PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 735, 17 August 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, August 10.

In the Legislative Council to-day, The Mon.H. J. Miller asked the Colonial Secretary what steps had been taken by the Government regarding the nomination of immigrants, and asked what facilities were afforded for securing correctness in applications and for ascertaining the character of the nominated immigrants, especially in a place where there i* no immigration officer.

The cli-ui". Colonel Whitmore said precautions were being taken by the Government in accordance with a letter received rroni the Ag-nt-Generai. The Public Reserves Bill and the Executive Council Bill were read a second time. On the latter considerable discussion took place, from which it appeared to be the general opinion that there should be more than one member of the Executive Council in the Upper House. Several Bills passed in the Lower House were advanced a stage. The Imprest Supply Bill for L 250,000 was passed. August %f. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. Pyke presented a petition from the Catholics of Otago and Southland, praying that their schools may be placed on the same footing as other schools. Mr. Reeves gave notice to move—- '•' That this House is of opinion that in view of a probable influx of Chinese from the neighboring colonies legislation is called for." Mr. M'ljpan asked who were appointed under the Inscris'ti..n of Stock Act, and if the Agency had been off-red to Sir J. Voi.'el, and if nor. why not ;'

The Premier said the agents appointed were Mr. Larnach, Sir G. Julyan, and (name undecipherable). About the same lime Sir J. Vugol had intimated that he would probably resign the Agent-General-ship, and as the Government knew that he was thinking of entering into something else the agency was not offered to him. Mr. Pyke asked if the Government would cause a survey to be made of the line from Clyde to Cromwell, and take on t.he continuation of the Otago Central Railway via Strath-Taieri. Mr. Macandr-w said the question would be answered in the Public Works Statement. Replying to Mr. Feldwick, Mr. Macandrew said that in the Fisheries Bill, to be introduced by the Government, would bp found clauses protecting the aeal fisheries on the coast of New Zealand. 1 n reply to Mr Feldwick, Mr Ballance stated that the Government were taking steps to re-organise the Volunteer force, and would lay particulars before the House in a few days. Mr. Ballance, in reply to Mr. M'Lean, promised to lay on the table all the unpublished correspondence and instructions between the Government, Crown Agent, Loan Agent, and Agent-General, In reply to Mr Bawen, a return was promised of the number of electors regisr tered in the several electoral districts on the new Rolls for the year. The following |Bills were read a first time:—Excise on Beer Bill, Customs Tariff Act Amendment Bill, Preservation of Fisheries Bill, Bluff Harbor Board Amending Bill, and Duty on Joint Stock Companies Bill. A good deal of objection was taken to the introduction of a Bill for increasing the annuity of Sir William Martin from L 333 to LSOO, but the Bill was read a first time, after a division, the vote 3 being 42 against 7.

.Protests were-4heri" made I>y Messrs. M'Lean and Swanson against the practice of giving pensions. This,, .being ceptional case, should be treated exceptionally, but the House ought to set its face against.establishing such a dang&bus precedent. ~ If they did this for Sir' W. Martin they would be sure to see several others following in his -wake. -'A second Imprest Supply Bill for another 1,250,000 was read a second time. Mr. Ballarice explained that, the Treasury had only L 30,000" left, and in another day or so there would be no funds at the Bank.

At the evening sitting, The Imprest Supply Bill passed without amendment.

The House then went into Committee upon the Estimates, and objection was taken to the following additions to salaries made on the recommendation of the Speaker, viz., addition to Speaker's permanent salary, L2OO ; addition to salary of Chairman of Committees, LIOO ; addition to Clerk of Parliament's salary, LIOO ; also, to a new salary for Clerk of Writs, LIOO. Mr. Ballanoe quoted statistics to show that all the above officers received smaller salaries than similar officers in any other of the Australian colonies. Messrs. Swanson and Rees asked that a fixed salary be decided on at once for all these officers, and stop the bringing down these annual additions. Mr. Saunders opposed increases as unjustifiable expenditure, and if no one else did it, he would divide the House upon every item. He moved that they be struck out. Mr. Swanson vehemently demanded that the House should reject all the items and compel the Government to bring down a bill fixing the salaries once and for all, and let them prevent such offensive and unseemly discussions for the future.

After nearly two hours' discussion, a division was called for by Mr Saunders, and the additions were retained by 54 against 17. The item, Clerk of Writs, LI 00, was struck out on the voices.

On the items, 9ergeant-at-Arms, L 250, Mr. Swanson moved that it be struck out, b... it was retained.

Reader, Ll5O, Mr. Rees moved that it be reduced to what it was last year, Ll2O. The item was agreed to. The House continued the debate on the Estimates Bill at one o'alook this morning, there feeing great discussion with regard to the expenses of members. On Bellamy's there were several divisions, bnt ultimately the remainder of the legislative vote was passed without alterations.