PARLIAMENTARY. [BY TELEGRAPH—"STAR" CORRESPONDENT.]

Te Aroha News, Issue 166, 21 August 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

PARLIAMENTARY. [BY TELEGRAPH — " STAR " CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, August 14. After 2 a.m. this morning the House con tinued in Committee of Supply. The consideration of votei for* new railways construction and land was proceeded with. Extension North of Auckland, £4,000, i paeeed. Auckland doubling line, £5,000. Mr Hursthouse asked for some information as to the necessity for this work. The Minister for W orks said that the traffic was increas- , ing on this line to such an extent as to render the work absolutely necessary. Mr Peacock added that the railway facilities on Wednesday were insufficient to cope with the j traffic to the football match. There was a eteep grade on the line. The vote was retained by 43 to 9. I Grahamstown railway, £20,000. Mr Hursthouse said the line would never pay, and to go further with it would involve liabilities of £250,000 ; lest by 28 to 16, Napiei-Palmerston, £40,000. Mr Macarthur took exception to the laggard manner in which this important link in the trunk system was being pushed on, He accused the Government of breaking their promise to carry it to completion at once, and contended that if the Manawatu Company's line was the obstacle, they had it in their power to buy it at a fixed price. The remainder of the class, the total of which was £563,000, passed without comment.

Supply. In Committee of Supply, the Works estimates were farther considered. Class 7 : Telegraph extension, £21,000, passed. Class 8 : Public buildings. The following votes passed without discussion : —General departmental offices, Jb7,000; judicial, £21,100; post and telegraph, £3,500 ; Customs, £500; lunatic asylums, £15,400 ; hospitals and charitable institutions, £8,100 ; quarantine station, £400. On the item school buildings, £55,000, Captain Russell pointed out that school accommodation at Hawke's Bay was quite inadequate. The Minister of Education admitted that the accommodation in that Provincial District was inadequate, and regretted that the clauses dealing with school buildings had been struck out of the Counties and Municipal Corporations Bill. Mr Dodson asked if the £55,000 was to be apportioned on a population basis, and was replied to in the affirmative. The Minister for Education said that, compared with Victoria, where they had a standard drawing, our school buildings were more cheaply constructed and were more suitable. Mr Turnbull intimated that by way of proteat he should move item be deleted . It was most unjust to tax denominations who bad provided their own schools. Mr Taylor could not understand the hue and cry raised against the education vote. In England there had been a great increase in education during the last cen years, and as a result pauperism had decreased. Was it not better to spend money on education than on works to benefit private individuals? Mr Moss was not satisfied that Education Boards were the proper means for distributing education votes. He would prefer that the Minister for Education should apportion the money not only to Provincial Districts, but also to school districts. The item was retained on the voices Class 9, lighthouses, etc., £127,800. On the item lighthouses, £7,700, a discussion occurred. The Minister for Marine promised to see during the recess if any redaction could be made in these estimates. Item passed. Harbour works at Greymouth, £100, passed. Item harbour defance, £120,000, passed. Class 10, contingent defence, A.C. Field Force, £12,500, passed. Class 11, rates on native lands, £35,400, passed. Claes 12, public worke,departmental, £3,000, passed. 'Class 3, railways (new works, construction, and land, Marton and Te Awamubu), £130,000, passed. Class 6, purchase of native lands, £80,000, passed. Class 2, departmental, £11,000. passed.

Immigration. On the vote, Immigration, £19,200, Mr Ballance, in answer to a question, eaid the Government had only introduced farmers with capital, agricultural labourers, eingle women, and separate families, but had been careful not to import artisans. Dr. Newman objected to the introduction of more .agricultural labourers.- , Mr Ballance said none could be got now. The unemployed were artisans and denizens of towne, not agricultural labourers. Mr Moss thought it wrong, in the present state of the country, to bring any more people here at all. He dilated on the state of the labour market in Auckland, whither, he said, all unemployed had found their way during the last year or two. Dr. ]Newman moved for the reduction of the vote by £1,000. Considerable discussion took place on the general question of unemployed. Mr Moat said he had been told by gumdiggers that any man could make a comfortable living and save money on the fields North of Auckland. Dr Newman's motion was lost by 20 to 13, and the vote was passed intact.Thia finishod the public works estimates, and the House rose at 3.35 a.m.

Railway Rates on Timber. Four members representing the saw-mill-ing interest interviewed the Minister for Public Works yesterday with respect to obtaining a reduction of the railway charges on sawn timber and firewood. As to the carriage of firewood, Mr Kichardaon said the department could not afford the loss of revenue that 'would ensue from reduction of the rates, but promised that the whole matter should receive fall consideration.

Guiding Lights for ManuKau Harbour. Mr • Hamlin is to ask the Minister of Marine guiding lights will b© placed in the beacons that are now being, or are erected, at Manukau Heads.

The Railway Reform Agitation. The "Times "to- day recommends that the Vaile system of railway rates should be allowed a trial on an Auckland line.

The Gcvarnment Icaurance Bill. Th^.followiag new clause is to be inserted in the Government Life Insurance Bill by

message rota the Governor :— " Whan any land comprised in any mortgage held under this act shall be sold under such mortgage, or when it shall be necessary to assign or transfer any such mortgage or to execute any conveyance or any discharge thereof, the Government in name and on behalf of her Majesty may execute or sign any deed or instrument which may be requisite to give effect to any such sale or assignment, transfer, reconveyance or discharge, aa the case may be.'

• The New Guinea Contribution. Dr. Newman to-day asks the Government whether they will take steps during the recess to stop the yearly contribution of £2,669 towards the Government of a part of New Guinea. August 14.

Mr Lundon's Mission. Mr Hobbs took advantage of the oppor* tunity yesterday afternoon to ventilate a grievance of a somewhat exceptional nature. He asked the Government whether they intended to pay Mr John Lund on 'a expenses in travelling through the electoral districts of the Bay of Islands, explaining the details of the Village Settlement Regulations, and were they going to make arrange* ments for other persons to visit other parts of, the colony on the same mission. Mr Ballanca replied that the Government had agreed to pay Mr Lundon's actual expenses in going to and from the district, and in explaining the advantages of the; system. The expenses referred to really meant the steamer and coach fares, but no salary was being paid. They had made similar arrangements in Canterbury, and hoped to do so in other parts of the colony. Mr Hobbs then moved the adjournment of the House, in order that he I might explain the matter. He said they would be able to see the extraordinary nature of the action of the Government when they knew that this delegate was a former member of the House, and that the colony was now bearing the coßt of his expenses while he was working the Hay of Islands district, for which he intended to be a candidate at the next election. He thought it utterly absurd to send a man into the country to exolaia rules and regulations of a settlement scheme to people who were already settled on the land in the district. Mr Hobbs proceeded to say that Mr Lundon, as a Government supporter, had been assisted to go north and work the district in his absence. If this matter did not come within the Corrupt Practices Act, it was very near it. The fact that the Minister of Lands had written to Mr Lundon thanking him for his efforts alone showed that a friendly alliance existed between them. If Mr Ballance wished to displace him from his seat he challenged him to go there himself and try it, but lie did not want to be murdered in cold blood in this underhand way without the country knowing something about it. Mr Ballanco replied that Mr Lundon had addressed meetings in Auckland, where favourable resolutions had been passed, and had induced hundreds to put down their names to go on the laads. His only object in accepting Mr Lundon's services was tomake the scheme a success, and the question was purely one of settlement of land, He believed that Mr Lundon had done his work remarkably well. Captain Sutter said it would be far betterif the Government employed one of their own staff in these matter?, and thus avoid the impression that they were doing something under the rose. Mr Rolleston expressed similar sentiments, and said they would get land matters into unnecessary difficulty unless they employed men who were under their control. Mr O'Connor felt that no better selection than Mr Lundon could have been made for this purpose. Colonel Trimble thought they were overlooking the real charge, which was that the country was employing an agent who was electioneering on his own hook. Mr Ballance : That is not proved. Colonel Trimble : No ; it is very much like the Scotch verdict. Mr Macandrew thought the Government could easily get out of the difficulty by transferring Mr Lundon from the Bay of Islands to Otago. He was satisfied that if Mr Lundon had been working for the last eight or nine months in interests of the Homestead System in Otago he would have had hundreds of men who are now amongst the unemployed settled with their families on the land. Personally, he looked on land as the kingdom of heaven, and if his honourable friend would take a leaf out of the parable he would, send out into the highways and get men to come in. Mr Bryce believed this principle was abu.-ed more than any other he knew of. Mr Montgomery urged the Government to send a lecturer South under the homestead system. Mr J. B. Whyte remembered Mr Lundon in the House saying the best way to get into Parliament was to put your friends on the roll, and plenty of them. He hoped that was not the errand he was engaged on now, Mr Beetham had no doubt Mr Lundon was doing his best now to turn Mr Hobbs out. Mr W. F. Buckland accused tho Government of sending out other emissaries, under cover of life insurance business. Sir George Grey considered the House was entitled to a return of the persons employed in this way, and the salaries and expenses paid to each. He gave notice to ask for such a return, and commented on the large sums at the disposal of the Minister of Lands. Mr Hobbs recommended the Government to send Mr Lundon to Otago, as had been suggested. He did not object to Mr Lundon lecturing in large centres of population, but under the circumstances did object to the Government sending him through his district. He (the speaker) was also interested in the settlement of lands, and \pould approve of any legitimate efforts in thftf dir«nfinn.

A Tauranga Petition. On the petition of Henry Riley Bennett, of Tauranga, the Native Affairs Committee recommends, the Government to make inquiry into the case.

Wo»t Coa*t Steam Sendee. The Colonial Treasurer intends, at the dose of the .session, to consider the desirability of effecting a rearrangement of the West Coast steam services, so as to provide for more frequent,, and regular communication from /Wellington to Mew Plymouth as well as Nelson^ and the West of "the Middle ''blMftti*- .Mr Samuel Vaile has (represented, to #nm that whemthe overland line to^New Plymouth is completed, a regular steamer to Onehunga wpuld shorten thetraneit froni -Wellington to Auckland to thirty hourq.

Tlie Tanranga liands Commission. Mr Ballance was asked by # Mr jQrace whether; the Government intend x to give effect to the report of the fsative Amiirs Committee on the petitions of Messrs Friedlander and Creagh, but intends to consider the whole matter in relation to the restrictions on alienation ef native lands during the recess. - • •

Auckland Harbour Loan. The Governor hae appended hie signature to the Auckland Harbour Loan Bill, wnich now becomes laws. A number of other bills which passed both Houses have also been assented to.

Martin's Bay. A meeting of the goldfields members has been summoned to ask the Government to subsidise the Union Company in initiating a monthly service to Martin's Bay, the vessels calling at various sounds that are populated between the Bluff and that portion of the Weat Coast.

Public Works Salaries. From a return now before the House I find that the total amount paid to all the officers of the Public Works Department last year wa3 £49,641, while the cost of works carried out under the administration Of the Department was £913,555, the percentage of the cost of administration and supervision being 5 43 per cent.

Waimea Railway. . Nearly the whole of yesterday's eitting was taken up by a discussion on Mr Kicbardeon's motion for the recommittal of Pistrict Railways Bill, in order that the Amount to ba offered by the Government for the Waimea railway should be reconsidered. The Minister said unless the recommittal were agreed to, he would drop the bill, and would advise the Government not to enter into further negotiations. He did not intend last night to mova to have the amount which was struck out replaced, but to substitute the amount originally offered by the Government, viz , £33.000. A lone discussion took place on the eubject. The mot'on for recommittal waa carried, on the voices, and it was agreed, on division, by a majority of two, to strike out the amendment of £27,000, which was inserted last week. A motion by Mr Dargaville, that the amount should be £31,000, was carried on the voices, and the bill proceeded through Committee. On the motion that th 9 bill be read a third time, Mr Wakefield denounced the Government for giving the Company what was virtually a gift of £4,000. He was satisfied the Company would have jumped at the price of £27,000, The bill was read a third time and passed, after Sir George Grey, Mr Wakefield, and others had made a final protest.

The Supplementary Estimates. The Supplementary Estimates worn brought down late last night. The following itema are of interest :— Cosb of address to Queen, £150 ; additional cost of oensua, £1,200 ; maintenance of destitute persons in Thermal Springs District, £100 ; burial expenses of destitute persons, £200 ; amount to allow of month's lease per annum for recreation to all persona employed in aaylnms, £750 ; remission of rent on infected runs, £750; expense of publishing Sir George Grey's Polynesian mythology, £292 ; re- vote of goldfields subsidies, £ for £, £5,000 ; preparation of rolls under the Rating Act, £2,000 ; repairs to the Cook's Strait cable £2,556 ; initiation of a Parcels Post, £1,750; gratuities to telegraphists and linemen during the Tarawera eruptioD, £100 ; bonus on exportation of canned and cured fish, £1,000, assistance and supplies to native sufferers by Rotorua eruption, £4CO; services of Sir W. Fox, a3 Commiseioner on the West Coast, £2,000 ; Deep Level prospecting, £ for £ subeidy, £1,000 ; bonus on 200 tons of copper, £1,000 ; expenditure in relieving Tarawera sufferers, £2,000 ; gratuity to Joseph McKae, £150 ; subsidy for cement crushing machine, £450 ; additional volunteer capitation, £250 ; surveying and prospecting river beds, £2,000 ; allowance to widow of Torpedo-Instiuctor Ward, £2,000 ; State Forests account, salaries, etc., (including £1,000 for School of Agriculture building) £6,884; Government Insurance Association, six mouths' appropriation, £23,432 ; remuneration to the official directors (six months), £150; Auckland Insuranoe Buildings, £4,000 ; new Parliamentary library, £2,000 to be authorised ; Lunatic Asylum, Auckland, additional £2,000 ; water supply, Rotorua, £6,000; new ward to hospital, Rotorua, £1,000 ; planting and improvements of baths and grounds at Rotorua, £2,000. The following Auckland votes, besides those already mentioned, appear in the Supplementary Estimates :-~Compeneation to Ann Robertson, £130, removal of snags in Mokau River, £500; allowance to Mrs Haszard£37o ; Remission of charge on quartz from Te Aroha and Queensland, £120 ; Allowance to widow of J. Bracewell, £94 ; Rebuilding Whangarei Poet Office, £400 ; two years' compensation pay to Colonel Lyon on loss of office, £900 ; Auckland Agency Insurance Department, £450 j chief clerk, £125 ; cadet, £60 ; road from Paeroa to Owharoa, £500 ; contribution to Waihi Bridge, £ for £, £250 1 ; Katikati-Te Aroha 'Road, £1,000. About £6,900 is to be authorised, but not Bpent, this year, for other Auckland roads, one vote being for £3,000 for Okaihau to Victoria Valley; another, £1,500, Whangaroa to Waitotine. About £5,000 are to be spent this year on roads on the West Coast goldfields of £10,000, to be authorised. Grant in aid of public buildings :— Hamilton, £1,000 ; Kawakawa Courthouse, £100.

North. Auckland Railway. The bill introduced by the Minister o! Public Works to authorise the North Auckland railway was read a second time, committed, and passed without amendments.

An Anticipated Deficit. The Public Revenue Bill, which paeeed its various Btagea yesterday, provides for the farther issue of deficiency bills to the extent Of £200.000.

Auckland Vote Struck Out, The Committee of the Legislative Conncil htkve struck out of the. Special Powers and Contracts Bill the clause authorising the Government to advance £5,000 for the erection of the Girls' High School at Auckland,

Th« Thames— T« Arona Railway. The Frees Association message which you published on Friday relative to rotes' in Committee of Supply appears to have created .a false impression: relative to the Thames— To Arbtia line. The -railway was not struck out, as it would appear from the way in which the division is stated* but was retained.