GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2079, 31 July 1890, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Tuesday, PETITION.

Sir Frederick Whitaker presented a petition from debenture holders of the New Plymouth Harbour loan praying the Government to provide funds for paying the coupons. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL.

The Legislative Council Bill was further considered in Committee. The clause limiting the term of office to ten years was agreed to. The clause relating to future Speakers being elected by the Council was agreed to. Progress was reported and leave granted to sit again. The Council adjourned at 5 p-m.

HOU3B OP REPRESENTATIVES. On Thursday, GOVERNMENT BUSINESS-

Mr Mitchelson moved that for the remainder of the session Government business take precedence of all other business on Wednesday. Sir George Grey moved as an amendment that the motion should not take effect till after to-morrow. Mr Ballance thought it was too soon ia the session to deprive private members of their rights in this respect. The amendment was lost by 47 to 28,

questions.

Replying to questions, it was stated that Government could not see their way to reduce the postage on newspapers to Australia from Id to £d; that an amendment of the Life Assurance Policies Act, 1884, so as to render all money payable under a policy of insurance on the life of a person dying intestate liable to be distributed for payment of his debts, would be brought in this session ; that as soon as Government received some information from America and England they would state their intentions with respect to the San Francisco mail service; that a great many claims had been sent to the Commissioners of Crown Lands under tho Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Land Act, 1880, and reports on them had been forwarded to the Defence Department ; that it was not intended to bring in a Bill this session making bank notes a first charge on bank assets.

INTERCEPTING! SUPPLY.

On the motion for going into Committee of Supply Mr Smith moved as an amendment that the reduction of £50,000 proposed by the Government shall: not apply to the Post and Telegraph Department, or to any wages below £2OO.

Captain Russell hoped that the House would not pass this resolution. There was no object whatever to be gained by this amendment, which was only moved to obtain a little cheap popularity. Mr Fisher moved an amendment that no reduction be made in the salaries of Post and Telegraph servants or in salaries below £3OO. Mr Smith asked leave to withdraw his motion in favour of Mr Fisher’s, an amendment which he thought was much clearer. Leave was refused.

After a discussion lasting for two hours Mr Smith’s amendment was lost on the voiceg, and the House went into Committee of Supply for consideration of the Estimates.

IN COMMITTEE OP SUBPLY.

Audit Office— £5365.-—Passed-Eegistrar.Q-eperaVs Pppartmept--£O6IO.

Mr Q-oldie moved to reduce the salary of the Registrar-General snd Government Statist (£600) by £IOO. Captain Eusaell defended the vote, pointing out that if the House reduced the larger salaries of the Civil Servants the inevitable result would be a los§ to the colony, as tlmse gentian would qlaim (heft retiring' 1 allowances and fresh officers woiiia have to be appointed in their places. &r Ballanpe contended that if this reduptiqn werp sa{ja the DeputyBpgjstrftr qopld perform the work even if the Registrar-General retired on his allowance, and that the work could be carried on at a reduction.

The reduction was lost by 44 to 8S '

Mr Thomson (Marsden) moved to reduce the vote by £SO. The motion was carried on the voices. The total vote, as reduced by £SO, was carried,

A gent-General’s Department £523° , , _ . Mr Ballance moved that the salary of a secretary (£700) be reduced to £4OO, , , Sir George Grey thought that the Agent-General’s Department should be abolished altogether. Messrs Walker, Ballance, and Sir John Hall agreed that the present Agent-General held the office too long, but it was not desirable to abolish the office. Sir George Grey withdrew his , amendment. Mr Seddoh wished to know why the Government accepted seryice of a writ for £13,000 for a claim incurred through having an Agent-General for the colony, Mr Hislop ropliocl that tho Government had no option but to accept service of the writ in question. Sir George Grey moved to reduce the salary of the Agent-General by £IOO as a protest against the continuance of the office. Mr Ballance’s.amendment to reduce the secretary’s salary from £7OO to £4OO was lost by 38 to 26. Mr Goldie moved to reduce it by £250. The motion was lost by 33 to 26.

Captain Bussell said that the Government would accept a total reduction of £6OO in the vote for the AgentGeneral’s Department.

(Left sitting 2 a m.)