THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 23, 28 January 1891, Page 5

THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

A SHORT SESSION PROPOSED.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

THE LABOUR QUESTION,

(BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day. The business of the present session of Parliament fairly began yesterday, but little was done except the giving of premonitions of what will be done. Members are still in a somewhat mixed frame of mind about the session and its possibilities, and are awaifeing developments.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

The ceremony of hearing the Governor's speech yesterday afternoon was a rather tame affair. The Lower House met, and after the usual formal business, adjourned. A guard of honour lined up before the Council chamber, a regiment of soldiers stood by ready for all emergencies, and the band played "God Save the Queen. :, The Council galleries were only fairly filled, and there were few ladies present, most of the fair ones of Wellington being present at the marriage of the Hon. Mr Larnach, iate member. Guns went bang, bang, and amid strains of the band, doors were flung open and in walked His Excellency very nicely dressed. Several Consuls and others filed in after him in their uniforms, and then members of the Lower House were summoned. In they filed, headed by the Speaker, Major Steward, who made the slight mistake of crossing his legs. Then the speech was read, the Governor departed, more guns were fired, and the Lower House resumed business. The speech itself has evoked little criticism. It is considered very general in tone, and is only remarkable as recognising for the first time from the " throne " the desirability of improving the relations between labour and capital. It) was rather an anomalous position to put the present Government in", that of giving reasons for the calling together of a Parliament really called°together by their predecessors.

CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES,

The Hon. Mr Ballance gave notice yesterday afternoon that he would move the election of Mr W. C. Smith as Chairman of Committees. The "Times" yesterday morning and the " Post " in the afternoon both severely condemn the action of the Government party in putting Mr Smith forward, and advocate Mr Hamlin's claims. However, as the question is made a party one, and the Government is in a very strong majority, Mr Smith is sure to be elected. Several Auckland members, at any rate, would like to vote for Mr Hamlin, but party considerations outweigh personal or provincial onos. Mr Hamlin is personally very popular with nearly every member of the House, and is considered a very able Chairman, while Mr Smith is nob popular, and is quite unused to the work of the nosition.

LENGTH OF THE SESSION,

In the Governor's speech it is stated that after the recess the Government will lay before the House their policy, and Mr Bryce asked yesterday what was meant by "recess," that is, of what duration it was to be. Mr Ballanco replied that at this day's sitting he would explain. It is certain, however, that the present session will last nob longer than next week. There are some matters now before the House and to be brought before it that will provoke discussion, but the Government is determined to cub business short. They say that if the late Ministry had acted properly there would have been no need whatever for the present session. The late Government should have resigned and allowed the new one to be formed. The new Government could then have gone into the affairs of the country, and could have formulated a policy with which it; might have met the House in a couple of months or so. As the late Government have forced the present position the present Ministry hold, "they cannot be blamed for the consequences. Notices of motion and questions yesterday were more numerous than ever before on first meeting, but Parliament will notwithstanding be prorogued very shortly, and members will thus

GET TWO HONORARIUMS.

They say that by the last Act each honorarium will be £150, so that the expense of the present short session will be pretty heavy.

YESTERDAY'S SITTING.

The House did not sib longer than three quarters of an hour in all yesterday afternoon. Mr Ballanee stated that he had been entrusted with the task of forming a Ministry, and had succeeded in doing so. He then stated the members chosen, and paid that in a day or two he hoped to be able to state who should be the final member. The adjournment of the House was then moved, and then began a shower of petitions, questions and notices of motion. Mr Ballanee moved to introduce a formal Bill for the re-enscting of certain necessary measures about to expire. THE LABOUR QUESTION. It is very evident that the labour question is to receive great consideration at the hands of members of the present Parliament. Mr W. Hutchison will to-day ask leave to introduce an Eight Hours Bill and Mr Joyce's Shop Hours Bill, whilo on Thursday Mr Taylor will ask leave to introduce a Labour Bill. The Railway Commissioners had a very hot time yesterday morning, when a deputation waited on the Premier in regard to dismissals from the service. The Southern members had instances of grievances of very many kinds, few of which seem to exist in Auckland among railway servants. These have, it appears, been dismissed -without reasons, for being members of unions. Now they are passed over for strangers, and none will be employed without going through the Labour Bureaux. Then they are shifted about in a most vexatious way. The Premier promised to do what he could, but that can be but little under the present system. Mr Fiah to day is to ask the Minister for Public Works whether he is aware that the Railway Commissioners have instructed their manager in the Auckland district to inform all employees seeking a rise in pay or promotion that such claims cannot be considered unless they leave their Union. A petition has been received from James Jones and others asking that the House will inquire into the action of the Railway Commissioners in taking steps to eject Messrs Henry Jones and Charles Seaton from their holdings at Brunnerton and grant some relief. Mr Rcos has given notice to move on 3rd February : (I , " That in the opinion of this House, ceaseless conflicts between capital and labour arising in all civilised communities are full of danger to the peace of society. (2) That the time has come when a solution shall be found for the difficult economic questions now existing. (3) That to this end the New Zealand House of Representatives should suggest to the representative assemblies of the British colonies, to the House of Commons, the Representative Houses of various American. States, and Representative at Washington, the propriety of appointing delegates to a conference to be held in London or Washington on therelationsnow subsisting between capital and labour, and of possible remedies thereto and alterations therein." The labour members of the House are spoken of as very sensible men, JOTTINGS. The Government and Opposition have exchanged sides of the House. Mr Taylor "made the first notice of motion

in the House this session for leave to intro duce a Coroners' Inquests Bill.

Mr Rees has introduced a motion expressing regret at the retirement of Sir George Grey from public affairs, and recognition of the valuable services he has rendered the country. The Hon. Fergus has tabled a motion recommending that any person holding a public position who accepts a bribe shall for ever be excluded from the House of Representatives.

Mr Fish wants to know if voting papers will be issued to women at the next census to find out how many women favour their receiving the elective franchise.

The representation of New Zealand at the Federal Conference has been brought before the Government, as has the question of a colonial reciprocal tariff treaty. Mr Shera has not let drop the memorial to the Governor regarding appointments to the Council, and wants it forwarded to the Secretary of State. He is strongly supported in the matter.

Mr Joyce wants the Government to get in New Zealand a terminal point for the proposed Canadian-Paciric cable.

Mr G. Hutchison has asked the Government to appoint a Commission to inquire into the financial state of the New Plymouth Harbour Board.

The Returning Officer at Ashburton made a curious mistake in placing the deposits of four candidates among the voting papers, and now it is desired that these shall bo opened to get at the money.

Mr Richardson has asked leave to introduce a New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill.

Stephen Spalding again petitions for re lief.

The Hon. Sir J. Hall is to move that there be laid before the House and printed a copy of corespondence between the Hon. Minister of Justice and tho Hon. Sir W. Fox on fche subject of prosecutions by the police of licensed victuallers offending against the law; also a copy of correspondence between the Hon. the Minister of Justice and Bishop Cowie on the subject of the conduct of the police in that city.

Mr Saunders wants a Bill to prevent stonewalling.

Mr Hutchison wants to know the amount of land available for settlemeno in the colony.

Mr Palmer has presented a petition from residents of the Great Barrier for subsidising a mail service.

Mr John Boyd, through Mr R. Thompson, petitions for a grant of land for military services.

The Hon. Mr Ssddon has given instructions that the coat of the continuation of the Puhipuhi road be estimated, and though the allocation is now more than exhausted the work will probably be done.

Mr Fish tried to table a motion yesterday condemning the Governor's action in appointing members to the Upper House l as improper, unconstitutional and deHerving of the censure of the House of Representatives, but the Speaker would not admit ib, at once saying he would consider it, and, if admissible, he would put it on the order paper* As it is not on the order paper, he appears to have crushed it out of life.