PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7132, 31 July 1888, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(By Telegraph.] [feom oub special CORRESPOND ent.] WELLINGTON, July 30. On the House assembling this afternoon Mr Valentine gave notice to ask the Premier if he would consult the other colonies with reference to the survey of the Pacific cable route, with a view to combined action towards getting the Imperial authorities to put on another vessel for the important work.

Dr. Fitchett gave notice to ask the Colonial Treasurer if he would protect local labor by imposing an export duty on kauri timber.

Mr Fish laid before the Government for consideration a proposal that telegraph messengers be allowed a fortnight's holiday in each year.

The Disorderly Houses Suppression Bill was introduced by the Minister for Justice and read through first. The Premier notified that he will tomorrow bring in a Bill to amend the Harbors Act.

The delivery of the Public "Works Statement has been rendered uncertain by the course of events brought about through the Otago Central Railway trouble. However, if that matter is __posed of in a way that leaves things as they were in regard to that line, and does not involve any recasting the Public Works proposals, there is no reason why the Statement should not be brought down at once, as it is quite ready for delivery. As you will see by the Parliamentary report the Otago Central question was postponed until to-morrow evening, after a sharp skirmish, and then the Fair Bent Bill was taken in hand and finally disposed of, it being deemed inadvisable to take up Native Bills, and face another stonewalling until the other vexed questions should have been decided out of the way.

As matters now stand, it appears hopeless to look for the session closing earlier than the end of August, even if the bulk of the Government measures are dropped. The Estimates have scarcely been touched. The Public Works Statement and Estimates have yet to come on, and several very awkward Bills declared to be urgent have also to be dealt with. This is more than a month's work at the ordinary rate of progress. There arei now no fewer than eighty-four Bills on the Order Paper of the Lower House, irrespective of those before the Council and already passed. A new local grievance will be brought before Parliament in a day or two. It is that local bodies communicating with Government officers on public business are required to stamp their letters. A town g ievance is also to come up, this being the alleged practice of making excessive charges for delivering telegrams to persons in Boroughs residing over a mile from the Telegraph offices. A movement is on foot to get these charges reduced.

Inquiries are being made as to what engineer laid off the railway from Dunedin to Waitati, especially the famous portion round the Blueskin Cliff, and also who laid off the Otago Central line from Wingatui to Middlflinai'—.

Cc >>t,r igirsren notice -to sts—: "tlie erection of the x-a.toTb.lt paroof fence a/b -fclxe

puLlLe-penseO^MMfiiHilll

"Waitaki district; what was the total cost of the fencing referred to ; and how it is proposed to recoup tha public purse such outlay.

(.FROM OTm CORRESPONDENT.]

■WELLINGTON, July 30. The Premier intends to introduce tomorrow a Bill to amend the Harbors Act. It is understood that the measure is intended to meet the difficulties which have arisen in connection with the Waitara and New Plymouth Harbor administration. It is not intended to legislate in connection with the Westport and Greymouth Harbor Boards this session.

It has now been ascertained that the total amount of pensions payable to persons who have not yet commenced to claim their pensions is J. 9082 15s. When these are provided for one great obstacle to retrenchment will be removed.

Following are the details of the caucus this afternoon :—Dr. Fitchett moved, and Mr Bruce seconded —"That the line be constructed by Government to a terminus to be hereafter agreed to, funds to be furnished from rents and sales of Crown lands in the district." Mr W. P. Eeeves moved, and Dr. Hodgkinson seconded, as an amendment —" That this meeting will continue to support the Bill introduced by Mr Pyke, subject to such modifications as may be agreed to by a majority of the Bill's supporters." The amendment was put and carried, only four dissenting. It was then put as a substantive motion, and carried unanimously. Dr. Fitchett stated that as the meeting had determined against the con struction of the line by Government, he would stand by the Bill, as the only possible alternative.

The four Native members held a meeting this forenoon and decided to stonewall all Native Bills.to the bitter end, unless the taxation clause is struck out of the Native Land Bill. .

Another stonewall is threatened, and the West Coast goldfields members declare their intention of resisting the repeal of the Crown and Native Lands Eating Act.

A roar was raised in the House by Mr Taylor giving notice that he would ask the Government whether they will introduce a Bill substituting death by electricity in place of death by hanging.