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Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 835, 18 July 1890, Page 5

« TUESDAY JULY 15. In the House of Representatives — After the division on Mr Ballance's amend men t — Hon. E. Mitchelson said that as there was a very evident desire on the part of the House for further retrenchment, that the Government would accept Mr Monk's motion and' take the decision of the House upon the matter. After some discussion, Mr Monk's motion to reduce the first' item by LI as ' an intimation that the Government should make a reduction of L 50,000 in the total waa put and carried by 43 votes to 7. Mr Seddon then wished to move a reduction of the 'first item by lO.s, as an indication that supply waa only to be granted for six months, but Captain Russell reminding him he would have as good an opportunity later on, he withdrew it. The vote was then agreeed to, and progress was reported. WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 In the Legislative Council— The debate ou the second reading of the Legislative Council Bill was resinned, and after a number of councillors had spoken the second reading was agreed to by 20 to 11, and the bill was ordered to be committed on Friday. The Coroner's Inquest Biil was considered in committee, and an addition inserted making it imperative on a publican where no court house exists, to provide accommodation for holding an inquest. — The bill was then reported with amendments. The Industrial Schools Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee, and reported with amendments.. In the House of Representatives — Replying to questions Ministers stated there was some difficulty over placing LlO,OOO on the Estimates as a bonus for the improvement of flax-dressing machinery but a committee would be set up to inquire into the matter. — The proi priety of. heating railway carriages for j long distance* in the, winter months would be brought under the notice of the railway commissioners. — No opportunity would be given to discuss the proposal to reduce the i railway commissioners' revenue estimates Iby L 50.000 ( from L1,080,q00 to Ll,030,000) so that the commissioners j may lower the rates on all colonial pro- • ducts, except to move in this direction when the estimates were being discussed, j — The Government would probably take | action before long to try to obtain treaties for reciprocal tariffs for colonial products with the legislative assemblies of Australia. — The Government did not think it desirable to introduce a clause into the Land Act Amendment- Bill to prevent deferred - payment landowners from continuing to defraud their creditors by the protection . afforded to holdings under that tenure. —An amendment of the Land Act would be brought in to give power to land boardsto. cancel or accept surrender of perpetual leases, and to issue now leases in their stead to former lessees or their assignees. — The cost of collecting the primage duty was nil, as it was done with the ordinary officers of the department.— -The. Govern-. I ment did not think sufficient cause had ■

been sliDwn to make the honorarium for the future in both branches of the legislature, annual instead of sessional. —lt did not seem desirable to postpone further land sales until measures had been devised to prevent dummyism, as the whole question was now before the waste lands committee. — The present position of the Colony would not warraut any concession such as a remission of duty upon colonialmade spirits, so as to encourage the consumpti .n of grain now almost unsaleable in the Colony. — The Government had put on the Estimates towards the foundation of a Working Men's College and Technical Institute atJDunedin on the understanding that they were properly equipped, If similar arrangements could be made with the other three cities they had objection to give a similar amount. — Commissioner Edwards had received L 491, which had been paid out of the unauthorised expenditure. — The Government would endeavour to get the railway commissioners to restore all the privileges formerly granted to religious bodies and friendly societies when travelling to attend meetings, by allowing them first-class at secondclass fares. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Mining Act Amendment Bill, explaining that one of the principal objects of the measure was to clearly define mining partnerships, and provide that such partnerships need not be formed on an express agreement, and that each party should have a lien on partnership property for the amount of "debts duo to creditors. Hon. Mr Forcjus said he did not intend to oppose the bill as he agreed with several of its provisions. Mr Seddon was asking a great deal, however, in asking for tho second reading at once as the bill had only just been circulated. Second reading agreed to. Sir John Hall called attention to what he considered a breach of the privileges of the House, the Evening Press having published a report which was simply a gross misrepresentation of the proceedings of the select committee sitting to investigate Mr Hutchison's charges against the Government. The Speaker suggested that, as no motion had been made, the House should not waste any further time over the matter. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Auctioneers' Bill to regulate the licensing of auctioneer?. Hon. Capt. Russell replying to Mr Seddon, said he could not, without consulting his colleagues, say whether or hot the Government would take up the bill. Motion for second reading agreed to on the voices.