PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3896, 26 August 1891, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25. The Speaker took the chair at 2.80. THE VAILE SYSTEM. Mr gave notice that on going into Committee of Supply lie would move a resolution for giving a trial to the Vaile railway system. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. The Hon. Mr Bryce [.resented petitions protesting against any increase being made in the payment made to members for their services. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. A week's leave of absence was granted to Captain Russell on account of urgsnt private business. THE MANAWATU RAILWAY. Mr Wilson asked the Minister of Public Works if he would advise the Railway Commissioners to obtain a lease of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway. The Minister's answer to this was that the Railway Commissioners were inclined to discuss the question of leasing the line, but he thought it would require an alteration of the law, besides which they thought the first advances should come from the Company. NAVAL AND MILITARY SETTLERS. Replying to Dr Newman, the Minister of Defence paid the Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Land Act Amendment Bill was being printed, and would in due time be circulated. THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT AND AGENT-GENERALSHIP. The Hon Mr Bryce said he was exceedingly anxious to know when the Public Works Statement was likely to be brought down. Also.'had the " Government arrived at any definite conclusion as to who was to be Agent-General? The Premier had never denied the right of the House for one moment to such knowledge, but he could only repeat his former statement that the Government had not yet decided who should be Agent-General, but when they arrived at any decision they would take the House into their confidence. —The Hon Mr Bryce observed that the House had some little right to be consulted on the question, and he really thought the hon. gentleman ought to give them more information than he had at present afforded them. —The Premier did not know what the last speaker meant by being consulted ; as soon as the Government decided they would announce their decision.—The Hon Mr Bryce : After the appointment. What is the use of that? (Laughter.) As to the Public Works Statement the Minister tor that Department said there did not seem much anxiety among members to have the Statement brought down, but he informed the House that he was doing his best to prepare it, although there was very little money to spend, and he hoped shortly to be able to lay it on the table.

Native Land Bill. The Native Land Bill was, after some discussion, read a second time and referred to a Select Committee. . Mining Bill. The Mining Bill was read a third time and passed. Public Trustee. Mr Duthie, on behalf of Captain Russell, said he wished to withdraw the amendment moved by that gentleman to the resolution removing Mr Hamerton from the position of Public Trustee. The amendment was allowed to be withdrawn. Mr Joyce then moved an amendment that a Bill be brought in authorising the payment of a pension of L 250 per annum to Mr Hamerton on his tendering his resignation of the office of Public Trustee. After some discussion the amendment was carried. The House rose at 2.25 a.m.