PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3967, 15 September 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Peb Pbess

"V^ellhioton, Yesterday. Major Atkiuson moved his motion embodying a scheme already telegraphed for the distribution of Government Insurance profits. In doing: so he spoke in high terms of the management of the Department.—Sir George Grey .moved,' as an amendment, "That in the opinion qf. House the present system of Government insurance is not adapted to the requirements of the working classes, and recommends that a scheme better suited t6 the requirements of their case be adopted." He would suggest that deposits for insurance be fixed at sumjs ranging from £20p to £500, and also that the aim should be to make it self-supportjog. Govern* ment should not grudge the expenditure; of a small sum iv endeavoring to establish a pyateia for the benefit of the poorer

classes. He aUo condemned the system of paid agents going about touting for insurances, instead of attempting to educate the masses to the importance of life assurances.—Major Atkinson said the proposal was given in accordance with the views of the Government, and he agreed to embody the amendment as pan of the original form.—After some debate, in which Major Atkinson regretted the bill prepared to establish a party elected by a board of control could not be introduced this year, Mr Andrews moved that the management of the department should be placed under the control of a board nominated equally by the Crown, and elected by the policy-holders —This amendment was afterwards withdrawn, and the motion as amended was put and carried.—The House adjourned at 5.30. On resuming at 7.30, Mr Wright, as a personal matter, ; and to remove an erroneous impression, explained that Mr Blackest's estimate about the New Plymouth Harbour Works was not received by him until after the report was prepared. —By 48 to 18 it.was resolved to give up to-morrow afternoon to. Government business.—Mr Hall asked the House to postpone the Estimates, in order to enable the New Plymouth Harbour Commission Bill to come on.—Mr Wood objected to another night being wasted in a Taranaki free fight.—On a division, Mr Hall's proposal was negatived by 32 to 26, when the House went into Committee of Supply. —In Committee of Supply, the Education vote, £277,416, passed without alteration; as also the Native Affairs vote of £10,084, and the Mines vote, £21,033

Lateb, This day. After the usual half hour adjournment, the following votes were passed :—Class 11: Public Works and Railways, £582,650. Class 12 : Defence, £204,245. Class 13 : Lands, £134,584; Native. Reserves, £1272 The" Public Works Estimates were then proceeded with, and passed as follows: —Class 1: Immigration, £24 588. Class 2: Public Works Departmental, £12,772. Class 3 : Railways, £1,017,636. Class 4: Surveys of new lines of Railway, £400. Class 5 : Road, £262.763 Class 6: Land Purchase, £87,623. Class 7 : Waterworks on Goldfields, £22,000. Class 8: Telegraph * x tension, £11,154. Class 9 : Public Build ings, £190,906. Class 10: Lighthouses, £341,545 ; Contingent Defence, £84,000:; Charges of Raising Loan, £14,000.—Progresswas reported, and the House rose at 2 o'clock.