PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2969, 21 August 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Agency.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WELLINGTON

■•;■ Tuesday. The House met at 2.30 to-day. . HOLIDAY ADJOURNMENT.

Mr Bastingsi gave notice to move that the House adjourn on the sth proximo for eight days, to enable members to witness the opening of the Christch'urch and Dunedin railway. ' : > ;;

NATIVE IANDS ACT,

The Hon. j. Sheehan gave notice to ask leave to introduce the Native Lands Acs'; 1878: -■-■ '■' ■■■; -: '-■■■ / • '■■;

BEWI AND AN INDIAN HUMBUG. <: Mr Fox; asked, without notice, whether it was a fact that liewi was at present under the constant surveillance of a policeman, and could not be seen outside the presence of this policeman. " s The Hon. Mr Sheehan said that he had been unaware that such was the case, and if he found on inquiry it was so, he would prevent such a thing being ;continued. He believed there :was a gentleman named Thomas, formerly in Her Majesty's service in- India, who was endeavouring to negotiate with Rewi in regard to soaie block of land, and he had been commuriic'J:ed with to desist from interfering between the Government and Roxvi at such a critical" period.

-THE DISQUALIFICATION ACT AGAIN. ', Mr Whitaker called attention to the appointment of members of the Cabinet to show that there were doubts as to the validity of the appointment of certain members of the Ministry. It appeared to him, if he was correct in bis : facts, that the Premier: and four of his; colleagues came within the provisions of the Disqualification Act. The hon.. gentleman went at length into the circumstances of the different appointments, and quoted very minutely the law bearing upon the subject. v j The Hon. Mr Stout intimated that he would take time to consider the arguments used by Mr Whitaker. : HOT7ES 03? BAILWAY EMPLOYEES. In reply to Mr Feldwick, ther Hon. Mr Macandrew laid upon the table a statement showing the hours of labour of guards, engine drivers, stokers, &c, on Government railways, with particulars respecting each section.

TOLUNTEEII FiiEE PASSES

In reply to Mr Hobfis, the Hon. Mr Mncandrew said a sum of money would be placed on the estimates to enable Volunteers on duly travelling by train to have free passages, provided they have

certificates from their commanding offi.* cer. "

INDIGENOUS G BASSES 01? THE COLONY. " The Premier, in reply to a question by ' Mr Hobbs, said the Government could not give all libraries in the colony copies of the book on the indigenous grasses of the colony, but copies would be given to the principal libraries of the colony. CROWN PKOSECUTOES. In reply to Mr Gisborne, the Hon. E. Stout said the Government, did not this session intend dealing with the present system of Crown prosecutors with a view to its improvement, by assimilating it, to the Scotch system, or otherwise. ■ RETURN OF BAILWAY FREE PASSES. The Government promised to furnish a return of how many free railway passages have been issued, though it would take some time to prepare. SIS DONALD MCLEAN'S PROMISE Th.; Hon. Mr Sheehan, in reply to Taiaroa, said it was correct that the? late Sir Donald McLean promised five thousand acres of land in Marlborou'gh and Nelson to the Ngatitoa tribe, and the present Government intend to make.good that promise. ; / »

THE AGENt-GENEBALSHIP

In reply to Mr McLean, the Hon. J. Ballance said the only correspondence between themselves and Sir J. Vogel relative to his proposed retirement from the Agent-Generalship was of a semiprivate nature, and the Government did not feel justified in making it public.

HIfLS KEA 1)

Several bills were read a first time,, including Dr Wallis' Bill for the Triennial Election of Members of the House of liepres'entatives; Mr Curtis's Bill to amend the Education Act, 1877 ; and also the Government bills imposing, a duty upon Joint Stock and other Companies, and a Bill to impose a Tas on Land.

CIVIL SEBVICB ACT AK'EjSDMEST.

In committee on the Civil Service Act Amendment Bill, Mr Kelly moved a new clause to the effect that no person who was a provincial officer, on the coming into operation of the Abolition Act, and transferred to the Civil Service on the said? Act coming into operation, shall be entitled to any retiring allowance. The House divided on the question, and the clause was read a second time by %fl rgainst 24. He then moved that the first word " no" be left oxiti and the word " every " substituted, but it was ruled on: a point of order that the amendment; could not be put, inasmuch as it involved; a question.of public expenditure. A good; deal of discussion ensued over this point.; It was maintained by Mr Kolleston that: Sir J. Vogel, when Premier," gave an: equivalent to a promise that Provincial: officers would be dealt with in a liberal: spirit, but Mr McLean replied that what; Sir J. Vogel did promise was that any; cases of special hardship would be taken into favorable consideration. It was then moved that progress be reported in order to test the question raised in regard toj Provincial officers. The House divided,: the result being noes, 48'; ayes, 22. : The: proceedings were r interrupted by 5.30.