PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 827, 29 September 1906, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association, WELLINGTON, September 28. The Couaoil met at 2.30 o'clock. Replying to the Hon. T. K. Maodonhld, tbe Attorney-General stated that it was rather a surprise thai no tenders had been received for the catering at the Exhibition. He must say on behalf of tbe Government that if no arrangements were made by the Exhibition Commissioners to cater for visitors the Government would take the matter in hand. Tbe Fire Brigades Bill waß further considered in Committee. The following new clauses were inserted, on the motion of the Hoo. 8. T. George:—(l) The Board may, if it thinks fit establish and maintain a force of men charged with the duty of attending at fires and saving property, and it shall be tbe duty of every brigade with the sanction bf the Board and subject to the regulations to afford the necessary assistance to that ferae in the performance of their duties, and upon application of any officer of that force to hand over to their custody property that may be saved from fire; (2) no charge shall be made by the Board for services thus rendered during the progress of a fire; (b) no member of the Board shall be personally liable for any act done by the Board of whiob he is a member. The Bill was reported with tbe amendments. The Council rose at 3.15 o'clock. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 o'clock. Tbe House went into Committee of Supply to consider tbe Estimates. Class XII., Police Department.— The Leader of tbe Opposition referred to the case of Constable Walker, of Dunedin. The man had. written to him stating that he would be compelled to leave She colony. Mr Massey appealed to the Minister to see that justice was done to tbe man. The Hon. Mr MoQowon replied that there were reasons why Walker bad been allowed to send in his resignation. Mr F. M. B. Fisher oomplained of tbe sjanty house allowance made to sub-inspeotovs in Wellington compared with Cbristoburoh. He contended that £65 bouse allowance in Wellington was no better than £45 in Cbristoburoh. Mr Izard referred to tbe faot that Sob-inspector O'Donovan had stated that be reoeivod £36 bouse allowance per year, but he expended £72. Mr Wilford urged that the salaries of the sub-inspectors of the four chief centres should be raised to £4OO, instead of ranging from £250 to £2BO per annum, as they did at present. The oase of the rank and file for an increase of pay wag put by Mr Hanan. The House adjourned for dinner at 5.30 o'olook. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at o'olook. After further discussion tbe two votes, aggregating £146,765, were passed unaltered. Class XIII., Mines Denartment (£31,120).—(1) Vote, Mines Department, £5,660; (2) Vote, Culonial Analyst Department, £1,850. These were passed rapidly. (3) Vote, miscellaneous services, £16,475, were passed. Class XVI., Defence, £167,244. In reply to a qupstion tbe Premier promsed before the close of tbe session to state the Government's intentions as to the appointment of a Commandant of the Forces. After further discussion the first vote, £8,204 (defence), was passed. The vote, £121,103 (permanent militia and volunteers), was passed. The vote £5,467 (stores nod magazines) and the vote (miscellaneous services) £29,410 were passed, making an aggregate of Defenoe £167,244. The House adjourned at 11.30 o'clock.