HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10759, 12 September 1900, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITION FROM LADY VOGEL. A petition was presented on behalf of Lady Vogel claiming compensation for commission alleged to have been earned by her late husband in connection with the floating of the colony's loans in London. NEW BILLS. The PREMIER gave notice to introduce the Limitation of Workers' Hours Bill and the Representation Act Amendment Bill. FIRST READINGS. The Egmont National Park Bill and Post Office Bill were read a first time. THE ESTIMATES. The House went into Committee of Supply on tlie general estimates. Class 2, Colonial Secretary's Department, £98,414. Mr PIRANI desired the Premier to give some indication as to how far he intended to„go with the Estimates. He protested! against sitting till a protracted hour.

Mr WARD said he could not give a definite answer, but he hoped the House would co-operate in getting through a reasonable amount of business during the sitting. Mr SEDDON said that there was no intention to force tbe Estimates through, and he would be saiisfied with a reasonable amount of progress.

Mr T. MACKENZIE asked tbe intention of the Government regarding the promise that salaries that had been reduced in 1887. would be restored to the original amount. The PREMIER asserted that the salaries had been restored, and that he was unaware of any that had not been restored to the origiaal amount.

At the item, "Messengers and office keepers £4295," Mr J. HUTCHESON said he would protest against any messenger receiving such a small sum as 6s per day. The MINISTER replied that there were only two in receipt of such a smaE salary, and they were juniors. Electoral Department, £4850.

Mr BOLLARD protested about the careless manner in whioh some of the electoral rolls had been compiled, asserting that hundreds of people had been wrongfully struck off rolls in Auckland. Mr WARD replied, acknowledging that some of tbe officers had failed in their duty, but said that steps were being taken to prevent a recurrence of the failure to retain on the rolls the names of persons who had voted. Mr TANNER approved of the Government appointing agent- to place tbe names of voters on tbe roll, but could not congratulate the Government on the character of some of 'the men who had been selected for that purpose. Mr G. W. RUSSELL was inclined to think that a good many of the mistakes that were made by registrars were the result of ignorance of the law. He also contended that -the law should be more explicit on the question of defining an informalvoting paper. Mr WITHEFORD, referring to the adverse criticism of the Registrar in Auckland, said as far as he personally was concerned, he had no fault to find with that officer's performance of his duties.

Mr BOLLARD complained that the salaries of re-urning officers were too small. In reply to a question as to returning officers under the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act. Mr WARD said it was intended to introduce an amendment of the Act this session. Audit Office. £6242. Mr MEREDITH urged! that in view of defalcations that had lately taken place in financial institutions, a more careful and thorough system of audit should be observed with respect to public and local bodies' accounts.

Mr WARD said that the Audit Department had nothing whatever to do with the audit of the Bank of New Zealand books, and therefore could not be held responsible for the defalcations at Rangiora. Nothing could be urged against the Department, and if there, were any complaints aeainst individual officers, ifc was the duty of those interested to apprise the Department to that effect.

Mr PIRANT said it was impossible to guarantee ths honesty of any person. Unless there was a daily audit it would be impossible. He complained, however, that the Department was understaffed, and that complaints were rife amongst local bodies that not without unreasonable delay get their accounts audited. Agent-General's Department. £4600. In reply to Mr "Massey, Mr WARD said there was an addition of £250 to the Agent-General's salary, for the simple reason that the salary previously paid was not sufficient. As to his term of office, he had oricrinally bfen appointed for three years, which term had expired, and be now held the pr»sition from year to year.

At the item. £200. grant in aid of Swimming Association. Mr WARD, in reply to a question, said he would undertake to increase the amount if necessary, and the school committees who tauirht swi__o_ing would mrticipnte in the amount. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.