ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 2177, 24 June 1890, Page 3

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

After the delivery of the Governor's Speech <>n Thursday, the Council adjourned out of respect to the memory of two members who had died since last session.

In the House on the same day the Speaker announced the resignation of Major Campbell, who had held the office of Clerk of Parliaments for 35 ye irs.

Mr Taylor gave notice to move — " Thab the Property tax is inimical to the best interests of the people, that it retarded the settlement of the laud, prevented the investment of c'iptt.;il, and the establishment of industries." On the Hon. E. Mitchelson moving the adjournment of the House, S ; r Geo. Grey proposed as an amendment; — "That tbe House forthwith resolve itself iuto Committee for the purpose of drawing up a humble petition to the Governor praying him to dissolve Parliament and to cause writs to be issued for the election of a new Parliament ; that the House also assure his Excellency that ample provision would be made for the public service till the meeting of the new Parliament." He said he had brought forward his amendment without consultation with anybody, and be hoped the House would support him in it. The Speaker ruled that an amendment of that kind was out of order, and could not be made on the motion for adjourning the House. The annual education report (the thirteenth) was laid on the table, this being the first occasion of the education report being tabled on the opening day of a session. It is, as usual, very voluminous. The increase of children attending the State schools is reported as " normal." It is estimated that 15,000 new pupils will have to be provided for annually. The school attendance for the year was 115,456, an increase of 2771. Tue num ber of acnoold was 1115, with a mean average attendance of 81. Tna number of teachers w-)8 3958 the aggregate of all salaries being £295,237. Ttie highest salary was £551 ; thnre were five of £400 and upward, 59 of ! £300 and upward, 215 f £200 and upward, 1022 of £100 and upwards, and 677 (beside sewing n>>BtressßB and pupil teachers) receiving less than £100. Tne Sumner Deaf Mute Sjhooi had 42 pupils, the same numbi-r as in tbe previous year. The coßt was £3252, of which £253 was contributed by parents of pupils. The inmates of industrial schools have deoreaspd in number from 1158 two years ago to 1054. Of the 189 children received during the y«ar, 67 were committed as " destitute " and 47 as " uncontrollable."

Notices were given of a number of new bills. Few of them were of much public interest. Sir G. Grey brought up one of his socialistic measures— a bill to define the hours of labor within the colony, and Mr Buchanan (Wairarapa) introduced a bill to amend the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act.

On the House meeting on Friday, the Hon. Hir H, A. Atkinson moved — "That the Speaker be requested to convey to Mr. Campbell, ou his retirement from the office of olerk to tbis House, its acknowledgement of his prolonged and valuable services during the 35 years he has held that office, aud its appreciation of the advice and assistance he wa3 at all times willing to reuder to members of this House in the conduct of their business." He said he felt sure the House would heartily agree to the resolution. Major Campbell had been in the House before his (Sir H. Atkinson'i-) time, and he aud many other members were greatly indebted to Major Campbell for the valuable advice he had constantly given them, He regretted having to move such a motion, although they were fortunate in securing such a sue* ccasor as Mr Friend. He hoped the motion would be pas9td with acclamation.

The motion waß seconded by the Hon. J. Ballance, and agreed to.

Mr Tanner moved the Address-in- Reply, in doing so regretted that he could not speak to the motion, as ill-health prevented him from making any remarks on it.

Mr Rosb seconded the motion, and aaid he had been under the impression he would not have to make a long speech, as he expected the mover would have gone over all the ground in the usual way.

At the evening sitting, the debate on the Address-in- Reply was resumed by the Hon. J. Balance, who said that there was a good deal in the Speech of a suggestive character. He Bincerely hoped that after a short rest the Premier would be able to take his place among them fully restored to health. He deplored the absence in the Speech of any reference to the great labor question which was agitating the whole world. Toey were told that with regard to the setlement of land, the colony now possessed a choice of tenure, bun the present Minister had done his utmost to render the village settlement scheme unpopular. The large exodus of population was due to people being unable to obtain land for settlement, and tbe whole conduct of land administration was calculated to lead to dummy ism. Mr Ballancft, after further criticising the policy of the Government concluded by expressing regret that they were to waste their time this session doing nothing, and he thought that even now the Government ought to go to the country on their policy and obtain au expression of opinion on it.

The Hon. T. W. Hialop said that Mr Ballanoe had been miking au effort to speak to an audience outside the House. The settlement of the land had nothing to do with the number of poople who had left the colony, and the number who had taken up land under the present administration was greater than under that of Mr Ballanoe.

Sir G. Grey referred to the weariness and dreariness they had listened to that night, when euoh great questions required adjustment. He condemned the proposal that a dying Parliament should continue for another twelve months to be in existenoe, and thought tbafc the Governor should be urged to grant » dissolution without further loss of time. Why were not the Government themselves forward in this proposal, and go to tbe country at once ? This was

not opposing any Government or party. The question of the dissolution of Parliament was superior to party, and he thought the Government would be willing to accede to the request if the House made it. Referring to the land question, he thought there was little difference between the administration of the various political parties ; but one thing was certain, the people had been pillaged of their lands in a wrongful manner. He intended proposing an amendment at the proper time to the third paragraph iv the Governor's Speech, praying his Excellency to dissolve parliament withont delay and to cause writs to be issued for the election of a new Parliament.

After one or two other members had spoken the debate was adjourned until Tuesday.