House of Representatives.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9825, 26 July 1900, Page 7

House of Representatives.

BELLAMY'S. ! The Speaker intimated that as a result of the poll taken amongst the members of both Houses of the Legislature as to whether or not alcoholic liquors should be sold within the precincts of the Parliamentary Buildings there was a majority of 54 in favor of the proposal. SUPPLY. Imprest Supply Bill No. 2, £520,000, was intioduced. Captain J&ussell complained that with the sum named the House would have passed by way of imprest £750,000, and he thought the Government should give the House some idea when the Financial Statement would be brought down. Although one-third of the financial year had passed the House knew nothing about the finances of the colony. Under such circumstances all other business should be postponed until the House has dealt with the finances of the colony.

Mr J. Allen complained of the waste of time in the Government not bringing important bills earlier in'the session, in stead of leaving them until the dying hours of the session.

Mr Herries took exception that of the amount voted last year for roads and bridges, only about one-third had actually been expende-. He hoped the new Ministers would see in future that moneys voted by Parliament were expended within the financial year. Mr W. Eraser blamed the Government for not bringing down the longpromised aud much-needed local government bills.

Mr Pi rani wished to know the intention of the Government with respect to the million loan authorised last year, and which had not yet beien floated. On the motion for the third reading of the bill Mr Seddon snid that members were only voting that day on expendi ture authorised by the House last year. The principal instalment of the Local Government Bills had already been before the House, in the shape of the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment, and others were ready for introduction, but he did not wish to feed the Opposition too fast. As to bringing down the Financial Statement, he first wished passed a number of bills for submission to the Upper House. Members of the House already possessed information regarding the finances of the country as published iv the Gazette. As to the proposals of the Government, he was satis- '■ tied that they would be of such a nature as to prove acceptable to the House. He contended that legislation was very forward this session, and hoped to see both local bodies bills passed before the session ended. The bill passed all stages. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions Ministers said:— That r. gard to a higher rate of pay to casual hands in railway sheds for work they had to perform outside 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., they were in sympathy with any employes not in receipt of sufficient wages for services rendered, and would make enquiries into the matter. That it was a matter for the Education Department the question of issuing free passes on the railway to teachers while attending classes of instruction in drill. That amendments would be made in the Land Act to enable village settlers to acquii c adjoining holdings. That the matter of giving a local body £1 for £1 subsidy for the purpose of forming bicycle tracks on any existing road would be considered.

That the Government had not been asked for compensation by Mr Grey, Hansard reporter, for loss ot office, but the doctrine that an officer of the House could be guilty of insubordination and then ask for compensation was not sound or in the interest and efficiency of the public service. That volunteer corps were supplied with small arms in order of priority of applications. financial return. On the motion of Mr Allen for a return showing the moneys raised by loan or debentui es since March, 1899, the Premier objected, as it would prematurely disclose the financial affairs of the colony, and moved the adjournment, of the debate, which was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. SECOND HEADINGS. The School Attendance, Aboli'ion of Capital Punishment and Impounding Act Amendment Bills were read a second time. IN COMMITTEE. The House weut into committee on the Absolute Majority Vote Bill (Mr McNab). Captain Russell moved that progress be reported, and asked leave to sit acrain.— Carried by 22 to 18. °The House roae at 12.10 a.m.