HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3026, 26 October 1878, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLINGTON.

■ Friday: THE WIBE-PULLING ABBANGEMENT. Mr Fox gave notice of motion for to-morrow that the arrangement entered into between the Government and,the Gtago DailyJTimeg, -Lyttelton Times,-and Auckland Herald be suspended untii the Government is in a position to extend the same facilities to all newspapers in the colony. ' BAILWAY WAGONS. Mr Richardson is to ask the Minister for Public Werks—(l) Whether, before committing the Government to the acceptance of the offer of the representative of the proposed Bailway Wagon Company for the hire of wagon stock any opportunity was offered to other wagon builders in the ooloDy to compete ; (2) whether, if, th c 4 terms agreed upon are so remunerative as is represented by the prospectus of the company, it wquld not have paid the Government, infinitely better to build their own stock?, He had heard since notice was given that the Government: had invited compe-

The Hon. Mr Macandrew laid ■he would hare preferred that this had been put in the shape of a notice of motion, which would; hare given an opportunity for discussion. The Government was not committed to the acceptance of any ten-? der, which would prevent other companies from supplying it on similar terms. The Government had only given effect to the wishes of the House last session by encouraging local industry. (2.) Not being a shareholder in the company, and having no connection with it, he was unable to say what were the terms agreed'upon. The Government would be glad to see a dozen other companies start. ' TOWNS ON PBIVATE • IANDS. „ ;.;,••• Dt Hodgkinson : asked the Government if they will at an early period next session introduce a biUforthe proper laying out' of towns on private lands. The Premier replied that the subject shall receive the consideration of the Government. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. Mr Ktzroy asked the. Government under what authority they propose to alter the National Anthem of the British colonies; and also whether they do not think the proposed new National Anthem might be looked upon as an infringement of the present secular system of education. He thought by recognition amongst schools of the anthem Government would give official recognition to it. He had received a copy of this so-called National Anthera. (Loud cries of " read it," and "sing it.") The Premier: I do not intend to answer the question. Mr Fitzroy appealed to the Speaker as to whether the question should, not be. answered.

The Speaker said the Government had a right to answer or withhold answers, Mr Fox asked -the Speaker's ruling as to whether he would not be in order in moving that a copy of the anthem laid on the table be read. 'Whether it were read or sung he would not care. Mr Bowen asked the Speaker's ruling as to whether any question put by the members should not be courteously answered.

The Speaker said courtesy wag desirable at all times between members.

POMCE PAT.

Mr Pyke asked tl>e Government what course they intend to adopt in regard to the recommendation of. the Police Pay Committee ?

The Hon. Mr Ballance said the Government intend to raise the pay sixpence in lower ranks and one shilling in higher, from the Ist of January to the 30th of June. The Government, next session, -will bring down an Armed Constabulary

Bill providing for an ordinary pay, long service pay, and travelling allowance. EDUCATION. Mr Gisborne to ask the Minister for Education whether the proposed Eoyal Commission on the operations of the New Zealand University and its relations to the secondary schools of the colony will embrace also the following objects of j inquiry:—(1) The best and most economic mode of improving the secondary and higher systems respectively of education in the colony, and bring both into relation to each other, and to primary education with a view to facilitating as much as possible the encouragement and development of the mental abilities in the yodth of both sexes, and of all classes ; (2) the formation of training institutes, technological and night schools. The Hon. Mr Ballance said it was intended td deal with the subject of higher education. GOVEBNMENT PATRONAGE. Mr McLean to ask the! Government if they will lay before the House a statement showing the amount paid to each paper in the colony-for advertising and printing (separately), 1 from the Ist of January to the 30th of September, 1878; also the amount due to each at the latter date,'for which accounts had not been passed for payments, showing (separately) the amounts paid, and due under contract. He said he would rather have put the question in the shape of a resolution, but he was aware in that case it would not come on. :"■■;.• ,'-.' :'.' '} .'"■'■' ''■}'■■■■■ '■'■ ' '"'■'.

The Hon. Mr Ballance said the Government will lay tbe returns on the table.