PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7359, 11 July 1889, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

[TROH OUB SPKOIAi. COBRISPOKDKKT.] WELLDrGTON, July 10. The Goldfields Committee have passed a resolution that the Goldfields and Mines Committee be authorised to inquire into and report on the working of the schools of mines now established in various parts of the colony, also to report generally on the best means whereby the mining industry of the colony may be fostered and encouraged. A large number of Bills were circulated for the first time to-day. Among them were Sir George Grey's Limitation of Votes, Election of Governor, Law Bractitioners, Contagious Diseases Act Repeal, and Special Settlers' Belief Bills. The la* t provides for fixing of a permanent rental* securing of freehold tenure and permitting of sub-letting and sub-dividing of special settlers' holdings. The others are-* Mp Joyce's Shop Hours Bill, Mr Duncan's Dog Registration Amendment Bill, Mr T. Mackenzie's Californian Thistle Bill, and Mr Monk's Devonport Cemetery Bill. The first of all these Bills have been published before, most of them last session, so $ $_;ed not waste space in recapitulation. , The discussion on Mr Duncan's motion in favor of starting distilleries in the . colony occupied a considerable time this afternoon, but there was nothing part ticularly noteworthy about it. The chief point brought ont by the debate was thai parties were very evenly divided on the question. Mr Marchant gave notice to-day to ask the Premier (1) whether the Government have had.under consideration the report rgnd recommendations of the Departmental appointed to inquire into tuberin tb.B United Kingdom; (») whither they are aware of the reported ex____uce to a sa_all extent of that disease in this country; (3) whether they will ask Parliament for the necessary'powers to compel the destruction of cattle affected with tuberculosis, tumors, cancer, and similar diseases, which render them dangerous for human food. - ->-** Major Steward intends to ask the Minister of Lands whether, having made enquiry as promised, he is now able definitely to inform this House as to whether the Crown Lands Board or other, authority is competent to grant licenses to. prospect fo*r -minerals over pastoral lands under* Jffiir* toral leases, and whether such licences can be granted over lands included within the areas in Canterbury recently leased for _6xed terms, or from ten to twenty years. ■: The .Goldfields and Mining Committee to-day passed a resolution to the effect that the Government be requested (1) to bring down at an early date a measure local authoritiea in, mining .districts to expend money.out of ;theit funds in procuring mineral exhibits, ids the Dunedin Exhibition, or for any oth« exhibitions of' importance; also (2) tic make suitable provision for the Department furnishing representative exhibita in mineralogy, geology, and. mining pp the Dunedin Exhibition. : ,« -~ : The member for Wc<>d ville is *"_iring the Goverr-tnent to bring in a Bill to -for the making of the railway line between Eketahup* and Woodville on ■ mn—bir terms to those proposed in co_mectro&;with the Otago Central Railway. "". ; V r); !,'! ~, -The Petitions Committee reported to-day 1 on the petition of Charles" O'BlelJy.rOf Christchurch, for compensation on account of loss- of office. The Committee are of opinion' that petitioner has no claitb agaihst'the colony. ".' A ifestive iheeting of the Youn^ Zealand hel-f to^dssy. ;'';', ; ";;, [v m o* oxra oonnxßvotCDnKT.J WELLINGTON, July 10, -' Mr Moss* is anxious to institute a new departure in colonS&i records by publishing in book form the detailed returns of each •ye*.*eexpend'ture'aals done by the United States Government, which annually Issues -a bulky -volume' showing every iteto. He ■moved-a'resolution to-that effect to-day. The Premier displayed a big book of BOG ■pages, which he said would have to be Wnte-- if the resolution were agreed to. at t_:CQ!"t ot aome £3000, and some month** IgaMy. i_% thought? the publlcatton of the proposed book would be useless, because nobody would read it, and he offered to place the departmental records conveniently at the disposal of members to -enable them to ferret out any misdeeds on the part of Government. After some further discussion, the Speaker discovered that he had inadvertently siren tbe matter precedence over unopposed motions. He interrupted the debate which waa not afterwards resumed. The scope of the inquiry by the proposed Sweating Commission will be extended by the Government-sO as to include the case of shop girls. '-.v.. - -.-■''-"■■• A reduction of'thb feds for the registration of letters destined for delivery both -within and beyond Che colony has been decided upon by the Government, and Will Bhorfcly'be'proposed in the House. Mr Barron' says that in his ten yean experience in tne House be • haa' never known a - member's speech to alter a vote. 4 Mr Joyce has given notice of a Bill ta "provide -tor the representation' 61 seamen. .•■>■■ : ■■ " ' '"' " Government are having.prepared comparative tables showing what amount of revenue would be derived from a land and income tax and the present return fro_a - MrPyke says the Roman CathoHce.-re-gard the present State schools as atheistical, communistic, and altogether* infidel.. :.:., . -, , . ■„■.*/, ro-il Seeing that Government have promised to aid the iron industry,) Mr Cadman wants them to offer eome|reward for improvements in flax dressing machines. ~ After the Premier had spoken in l&vp* of the Private Schools Bill the; De&nce Minister, who opposed it, said he regretted hearing hia colleague in ;f«vor of denominational education, as those who hold such a view were clearly opposed to a maintenance of the present free, secular and compulsory education. Amid cheers, the hon. xentlemaa proudly declared that the bulk of the Government would have no interference with the education system. .. _ Inquiries are being mode, on behalf of Government, into the circumstances under which females and youths are employed JOB the colony. The, Premier promised Mr Joyce to-day that if the state of affairs turned out to be as bad as the hon. gentleman represented, he would be prepared to legislate on the subject next session. Mr Perceval is to ask the Minister of Education whether, in the event of reading books being jnrinted. tp .the colony for use in the,public schools, and approved by the Department, he would specially recommend Education Boards to adopt them. This question-has reference to the " Southern Cross- Reader*" (first, second, and third standard*), written to meet the requirement* .of the New Zealand education code, ,and published by Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, of Christchurch. The work is specially designed to bring the minds of the young into more direct contact with the ficta of life and of nature as experienced in. tbjs colony; and trees, animals, and birds of 'Uew Zealand are dealt with. Mr Anderson wants to know:whether the Government will adopt Professor Long's suggestion, and import one or two "dairy expert*."-.-Jox the j>mrpose of instructing colonial dairymen in .tne beß--methods of making butter and cheese for A Municipal Corporations A-nendment Bill is being introduced by Mr Perceval, with a view to repealing that part of the _Act which prevents Cosroationa- erecting -rn-sworks where Gas Companies already bxist, witfaoat first getting a special Aot.