PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7658, 8 June 1886, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

(BT. TELECRAPtt— OWN CORUEdPOKDKKT.] Wellington, Monday., AN OFF-DAY. , This is the first non-sitting day since the session commenced upon which Wellington has been favoured with fine weather. As a consequence Parliament Buildings have been "almost deserted since the morning. With the exception of a few loiterers along Lambton Quay or on the wharf there is not a member to be seen. COMMITTEES. The Public Accounts Committee held a formal meeting this morning, at which Mr. Mobs, the member for Parnell, was elected chairman. The Goldfields Committee also had a formal meeting this morning, when Colonel Frasor, member for the Thames, wsb elected chairman. Mr. Vaile'a committee will hold its first sitting tomorrow. THE SESSION. Nearly every member I meet is speculating upon a short session. Those members who take possible diversions of political interest into account think they will be at home about the first week in August, but this brings the duration of the session very near to the normal period of thr«e months. The more sanguine expect to be in their homes before thu end of July. I am of opinion that the session is as likely to last a week over three mout*..i as to be concluded a week sooner. HONORARIUM. The Hon. Mr. Wilson is to move in the Legislative Couucil, " That, in the present condition of the colony, the members of both Bouses of • the Legislature should be invited to accept half of the usual honorarium." He is evidently in earnest on tho subject, although he can hardly oxpeat that his motion will be carried, but he says he will give hon. gentlemen of the Upper House and hou. members of tho Lower House an opportunity of making a sacrifice upon the altar of their country. Retrenchment, unlike charity, does not begin at home. THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. The motion of the Hon. Dr. Menzies, in favour of having the Bible read in schools, •' without note or comment," is also down on the order paper of the Upper House for tomorrow. 1 do not think it is likely to be carried. I am told that a similar motion will shortly be tabled in the Lower House. It will have no chance. EDUCATION.

A voice is beginning to be raised on both aides of the House as to the cost of education. In most of the retrenchment speeches we hear this subject is referred to with minatory impatience. It is believed that on this question the present Government is perfectly sound. At all events the Premier has sufficient strength of character and purpose to render any objurgation or remonstrance against the existing system nugatory. He has more than once avowed, himself the defender of free, secular, and compulsory education by the State. With him there is no room for compromise-. The whole system must be overthrown against his will, or it must remain as it is so long as he is Premier and Minister of Education. REDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS. Any further news I am able to send you on this subject rather confirms what I have already wired to you—viz., that the subject would be dealt with if possible either in an extraordinary session during the present triennial period, or that a "Continuance Bill " will be brought into prolong the Parliament for another year or part of a year. The latter proposal was discussed during the recess, and, I believe, found favour with the most influential members of the Cabinet. The former proposition has come to the front during the present session, and may probably be a contrivance "to stay proceedings." I know that members are getting impatient, specially the Northern members, and that some eagerness has been manifested to get information on the subfeet. The Registrar-General declines any information until the results are laid before Parliament. Ministers decline to give any information on the subject because they say the papere are now ready. Some politicians say that those members who are " weak ' in the estimation of their constituencies have no desire to hasten an issue which will deprive them of their seats, and that the Ministry will find themselves supported by this section of the House when endeavouring to obtain the decision of Parliament on this subject, The present impression that the session will close in six weeks excludes the probability of the "redistribution of seats " being considered and disposed of in this session.

LAW REFORMS. The Minister of Justice hat announced his intention to bring in his Criminal Code Bill, his Prisoners First Offence Probation Bill, and to proceed with his Supreme Court Shorthand Writers Bill. The first of these measures indicates its scope and character in its title. The second is an extension of clemency to those foolish young men who are tempted to commit a criminal act under some pressure that makes the act fall short of being accompanied by a felonious intent. THE MAORI TAIARA. This symbol of Maori war and murderous usage, which had been placed in the General Assembly library, has been ca*t out, and will probably find a place among the dark archives of the Native Office, instead of a glass case before the portrait of Tawhiao, where members assemble to read or study. At all events the Library Committee will have none of it. It was not, I presume, intended to say much about it, but certain members missed it. and asked what had become of it. The sub-librarian introduced it from an obscure corner where it had been put so as to have it outof the way. Further inquiry led to the explanation that the Library Committee had passed a resolution declining to accept it, and ordering its removal from the place where it had been deposited. RETRENCHMENT. There are no less than throe retrenchment resolutions on the order paper for to-morrow and Wednesday. Mr, O'Conor is to move for a committee to consider and report what retrenchment may be made in the expenditure connected with the Legislature. Mr. J. C. Brown is to move "That the circumstances- of the colony require the most rigid economy in the official and departmental expenditure, and to enable this to done in the most practical way this House is of opinion that the Government should appoint two practical expert accountants, h-ving access to the departmental administration of the public service, to inquire and report as to possible saving therein without impairing the efficiency of the Civil Service." Mr. ('uinness has a notice on the paper for a return of persons appointed to Government situations during the past year, with the salary attached to the office of each appointee. WAIMEA PLAINS RAILWAY. The agreement for the sale of this railway to the Government has been forwarded from Wellington to Dunedin. ■ It is said that the price will be equivalent to £2950 a mile. Two locomotives are to be given in by the company. Each arc valued at £1100. The company also give up one-half of four years' rates and expend £250 on legal expenses. THE LOAN BILL. The rumour is ntill very general that when the Loan Bill comes on for discussion Mr. Bryce will move that the amount shall be "one million" instead of "one million and a half." Mr. Bryce, however, is known to have complimented Sir Robert Stout upon his public declaration respecting moderate borrowing for specific appropriation on productive work," and approved of " tapering off the system of borrowing." There is nothing therefore very positive in Mr. Bryce's attitude upon this subject. He has, indeed, declared himself in favour of a million instead of a million and a half. This, 1 think, is the only foundation for the rumour which is at prevent prevalent.