PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3930, 3 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pbk Pkbss Association.)

Wellington, Tuesday 2EISS AGAIN.

A communication was read from the Auditor-General to the effect that £300 illegally paid to Mr Rees had not been refunded.

The Hon. J. Hall moved that the communication be dealt with in the public accounts.

Mr Stewart strongly objected, insisting that the proper course was for Government to the refer matter for advice to their law advisers, with a view to the recovery of the money.

Mr Johnston sai-l that the communication had been made by an officer who was no way amenable to the Government, and there was no option left with them as to the course to be pursued.

The motion was agreed to. BEPRjESEHTATION

The Hon. J. Hall moved for leave to introduce a bill to readjust the representation of the people. Mr Barron moved, as an amendment, •• That it be a recommendation to Government in framing the above named measure that the present number of representatives should not be exceeded. He disclaimed all iotetition of raising a party question, the amendment being moved in conformity with a general feeling prevailing amongst members.

Mr Hall said that the amendment was most unusual, and at this stage would be most inconvenient. He suggested the amendment be withdrawn, and when the bill came on for second reading it be repeated. Mr Levistam stigmatised the amendment as an attempt to influence Government by means of a district caucus. Mr Macandrew denied that such wasf the purpose, and considered the present an eligible opportunity for discussing the point. The whole framework of the bill depended upon the number of members to be provided for, and the sooner that was settled the better.

Mr Moss said the present was the most convenient opportunity they could get for disuussiug the point, as upon the eecond

reading Government would regard any such criticism in the light of an adverse vote.

Sir G. Grey said the amendrcent had come upon them in the form of a surprise, and he moved the adjournment of the debate.

Mr Hall objected to an adjournment. Mr DeLautour supported the adjourn ment, and insisted that if they allowed the bill to go to the second reading, any adverse criticism would be taken as a noconfidence motion.

The motion for adjournment was nega tived.

On the original motion and amendment being put that the latter stand part of the question, the House divided—ayes, 22 ; noes, 40.

The bill was then introduced and read a first time.

THE ESTIMATES.

The House then went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates.

POSTAL AND TELEGBAPH,

Mr Johnstone stated that by amalgamating these departments ttie services of 30 officers had been dispensed with, and a total saving of £37,000 oq the Estimates of last year had been effected.

The Chairman ruled that the whole department must be put as one vote. Mr Johnstone, in reply to Mr Montgomery, stated that the salaries set down were those which Government considered just in each case, and that it was intended to pay the salaries voted without the 10 per cent or any other reduction. Soveral members urged that the Esti mates having only been circulated that afternoon, they were not in a position to go on with them. After considerable discussion, Mr Hall agreed to report

progress. The House then went into Committee on the Gaming and Lotteries Bill. Clause 24 was amended, after several divisions, by "all games except billiards and bagatelle " being struck out. The clause was then carried by 36 to 21. Mr J. B. Fisher condemned the Bill as not demanded by the country, and a most unjustifiable interference with private life. He moved that they report progress. Mr Dick expressed his emphatic opinion that the Bill was demanded by the country and Government were determined to pass it.

The motion to report progress was negalived on the voices. Clauses 25, 26, 27, and 28 passed with unimportant amendments.

LATER,

Wellington, This day,

After a long discussion over various clauses and several divisions without any important amendment being made, clauses 46 and 47 were struck out and the rest of the original Bill was passed.

Mr Dick then moved the following new clauses—Every person who uses, exhibits, or keeps any book, paper, writing, or other means or substance for the purpose of entering, recording, or noting any bet, wager, or games, or who invites, solicits, or procures any person to bet or make any wager or enter into any such game as aforesaid shall be liable to the penalties prescribed by section 8. Messrs Russell, McLean, Gisborne and others protested against this as going too far, as it would make it penal to bet a pair of gloves or a sixpence on a rubber, but after some discussion the clause was carried by 21 to 14, and the new clause brought down by Dick was withdrawn.

A new clause by Mr DeLatour imposing penalties on the keepers of Chinese gambling houses was passed, as was also the schedule.

The Bill was reported, and the House rose at 1 o'clock.