PARLIAMENARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 190, 11 August 1880, Page 2

PAR LI A M E N AR Y.

Wellington, Tuesday night. The House met at 2.30. Mr Seddon gave notice that he would ask if the Government intended introducing a Bill this session to reduce the salary of all future Governors. Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would ask if the Government intended making provision in the supplementary . estimates for Volunteer corps *who, on the faith of the continuation of the capitation allowances, had incurred liabilities for uniforms, &c. Mr Macandrew gave notice that he would move the addition of a new clause to the Native Lands Sale Bill, affirming the principle that an equal number of Natives be associated with the Waste Lands Boards in dealing with Native land questions. Major Atkinson gave notice that he would move that for the remainder of the session the Speaker leave the chair on going into Committee of Supply without the necessity of first putting the question. Replying to questions put, it was stated that the Government had had a communication from the authorities in England that a scholarship was provided by Mr Gilchrisi's trustees of .£IOO for three years to the candidate who passes best at the London or Edinburgh University matriculation examination, held in New Zealand. The examination papers would have to go Home, and the examination would be held immediately. The official notice would appear in the next Gazette, and the Government hoped that some one of the young men in the colony would come to the front in the matter, as it would be a good opportunity for young men desirous of studying law or medicine. An application to have certain evidence taken before a Select Committee produced as

evidence in a case before the Supreme Court was, after discussion, refused. Replying to questions, it was stated there was no truth in a statement which had appeared in print that a new office of assistant-paymaster at Dunedin in the railways had been created — A sum of £600 had been paid to the widow and family of the late Judge Young. — The attention of the Government had been directed to proposals for obtaining land by deferred payments by men employed on the road works at the Waimate Plains, bub the Government did not intend dealing with the same in any special way. Tbe land would be 1 opened for selection by anyone who cbose to apply. Mr Hall gave notice that he would move that the House sit to-morrow at 11 a.m. till 2 p,m,, and afterwards adjourn till 7.30, to enable members to attend the funeral of Mr George Hunter, ex-M.H.R, Sir G. Grey supported tbe proposal, and said il would be a compliment to Mr Hunter's memory as a public man. On the motion of Mr Hall, the following Bills were discharged from the Order Paper : — Town Districts, Fisheries, Education Reserves Amendment, Public Entertainments Prohibition, Cemeteries, Fire and Marine Insurance Companies, Gaming and Lotteries, Hawkers and Pedlars, and, Peace Preservation. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Pharmacy Bill was agreed to on a division of 42 to 25. The debate was resumed on the motion for going into Committee of Supply. Mr Moss blamed the Government for the attempt to suppress the question of local administration by maintaining a strict silence on the subject under debate. He cautiontd them that outside the House improved local administration was urgently demanded, and their conduct in this respect would give great dissatisfaction. Mr Swanson contended that the proposals submitted were wholly unworkable. Mr Dick said that they were so impracticable that the Government did not consider it right to waste the time of the House by prolonging the debate. Mr Pyke did not think the motion was going in the direction of reviving Provincialism; but even a revival of Provincialism would be better than what they had. The counties were too small, and instead of 54, if they wore amalgamated and the number ■reduced to 20, the work would be better done. Mr Sheehan contended that abolition had proved a mistake, and they required some form of local administration to relieve them from the enormous burden of parish ndministratiou. Abolition had been thrust upon the House. The debate was interrupted by 5,30, and tbe House adjourned. Wednesday. On the House resuming Mr Gisborue condemned the decision of the Railway Commissioners on the Foxton railway. He also complained of the neglect shown to the mining interests on the West Coast. Mr Hall denied that the West Coast was unfairly taxed. Since 1870 no less than £1 300,000 had been spent there on public Works'. He held that it was impossible for any Government, having no money to spend, to make a Public Works Statement likely to be satisfactory to members. He defended Mr Blair from Mr Saundera' attack re the railway wagons. The motion for going into Committee of Supplyjwas agreed to after some slightjf urther discussion. The following votes were passed after discussion : — Minister of Mines £22,850; coal fields reduced from £350 to £200, railways £608,918 reduced to £561,031 on Mr Oliver's motion; Architect's office £1,486; Government domains £1,191 ; public buildings £20,585; Inspector of machinery £1900. Progress was reported aud the House rose at ODe o'clock. . The House met at. ll o'clock this morning and went into Committee on the Counties Act Amendment Bill. Mr Sutton said the measure was a paltry one and trifling with an important subject on which comprehensive legislation was required. He moved that the Chairman leave the chair. Mr Hall said there was no doubt that the whole subject of local Government would have to be considered at some future time, but the present Bill was required to amend pateut defects. The motion was negatived and the Bill was reported with amendments and read the third time, and passed. Mr Rolleston moved the second reading of the High School Reserves Bill. He stated that it wa3 based on tbe recommendations of the Royal Coiimission on higher education. Mr Tole thought there was no necessity for the Bill. Mr Hursthouse also hoped the Bill would not bo allowed to pass. Mr Rolleston stated that the proposal to withdraw the Bill involved the question of stoppage of secondaty education in many districts. Tbe House divided: Ayes 40, Noes 33. The Bill was then read the second time.