HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10361, 22 July 1896, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, July- 21. The Honae met at 2,30. THE CONSTITUTION. Mr Seddon gave notice to introduce the Constitution Act Amendment Bill, and said he would at the same time' move to withdraw the Legislative Council Act Amendment Bill at present on the Otder Paper. INTEREST CHARGES. In reply to Major Steward, who asked whether the Government Life Insurance Department could not reduce the rate of interest upon advances on policies to 5 per cent, which was the amount charged by the A.M.P. Society, Mr Seddon said the matter would have the careful consideration of the department. He pointed out, however, that the A.M. P. had not made, by any means, the reduction mentioned by the bon. gentleman, as the rate of interest had been brought down by the Advances to Settlers Aoti. It was only right that the Insnrance Department should fall into line with the reduction, and he would see to what extent a modification oonld be made. A MINT. Replying to Mr Millar, who asked for the establishment of s mint In the colony, Mr Seddon said when the Government ticelved the necessary authority from Parliament he would be prepared to carry the proposal into effect. To have a mint in the colony would establish a very costly department of State. A time might come when it would be necessnry to establish a mint, and when that time arrived the matter wonld be taken into consideration. OTHER QUESTIONS. Replying to farther questions it was stated— 1. That Indications of the existence of coal deposits on the Cheviot estate were not sufficient to warrant the Government incurring farther expense in prospeoting. 2. That complaints had been made to the Government as to the treatment of patients in the Sunnyside Asylum, Christcharoh, but they had been proved to be groundless. Other charges were being investigated by the proper authorities. 3. That Mr C. C. Barron, late chief of the Hansard staff, was not entitled to a pension, and it was questionable whether he was entlt'ed to the compensation received by ordinary Civil servants. However, under the circumstances tbe Government WBB prepared to give Mr Barron compensatlon,'bnt conld not grant him a pension. < THE LATE MR PHARAZYN. Mr Seddon moved that the Honse adjourn nntil 7.30 as a mark of respect to tbe memory of the late Hon. Robert Fharezyn, M.L.C, whom be said had been a worthy colonist. He referred to tbe friendship that had exhted between Mr Pharazyn and Mr Ballanco, and although he (Mr Seddon) did not always agree with Mr Pharczf n'B political notion?, be recognised that he acted from conscientious motives Captain Russell seconded the motion. The late Mr Pharazyn had passed away without having a single enemy in Parliament, and he (Captain Russell) thought how muoh members might do to make their lives in the Houbb happier if they would endeavor to cultivate feelings of friendship and not be so severe In their comments on one another. Messrs Duthie and Willis haviDg added their tribute of respect, the motion was agreed to, and the House roae at 3.30.