commission on Colonial Industries have just agreed on their report, which will be ready for signature to-morrow, when it will be sent to the Governor. It will be some time before it is laid on the table of the House, as it has to be printed with the evidence, which is of considerable length. Mr Saunders gave notice to ask if the Minister for Public Works had received any correspondence from the Christchurch Locomotive Engineer fixing the responsibility of the malconstruction of the railway carriages built at Dunedin and rebuilt at Christchurch. The excitement regarding the Railway Commission report is gradually subsiding, and moat of the members now seem disposed to accept the inevitable. They recognise the fact that there is no money to spend, and as all will fare almost equally badly, there is less inducement for one to envy another. I understand the recommendations of the Railway Commission will be adopted by the Government, and that the Public Works statement, which probably will not now be made before Tuesday next, will be in general accord with the Commissioners’ report. It is also believed that the Ministry will have the support of the House in this course. In pursuance of retrenchment thirty-seven employes in the Telegraph Department have received notice that their services will not be required after August 31st, Among

them are acme who have been in the service a considerable time, and who, it is presumed, will therefore be entitled to compensation allowance. In other cases a month’s notice is given. The discarded officers, however, have been informed that their names will bo kept! on the books in view of any opening which may arise for replacing them, in which case they will have the first chance. Other reductions are in contemplation in the Postal and Telegraph Department, Government received s telegram to-day that four more Maori fencers had been arrested, and that the arrest was effected very quietly, without any resistance or clamor. The attitude of the Natives, however, was somewhat sullen. It is not yet known definitely whether Te Whiti intends to keep up the supply of fencers, or how long his stock can hold out.