SKETCHES IN PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, 25 June 1881, Page 3

SKETCHES IN PARLIAMENT.

(from our correspondent.) Wellington, Thursday. Parliamentary business during the past two days has not been of a very exciting nature. Members from all parts of the colony continue to arrive, and in the House on Tuesday there were few empty scats. CHINESE POLL TAX, The Chinese Immigration Bill again caused discussion on Tuesday, The antiChinese party attempted to increase the poll-tax from £lO to £SO, but Major Atkinson opposed the resolution. He said he would be quite willing to allow such a tax to be levied, but he feared that the Imperial Government would not consent to the Act if the amendment was carried. The Queensland Parliament had passed a measure similar to the one brought down by the Government, which had received the assent of the Crown, and which had worked satisfactorily. The majority of members agreed with the views of Major Atkinson, and the Bill passed. DOTTLE LICENSE. The Licensing Bill caused a large amount of discussion in committee on Tuesday. The first battle was over the clause granting bottle licenses to storekeeper?. This license is in vogue in Otago and in Nelson. It was curious to note that members representing large constituencies advocated the bottle license, while members representing country constituencies opposed it. Mr Kelly said the system had been tried in Taranaki, and proved a failure. It gave rise to increased drunkenness, and the houses were converted into sly grog shops. Mr Swanson, who vigorously opposed the clause, hoped that if it passed the system would be confined to those districts in which it was at present existing, and hoped the House would not foist it upon Auckland. Mr Downie Stewart then moved an amendment making tho clause operative only in those districts in which it was now in force. This was carried. Mr Tole then moved an addition to the clause that persons holding bottle licenses should not be allowed to carry on any other business. This was carried by a majority of 11, . Colonel Trimble then rose excitedly and remarked that the question had got into a ridiculous position through the action of the teetotallers, and moved that progres be reported. Sir W. Fox remarked amid laughter that the clause had been a bad one, and his side of the House had improved it by degrees. The clause having become a ridiculous one was struck out.

NEW ZEALAND WINES. In the evening the clause relating to granting licenses to houses for the sale of New Zealand wines only caused great discussion. Dr Wallis appealed to the southern members not to injure Auckland by erasing the clause. The district of Auckland ho said was eminently' suited for tho growing of grapes, while those dis" tricts to tho south of Auckland had superior soil suitable for cereals. The clause was agreed to. Tho next clause was so amended on the motion of Mr Sutton, that if the Bill passes, persons holding wholesale licenses will be permitted to sell a mixture of spirits in no less than two gallons. The clause relating to licenses for billiard tables was withdrawn. The other amendments made were of a trivial nature, and the House rose shortly' after midnight. CIVIL SERVICE OFFENCES. The Wednesday discussion was over tho following motion of Mr Andrews : That in all cases wherein any member or members of the Civil Service, or any person in Government employ', shall be charged with any' offence by which they' may', if found guilty', become liable to fine or dismissal, that when such charge shall bo hoard by the authorities appointed to deal with such questions, the case shall be hoard with open doors, so that the Press of the colony may be present to report on every case it may be disposed to make pnblio. Mr Hall opposed the motion remarking that it would be unworkable ; that Civil Servants would not be dismissed without an appeal to the Governor in Council ; and if in all cases where a fine was imposed this had to be heard with open doors> it would cause inconvenience. In some cases the investigation was open to the public, as in that of the Wellington Lunatic Asylum enquiry, and he thought that sufficient. Member after member then rose and gave his experiences of the petty tyranny exercised by the higher officials over those holding inferior positions, which It was thought might be lessened if the resolution was agreed to. Sir George Grey came to the front and strongly supported the motion. The Government called for a division, but was defeated by a majority of seven. The result of the division was received with applause by the Opposition ; but I noticed some of the strongest supporters of the Government, notably Sir W. Fox voted with the Opposition, so that the division cannot be taken as a test of parties. COASTING STEAMERS UNDER-MANNED. Mr Hutchison moved, That in the opinion of this House, it is desirable, for the due protection of life and property', that such an amendment shall be introduced into our shipping legislation as shall prevent small steamers trading along the coasts of New Zealand, and caiying passengers, from leaving any port insufficiently manned. The mover taunted the Government with carelessness as to the lives of people on steam vesssls, and quoted as a case that a vessel left Wellington with only a captain, an engineer, and a lad. Major Atkinson, who rose angrily, twitted the mover with insincerity', and said the Acts in operation in New Zealand were copies of the English and Australian laws, and if they worked well in those countries ho did not perceive why' there was any necessity for alteration here. The Colonial Treasurer was taken to task by several members for the manner and tone assumed by him to Mr Hutchison. It was said by several members that the men on board of our local steamers were not only overworked, but also the officers. The motion was so altered as to relegate the question to a select committee. The House was occupied all evening in discussing the Licensing Bill, but no amendments of consequence were made. GOSSIP. Political news is dull. The Opposition members are jubilant, and expect to defeat the Ministry'over the Local Government question', but I think they' reckon without their host. Talking to one of the strongest supporters of Sir George Grey' yesterday, he said " I know he is a political humbug, but be is useful in keeping tho Government in check, and I should be sorry to see him in office, as his administrative abilities are not of the high order that some suppose.” The middle party headed by Ormond is exceedingly quiet; No person seems to know bis intentions, except that he will not move a hand that will place the Grey party in power. While he does not agree with the Hall Government, he detests their bitter opponents, and he prefers " the

ills we have, than Hy to others that we know not of.” I do not believe any real fight will take place until after the delivery of the Financial Statement, when we may expect stormy weather in politics.