Late Political.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5631, 16 September 1889, Page 3

Late Political.

|I'i.OJIOL'B PABIJAMIiNTAEY EErOEI'EB.J

[by 'lEi.KonAru.J

WiiLLinuTOX, This day

NATIVK LANDS SIiITLIiJIKST.

Tln-ro was only a mudoriito attendance of meiithorti lo -ivittisiiH the dosing suetio of the

session. Supply wsis iiitere.f.-ptefl by Mr L'anUa moving " That,in order to eneourago tho .•ottlcinent of native hinds by lease or otherwise, tho House is of opinion thnt tho duty yuynbh* on native hinds under Clause 17 of Ihu JSt.titnps Act AniniKlmout 'Hill, 18S.">, should bu reduced iVcun i'lo per rent. to .£") ; mid {!) that tho duty rMi.mid l>c paid utiniwlly in advance, iti.sti-iid oi in im.- sum as at present." Tho amendment was supported by the other native iiivinbers, and by the lender of the Opposition. Tl'.o ivgrrtled that liv could uoi .n.-i-rpt tho ainetidmwit, bfcause tlie ten per c-ont. upon tho proceeds of tho sales did not cover Mm cost to tho colony of ensuring a good and oit'futive title. There was something, lie

said, in. favor of reducing the duty of leases, and he would consider that matter during the recess. The amendment was lost by 28 to 22.

CAEKY-HG GOODS TO THE EXHIBITION,

The Premier informed the House this morning that the Railway Commissioners had written to the Government to the effect that in their opinion they were not absolutely justified by law in conveying exhibits to the Dunedin Exhibition practically for nothing, as had been done in all the other exhibitions, and they had asked the Government to mention the matter to Parliament. The Government did not think it was worth while to move a resolution, but ho (Sir Harry Atkinson) had thought it right to mention the matter, as he believed Parliament was anxious that goods should be carried very frequently. No adverse opinion being expressed, the Premier eaid that he would convey to the Commissioners the dosire of the House that the idea should be carried out.

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES

The-whole of tho supplementary estimates have been passed as printed, though some of th 9 items were unsuccessfully attacked. The long , standing- claim by the Otago Harbor Board against 'he Government for land taken some years ago for railway purposes has at length been settled, the vote having to-day passed for £4500 for that purpose.

KAILWAT EMPLOYEES , INSURANCE BILL,

In answer to tho Hon.E. Richardson, the Premier stated this morning , that it wae clearly intended by the Eailway Employes' Insurance Bill to make a deduction from employes' salaries for the purpose of creating an insurance fund. The scheme had been devised by the Railway Commissioners, and tho Government were in no way bound by it. Mr. Kerr said the railway employes' strongly objected to the proposal. The Premier said the Bill had been circulated in order to ascertain what the employes and the public; thought of it, and as he had already stated, tho Government were in no ;vay committed to it.

SINGING EOWi* TUB CUBTAIN,

The -House, on rising this afteuoon, formally adjourns for a fortnight, and in the meantime Parliament will be prorogued by proclamation in the Gazette.

surfacemen's wages,

Mr Mitchelson, in reply to Mr Hutchison said ho did not think the Railway Commissioners had any present intention of reducing the wages of surfacemen. If they wished to carry a Bill providing for an Insurance Board ho did not see how tho Commissioner oould propose any reduction.