Parliamentary Gossip.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 242, 10 October 1895, Page 2

Parliamentary Gossip.

NOTES FROM THE OALLERY

{BY TELEGRAPH.— PARLIAMENTARY RE

PORTKR.)

Weluxgtos-, Wednesday, T73E SCRIPTURE TEXTBOOK,

Tuk Chairman of Committees takes the chair this afternoon, Sir Maurice being still indisposed. The firab stir occurs when the Scripture Text-Book in Public Schools Bill is proposed to be road a first time, on which a division is called. There are 37 who vote for the Bill, and 9, comprising Messrs E. M. Smith, Earnebaw, Parata, Collins, McGowan, McLachlan, Thoe. Thompson, Larnach and Lawry, who vote against it. The second reading is ?et down for this day fortnight, a dat« so near to the end of tho session that the second reading will probably not come on. i QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Questions are answored for the first time J for three or four days. There is Home j amusement over tho tirat, which is asked by Mr Pirani, and is "II the Premier will extend to pakeha motbere the system of giving £5 bounties to mothers of triplets." Hβ tolls members it ia no laughing matter, and endeavours, not very successfully it mueb be admitted, to treat the matter seeriouely. The reply of the Premier ia diplomatic. Mr Pirani had referred to a case where a bounty had been paid to a Maori mother of triplets, and Mr Seddon refers to the obligations of Government to natives under the treaty of Waitangi, and he says that the case referred to is not the first time trouble of thi3 kind bad arisen in the same family. (Laughter.) The family was poor, and he was quite willing to give a bounty to European mothers under similar circumstances. (Applause.)

Replying to Mr G. J. Smith, who asks if ib ia the Government's intention to introduce further banking legislation, the Premier says he would have fchoughc that it was unnecessary for the honorable member to ask him this question. He knowe of no nocessity, and he hopes no necessity will arise thie session for further banking legislation. The other questions are unimportant, and, when they ere disposed of, Capt. Russell, without notice, asks the Premier if another judge is to be appointed before the Court of Appeal sits. Thin, the Premier says, would bo impossible. To another question from the Leader of tha Opposition respecting the Public Works Estimates, Mr Seddon sayi he hopes that before tho end of the week Ministers will be able to go into these estimates. He is aware that members are anxious to get home, but as money this year was scarce, tbo Public Works Estimates required to be carefully considered, co that the money available might be spread well.

Nob content with last week's slaughter Captain Russell thirsts for the blood of more innocents. Twenty is the number he wishes immolated. Aβ one who flips off a speck of dust, the Premier sayß there ia no roason why all the Bills on the Order Paper should not be disposed of. All the most debateable ones are at) the top of the paper, and the remainder, if disposed of at the rate of fire p«r day (laughter), will only take six days. IJo has seen fifteen bills go through in one day. He knows tbe country is tired of the eeeeion, bhab tbe public journals are withdrawing their representatives from the gallery, and he is himself anxious that the session should end as goon as possible. (Crieeof"' When J" and "In a week" are heard.) "No," saya the Premier, " as soon ac the work is dune. The work of the country must be done." We have then, as a matter of course, the customary motion for adjournment, which is kept going to the dinner adjournment. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. On resuming at 7.30 the third reading of the Gorernmftub Advances to Settlers Acb, Amendment Bill is called on. Mr Hutchison, the Hon. Mr Seddon, Air Thomas McKenzie, and Dr. Newman are the speakers. We have some reference to kissing babies, when the Treasurer replies. Dr. Newman had been recounting the numerous offices held by the Treasurer, and that gentleman replied by giving a list of the little doctor's duties, the firsb of which is going round and kissing the babies of his constituents.

A voice like the voice oi Crowther tolls the Treasurer to "stick to the Bill."

"That is what I'm doing," says tho Treasurer.

" Well," says Mr Crowther, " we don'b wont to hear about kissing bibles."

Tho Acting-Speaker pulls the Treasurer up, and he proceeds to answer the arguments advanced by other members.

The third reading passes on the voices.

LAND AND INCOME BILL.

On the question of the third reading the Land and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill, Mr Hone Heke moves to rocommib, in order to reconsider Clause 9.

After some debate, the third reading passes by 39 votes to 15.

The Hon. McKenzie, in moving the third reading of the Bill, explains at some length the remarks he made on the second reading of the liiil respecting the Governments land policy and the Bank of New Zealand. He says these remarks have been misconstrued, no doubt for a purpose. He assures the Opposition he had no intention of reflecting on any member of it. He intends, however, on every occasion thab the Bank's poaitipn was attributed to the Government's land policy to refute such statements.

Gaptain Russell, who follows, thinks the tactics of the Opposition in this matter are worthy of congratulation. He is pleaeed with the Minister's explanation, bub resents the insinuation thab the Minister's remarks have been misconstrued for a purpose. He quotes from the speech of Mr Glynn at the Bank of New Zealand meeting thiee or four years ago 60 the effect that the land policy of the Sovernmenb had injuriously affected the Bank through the Estates Company, He points oub that the Bank ot New Zealand has opposed him at every election.

" Did they oppose you in 1887 ?" asks the Premier.

Captain does nob recollect anything special in that year which would aflecb the Bank's attitude to himself. Of course the Bank did not show its hands on those occasions. He regrets that; the Speaker is nob present, as he wishes to refer to what took place on Friday afternoon.

Mr Guinness, the Acting Speaker, cays he must rule that no reference can be made to the Speaker's ruling. This takes the Captain rather abeck, and as the supper adjournment has arrived we adjourn, in order to hold a council of war.

On resuming, the Captain gays he has always felt it to be his duty to support the Chair, but one cannot help feeling that, being in a weak minority, one must stand up for and insist upon freedom of speech. The Premier raises a point oi order, aa the bon. gentleman is explaining his attitude in reference to the Speaker's ruling. MrGuinness points out to the Captain thab this is net allowable, and that the only matter he can can refer to ie the Hon. Mr McKenzie's statements. This takes the wind completely onb of the Captain's sails. . He says there is nothing left for him to do but to sit down, which he does.

Mr Geo. Hutchieon follows, and crifcioiaee the Bill.

Mr Dnthie, Mr McGuiro, and the invino' ible Heke aleo epeak.

PETITIONS. ! The Public Petitions Committee have referred to the consideration of the Goyerntnenb several petitions praying for the introduction of legislation prohibiting the planting by properly owners of pious insignus, eypreea ami macrocarpa trees within 60ft of their boundaries. THE SHOP HOURS BILL. The Minister for Labour, replying to ill- Crowther, said that the Shops and Shop Assistants Act Amendment Bill would be brought down and dealt with as soon as the progress of pubcic business permitted. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. Replying to Mr Pirani, who asked if the] j Government would consider the advisability of introducing a comprehensive scheme of roform of the Civil Service, co that officers performing similar duties in different department* should be paid proportionate salaries, the Premier said this was a matter which had troubled the present and paei Governments. Uβ was afraid that until * very great change took place it wou '■<> almost impossible to put the whole o service on an equal footing and pa; -roportionate salaries. This could only .. done after eomo scheme had been a-isoed to, but, if attempted at preeent, would entail great injustice. THE FIRE ON THE RIMUTAKA. ' The Minister for Marine intends causing an inquiry to be held into ■ ;io (ire on the Rimutaka. THE LEGISLATIVE OUNCIL. In the Legislative Coum :1 this afternoon discussion on the Hon. Iliggs' motion, " That Chinese are undesirable immigrants," was resumed, and, at the request of the Speaker, strangers withdrew. The debate continued with closed doors till 4 p.m. The Chattels Act Transfer Acb Amendment Bill passed its final stages. The Hon. Mr AlcCullough, in moving the second reading of the Sharebrokers Bill, which provides that sbarebrokors shall be licensed, and shall give a bond not to buy or sell shares for themselves except through another sharebroker, explained that it was not his intention to proceed with the Bill further than the second reading stage this session. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. ' JOTTINGS. In reply to Mr Flatman thie afternoon, the Premier said nothing would have given him greater pleasure than to have adjourned the House on Thursday evening, in order to give members an opportunity of attending General Booth's meeting. He himself was to be there, and he would have liked to see, a large attendance of members in case he gob nervous. He would, however, be creating a dangerous precedent; to adjourn for a public meeting.

The Government; are afc the mercy of the Legislative Council ac it is at present constituted, bo the Premier said in the House this afternoon.

According to a return laid on the table by the Hon. Mr McKenzie, the total expenditure in connection with Mr C. K. Vallentine's appointment as dairy expert, including salary and travelling expenses, was £1,545, of which £542 was for salary. The period Mr Valentine was employed in the colony was 152 days, and in London 80 days.

A return granted on the motion of Mr Collins, shows thab the number of limited liability companies in the,colony is 521. The number not wound up or their creditors eatiefied, and in respect to which statutory returns have ceaeed to be filed is 553.

Mr Lang wishes to know it the Governmenfa intend giving effect to the recommendation of tbe Petition Committee on Mrs Johnstone's petition. v The destruction of native birds on the Little Barrier Island ia the subject of a question by Mr Mossey, who h asking the Government whether, seeing that important evidence is said to be forthcoming, they will cause further inquiries to be made into the mutter.

Mr Lans: wishes the Postmaeter-GeneralJ to arrange for free transmission through the" •post of magazines addressed to public libraries.