PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7937, 10 August 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

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t-BOM.ODB SPECIAL COBRBSPONDKNT.] WELLINGTON, August 9.

I have Ministerial authority for stating that the Government do not intend to raise any difficulty about amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Employers' Liability Bill and Truck Bill. One or two of the changes made Ministers deem' regretable, but, on tbe other hand, there are one or two amendments which the Government admit to be distinct improvements. It may, therefore, be taken as certain, so my informant tells mc, that no conflict will arise on this subject between the two Houses of the Legislature.. I hear if the Payment of Members Bill goes through the Lower House it will probably be passed by the Legislative Council, but with an amendment striking out the provision for monthly payment of members' salaries. I am informed to-day, however, tliat the Government have received so many iutunations, by telegraph and otherwise, of the unpopularity of the proposal in the country that they are seriously considering the advisableness of dropping the Bill altogether towards the end of the session. It is freely rumored that Government will drop the Electoral Bill, Mining Bill, Coal Bill, Counties Bill, Criminal Code, and other measures, and, in fact,, that the only large measures which they will carry through are the Land and Income Assessment Bill, Land Bill, Conciliation and Factories BilL

Though only six or seven weeks of the session are yet to elapse, Mr Cadman hopes to be able to carry the Native Land Bill through. He sayß he does not want to make it a party measure. He wants a Bill to be passed which will be satisfactory to the Natives, but if obstruction is shown and the session delayed in consequence, it is likely that the measure will be dropped for tho present. Copies of the Bill are to be circulated amongst the Natives, and it will be considered by them. It has been asserted that it is viewed with universal disfavor by the Maoris, but this is a statement which must be received with caution ; it is too early yet to say what they think of the BilL

To-day Messrs W. Hutchison and Earnshaw interviewed Mr Seddon, and asked that a rule should be adopted in disposing of the police force so that the single young men should be sent into the cities for street duty, whilst country stations were placed under the charge of married men. Mr Seddon promised that in the future this system should be observed. lam informed by Mr Seddon that the Public Works Statement will not be brought down until the Taxation Bill has passed both Houses of the Legislature. Petitions iv favor of the Shop Hours Bill are being circulated in Wellington, and will, it is understood, be signed by about four thousand people. Several of the Auckland members have received numerous telegrams and letters from business men of Auckland, protesting against the proposal in the Land and Income Assessment Bill to make a difference in the rate of the tax upon incomes derived from trade and of that upon those derived from mortgages. A statement has been made that the Post and Telegraph Officials Classification Bill, read the second time the other night, is doomed and will not be proceeded with this session. I have the authority of the Post-master-General for saying that it is incorrect and that the Bill will go on. It is certain to pass too, for in the debate on the second reading it was supported by all those who spoke, and Mr Ward was warmly praised for having introduced it. The Committee appointed to consider the claims of naval and military settlers met on Saturday morning, and spent three hours ih a discussion on the subject. They will meet again on Monday morning, and are to present an interim report on Tuesday, so as to enable Government to go on with the Bill which is to settle the recommended claim-- The settlement of the claims of naval and military settlers is likely to prove a task of extraordinary difficulty. The "Post" says, with regard to tho case of Major Mair, that his discaissal, like that of several other officers more or less similarly situated, was a piece of heartless sharp practice, which no private employer would dare to venture on for fear of injuring his commercial character and reputation. The compensation which Major Mair received is called " miserable "by the "Post." It amounts to £1300.

(FROM OCT. CORRESPQKDKNT.) WELLINGTON, August a When he waa in Australia Sir G. Grey mat many men who had perfectly good

claims for grants of land for military ser vices in New Zealand. Ho says that thoy have had to leave this colony in despair of having their claims recognised and because they wanted work. As Mr Hutchison's amendment iv the Land-tnd Income Assessment Bill, providing for an increase of the tax oa absentees cannot be received in Committee unless by message from the Governor, the Premier states that a message will be brought down on Tuesday which will enable the amendment to be discussed.

If Friendly Societies are to be exempted from taxation, says Mr Buekland, so ought Temperance Societies, which are equally as good.

As in the Land and Incomo Assessment Bill, it is not quite clear that holders of pastoral leases from the Crown will be taxed, Mr Pinkerton intends to move an amendment providing for a tax on their incomes. It will, perhaps, be urged that this cannot be proposed in Committee, as it moans an increase of taxation, but Mr Pinkerton will agree that, it is only a motion further defining who shall be taxed, and lie will submit that it may be received in proper form on that ground. It lias been suggested by Mr Houston that -_.ovenmu.nt should set apart a room iv the Parliamentary Building, to enable members of the House to exhibit somo of the most important natural productions of their respective districts.

Mr Fisher wants Government to giv. facility before the session closes for the discussion of the Eight Hours Bill. The controversy between Mr Richardson and tho Colonial Treasurer as to the revenue returns is not yet ended. The member for Mataura has given notice to aak tho Colonial Treasurer if the quarterly return of the revenue and expenditure of the Consolidated Fund for the period ending 30th June, I___, and published in " (.azetto " No. 64, page 846, is correct, and if not, iv what particular is such return incorrect.

Mr Meredith is going to move— ** That considering tho great benefits derived fey the community generally, and by the farthing and pastoral industries (tho chief industries of tho country) in particular, from agricultural and pastoral allows held annually and periodically in the various centres of population and increased revenno to the Railway Department during the time such shows are held, the judges and tho.. persons in actual charge of live stock previously entered ns exhibits should b« given free passes ou the railways tc and from the bliowb."

The Govermnont aro 'invited by Mr Duthie to consider the existing quavantina regulations as affecting English steamers calling and inspected at any Australasian port, with a view to relax them iii accordance with the practice in Australia, which is to accept as sufficient the inspection by tho Health Officers at Adelaide or other first port. Tho Minister of Education is urged by Mr T. Mackenzie to recommend to the favorable consideration of the Lihrary Committee the propriety of granting facilities for extending the use of tho Parliamentary library to members of Parliament during the recess. ■■

Mr Seddon gave notice on Friday of ths Naval aud Military Settlers and Volunteer! Land Act Amendment Bill.

(PRESS association telkqram.) WELLINGTON, AugustA-. It is understood that the Governmen. will not proceed with the Civil Service Bill this session.