PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3600, 10 July 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pee Peess Association.)

HOUSE OF EBPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Friday. The bouse met at 2.30 to-day. Mr Barron gave notice to move that, in view of the serious loss the premature withdrawal of subsidies is certain to cause local bodies which have made financial arrangements dependent on a contrivance of the subsidies fixed by statute, the Government be requested to make provision for the payment of such subsidies until the end of 1881, in accordance with the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876. Mr Murray gave notice that he would ask whether, in reducing the Civil Service salaries, as proposed, it was also intended to make a corresponding reduction on pensions, more especially pensions payable to absentees. Mr Andrews gave notice that he would ask whether the removal of the Kail way Commissioner's Department to Dunedin was meant to be a permanent arrangement.

Hon. J. Hall said there was a reply by the North Island Bailway Commissioners to the Civil Service Commissioners' report.

In replying to questions put, it was stated that the education report was in the hands of the printer, and would shortly be produced. Government bad not ordered Volunteer uniforms from England. They had sent for an estimate of the price, and from what could be ascertained the estimate was likely to be 50 per cent, less than they could be got in the colony. No instructions had been forwarded to Sir J. Togel to represent New Zealand at meetings held in London to consider the question of Imperial unity. It was agreed, on the motion of the Hon. J. Hall, that the House sit on Mondays. In Committee of Supply, the Hon. J. Hall explained that the Government had considered the resolution of Mr Saunders, and held that it bound them to make a reduction of 10 per cent, on all salaries, pay, and wages, and this would be pro. vided for. in an Appropriation Act, but while applying the rule generally there were certain exceptional cases in which it would not be right to apply the reduction, and these the Government would take the responsibility of excepting. As to wages, the Government found that no injustice would be done in applying the resolution, as in most cases the wages paid by the Government were higher than those paid by private employers for similar work. The reduction of 10 per cent, would be made exclusive of the further reduction by the consolidation of offices. The Hon. J. Hall moved the vote for Postal Department—General Post Office, £4000. —Mr Header Wood proposed that it be reduced £500.—Mr Macandrew suggested that the Estimates should be passed*-in a lump sum, adding that it was plain from what the Government had stated that they considered that the reductions were to be made just as they might think fit.— Mr Seddon objected, contending that they should be discussed item by item.—The discussion lasted until the adjournment at 5.30.