LATEST PARLIAMENTARY

Auckland Star, Volume XV, Issue 3760, 29 August 1882, Page 3

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY

Sitting Ihis Morning,

(PBRPBESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The House met at noon. Iho P/otcction of Telegrams Bill was roported from the Legislative Council, with amendments which were agreed to.

Questions.

Replying to Mr Sutton, Mr Bryce cuM tho Government understood that petitioner, Walter Sluimpton, was satisfied with the action, and that .hero was no further intention of takina the opinion of the Court of Appeal as to whether the nativo lands duty, paid by him, was correctly assessed by the Cbief Judge. Replying to Mr Pyke, Mr Bryck said the Government considered the police weru fairly well paid, and that no addition jto ihe present rates of pay was contotnpliited. The claims of long service men were at present under consideration. Keplyingto MrWaiGHr, Mr Dick said the Government would be prepared to tnko steps to supply public libraries with copies of the treatise on tbe grape vine by Mr Fred. Mohr. Replying to Mr DANIELS, Air DICK said the subsidy for libraries would be proposed on the supplementary estimates, and if passed would be distributed amongst tho libraries without delay, care being taken that small libraries would have a fair share of the sum. Replying to Mr J. W. THOMPSON, Mr Kolleston said tbe expense of the forest conservation was so great, the Government could not consent to timber licenses being made county revenue. Replying to Mr Tole, Mr Dick said that intheca9eofWrenatAuckland,cbargedwith embezzlement, a miscarriage of justice appeared to have taken place, and amendments in tho Larceny Act would be made so as to meet the requirements of Bimilar cases. Replying to Mr Fbldwick, Mr PICK said it was so late in the session, that the Government did not propose to press tbe Bankruptcy Act this sescion. The Bill would be circujated during the recess, so as to enable the mercantile public to form an estimate as to its provisions. Replying to Mr Stewakd, Major Atkiksox said the tea per cent, reduction had been generally restored on salaries of officials. The Bouse adjourned at one until 2.30 p.m. [FBOM OUR SPECIAL COREESrONDSHT.I Petitions. The Public Petitions Committee ware favourable.it is understood,that the enginedrivers' petition, for an increase of pay, be recommended ; also that the prayer of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, for a monopoly of the railway goods shed at Lyttltton, should not be recommended. Inspection of Sea-Going Ships. Mr Moss gave notice to ask if tho Got vernment intend maktng provision 'for the" inspection of sea-going and other sailing vessels employed in the New Zealand trade, in regard to which the Colonial Treasurer stated, on the 6th July last, in reply to the hon, member for Nelson, that Ministers then had the matter under their consideration. The Chairman of the Special Taxation Committee asked for an extension of timp till Friday. Mr Shrimski protested against the coarse taken by tbe Government in shelving his motion for adding a clause to the Loan Bill by tbe appointment of this committee. Mr Moss thought the committee ought to state whether there was any prospect or their coming to a decision, If not, better discharge it than keep it dangling before the House until the Loan Bills had passed, 'lhs Treasurer declined to give any informatiop. The House had appointed the committee, but the committee must be lett to do its important work ;n proper time. Extension of time granted. The Brogden Claims. Mr Brodgen takes his case to the Privy Council. Sir J. Hall, Messrs Macandrcw and Pollen.l ana told, fought hard for him, and the committes only carried the report by a majority of one. Amnesty Bill. Mr Bryce has introduced an Amnesty Bill. It does pot include tho names of any persons, but gives tho Governor p»wer by proclamation to condone offences of persons by the publication of their names in the Gazette. Tlie Direct Steam Service. The wholo of last night was occupied in debating the Postmaster-General's resolutions re Direct Steam Service. It was intended by tbe Government to go into Committee of Supply and pass the remainder of the estimates, but tbe Opposition, about midnight, knowing that they would be kept till early morning if once the Howe got into committee, commenced speaking against time. During the debate Mr Seddon wanted, to know why Government wished to bring to many immigrants into the colony when there were over a hundred thousand children attending the schools. What would become of them ? Some bon, member-said, "Boil them down." Mr Seddon asked if it would not be better to boil some of the parents down to prevent so many children being born. Such language, to say the least of it, in not calculated to raise the tone of the House. The subtidy for the direct ateam service was finally reduced to £20,000. There is much dissatisfaction, among Southern men about the redaction, Mr Macandrew saying the vote is worthless; but, the fact is, if the New Zealand Shipping Company can run boats for £30,000 a year to protect their own interests, they can do so for £20,000 a year. There is little chance of the vote being increased, as the Ministry are not all very eager for the service, Major Atkinson and Mr Johnston, I hear, being the most zealous.