ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 64, 14 September 1881, Page 2

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

The '" Honorarium Scandal" again occupied a gooJ deal of attention in tho Upper House yesterday. Colonel Brett moved a tormal resulu'ion to the effect that tho matter be taken into consideration. Mr Wood then statod that, on the advice of several friends, ho had paid the money to Mr. Reeve 3, a'though he still declared ho never considered that he made tho bargain. Having expressed his sorrow that he had foolishly entered into the transaction in any shape, Mr. Wood withdrew, so that the matter might be discussed in h'B absence. Colonel Brett said he had no ill-feeling to Mr. Wood, but merely wished to vindicate tho honour of the Council. He moved that Mr. Wood be called on to apologise to the Council. Mr. Wilson moved, as an amendment, that Mr. Wood was deserving of the grave censure of the Council. As Mr. Campbell was absent, they could take no action in regard to that gentleman. Mr. Miller thought it" Mr. Campbell were present they might have a different explanation. Ho believed that Mr. Campbell treated the matter as a joke, but, being pressed, paid tho money afterwards, rather than have any bother. Mr. Robinson thought both gentleman were equally culpable, but that Mr. Campbell had sufficiently punished himself by paying Mr. Reeves, and had left tho whole of the money ia the Treasury. Mr. P. Buckley thought too much had been made of the matter. (Hear, hear.) Captain Frasor eaid if any officer in a regiment had acted as Mr. Wood, he would have been drummed out; if a member of a club, he would have been expelled ; and if a bettingman he would have been kicked out of the ring. Colonel Brett's motion was negatived, and after some further discussion, the matter was, on the suggestion of the AttornoyGeneral, adjourned till next day. A quantity of formal business was then transacted. Tho amendments by the Lower House in tha Public Domains Bill were agreed to. The Representation Bill was passei through committee without amendment, read a third time and passed. The Masterton and Greytown Lands Management Act 1871 Amendment Bill was also read a third time and passed. The Council adjourned at 915 p.m. In the House yesterday afternoon, in reply to Sir George Grey, the Colonial Secretiry said the Government would consider the question of offering a bounty of so much per head for the first 50 ostriches introduced int i New Zealand for the purpose of encouraging ostrich farming. In answer to a further question put by Sir George, Mr. Dick said it was not proposed to put a sum on the Estimates for a University College at Wellington, though there would bo a grant for suoh a college at Auckland. In answer to Major Harris, the Premier said there had been another letter received from Sir Julius Vogel, which he had not had time to consider or reply to. On the motion for going into committee to consider the report of the Select Committee on a direct steam service with Great Britain, Mr. Macandrew said that the only question was one of cost. On the proposed basis the sorvico would not cost the colony more than .£60,000, and deducting the postal service it would not exceed half that Hum. The meat-freezing process had opened up improved prospects, and ho saw no reason why that process should not be applied to potatoes, in which case a largo export trade might bo done in that articlo alone. He argued that there was no time to be lost, as it would take at least two years to establish the line. Mr. Johnston considered the proposal premature. The 'Frisco service did not expire till 1883, and it woud be time enough to consider tho subject then, or when it was about to expire. Tho enquiries of the Government Bhowod that j280,000 was required for a much emaller service than was proposed by tho report. Further enquiries would be instituted, and by the time Parliament again met they would be in possession of all information procurable on the Bubject. 'Iho House then went into committee on the report, when Mr. Macandrew moved its adoption. Mr. Wood, as an amendment, moved a resolution to the effect that the Government should make further enquiries during the recess, and report to the House next session. This was agreed to. On tho motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. Bryce moved his motion for a reduction in the Estimates of J23'},000. He denied the truth ®f an outside rumour that his resolution had been instigated by the Government, and said ho did not know at that moment whether the Government intended to accept it or not. He expressed a&toniahment at the desire of many members to withdraw from tho economy which had been entered upon. He did not consider the circumstances of the colony warranted a departuro from the policy of retrenchment, and he was fully convinced the Estimates could be reduced .£30,000 without in any way imparing tho efficiency of the Service. He believed tho time was coming when they would have to face the retrenchment question even iv a more earnest manner than they had done as yet. Mr. Gibbs seconded the motion, and spoke in favour of retrenchment. In the evening Major Atkinson announced that the Government would accept the proposal of Air. Bryce to reduoe the Estimates by X 30.000. He would not pledge the Government to reduce them by that amount, but he would pledge them to do their utmost to reduce tho Estimates by that amount, and lie would be somewhat disappointed if the savings did not exoeed that sum. Mr. Bryce's motion was put and agreed to. Mr. Saunders next moved, "That it ia not dosirable to proceed with the Estimates until the House has passed tho Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill through all its stages." Tho Premier objected to this, but asked the hon. member to accept his assurance that tho bill would bo referred to a Select Committee. Mr. Saunders agreed to do co. Sir William Fox and Mr. Collins urged the passage of the bill at once. Mr. Oliver hoped the proposal of the Government would be accepted, and the bill referred to a committee. Mr. Montgomery believed that when the Estimates were passed members would go away. He therefore thought the bill ought to be considered at once. The amendment was negatived by 33 to 33. Tho House then went into committee on the Estimates, commencing with the Colonial Secretary's Department. On tho item, " Expenses under the Revision Act, 1879, .£800," Mr. Andrews proposed a reduction of JESOO. Mr. Stewart said it was a scandalous thing that this Bum Bhould be continued to be placed on the Estimates. It would take twenty years to do the work of revising the Statutes so long as payment was made. After an honr's discussion, the amendment was negatived, and the item passed. On the item, " West Coast Commission, JJ800," Mr. Moss questioned the action of the Commission, and asked for explanations. Sir Wiiliam Fox said the main expense was ocoaaioned by the necessity for organising a large special survey staff. He could not say how long it would take to complete the settlement of the question, but hoped he Bhould very nearly have completed it by the time the House met next year. So far as the work had progressed, it was satisfactory to himself. Up to the present time he had practically completed all the work in the district south of Oeo— about one-half of the whole work to be done ; and he had no fear of settling the other half satisfactorily. Mr. Rolleston said he, as Minister of Native Affairs, was responsible, and he was entirely satisfied with what Sir William Fox had done and was doing. The whele vote was passed unaltered. The next department taken was "Legislative, .£35,400 5s lOd." After much debate the item " Bellamy's, J8125," was struck out, and the vote passed as amended. "Class VII. , Commissioner of Stamps, and the votes " Public Trust Offices. .£1640," "Arrears of Survey, and Government Insurance, .£20,231," were passed undisputed. Mr. Hutchison expressed an opinion that there was a general feeling that this branch of the public service was not satisfactorily managed. He referred to a letter ho had received from a widow, complaining that Mr. Luckie had prevented her from obtaining the full amount of insurance due until he saw how to Battle portion of it on the children. Mr. Stewart defended the action of Mr. Luckie, and said he had acted rightly in keeping within the law. "Class IV., Minister of Justice, £112,751." was passed, »nd at 3 10 progress was reported. The Premier preised for an 11 o'clock sitting again, and 2o mimres were wasted in discussing it. A division wa* taken, and the motion lost. The House then adjourned at 3 30 till 2.30 p.m.