POLITICAL.

South Canterbury Times, Volume XV, Issue 2066, 6 November 1879, Page 2

POLITICAL.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATINES. NATIVE MATTERS. —THE UNEMPLOYED. QUESTIONS. —FIBSX HEADINGS. —LOCAL INDUSTRIES. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. Yesterday in.the House of Representatives a motion by Mr Hamlin in reference to the Native Affairs Committee, to the effect that the evidence of Mr Wagau—a prisoner in Wanganui gaol —be taken, and that the warrants of the Speaker for his production be issued, was adjourned till to-day on a division —the Ayes having a majority of 20. Mr Hall notified his intention to ask in Committee for a grant for certain railway reclamation Works, of £66,000, with a view of providing work for the unemployed. Eeplying to questions, it was stated, That the Government were willing, subject to certain conditions, to make payments to the Tapanui and Waihopi railway contractors; That the repayment of £100,600, held back by the late Government from Canterbury County Councils and Eoad Boards, depended entirely on the negotation of the five million loan; That the monthly railway returns of the receipts and expenditure, would again be published, as they had been some months ago; That the Waikato surveys might be carried on to a convenient point, and then stopped till the meeting of natives, convened for the purpose of settling the whole question ; That the Government could not a present adopt the suggestion to authorise the sale of railway tickets at Post offices, and by persons licensed to sell stamps ; That additions and alterations to the Invercargill gaol would be considered when the question of provision for similar establishments in the colony was dealt with ; That steps would be taken to push on vigorously the OautauNightcaps railway. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time. —A Bill to establish an Elective Legislative Council in New Zealand (Sir George Grey); Elections Validation Bill (Mr Hall); a Bill to amend the Eailway Construction Act 1879 (Mr Oliver). A motion for the appointment of a Commmittee, to consider what facilities can be given for the use of the telegraph by the press was passed. A debate on the appointment of a a Commmittee, re local industries was interrupted by the adjournment. On resumraing. In Committee (after hearing Mr Olliver’s explanation to the effect that a vote of £50,000 was wanted for the prosecution of works required to provide labour for the unemployed, that to the end of October £25,000 had been spent on works of that kind. Tho Government had 2500 men employed, applications still increasing, and that the works on which they proposed to spend the sum asked for were the Wellington ond Foxton railway; the Wellington reclamation work; the Otago central railway ; and the amberley extension), the vote for £50,000 was carried.