PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2263, 4 July 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Tblbgbaph.] [PHOM THB OTO COBRESPONDBNT OP THB “PBBBS.”] WELLINGTON, July 2, I hear that Sir G. Grey and Sir G. M. O’Rorke deny the truth of the rumor, to which I recently alluded, that an altercation had taken place between them in regard to the latter using the Speaker’s room for the purpose of a meeting of the Auckland members relative to a question of which the former disapproved. I simply gave the report as it reached me, from apparently trustworthy sources, and as it was current in the Parliamentary buildings. I had no reason to distrust the accuracy or good faith of my informant. There were several versions as to the exact shape of the alleged dispute, but all agreed that an altercation took place. As a matter of course I was not present, and simply told the tale as it was to'd to me. In the Bill introduced by Sir George Grey, the preamble sets forth that cases still exist in New Zealand where persons are required to take or subscribe an oath, and that it is expedient to extend the admission of affirmations to all such oases. The Bill, therefore, proposes to enact that in all oases where any person is now or may hereafter be required to take an oath, and shall object so to do, it shall be lawful for him or her to make his or her affirmation or declaration in the words “ I do truly affirm and declare,” &0., which affirmation or declaration shall be of the same force and effect as an oath, and every person required, authorised, or qualified by any Act or law in force in New Zealand or otherwise to take or administer such an oath shall permit and accept in lieu thereof this affirmation or declaration. The same penalties, forfeitures, and disabilities which are now in force and attached respectively to the neglect, refusal, and false or corrupt taking or subscribing an oath are to apply and attach in like manner in respect of the neglect, refusal, and false or corrupt making or subscribing of the proposed affirmation or declaration. Mr Stewart is to move on Wednesday—- “ That a select committee be appointed to inquire into and report on the reductions and removals in the police force of the colony during the last twelve months, such committee to consist of Captain Oolbeck, Major Harris, Messrs Pitt, Hurst, Shrimski and the mover." Mr Weston is to ask the Premier on Tuesday whether the Government will bring down a Bill to enable them to assist companies prepared to construct or continue main lines of railway by concessions of land or otherwise, and if so when ? I hear that the preparation of this important Bill is proceeding as rapidly as practicable, and that the measure will be ready for introduction quite as soon as the House is ready to deal with it. The Bill is being drafted by the Solicitor-General in consultation, I believe, with Mr Weston for Canterbury and Mr Travers for Wellington, in order that they may be able to suggest provisions which experience has proved necessary to meet the requirements of their respective districts, those two being the only ones which have es yet any project of the extension of railway construction by private companies. The full report of Messrs Batkin and Seed on the reorganisation and retrenchment practicable in the Civil Service is not now expected to be presented for another week or fortnight. It was hoped that it would be ready by to-day, so that it might be a sure guide in framing the preliminary estimator., but this proved impossible. I am authoritatively informed that there is no truth in the report which has been several times repeated in various shapes, to the effect

that the Government have decided to deduct 10 per cent, from all salaries above £2OO. It is quite true, I believe, that this proposal, which was strongly pressed in the House last session, did come before a Cabinet meeting recently, but nothing definite resulted. No decision was arrived at, and the matter was postponed for further information to bo available before any final determination should be come to. is now probable that the delivery of the Financial Statement will not taho place on Tuesday as arranged, but will be postponed till Wednesday on Thursday. Major Atkinson is quite ready with his budget proper, but to make it complete, and in order to work out certain proposals he will make, he needs some departmental estimates which are not yet fully compiled. Every effort is being made to have them ready by Tuesday, but it is hardly likely that this can be done. It not, the statement will be deterred until they are oomplste, but, in any ease, not later than Thursday. If it has to bo delivered on the private members’ night, the Government will give them Friday instead. I hear that the statement will be somewhat lengthy, going exhaustively into the colonial finances, and elaborately explaining the views of the Government respecting local government finance, about which so much has been heard lately. Directly ofter the delivery of the statement, Major Atkinson will introduce two out of the three Bills whio x embody Ministers Dooal Government policy. The second reading will be taken next day, when the Treasurer will embrace the opportunity of making a complete statement as to the policy of the Government on this question,and an exhaustive explanation of the plan proposed. His financial statement and Local Government speech will probably each occupy nearly two hours. The third Local Government Bill will be brought down later. The reason for this plan will appear when the full explanation is given.

The new Succession Duties Bill promised by the Treasurer is not yet distributed, but I am informed that it will be similar to that which last session was passed by the Lower House, but thrown out by the Council j that is to say, it will be similar in machinery (which is its chief object). But the duties will be considerably lower, in fact much the same aa now, in the hope of removing the objections of the Council to the Bill.