PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 139, 20 December 1887, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

From our Special Correspondent.

BY TELEGRAPH. Wellington, Doc. 19. A largo deputation of members of the House of Representatives to-day waited upon the Attorney-General, to ask the position ho tooß up in regard to tiro Otago Central Railway Bill. Tho At-torney-Ooiieral stated that he had been opposed to the construction of railways under tho land grant system, but ho hud changed bis views on that subject, because ho says, tlio country cuv'il not ;o on borrowing for such purposes, and he considered that the Otago Central Railway had a special claim for consideration, seeing that a large majority of tho House was in favor of having it made. li tho supporters of the Bid would refrain from pressing it in the Council this session, lie would, during the recess, prepare a contract und submit to the friends and of the bill, and on its being mutually agreed to a bill would bo brought on next session to validate tho t tract. Tho reason he desired delay was that he had not bad time to make himself fully acquainted with the mreumstanoes of the ca'o, and ho wished to avoid the serious muddles which had befallen the Alid'ind Railway Scheme. Mr Pyko accepted tho proposals of the Attorney General, and tho bill will bo introduced into tlie Legislative Council next Session. NO MOKE PARTIES. Por some time past Major Steward and Dr Hodgkinsun have been endeavoring to work up a movement in favor of making nn alteration in tho present system of party polities to something after the American style. As a result meeting held this morning, at which there were 21 members present., 8 were ascuuuted for to discuss the subject, and a scries of resolutions were passed to tlie effect that it was desirable to adopt some scheme whereby tho admitted evils of the present system of party Government und party procedure may bo remedied. A committee comprising Major Steward, Dr Hogkinson and Mr Tanner were appointed to draw up proposals, to be submitted next session, and it was agreed .that during recess all tlie members present should bring the matter before their constituents. Major

Steward lias also given notice to move a series ul resolutions oil g'oing into committee of supply, which will probably never be discussed, but they will have the effect of drawing pub l: o attention to tho question. THE EDUCATION UUESTION. Tlie Minister of education to-day made a statement in tlio House as to the result of the proposed savings by Government — Raising the school age would, be stated,

have the effect of saving £2G,UOO ; reduction of the capitation to £8 15s would cause less expend ’tore by £IO,OOO, and substitution of actual for working average £BOOO. it was also estimated that another £BOOO could be saved by abolition of tho vote for normal schools. INFORMATION WANTED. Major Atkinson gave notice this morning to ask tho Defence Minister if it is true that the Defence Department purchased 50 copies of Mr Gudgeon’s book of “Now Zealand Heroes ” out of tho reserve fund of the Police and Defence Fund, which fund iv formed by fines inflicted on the members of the force ; if so what was the cost of the books ; were tlie ownors of the fund consulted before expending such a large amount on a work that is not considered remarkable for its accuracy ; and bow were the copies distributed. OETT'NG HOME. It is expected that there will bo allnight sittings now t : ll tho House prorogues, and members arc quite prepared t> join in the old refrain “We won’t go homo till morning.” Ft - ' 1 provision for taking fresh subjects for debate at any hour of sitting aro now requested, and Major Atkinson moved this morning that Stunding Order 51, relating to prevention of new business be’ ig introduced after 12.80 a.m. bo suspended for the rest of tho session, with the exception as regards bringing forward of the following Government business : Public Revenues Bill, Native Land Administration Bill, Land Bill, Loan Bi", and Naval Defences Bill. This was agreed to, the Premier also iridortakhig, at the request of Sir Julius Vogel, to except discussion on Sail Francisco Service, and Land Boards. Tho diHiue'ties which havo arisen between the House of Representatives and tlie Legislative Council in regard to the amendment made in the Land Bill by the Council are now in a fair way to settlement so far us preliminaries uru concerned. When the amendments made by the Council camo before ’lie House to-day the Minister of Lands moved to the elfcct that the House d’sagree with the amendments, t that a Committee of Managers he appointed to draw up reasons for such disagreement. Reasons were in due course sot forth and prised on to the Council when a similar course to that adopted by the Wu:‘ iter of Lands in the Lower House was prop os d by Mr Stovons ; in other words, two Mi) 'sters took up diametrically opposite courses on this most important Government measure. Managers were appointed, and a conference will be hold later on. LOAN DILL. I understand from Mr M‘Arthur that it is liis intention to move in Committee on the Loan Bill a new clause which will have tho elfcct of preventing any further borrow Tig for fivo years. EDUCATION VOTE. ’ The whole of this ovcniug’s sitting was occupied with the debate in supply on the Education vote, which was a rather desultory affair. Jn the early part of the debate, Mr Fisher announced that as the result of communications between the Government and various members they

Lad been assured that if the school aye t wero reduced other proposals would not bo opposed, but negotiations lmd fallen through. Later on W. P. Ticeves moved to reduce the vote (£300,024) by £;). The wliolo education*-system came under review during the debat \ and suggestions were made by the different members, amongst others being one by Mr Wilson to hare a council of educated men to manage the educational affairs throughout the colony. The debate was still proceeding tit/it 'duibh't, and is likely to last till a late hour.