HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIX, Issue 3204, 28 October 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Oct. 27. The House resumed at 7.30 o'clock last night. The Premier stated the Government expected that the whole of the business would be got through by Saturday evening. Perhaps all the measures would not be absolutely passed by the Legislative Council, but it would be known in what state the Bills would be passed. Members might therefore leave on Saturday evening, and to that end the Government would detain the two steamers sailing North and South until twelve o'clock if necessarj 7 . Sir George Grey briefly moved the second reading of the Triennial Parliaments Bill. After a short discussion, it was thrown out by 32 to 22. A good deal of discussion ensued on the Civil Lists Act Amendment Bill, which provided for the salary of a Minister for Education. Messrs Sheehan and Brandon took exception to any more Ministers beino appointed, at any rate just then. Dr Henry and Messrs Woolcock and Barff thought that if another Minister was to be appointed he should be Minister of Mines. The Premier and the Hon Mr Whitaker pointed out that in consequence of abolition changes, the work of Ministers would be increased one-third, and they were afraid it would not be carried out satisfactorily without another Minister was appointed.

Other members having spoken against the Bill, the Premier asked that progress be reported with a view of not proceeding further with the Bill. Progress was then reported. The Consolidated Stock Bill passed. The House adjourned at 12.45 a.m. The Fouse met at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon. The Premier proposed that they should, on rising, adjourn until 11 o'clock tomorrow morning as, be said, prorogation would probably take place on Monday. Mr Sheehan raised an exceedingly keen discussion by asking what was intended to be done with the Canterbury clauses in the Waste Lands Administration Bill. He heard it was intended to re-introduce them in the Legislative Council ; if so, thirty members were pledged to remain and resist any such attempt. The Hem Mr Reynolds said he would not only oppose any such attempt, but would help to turn out the Ministry upon it, late in the session as it was. The Premier said tie Government would take no action in the matter. They were not aware whether the Legislative Council would amend the Bill as was feared, but if they inserted the Canterbury clauses the Government would support them as they did before. In any case, he assured the House that no advantage would be taken of them. Whatever amendments were made in the Bill by the Legislative Council, the House would be acquainted with them as soon as possible. If the Council did not re-introduce the clauses no question would be raised. Messrs Rees, DeLatour and Burns contended that the question, having been decided by the majority of the House, it ought not to be reopened. Strong language was used by Mr Rees in condemning the Government for having, as he said, secured the consistent support of the Canterbury members by introducing those clauses. The debate was then adjourned till 7.30. In reply to Mr Tole, the Premier said £3,000 would be put on the {Supplementary Estimates for boiling down scabby sheep on the East Coast. The Hon Mr Whitaker wanted the House to come to some decision on the Frisco Mail Service before breaking up. He said they had no further telegrams from Sydney upon the matter. After stating the whole position of the case, he said he proposed sending Sydney a telegram to the following effect : — " Parliament has been consulted, and we can only agree to forego the present contract on the following conditions — namely, 13 services, the route from, Frisco to Sydney, calling at Auckland and omitting Honolulu, at the same time as you desire ; that is giving you the entire benefit ; the subsidy to be £70,000, leaving to the two colonies to provide a coastal service for New Zealand, £5,000. We cannot con sent to the Bay of Islands unless the company takes £75,000, and provides a satisfactory coastal service ; your estimate of the expense . being altogether erroneous. Communicate decision at once, as we must make arrangements in. case^of discontinuance* of the service." He moved that the House agree with the telegram. t This led to a considerable discussion, Mr Stafford strongly opposing sending such a' telegram. He approved of keeping a temporary service for the present. The contractors in the meantime should send down some authorised person to arrange with the Government here. That was at least due to them. New South Wales had too much the best of the bargain. Messrs Reynolds and Burns thought that Sydney was too selfish altogether, and opposed sending the telegram. They should adhere to their contract or give it up altogether. Mr Stevens moved a3 an amendment, that the House is not prepared to maka any modifications except those in the telegram sent to Sydney on the 14th October, as regards calling at Honolulu. The Hon Mr Reynolds would oppose placing the control of the coastal service in the hands of the Government, and ha believed it would cost £15,000 instead of £5,000. Mr Whitaker's motion was put and lost byo4 to 29. In order to prevent Mr Stevens' motiota being carried, Mr Lusk moved that the debate be adjourned, so as to reopen the whole discussion this evening. He said the House would regret what it was doing. The remainder of the sitting was spent discussing the amendments made to the Oounties Bill by the Legislative Council.