GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1765, 19 July 1888, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Tuesday, Sir George Whitmore moved tbit there be laid on the fable a return of the numbers and distribution of the Permanent Force which it is proposed to maintain for the harbor defences of the colony. He moved for this return because he thought ths defence redactions hud proceeded to such au extent as to endanger the safety of the colony.—Agreed to. The industrial Schools Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. Oo the motion of Mr Stevens, the amendments made by the House of Rep-e----sentaiivas in the Tramways Act Amendment Bill were agreed to. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Ou Tuesday, Replying to questions, it was stated that Governmeut intended during the recens to institute a thorough investigation into the whole of the Native School system, with a view to render those schools effective snd economical; that an examination had already been made of the bottom of the New Plymouth Harbor, and any further examination was a matter for the Taranaki Harbor Board to consider ; that it was not intended to call for tenders for the Middlenmcb section of the Otago Central Railway, but tenders would bo called for the bridges along ibe line.

Oo the motion that the House go Into Committee on the Fair Rent Bill, Maj >r Steward hoped that Government would adhere to the Bill as originally brought down. He pointed out that by the amendments made by the Waste Lands Coramrelee ns leas than 800,000 acres in Otago and 200,000 in Canterbury had been withdrawn from the operation of the Bill* After a debate, the House went into Committee on tire Bill, and, clause 2 having been passed, progress was reported. Mr Walker gave notice to more for a Committee to inquire into a question of privilege connected with laying a letter from a civil servant oo the table of the House. A message was received from the Governor lo the effect that he had caused an amendment to be made in the Customs and Excise Duties Bill, by which “ electric appliances and in chinery ” were placed on the free list. Replying to Dr Newman, the Premier said that there was no ambiguity as regards “ tinsmith’s furniture,” as in every cane poner was given to free all art e'ea used in manufactories. Mr Fish resumed the debate on the motion that the House go into Committee of Supp y. Ihs 1 r.-mier rose to ask that the amendment (Mr Withy’s, asking that the Go- . Bllo . uld further retrench AlUU.OOO) be wi hdrawn, on the ground tlittt jrovernmeot Lad shown every desire to do all possible in the direction ot retrenchment, and durmg the recess an effort would bo made to reduce expenditure to the lowest possible sum. Should the amendment be carried it would result in one of two courses—either a sweeping reduction in the wages of workmen, or a serious reduction in the Education vote. Government thought that the House was not prepared to adopt the latter, and Government would also do nothing without a specific rota of the House. Ah regards workmen, he thought that no UUL.H3 reductions should be made in waves, as Government should obtain the vary best workmen, and pay rather more than the market rate. Ha asked Mr Withy to let the matter stand us at piesent. and accept Government’s assjranca that't ey would effect every possible retrenchment Mr Withy asked leave to withdraw hia amendment, as the Premier had made , Bdcll un •xpJloit slafement, and he (Mr vVithy) was prepared to accept the assurance that the Government would effect- all possible reductions. Ihebpeakor asked if the withdrawal was opposed. Mr Levestam opposed it, and the Speaker ru ed that the amendment therefore could not be withdrawn. After further debate, on tlie motion of the debite was adjourned till Wednesday, Hie Regulations of Local Elections Act Amendment Bill and ths Volunteer Drillsl.eds Lands Bill weie passed through Committee, The Puhoi Settlers 8.11 was passed through Committee, aud the three Bills above-mentioned werethen passed through all their remaining stages. Th# House rose at 12.55 s.m, COST OF ZEALAND. Mr Duncan, io the course of bis speech on the tariff, quoted the following list of « woiking nun's expenditure from figures given in the House in 1882 : Approximate sca'e or chedule of common necessaries for a family of five—father (surfaceman), mother, John, James, and Andrew, ag«d 35, 32, 12, li, and 8 years -for one week ; Dr. £ a. d. Rent of colt ge is or near town 7 0 Coal ni d wood 3 q Bread 3s 61, flour and oatmeal la fid 5 0 Milk and butter 3 4. Sosp, starch, and blue 6 Candles or kerosene 1 0 Salt, p»pper, and mustard ... £ Butcher’s meat 6 0 Tea li 61, sugar Is 3d, and ci fl'-e 101 3 7 Blackleud, blacking, and whiting 8 Potatoes and vegetables 1 6 Rica and pearl barley 1 Q Benefit Society subscriptions ... 1 0 Balance 2 4 Total £ll6 • Cr. £ a. d. To Government—for six days’ pay, at Os per day 1 16 0 It is evident this does not admit of a g'«ai deal of retrenchment, and how ulothes are to be provided is roc stated.