PARLIAMENTARY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3046, 7 August 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

WAGES OP LABOURERS ON GOVERNMENT WORKS. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. SUTTER and the KUMARA SLUDGECHANNEL VOTE. MUSEUMS AND LECTURES. WATER WORKS ON GOLDFIELDS ESTIMATES PASSED. [from our own correspondent.] Wellington, August 6. The Minister of Public Works, in answer to Mr Taylor, said the Government had given instructions that temporary labourers on public works were not to receive more than 6a per day. The permanent labourers were not affected by this order. Mr Seddon moved the adjournment of the House, in order that the subject might be discussed. He pointed out that the usual course was to pay temporary hands more than permanent h-uida, and the present reduction was only the prelude to a general reduction. He regretted that the Government had been the first to make such a proposal as this. He had received information, hu added, that the Midland Railway Company were going to give 5s a day only, and bring men from Home if they could not get them at that price in the colony. A discussion ensued. Mr Reid said a reduction of 6d a day would be a great loss to working men. He believed it would follow as a sequence that the wages of permanent hands would be reduced. It was absolutely impossible for a man to bring up a family decently on such wages, and what was the reduction made for ?—to prevent the railway returns from showing a falling off. He would move a motion of Supply, for an expression of opinion on the matter. Mr Duncan said the permanent men were a better class and consequently were entitled to higher wages than casual hands. Mr Ivess regretted that the Government had taken this step, and hoped that they would remedy the matter at once. Sir G. Grey said the Government should give a fail day's wages for a fair day's work. The Minister said he might state again that a circular was sent out under a misapprehension, and had been recalled. He was glad this discussion had arisen, for it would strengthen the hands of the Government in considering the matter, so that they could <*ive the same wages to temporary as to permauent bauds.—[Hear, hear.] The matter then dropped, and The House went into Committee of Supply on Class X., Minister of Mines' vote, Mines Department;, £2268, which was agreed to. The vote Geological and Meteorological, £3475, was agreed to. On the vote Miscellaneous Services £26,557, Captain Sutter moved that the item maintenance and raising of sluice Kumara sludge-channel be struck out. The Minister hoped the House would not take the vote off. Captain Sutter said he would not press his motion if the Minister would ■say that this was the last money to be expended on the sludge-channel. Mr Rollestou asked the Minister whether it was true that an uotion was

pending against the Government in this matter. The Minister replied that it was, as far as he knew. Mr Seddon quoted figures in connection with the channel, and said he challenged anybody to Ray that the work was not h beneficwl-4Mie; it had puid 23 per cent, last would pay 30 per cent, next year, no doubt. The Minister, in answer- to Captain Sir ter, said the works were under offer to local bodies, and if they were not H..ld, a vote would have to be asked for next year. Mr Sutter asked leave to withdraw his motinn, and substitute a reduction by £IOQG. , . ( ; Mr Seddon objected to the withdrawal. . Captain Sutter, he said, bad hpen tinkling at this, matter for yearn, •nd if there was a member who "knew nothing about the work it was that "pntleraan, although he had been prompted and primed by the late Miuisier of Mines. The motion of Captain Sutter was lost on the voices, and the item passed. Mr Beetham remarked in, reference to the item of Museums that"'the' Minister should assist iu forming a Museum at Masterton, where, he said, a very ijood one could be formed. The Minister was understood to say, in reply, that Masterton would be entitled to the same assistance as other centres were. The motion to strike the item off was lost. Mr Peacock thought the item of .24000 to defray cost of lectures ought to be reduced by half. Col. Fraser defended the item, and spoke highly of the value of Professor Black's lectures. Mr Scobie Mackenzie thought the item was too large, and he pointed out • hit the attempts to popularise science had not been beneficial. Sir Michael O'Rorke thought the circnmstances of the colony, did not warrant such an expenditure as that proposed; in his opinion the money would be better spent in the appointment of men permanently in districts, instead of having peripatetic lectures annually. Mr Peacock's motion to reduce the item by £2OOO was put and lost by 28 to 25. J Mr Peacock then moved to reduce the item by £IOOO, which was carried by 28 to 27. After passing the Estimates for the Colonial Secretary's Department, The Houso adjourned at 3 a.m. r , T . August 7. In the Legislative Council, progress w.is made in the Mines Bill. The Lords generally object to the reduction of ihe miners' rights, and the clause wiih postponed. They oiject also to the prospecting on private land clauses. The Beer Duty and Civil Service Reform BiUs were read a third time, and passed. In the House of Representatives, die Local Bodies Finance and Powers Bill was passed in Committee, and the third reading fixed for Monday next. The House then went into Committee of Supply. The departmental estimates were all passed. The Public Works Estimates were then proceeded with. The items Roads, Water-works on Goldfields, Purchase of Native Lands, and Telegraph Extension were all passed without a reduction. The House adjourned at 2 a.m.