HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3410, 26 November 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Last night. Tho House met at 2 30. THE INGHEASED DUTIES.

Mr Stewart presented petitions from Otago against the duty on tobacco. The questions set down in the order paper were, on the application of Mr Hall, postpoued until to-morrow. O&DT2R OF BUSINESS. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Sir G. Grey suggested that other business be gone on with so as to allow the proposals of the Government to be more tally understood by the conntry. Hon. Mr Hall said these proposals had been before the country for some time, and after tho disposal of the motion on the subject discussed on the previous evening the Government could see no reason whatever for the postponement. KOBTH AUCKLAND. Mr Lundon moved that the, sum of £30,000 be placed on the supplementary estimates for public works' purposes north of the City of Auckland, the expenditure to be entrusted to the several County Councils interested.

Capt. Colbcck seconded tbe motion, and in doing so defended the action ho had taken in leaving the Opposition party. Mr Seymonr Geortfo supported the motion, and asked tiio Government to giro them an assurance that the money would bo appropriated out of the fire million loan.

Mr Oliver admitted that the district referred to had to a great extent been neglected, but contended that the course taken by the mover of the motion was not the right course for obtaining redress. The Government when money was at its disposal would do the district ample justice, and he trusted the motion as put would be withdrawn. The previous speaker was quite justified in repudiating the informalities cast on him and other Auckland members who had been charged with deserting their party. Mr Lundon said he would not withdraw the motion.

Tnwhai spoke in support of the motion. Mr Maoandrew thought" tho better way would be for tho Government to appropriate a sum say of half a million towards subsidising local bodies in the carrying out of those works. That would be much better than for Government to undertake such works. The claim might be just enough, but othnr districts had no doubt claims cquaiiy pressing. He suggested that the wisest -course under the circumstances was to adopt the suggestion for withdrawing the motion. Mr Speight said that if the motion served no other purpose it would be tantamount to entering a protest to the injustice done to this district. He thought, however, the wisest course would be to withdraw the motion, and leave the matter in tho hands of the Government.

Mr Turn bull argued that the claim was a Fair and just one, and one which ought to recommend itself to tho favorable con* sideration of the Government.

Mr Header Wood said the district in question had not been benefited by public works expenditure, and that it* claims deserted recognition. The district was in a most neglected state, so much so that it was impossible to get the produce to market.

Sir George Grey defended the claim as a perfectly reasonable one, but suggested that tuo matter should be postponed

until the Public Works Statement had been brought down.

Mr Lundon agreed to withdraw the motion, which was assented to.

THE COASTIWa TBADE.

Mr Moss moved that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that foreign vessels arriving in Now Zealand ports should not be allowed to engage in the coasting trade, but should be confined to the discharge of original cargo from British or foreign ports, and that the Coasting Trade Regulation Act, 1871, bo amended accordingly. The Hon. Major Atkinson promised that the subject would be attended to during the recess. It was a large question, and ought not to be rushed through in a hurry. He suggested that in the meantime the motion should be withdrawn. The motion was put and lost on the voices. ! COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES. The House then resolved itself into Commit! cc of Supply. The PostmasterGeneral and Commissioner of Telegraphs' vote for chief offices and sub-offices, £13.801, was passed, also the conveyance of mails by sea £68.510. The particulars of the vote were as follows: —Contingencies, bonuses and gratuities £2500; Chatham. Island service, £150; In'erprovincial services. £6500; West Coast Middle Island service, £4000; Wellington, Kaikaura and Lyttelton service, £360; Wellington and Patea service, 6 month?, £150; Blind Bay service, £240; Taaranga and Opotiki service £300; San Francisco

service, £32,500; bonuses, etc., &tt|

Francisco service, £2500; Suez service, £9000; Intercolonial service; £5000; mail agents and travelling allowance, £1750; Auckland steam service*, £860; Westport • and Karamea service, £200 ; arrears of subsidy to ss. Akaroa, for calling at Little Akaroa, £66. The Vota was passed, the only item. struck out being the Fiji service, £2500. The conveyance of inland mails—Auckland £5250, Thames £300. New Plymouth £800, Napier £3000, Waoganui £550, Wellington £4600. Blenheim £800, Nelson £500. Westport; £800, Greymouth £900, Hokitika £1350, Chmtchurch £4500. Timaru £1250, Oainaru £400, Dunedin £7250, Invercurgill £1100; total rote, £32,770—was passed without dissent. Carriage, of mails by railway under special arrangement = for eight months, £8000; special trains for ten months, £1400; total, £9600. ; -

Explanations were made to the effect that the department thought it only fair that it should be credited with these sums in order to show the net earnings. .- Mr Eichardson objected to such arrangements, as it only complicated the accounts. • ' ....

Mr Hacandrew argued that it was important that the value of the railway system of the colony should appear in the accounts. <n n. dirision, the vote as printed was passed. ' Postal Contingencies, £4500; Telegraphic Department, £110,668. In explaining the vote Horn Mr Hall stated tiiat the Government had determined to do away with, the system of paying overtime to operators, and to provide for the extra work, the staff would be increased aud hours of attendance also increased.

Mr Shrimski reminded them that the memorial on the subject was now before the House and suggested that the disposal of the vote should be considered in conjunction with that memorial. ; .;'• Mr George moved that the ilem be reduced by 5 per cent making the deduction £4155.

Mr Lundon suggested that operators should be changed about from place to place at least every two years. That was necessary for the maintenance of secrecy. Mr Beeves supported the suggestion, but would make the term of residence in any one place one instead of two years. He would support that the vote should bo increased instead of diminished.

Mr Macandrew suggested that the telegraphic forms should be printed and a better description of paper employed. Mr Turnbull suggested that in case of the parties requiring the establishment of new stations at any particular place, these parties should be required to guarantee any deficiency in the working expenses; a plan of that kind would be the means of preventing the demands not necessary in the public interest. Mr Dick said that' the new system reduced their salaries from £40 to £50 a year. He thought that unfair. The arrangements were otherwise nnsatis* factory. Good men were kept at small salaries,in large towns, and inferior hands were drafted off to country districts . where other offices were given them besides that of telegraphists. It was the worst paid department in the public service. Mr George pointed oat that there was a large increase this year as compared with last year. * The Tote as printed was passed. Subsidy to Eastern Extension Australian cable 455000; contingent subsidy £350; proportion of subsidy under duplicate cablo contract £2000. These votes were passed. Minister of Education, £212,715; Public Libraries, £5000; Native Schools, £15,399. z Mr Eollcston spoke in faror of the free system of education. The cost per head was £1 Bs, which compared favorably with other colonies, where the free system had been adopted. Provision had been made for tbe establishment of a deaf and dumb institution, and a person to take charge of this institution was oiv the road from England. It was tho indention of the Government that it should _be established on- a satisfactory footing. For that purpose a further vote would be asked for buildings and on the arrival of the master in 'New Zealand, steps Would be taken for the creation of "these buildings. . J| Mr Gisborne said the Colony aimed at too high a standard of education at the public cost. The couotry was bound to furnish elementary education, and it had not the higher standard as at present. The , colony was providing education as good as that provided by tbe best families at Home. If it went on much longer the whole educational system would have to bo sacrificed, and in" the matter of high

education some contribution from parents obtaining it should be got. Mr Turnbult moved the item be reduced to £56 000. The amendment was lost, and the vote as printed was put and

carried

The House had not adjourned when oar message was despatched at 1 a.m.