GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2087, 19 August 1890, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Friday, EIQIiE reading in schools. Mp Adaud moved the second reading of the Biblp Reading in Schools Bill, which he designated as a purely permissive measure. He firmly believed with the majority of the people of the colony that people should have the Bible read to them in the State schools. At present children were brought up to despise the Word of God, and hence their want of reverence for parents and everything that was good. Dr Pollen regarded the Bill as one for the amendment of the Education Act rather than a Bill for Bible reading in schools. He said that ere long tfie present; Education Act would, owing to its financial ponderosity, have to be amended, and amended so that the support of public schools should rest on the local bodies rather than the State. Many passages of Scripture vyere totally unfit to bo read, and believing ns he did that the legislature

were unfitted to decide what passages should not be read, as was proposed by the schedule in the Bill, he moved the previous question. Sir George Whitmore considered that religious tenets should be inculcated at the mother’s knee, and objected to passages of Scripture being gabbled over by school teachers at railroad speed. Believing that the Bill if passed would create sectarian bitterness he should support Dr Pollen’s amendment.

Mr Millar warmly supported the second reading, as the measure, if it became law, would correct larrikinism and the irreverent proclivities of the youth of the colony, and would tend to make them law-abiding God-fearing men and women.

Mr Shrimski opposed the Bill, As calculated to breed sectarian dissensions and produce fanatical persecution.

Mr Shephard supported the Bill, which he complained did not go far enough. What he should like to have seen was a Bill empowering teachers to explain the passages which they read from the Bible.

Dr Grace characterised the Bill as a sham, for it was a sham to read a passage of the Bible to children without explaining. If the Bill passed it would have the effect of compelling many Catholic State school teachers to relinquish their situations from religious scruples. Mr Reynolds, Mr Barnicoat, and Mr Hart supported the Bill. Mr Reeves and Mr Pharazyn supported Dr Pollen’s amendment.

On the motion of Mr Mantell the debate was adjourned till Tuesday next. HODjE of representatives. On Friday, THE RAILWAYS AND YAILE’s SYSTEM. Mr Harkness brought up the report of the committee on several petitions that had been presented with reference to the adoption of the Vatle system of low rates on the railways of the colony. The report stated that as the railways were now by Act under the complete control of the Railway Commissioners they were the best judges of the proper method of working them. The committee considered that all the petitions should be referred to the Commissioners for their consideration. Mr T. Thompson moved to refer the report back to the committee, but after some discussion this was lost by 41 to 24. The report was ordered to lie ontha table. A POLICY YOB THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS.

Replying to Mr Ward, as to whether the Government do hot think it desirable to,indicate.a policy for the guidance of the Railway Commissioners, Mr Fergus said that he should be glad to convey to the Commissioners any expression of opinion by the House as to the railway management, but he telt great diffidence in formulating a policy for their guidance, and the Government could not undertake to do so. THE REDUCTIONS IN THE AUDIT OFFICE. A letter was received from the Auditor-General to the effect that owing to the reductions recently made in the Audit Department it was impossible to carry on the duties of the office satisfactorily, and asking the Government to make provision for the proper auditing of public accounts. INTERCEPTING SUPPLY. On the motion that the Honse go into Committee of Supply Mr Hodgkinson moved as an amendment that a Committee be appointed to consider and report on thepossibility of devising a system of appointing an executive government such as tnay be free from the evils of the present system, the Committee to consist of Messrs Saunders, Tanner, Steward, Samuel. Yerrall, O’Connor, Monk, Newman, and Russell. He spoke at some length in support of the motion, and said the present system * was not Government by Party but Government by Faction. Major Steward seconded the amendment and said if it cost a whole session to devise some means of altering the present system of Party Government it would be time well spent, and he felt sure the question would be yet taken up by the entire colony. Several speeches were made, after which the amendment was lost by 27 to 25, and the House went into COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY, Postal and Telegraph Department, General Post Office—£9l6o. Mr Mitehelson said that the estimates of this department, were based on the classification that was proposed in the Civil Service Bill. I he greatest care had been taken in their preparation and the object of classification had been to make the service popular. Increases in the Department amounted to £SOOO, most of which was on salaries under £2OO, and he hoped the House would sot make any reductions in the vote. Mr Fish said that he had intended to move a reduction in all salaries over £2OO, but there was considerable force in what Mr Mitehelson had said, that the increases proposed should not be resisted. He intended, however, to divide the committee on the superintendent’s salary, which he thought should be reduced from £7OO to £6OO. Several other members referred in eulogistic terms to the way in which the officers of this department carried on their work, and a general hope was expressed that all increases set down should be allowed to pass. <■ i

. Mr Bsllance suggested that Mr Fish should accept a reduction of £SO on Dr Lemon’s salary. Mr Fish agreed to this and moved a reduction of £SO, which was lost by .28 to 14, and the vote passed without alteration. The chief offices and sub-offices—-£l3o,939. Mr Fish said that after the vote just taken he should not propose a further reduction in this department, and several items passed without opposition. The House rose at 1.26 a.m.