PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 156, 2 July 1892, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

(BY TELEGBAPH. —SPECIAL REPOKTBR.)

Wellington, this day, THE ELECTORAL BILL.

As already indicated, the Government have modified their Electoral Bill by granting a vote to freeholders having £25 worth of property. Though strictly, confining ' registration to one electorate, this freehold qualification does not meet with the apj proval of the extreme Radicalsection of the i House, who wish to insist on a residential) qualification alone. When tho Electoral j Bill is in committee, Mr Kelly {Invercar-1 gill) will therefore movo that section 1, of sub-section b', be struck out of the measure. THE COUNCIL SPEAKERSHIP. There eeems to be 'every prospect of a contested election on Friday next in connection with the Speakers!) p of tho Legislative Council. Apparently there are some half-dozen Richmonds in the field, the prospective knighthood being the inducement to occuoy the vacant position. Tho names of theHons. R, Oliver, G. McLean, Dr. Grace, Sir J. Whitmore, H. J. Millar, E. C. J. Stevens and Captain Baillie aro freely mentioned in the lobbies as anxious for the coveted po3t. The election will, I understand, be conducted thus wise: Ballots will be taken, the candidate at the bottom of the poll dropping out till tho list is reduced to two, and then there will he a final ballot. My " tip" is that Mr McLean will be appointed. • THE ONEHUNGA CEMETERY. Mr Bucfcland enlightened the House yesterday afternoon on the subject of the Onehunga cemetery. The Onehunga people, he said, thought they had a cemetery, but found out their mistake by the decision of the Supreme Court. He now wished to know what steps the Government proposed to take in regard to the matter. Tho Ministor for Works replied that he had visited the locality when in Auckland, and said that the land in question, though within the borough boundary, was distinct from where the majority of the people reside. It was, however, purely a ■ local matter, and should be dealt with accordingly, presumably by means of a local Bill. A NATIVE GRIEVANCE. The Northern Maori member presented a petition from the Mocukuraka School Committee, who, according to the official translation, protest against " the conduct of a certain European named John Lundon in endeavouring to remove our schoolmaster." They petition and furthur uski the House " not to pay any attention to the1 bad word of this man, John Lundon, as his conduct towards us has been most improper." 'CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. The Minister for Education says that in most branches of the Civil Service candidates are admitted after passing the Junior Civil Service examination. As regards working railways, he is informed by tho Commissioners that in cases where children are not educated in State schools, they will accept the certificate of the master of a private school to tho effect that any candidates for employment could pass the Sixth Standard examination. In the Post and Telegraph Departments, they have frequently accepted such certificates from Catholic and other private schools. As to the suggestion made by Mr Taylor that the Government should appoint some competent person to examine children in private' schools, the Minister says the Government would like to have an expression of opinion from private schools as to whether they would like to be examined. THE EDWARDS CASE. "'. Mr Fish asked the Goyernmentyesterday afternoon to give the-House an opportunity of considering the propriety of granting compensation to Mr W. B. Edwards for loss of office as Judge of the Supreme Court. The Government having, in his opinion, very properly vindicated the constitutional position, he thought the time ha.'l arrived for consideration of the question whether or not Mr Edsvards was entitled to compensation for'removal from the position in which ho .was placed, and1 from which he was removed by no fault of his own. The Premier, in reply, eaid the Government saw no reason why there should be any departure from the usual course, by tho adoption of which he thought the House would have -an ample opportunity of considering the question. It is therefore obvious that the matter will have to be introduced by petition. RATING OF IMPROVEMENTS. The Government have promised to introduce this session an amendment to tho Rating Act, giving local bodies power to' exempt permanent improvements from local taxation. They believe that all local •bodies should have power of exempting improvements from local rating with the view of making this optional. THE "PICTURESQUE ATLAS." Mr Hogg, member for Masterton, informed members yesterday afternoon that he was not one of tho victims of the " Picturesque Atlas," but that he had been a witness of some of the proceedings in the Magistrate's Court, and had been very much astonished at the manner in which, the publishers of this work had been able to carry on their operations. Mr Hogg proceeded to let the House into the secret as to how signatures were obtained by canvassers, and wound up with the assertion that wholesale perjury had been committed in the process. Mr Buckland took upon himself to champion the "Atlas'' Company, urging that it was exceedingly wrong of tho House to allow, any member to attack respectable gentlemen outside of the House in this way. Magistrates of tho colony had gone into these cases carefully, and in some of the case3J he was pleased to say, people had been made to pay for the books. When men made a bad bargain they should honestly mako tho best of it. Mr R. Reeves protested again&t the conduct of Mr Buckland in accusing the whole colony of combining to commit gross perjury.. The Minister of Justice, speaking on this subject, stated that so far as he could ascertain, none of the Magistrates had made any reference to the Government in the matter. That being the case, he did not sco how the government could interfere. 1 BURNING COAL MINES. On the West Coast of the colony there have been several coal mines on fire for some considerable time past, one mine having been under control of the fiery element for the past twenty years. Local bodies not having sufficient funds to enable them to deal with the matter, Mr Reeves put a question to the Government on the subject, and in reply the Minister for Mine 3 stated that he had been approached by a gentleman who represented that the burning of coal in these minea is providing an excellent coke eupply, and that he was forming a company to take out the coke. It was suggested thatif they turned a certain creek into theso burning mines, the result might bean earthquake, andastheGovsrnment had spent a large amount of money in Grey mouth they intended to get more information on the subject. A CONSCIENTIOUSMEMBER. It is stated in the "Press" that M r Saunders is very angry with the Government because he is only allowed one euinea per day as Chairman of the Polhill Gully Rifle Range Commission, whilst Mr T. K. McDonald gets three guineas a day. Tho fact is that as a member of the House Mr Saundera is entitled to draw one guinea a day for travelling expenses, and that

-;■/•■'.«; ■■■.cw„,•.-•■■•■ -i^p~ remuneration Waa offered him on condition, that he agreed to sign documents Btating that it was for "expeaeeß actually incurred." Honestly he could not do so, and so far he has received no payment whatever, but he has not made this a matter for anger against the Government, as has been insinuated. PACKING COMMITTEES. There was a warm discussion in the House yesterday afternoon in connection with the manner in which the Government proposed' to pack some of the Sessional Committees. The intended constitution of | the Wa3te Lands Committee was especially \ taken exception to, and it was pointed out , that it comprised eight Ministerialists and' two members' of the Opposition. ; During the dinner adjournment the Premier agreed to add the names of Messrs Valentino and Love from the Opposition side of the House. Then some severe strictures were made at Mr Fish's name being struck of! the Public Petitions Committee, of which he was Chairman last year. Mr Fish said that the action cf ■ che Government, which was petty and i contemptible, was caused by Ministers inferring that they could no longer reckon him a good supporter. They had nominated nim for two minor committees, but as a protest against the Premier's action he distinctly declined to serve on them. Two Committees had been set up when the dinner adjournment was reached ; the matter, therefore, stands over till another sitting day. 1 THAT EANGITIKEI BRIDGE. •'Touching that bridge" were the laconic words with which Mr G. Hutchison introduced a subject which is supposed^ to have considerable weight in connection with the approaching Rangitikei elecbion. He then proceeded to refer to a letter written by the Minister of Mines to K. K. Simpson, of Marton, in which the writer stated that the question of a bridge over the Rangitikei River would not be lost sight of. The member for Waitotara wanted to know whether the Government intended to place a vote on the estimates for the work. • The Hon. Mr S'eddon said the matter would not be lost sight of (laughter), and would be dealt with in the Public Works Statement. Referring to the now famous communication, the Minister proceeded to say that his letter was dictated to his private secretary on May 22nd, but owing to oressure of works it was not despatched till the 26th. Mr W. Wilson pointed out that the 22nd was a Sunday, and alleged that private secretaries didn't generally work on Sunday. Mr Macarthur, late member for Rangitikei, died on the 27th. This notorious letter was dated the 26th of May. Mr Seddon admitted that he had trespassed on the Sabbath and said there was nothing in it. It was a usual thing for Ministers to keep bridges "steadily in view." There was nothing extraordinary in his telling Mr Simpson in his letter two daya before Mr Macarthur died that the Minister would visit the district. Mr R. K. Simpaon.had shown that he did not possess the instincts of a gentleman. Messrs Wilson and Scobie McKenzie stoutly resented this attack on Mr Simpson, the member for Mount Ida saying that this deplorable business might well be dropped aa the dignity of the Government was concerned. After a little in^re wordy warfare the matter dropped. PROSPECTS OF A DISSOLUTION. Theopinion seems to be strengthening that the prospects of a dissolution are daily bocoming more remote.' • The' Council will, it is understood, accept the Electoral Bill practically in the form;in which it is introduced, and though a determined effort will be made by tho extreme Radical-section of the House to abolish tho choice of qualifications and restrict it to'residential" pure and simple, this device will not be successful. Should there be 'no serious conflict between the two Chambers tho session will be of quite an average length, owing to the large amount of legislation provided, and the probabilities now are,that it will extend into October. .-. CENSURE ON MR BRYCE. A deputation consisting of Messrs T. Thompson, Lawry; ■R. Thompson and McGuire waited on the .Premier and 'expressed the earnest desire of a large number of members that the vote'of censure on Mr Bryce hs removed. The Premier said no one was mure anxious than himself todoEO, but there \irero certain allegationsin Mr Bryce's petition against himself. Even if tho House expunged the alleged vote of censure, the petition might still reopen the discussion. It wan then suggested by a member of tho deputation that a resolution bo framed to expunge fiom the records the votes of censure on Mr ,Gisborne, Sir Julius Vogel, and Mr Hryce. That unless Mr Bryco declined to ■ accept such a resolution, he would lose the sympathy of the country; also, that the Petitions Committee, in the face of a resolution passed by tho House, would make no recommendation upon Mr Bryce'a petition. The Premier concurred in this proposition, and 'promised to submit) the matter to his colleagues, and givo a definite answer on Monday. In the meantime Messrs Lawry and T. Thompson were requested to draw up a resolution for the approval of tho Cabinet, lam informed on good authority that so far as the Houses are concerned tho resolution will be acceptable. . It will rest with Mr Bryce whether' the matter bo now settled once fnr all. WORKING RAILWAYS. The annual report on working railways contains a timely warning from the Commissioners against -the public being led away by the cry for railways into permitting the construction of political lines which cannot possibly pay, aa was done in Victoria, and which led to the recent crisis. The Victorian Commissioners were unable to make their white elephant pay, and this was made the peg on which to hang the movement that led to their suspension. A LIBEL BILL. A Libel Bill on exactly tho lines of the English law, with which it has been assimilated to obtain the benefit of English judgments in the criminal code, after having been amended by the reduction of penalties, will be introduced in the House of Representatives by the Hon. Mr Seddon. i The Colonial Secretary hopes it will get through this session. JOTTINGS. As I intimated at the beginning of the Eeseion, a Libel Bill is to be one of the first measures considered this session. Not.ice of its introduction in the Council was given yesterday by the Colonial Secretary. Mr Eugene O'Connor says that the majority of the Legislative Council favour appointment by the local governing bodies, and will move in that direction at an early date. The Premier's reference to Mr Fish as one of the ablest men in the House was received with derisive cheers from a section of the labour party. • Mr Rolleston, leader of the Opposition, opposes the female franchise and amalgamated city electorates. Mr Guinness is urging the Government to bring down a motion embodying their views on the proposals made by the Midland Railway Company. As already wired, Government are of opinion that the matter i should be dealt with by petition to the House. Mr Fish moved this afternoon for a return showing the amount spent on cooperative works in the colony. ■. \ Mr McGuiro wants the Government to take the duty off ealb. A return showing the annual increase of the public debt since 1370 is moved for by Mr Saunckcs.

The Customß duty collected in the colony last year amounted to £1,752,871, and the average cost of collecting it was £l_l7s 8d percent. Auckland contributed £385,642 of the total sum. .

AHsessor3 under the Land and-Income Assessment Act aro paid as follows.: — Auckland, £400 ; Wellington, £400; Christ-' church, £'250 ; Dunedin, £350.

Mr U. H. Mills (Waimea) presents an Auckland petition praying for the abolition of gold duty, for the reduction of stamp duty on mining transactions, and for aid to prospecting. •.. Since the Bryce incident the word " ashamed" is tabooed in Parliament. Referring to M*r Buckland, Mr Reeves (Inangahua) said the honourable gentleman ought to be " ash'—" (chorus. of "oh, ohs.") Mr Buckland claimed that tho word be withdrawn. The Speaker,: " What was the word ?" Mr Buckland;: "He said 'ash—'." The Speaker to.Mr Reeves: "Did you use the word?" 'Mr Reeves: " I intended to use'it and withdraw it with great pleasure." (Laughter.) Mr Cadman says that so far as he can ascertain, the police are doing their best to stop the practice of sly grog selling in the King Country. The Stamps Department deny that there has been any unnecessary delay in obtaining administration in the estates of deceased persons. The matter was taken out of the hands of departmental commissioners owing to carelessness which involved loss to the Stamp Department. The Onehunga Iron works Company have given notice to the Minister for Mines that they intend to apply for; a.bonus for the! manufacture ot iron.

The "Press" takes the Premier to task for what it alleges is an attempt to nobble 1,000 acres of the very best part of bhq Waimarino block for an endowment to the Wanganui River Trusb. The Waimarino" block is a part of the North Island Trunk Railway endowment.

The Premier has promised to re-ihtroduce the Selectors' Lands Re-valuation Bill passed by the House last session, but killed in the Upper Chamber.

Mr McGuire has introduced a Bill to make it unlawful to import intoxicating liquor of any kind except for medicinal purposes under a severe penalty. ~.. .......... ~