PARLIAMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—RRESS ASSOCIATION.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. LAST NIGHT'S SITTING

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1569, 25 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH. — RRESS ASSOCIATION.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. LAST NIGHT'S SITTING

Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 7.30. After the prelimiuary business, Major Atkinson moved that for the future the House meet every Monday at 7.30. for Government business only. — Carried. Major Atkixsox moved that the House go into Committee of Supply. Mr Smith moved as an amendment, " That as the 10 per cent reduction made for the purpose of temporary retrenchment on the salaries of Civil servants has been restored, in the opinion of this House the same advantage should be extended to platelayers and all other wages men employed by Government on railways and other public works of New Zealand, they having received similar reduction of their wages which in their case has not yet been restored." He said his motion only referred to men employed by the General Government. He did not think that the extra rise would tend to raise wages throughout the colony, and if it did he could not see what harm would come. Mr Siiephard seconded the amendment. Mr Johnston thought a prima facie case had been made out. In regard to the recommendation of Mr Smith, he thought that if the House did not think Government were treating their servants properly, a severe vote of censure should be brought down. He hoped on those grounds that the House would reject the amendment. Mr Duncan supported the amendment. Mr Wkston said he believed Mr .Johnston realised the true position of affairs, but had not the manliness to acknowledge itMr McKenzie thought the intention of Government was to give an increase to workmen, but owing to the amendment they had taken a stand against it. Ho supported the amendment. •. Mr Moss thought the Government should have taken a higher stand than accepting the amendment as a no-confi-dence motion. He would support the amendment. Sir John Hall said a short time ago one uniform scale of wages had been made, and in nearly all cases railway employeV wages were raised annually. He said they were getting now as/ much as in 1879, which he, considered a fair rate. , He thought the amendment was a premature one, an'd did not think 'the mover was advancing hia .cause . by^pushingitT J " • * J '".'>' ■>'>■ * J , SirG. Grey thought, if the "time, of prosperity had come, these men should receive some compensation. The Go r vernment' talked ■ nonsense in taking , the amfend'jhent'a&W vofe of-id&wuYe^rThere waii a'lcWe* of"* plain-i justice .^before tlie Jlotwo which "> fe<3,uirea?i#^be MquiVed

into. He hoped the members would not be led astray by speeches from the Government 'benches.; > <, ! i " , > < i Mr Macandrew supported the amendment, And challenged the statement of Mr JohnsK>np.tKa"t.the departmental expenditure had been reduced since the Grey Government' time.' ' ' ■ /' i ■ ' Major Atkinson promised to show by figures, to-morrofc\ that the statement was correct. In reference to the amendment, ho considered it a very severe cen- : gttrje on the Government. The amend- ; m«ttt had his sympathy. He believed in ptyulg good wages, but he did not beli6re in the Governrhent being dictated to. . . | Mr Montgomery was surprised that the Government should take the stand they had. He supported the amendment. Mr Fish said so far as the working man waa concerned they had need never think of getting redress from the Government., He appealed to the Opposition to hold (together, and put in a better Government. „ , (Left Sitting.)