PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Press, Volume XXXV, Issue 4958, 4 July 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

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(FSOK OUB OWK COBBBSPOKDES^L) WELLINGTON, J&y 3. I hear thay&r Q, Grey cad 8ft r ja. M. O'Eorke denyl the "tenth o&glie rajiiwir, to which I recently aljoded, th.effto alfewpation had taken place bettejn, thenj3n s r<«ga?4!to the latter using the Speaker* rotift j for'mb purpose of a meeting <),fjpie A re 1 .UiVβ to a question of which this Tormer disapproved. I simply gave the report as it reaohed Bβ, from trustworthy eoorcef, and a* it was curreat in the Parliamentary buildings. I had no reason to distruit the accuracy or good faith of my informant. There were several versions as to the exact shape of the alleged dispute, but all agreed that an altercation tosk place. As a matter of course I was not present, and simply told the tale as it was to d to mo. In the Bill introduced by Sir George Grey, the preamble sets forth that cases still exiltin New Zealand where persons are required to take or subscribe an oath, and that it is expedient to extend the admission cf affirmations to all such cases. The Bill, therefore, proposes to enact that ia all cases where any person is now or may hereafter be required to take an oath, and ehftll object so to do, it shall be lawful for him or her to make his or her affirmation or declaration in the words " I do truly affirm and deolare," &c, which affirmation or declaration shall be of the same force and effeot as on oath, and every person required, authorised, or qualified by any Act or law in force in New Zealand or otherwise to take or administer suoh an oath shall permit and accept in lieu thereof this affirmation or declaration. The same penaltiee, forfeitures, and disabilities which are now in force and attaohed respectively to the neglect, refusal, and false or corrupt taking or subscribing an oath are to apply and attach in like manner in respect of the neglect, refusal, and false or corrupt making or subscribing of the proposed affirmation or declaration.

Mr Stewart is to move on Wednesday— " That a select committee be appointed to inquire into and report on the reductions and removals in the police force of the colony during the last twelve months, aueh committee to coneiet of Captain Oolbeck, Major Harris, Meesre Pitt, Hurst, Shrimeki and the mover."

Mr Weston is to ask the Premier on Tuesday whether the Government will bring down a Bill to enable them to assist companies prepared to construct or continue main lines of railway by concessions of land or otherwise, and if so when? I hear that the preparation of this important Bill is proceeding as rapidly as practicable, and that the measure will be ready for introduction quite as soon as the House is ready to deal with it. The Bill is being drafted by the Solicitor-General in consultation, I believe, with Mr Weston for Canterbury and. Mr Travers for Wellington, in order that they may be able to suggest provisions whioh experience has proved necessary to meet the requirements of their respective districts, those two being the only ones whioh have Bβ yet any projeot oE the extension of railway construction by private oompanies. The full report of Messrs Batkin and Seed on the reorganisation and retrenchment practicable in the Civil Service ie not now expected to be presented for another week or fortnight. It was hoped that it would be ready by to-day, co that it might be a sure guide in framing the preliminary estimates, but this proved impossible. I am authoritatively informed that there is no truth in the report which has been several times repeated in various shapes, to the effect that the Government have deoided to deduot 10 per cent, from all salaries above £200. It is quite true, I believe, that this proposal, which was strongly pressed in the House last session, did come before a Cabinet meeting recently, but nothing definite resulted. No decision was arrived at, and the matter, was postponed for further information to be available before any final determination should be come to.

It is now probable that the delivery of the Financial Statement will not take place on Tuesday aa arranged, but will be postponed till Wednesday oik Thursday. Major Atkinson is quite ready with his budget proper, but to make it complete, and in order to work out certain proposals he will make, he needs some departmental estimates whioh are not yet fully compiled. Every effort is being made to have them ready by Tuesday, but it is hardly likely that this can be done. If not, the statement will be deferred until they are complete, but, in any case, not later than Thursday. If it has to be delivered on the private members' night, the Government will give them Friday instead. I hear that the statement will be somewhat lengthy, going exhaustively into this colonial finances, end elaborately explaining the views of the Government respecting local government finance, about which so much has been heard lately. Directly after the delivery of the statement, Major Atkinson will introduce two out of the three Bills whioi embody Ministers Local Government policy. The second reading will be taken next day, when the Treasurer will embrsoe the opportunity of making a complete statement as to the policy of the Government on this queation.and an exhaustive explanation of the plan proposed. His financial statement and Local Government speeoh will probably each occupy nearly two hours. The third Local Government Bill will be brought down later. The reason for this plan will appear when the full explanation is ftivon.

The new Succession Duties Bill promised by the Treasurer is not yet distributed, but I am informed that it will be similar to that whioh last session was p&saed by the Lower House, but thrown out by the Council; that is to say, it will be similar in machinery (which is its ohief objeot). But the duties will be con* siderably lower, in fact much the same aa now, in the hope of removing the objections of the Council to the Bill.