GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1239, 13 September 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, la the Legislative Council on Wednesday, The Hon. Mr Lehman asked the Government whether they intended during the present session to bring in a Bill to amend the Education Act with a view to abolish central Boards, and also to reduce costs of administration, without impairing the present free, secular and compulsory clauses of the Act.

The Colonial Secretary in reply said he had no wish to see the efficiency ot the present system affected, but there was no doubt the expenditure under this head was something enormous. The Government had no intention at present of abolishing central Boards, nor any desire to interfere with the existing system during the present session. A motion wa sagreed to for obtaining a return of the total amount of money orders issued during the months of June and July, 1884, in favor of various consultationists. The Hon. Mr Reynolds moved for the appointment of a Select Committee to report on the best mode to encourage and promote trade between New Zealand and the South Sea Islands. After discussion the motion was agreed to. In the Legislative Council on Thursday, Mr Wilson asked whether it was the intention of the Government during the present session to bring in a measure for reforming the Constitution of the Legislative Council.—The Hon. the Colonial Secretary said this was a very large question, and one which the Council could scarcely deal with now. His impression was that during the election candidates approved generally of the constitution of the Council, and the Government had no intention of making any alteration at present. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary in reply to a question, said the judges of this colony were paid low salaries compared with other countries, but the Government did not propose to take action this session. On the motion of Mr Waterhouse, it was ordered that a return be laid on the table showing the amount of money spent in the purchase of native land since 1870. The name of Sir George Whitmore was added to the New Zealand and South Sea Islands Trade Committee.

HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 on Wednesday. Mr Joyce gave notice that he would ask for a return showing what contracts, if any, were let by the Atkinson Government after the date of their defeat. Petitions were presented by Messrs Russell, O’Connor and Steward from Roman Catholics fora modification of the Education Act. Replying to Mr Smith, the Hon. Mr Stout said the Government did intend to make provisions for subsidies to Public Libraries. Replying to Mr Barron, the Hon. Mr Stout said an amended Bankruptcy Bill ; would be introduced, providing for preferential claims on the part of servants in the employ of the bankrupt. Replying to Mr Fitzherbert, the Hon. Mr Balance said the cost of providing Naval Volunteers with cutlasses would be £3OOO. The question of providing these would be seriously considered by the Go-

vermnentin connection with its defence policy. Replying to Mr Johnston, Sir Julius Vogel said no steps had been taken to induce the holders of debentures in respect of which a sinking fund is payable, to effect an exchange of such debentures for inscribed stock, with a view of saving to the revenue the annual charge for sinking fund, which in the financial statement of 1883 was shown to be £270,000, and is increasing ; or tc placing at the disposal of the Legislature the accrued sinking fund of £2,792,808, and saving to the revenue the annual charge of £IIO,OOO payable to the sinking fund. Mr Larnach asked whether a report was recently prepared and furnished to the late Government before this Parliament in connection with the present constitution of the Civil Servants, and recommending certain changes in an economical point of view ? Whether further consideration was given to the first report by a Minister with the aid of several officers of the Civil Service ? Whether a Bill was pre- . pared by the Government, based upon the information of the above reports for the reform of the Civil Service ; and if so whether members may hope soon to have a copy of the said Bill for consideration 1 Whether every portion of the aforesaid was done at the expense of the colony ? Sir Julius Vogel stated that in was an historical fact that a report had been made and a Bill prepared on its lines, but every trace of the report and the Bill had disappeared. He suggested that Major Atkinson might say something on the subject. Major Atkinson pointed out that the object in view was completely covered by a motion on the Order Paper for Thursday. In that case it would be improper to discuss the subject at present. After some further discussion the motion for adjournment was put and negatived. Mr Samuel moved —“It is the duty of the Government to provide for the prosecution of persons guilty of fraudulent misappropriation of trust moneys and of fradulent bankruptcy.” Mi Bevan, in supporting the motion, instanced a case of a fradulent bankrupt in which the creditors were called upon to pay a sura of 12s fid in the £ over and above the amount they had lost, to get a conviction against the bankrupt. Mr Stout held the present Bankruptcy Act quite met the case. The motion was carried on a division. Mr Taiaroa spoke of the introduction of small-pox into the Colony and urged that vaccination should be placed within the reach of the Maoris. The Hon. Mr Ballance promised that a medical man should he sent into the remote districts to vaccinate the Maoris. A motion extending the hours of polling was lost on the voices. Sir George Grey’s Law Practitioners Bill was thrown out on the second reading and the House adjourned. In the House on Thursday, The Hon. Mr Stout intimated that the Financial Statement would be made on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. Replying to Mr Steward, the Hon. Mr Richardson sind it was true complaints had been made respecting the time allowed for loading trucks, charges for detention, etc., and these would be enquired into, and if found well grounded a remedy would be provided. Replying to Mr Larnach, the Hon. Mr Stout said no special sum had been paid to public officers in connection with the proposed Civil Service Reform. The expense for printing the Bill was paid in the ordinary way. The Gold Duty Abolition H' 1 The Mining Companies Act 1872 A.u . • ■ Act, and the Maori Repreaeutation Bill, were read a second time.

In Committee, The Pensions Bill was slightly amended and reported, and the House adjourned.