PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2576, 23 June 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE O'F REPRESENTATIVES. W ELLINGTON, June 22. CHARGES AGAINST CIVIL SERVANTS, Mr Andrews moved that in all cases wherein any member of the Civil Service, or any person in Government emplo} r , shall bo charged with an offence l>y which they may, if found guilty, become liable to fine or dismissal, when such charge shall be heard bj the authorities appointed to deal with', such questions the case shall be heard "with open doors, so that the Press of the colony may be present to report on every case it may bo disposed to make public, Mr Hall opposed the motion. He said the Service had ample protection by Act of Parliament, and it would be highly inconvenient to the efficient conduct of the Service if the course proposed by the motion were to be adopted. Mr McLean considered that the protection afforded to members of the Service was too much, He would be in favor of sweeping away that extra protection, and leavejcivil servants to be dealt with on the same footing as the servants of a private firm. Sir George Grey supported the motion. The tendency was for the Civil Service to fall into the hands of a very few families, consequently it was necessary that publicity should be given to investigations of this part, otherwise very great injuries might not improbably be inflicted. The House divided, and Mr Andrews' motion was carried by 35 to 28. LICENSING SILL. The Licensing Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 82 “ applicants for renewal not required to attend unless notice of opposition given.” Sir "William Fox strongly objected, and moved the clause be struck out. The clause was passed with amendment by Mr Fulton, giving the= Chairman power to summon applicants to attend. Mr Saunders moved that clause 05

be struck out. If a tenant committed an offence be thought the landlord should suffer. It would make them more careful in selecting a tenant. After further discussion the clause was passed as printed. Clause 108 —“Fees for Licences. Mr DeLautour said that houses in scattered districts in Otago paid only £lO, and he thought some concession should be made to establishments of this kind. They could not afford to pay £3O. He would more that £2O be substituted for £3O.

Mr Turnbull thought the fees should form part of the consolidated revenue or local government fund, and not go to boroughs. The fees proposed were very moderate.

Sir W. Fox was surprised at any objection to pay such moderate fees for the great privileges given. Mr Bastings protested against the attempt made to degrade the character of license-holders. Generally, they would compare favorably with any other class of the community, and were liberal subscribers to all public objects. It was absurd to talk of their enormous profits, and the House should not inflict excessive fees upon them. Colonel Trimble said the publicans' monopoly was the result of an alliance between temperance and intemperance —between publicans and total abstainers.

Mr Levestara said it was absurd for Sir William Fox talking of publicans making 300 per cent.

Sir William Fox—l have been told so by a publican of ten years’ experience. Mr De Lautour’s motion was postponed to enable Mr Bastings to move that the fee within a borough be re dueed from £4O to £3O, and Mr Barron’s amendment for reporting progress was not pressed. The House divided on the question that £4O be retained —Ayes 30, Noes 25. Mr De Lautour moved that outside boroughs the fee be £2O instead of £3O. Mr Harris moved,as a further amendment, that the fee be fixed at a sum not exceeding £2O. The House divided on Mr Harris’ amendment—Ayes 25, Noes 26. The House divided on Mr DeLautour’s motion, that the fee bo £20 — Ayes 24, Noes 27. Mr Bowen moved that the sum be £29.

The House divided—Ayes 24, Hoes 25. Mr Eeid moved that the fee be £25. Agreed to on the voices. Progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 2.30 a.m.