VOTING_MONEY GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 53, 30 August 1913, Page 9

VOTING_MONEY GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY

WHISKY AND HANSARD. For the first time this season the House went into Committee of Supply for consideration of the Estimates, xhe debate lasted until well in the morning, and covered a considerable variety of subjects. The chief subject under review was the railway policy of the Government, which is dealt with under a separte heading, when the House first went into Committee of Supply. Mr. Russell asked questions as to the appointment of a messenger in the Public Library, who was to receive £190. He had nothing against the officer, who was capable and courteous, but was any chance given other Civil servants for promotion? There 1 were young university men in the Public Service who would have been glad of the opportunity to apply for such a position. i The Minister (Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) explained that' owing to misdemeanour by a, messenger, some time since, there was a sudden vacancy. _ The Chief Librarian recommended this particular man for the vacancy, and he was appointed. Mr. Fisher added that the salary of the officer in question was really only £175. Mr. J. V. Brown discoursed about Bellamy's ( whisky. When a decanter was put in front of him, he liked to know what he was doing when he drank it. Mr. Payne : You don't know what you axe doing after. Mr. Brown added that a member should be entitled to have a choice of whiskies. Mr. Campbell agreed with Mr. Brown that members' whisky should be labelled, so that they would know what brands they were drinking. He warned members, however, to keep clear of .White Swan beer. This drew a goodnatured protest from the genial member for Napief. Mr. Forbes urged the Government to give an extra twenty-five copies of Hansard to members'. Great interest was taken in Hansard by country electors, and he thought that his request should be favourably considered. Chaffed on the subject, th© member for Huntnui/ keeping a straight face, indicated the possibility of Hansard .becoming a classic. Failing that it would certainly serve as a study in good English ! He was supported by Mr. Veitch, whose chief argument was that if the Dominion happened to misrepresent the Hon. Minister of Customs, Mr. Forbes and he himaelf would eagerly desire that the country people should know that there had been misrepresentation. And then it was to be remembered that the Hon. Mr. Fisher's speeches were now much better than they had been in the past.— "Especially the ones he does not give" retorted the Minister. Other speakers supported the request. The Minister replied that he thought they were asking for an unusually liberal concession. As to the brands of whisky, tha* question, he contended, should not be discussed in the House. The dinner adjournment appeared to be welcomed by most members. Discussing the vote for the Parliamentary Library, Mr. Hindmarsh wanted to know why members of ParliaWnt took a. proprietary right in the institution. By what right did members of Parliament desire to keep the library for their own special benefit? He advocated what may b© termed collaboration With ( the Victoria "College and the Wellington City Council in order to effect an economical system of specialisation in respect of purchasing books. The Minister (Hon. Mr. Fisher) said he felt certain that he would voice the opinion of the House in saying no members agreed with Mr. Hindmarsh. The library was essentially a Parliamentary library. As to the suggested specialisation, the system would have no value if a member sent to Victoria College for a special book, and found it was lent out.- The Minister went on to explain that any reputable person in Wellington had access to the library during the recess. Me. O, M. Thomson said the proposal had already gone forward to the Minisi ter that the scientific library to be established in connection with the Do- • minion Museum should contain the scientific works now stored in the General Assembly Library but not easily accessible. Mr, Ell said there were in the Library & lafge number of valuable books which treated on scientific subjects, and should be put into a separate room, bo that they might form the nucleus of a national library. Tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher said that' every member of the House would be able to go' before the Science and Art Com* mittee and state what books he thought ought to 'be devoted to the National Library. The vote was passed unaltered. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.' The total vote for this Department was £66,648, as against £55,026 expended last year. Mr. G. W. Russell asked if the Gov« eminent proposed to go in for a system of advertising the National Provident Fund, which he regarded ac of extreme value to the country.— The Hon. J. Allen eaid that lecturers had been regularly employed in the country distriote, and that policy would be continued. Mr. Anderson urged that th© benefit© of the fund should not b<> restricted to persons in receipt of a salary of not over £200 a year. The Minister said that so far the Government had not considered the question of reviewing this legislation. The vote for the class passed unaltered. RAILWAYS DEPARTMENT. The Railways Department vote was pa*eed after a discussion (reported else•where), which lasted till 1.50 a.m.