GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 210, 16 November 1897, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY. QUESTIONS. MR SEDDON safd that owing to the protracted sittings Ministers would be unable to answer the questions on the Order Paper. Captain Russell entered a protest, and added that the privileges of members were being trampled upon. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. Mr Seddon moved that the House go into Committee of Supply. Mr Meredith moved as an amendment the construction of a railway between Cnlverden and Blenheim. Mr Miles seconded, and several members spoke to it. The amendment was eventually negatived on the voices. On the motion being proposed, Mr G. Hutchison said it was apparent that the Government had lost the confidence ol the country and were being regarded with contempt all over the country. He said that the magistracy should be kept free from political influence. Mr Seddon accused the Opposition of blocking business for the last six weeks, and they would have to answer for it to the countiy. The men and women of the country sympathised with the Government because of the difficulties they had to contend with. The Government had nothing to fear from the verdict of the country. He agreed that the magistracy should be free from political control, and asserted that it was free from that control. No Minister dared to interfere with the magistracy, and that was a sufficient safeguard. He did not consider that members' speeches that day had been indicative that a large borrowing policy would be approved of. The Government were not going to play into the bauds of the Opposition, and were not going in for a large borrowing policy. SATURDAY. THE ESTIMATES. Graut in aid of deep sea trawlers, £SOOO. The debate elicited the opinion that a Bill dealing with the matter should first bs introduced and the amount placed on the supplementary estimates. Mr James Allen moved that the amount be struck out. Mr Seddon, after a long debate, said that unless the Bill dealing with the matter were passed the amount on the estimates would not be spent. In order to facilitate business he agreed if Mr Allen withdrew his motion he would move the reduction of the item by onehalf.

On division Mr Allen's motion was negatived by 23 to IS. Mr Seddon moved that the item be reduced by one half as an indication that before it can be spent a Bill must be passed. A long discussion took place on the classification of railway employees, Mr Miller and other members contending that some provision should be made for the transfer of the nou-clericals to the clerical department. Mr Cadman said he was pleased with the working of the Classification Act. There were 900 men in the first division and 3GOO men in the second, and it took considerable time before the latter could work up to the first division. The reason why the men only got 0113 day at Jubilee was that if three days had been given it would have cost the colony £5070. Mr Buchanan suggested that railway employees should get the Saturday halfholiday. Mr Scobie McKenzie wanted to know why a large body of men were debarred from obtaining a higher position in the railway service no matter what their capacity. Mr Hogg sympathised with Mr McKcnzie's remarks.

Mr Cadman, in reply, said as regarded the half-holiday that the responsibility for the safety of the runnings rested with him, and if an accident happened in consequence of the half-holiday he would receive the blame. As to promotion he could not see why any young man should, even if he were smart, be promoted over the heads of old servants. The items, .£25,000 school buildings and £15,000 public buildings, were passed. The Hoase adjourned at 1.10 p.m.