PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 18 July 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Per Press Association

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Tuesday, July 17

The Legislative Council met at 2.80. DEFENCE RETURNS. Sir George Whitmore moved that there be laid on tho table a return of the numbers and distribution of the permanent force whom it is proposed to maintain for the harbor defences of the Colony. Ho moved for this return because lie thought the dcfenco vote had been primed to such an extout as to endanger tho safety of the Colony. The motion was agreed to. SECOND HEADING. The Industrial Schools’ Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. TRAM WAYS’ BILL. On tho motion of Mr Stevens, the amendments made by the House of Representatives in the Tramways J Act Amendment Biil were agreed to. The Council rose at 1 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 17. Tho House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that Government intended during recess to institute a thorough investigation into the whole of tho native sohool system, with a view to rendering those schools effective and economical; that an examination had already been made of the bottom of New Plymouth Harbor, and that any further examination was a matter for the Taranaki Harbor Board to consider; that it was not intended to call for tenders for the Middle-March section of the Otago Central Railway, but tenders would bo called for the bridges along tho line. FAIR KENT BILL. On the mo ion that tho House go into committee on the hair Rent Bill, Major Steward hoped that Government would adhere to the Bill as originally brought down, lie pointed out that by the amendments made by the Wa te Lands Committee no less than 800,010 acres in Otago, and 200,000 in Canterbury, had been withdrawn from the operation of tho bill. Messrs Valentine, Fish, Cowan and Seymour took the same view, and dissented from tlie amendments made by the Waste Lands Committee. A lengthy discussion then ensued on the attitude adopted by the Committee towards tho bill. Messrs Whyte and O’Callaghan defended tho action of the Committee, sayiu<r that the Committee were desirous of putting the bill in such a form as to have a reasonable chance of passing both Houses. After a further lengthy debate, Mr Hislop denied that the members of the Cabinet were opposed to the bill which was brought forward, because tho whole circumstances of the Colony required soino change in this direction. He said with the exception of some amendments he would propose in committee, ho would ask tho House to pass the bill as originally brought down by Government. PRIVILEGE. Mr Walker gave notice to move for a committee to enquire into the question of privilege connected with laying a letter from a Civil servant on the table of the House. The House rose at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The Committee resumed ah 7.80 on Fair Rent Bill, and after clause 2 was passed, progress was reported. MESSAGE FROM 1." ; GOVERNOR. A message was received from the Governor to the effect that 1: • had caused an amendment to be made in tho C toms Duties Bill by v.hrih electric uppi -rices and machinery were placed on tl J c roe List.

Replying to Dr Newman, the Prernici said there was no ambiguity as regards tinsmiths’ furniture, in every case power was given to free all articles use! in manufactories. COJIMIITEE OF SUPPLY. Mr Fish resumed the debate on the motion to go into Committee of Supply, strongly opposing any reduction in the wages of workmen. He would oppose the amendment of the member for Newton. The Premier rose to ask that the amendment be withdrawn on the grounds that Government bad shown every desire to do ail that was possible in the direction of retrenchment, and during lice recess

efforts would be made tof reduce tho expenditure to the lowest: possible sum. Should the amendment be'earried it would result in one of two courses —either a sweeping reduction in the wages of workmen. or a serious reduction in the education vote. Government thought tho House was not prepared to adopt the latter, ami Government would also do nothing without a specific vote of the jHouse. As regards workmen, he thought that no undue reductions should be made in wages, as Government should obtain the very best workmen and pay rather more thau the market rate: He asked Mr Withy to let the matter stand as at present, and accept the Governments assurance that they would effect every possible retrenchment. Dr llodgkinsou opposed tho amendment being withdrawn. Mr Withy asked leave to withdraw tho amendment, as the Premier had made such an explicit statement, and he was prepared to accept the assurance that Government would effect all possible reductions. The Speaker asked if tho withdrawal was opposed. Mr Levestam opposed it, and the Speaker ruled that the amendment, therefore, could not be withdrawn. Mr Kerr thought there was as much reason for reduciug tho wages of tho working man as other classes. Mr Bruce said that the amendment, if carried, would place Government in a humiliating position. It would be inadvisable for Government to deal with the reduction of tho wages of railway employees, and thequos- * tion should be left to be dealt with by th« * Railway Commissioner, tho appointment of which the House had sanctioned last session.

Mr Barron supported the amendment. Mr Ward opposed tho amendment, as it was simply pandering to agitation taking placo in some paits of the Colony. If tho amendment was carried it would be of a useless character.

Dr Newman opposed tho amendment, and considered it would bo quite easy to save LIOO,OOO without touching the already reduced salaries of Government employees. Mr Peacock favored tho withdrawal of the amendment.

Mr Smith opposed any reduction in wages while there had been increased taxation.

Mr Hutchison said the amendment had been framed to suit tho Government, but public opinion had been expressed so strongly against it that they had abandoned it. He said Mr Withy’s amendment had been submitted to and approved by tho Premier and Colonial-Secretary, lie denied this, and said Mr Withy simply submitted amendment to the Premier with a view of ascertaining how far lie could go without Government accepting his amendment as want of confidence as he had no wish to einbarras the Government.

Mr R. Thompson was of opinion that the time had arrived when wages must bo reduced, and ho was prepared to share tho responsibility. Dr Fitchett, as one of the Committee, while desirous of further economy, was not willing to see the wages touched. Mr Perceval said a false issue had been raised. The House ought hi carry tho amendment, and negative the idea of interfering with the wages by reorganisation. Large savings could still be mado. Mr Fitzherbert complained that retrenchment had been mado without discretion. Carpenters in the Government service had been reduced to a dead level of 9s per day, without regard to skill; the result was a general feeling of dissatisfaction.

On tho motion of Mr Foldwiok the debate was adjourned till to-morrow.

The House rose at 12.55 a.m