HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8089, 2 November 1887, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TOKSDAY. The House met at half-past two p.m. THE TRUNK KAILWAY. A large number of petitions were presented praying for the junction of the Auckland Trunk Line with the Government lines. RAILWAY EMFLuYKKS. Mr. Strwaed asked the Minister for Public Worke whether in oasee in which men are still fit for their work ho will relax the arbitrary rale which requires the dismissal of all railway employes on their reachiDg a certain age. Mr Mitchklson said there was no rule requiring the man to leave the service so long as he is able to perform his work. Compassionate allowance was made to railway employe's incapacitated by illness. WELLINGTON POST OFFICE. Mr. Taylor asked the Government whether they will, before accepting any tender for the erection of the general post office in Wellington, consider whether it would not be more economical and more convenient for the colony that the business of the General Post Office should be carried on at Christohnroh ? : Mr. Mitchelson said the Government considered this was a question which did not require to be answered. GOVERNMENT WGUKMES. Mr. Fish asked the Minister for Ptttblio Works whether the Government are now discharging, or have recently discharged a large number of workmen from the Hillside workshop, and, if bo, will he state the reasons for such action ? Mr. Mitchelson said some men were under notice of dismissal because there was no work for them to do at the present moment, J REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS. Mr, Mackknzik (Clutha) asked the Post-master-General if the Government will consider the propriety of appointing Postmasters Registrars of Electors where practicable ? Major Atkinson said the whole question of the registration of electors was in a most unsatisfactory atate, and the Government hoped this session to bring dowa a Bill to purify the rolls as far as possible. THE CALIFORNIA!*" THISTLE. Mr. Mackenzie (Olutha), asked the Colonial Secretary if the Government purpose introducing any measures for stopping the spread of the C»lifornian thistle. Mr. Hislop said the Government had mad© inquiries on the subject. If it were found, that legislation was necessary it would be attended to. THK BANKRUPTCY ACT. Mr. Hutchison asked the Minister of Justice whether he will take steps to amend in the interests of creditors the rules under the Bankruptcy Act so as to reduce, the stamp fee of five guineas payable on filing of each petition, and so as also to render unnecessary further expense of gazetting ,the fact of filing. Mr. Fergus thought it unwise to reduce the fee, but he was in communication with the Chief Jastioe to see if anything could be done in the matter.

THE ELECTORAL BOLLS. Mr. Rekves (St. Albane), asked,the Colonial Secretary whether he will make arrangementa by which the chief registration officer for eaoh electoral district shall, within the next air montha, put the rolU for his district in proper order and condition, and whether he will also arrange that those officers shall be paid a proper earn for doing such work ? Mr. HI3LOP said that after he took office be had given instructions io this direction, bat the whole matter would be shortly considered. OOLONIAL FEDERATION. Mr. Rkkyks (St. Albana), asked the Premier whether the Government intend during the present session or the coming recese to take any steps to federate New Zealand with the Australian colonies ? Major Atkinson said he did not see his way to take any steps in the matter at present. MAOEi interpreters. Mr. O'Callaghan asked the Government whether they consider it necessary to maintain two interpreters in the Home, three of the Maori members having already given moatl satisfactory evidence that they are prepared to address the House in English ? Mejor Atkinson eaid it would be for the House to consider this after the Financial Statement was brought down. THE DIRECT MAILS. Mr. Ward asked the Poetmaeter-Ganeral if he will in the interests of the colony, in order to admit of mails being delivered within the shortest time in future mail contracts by the direct steamers from Britain, make it compulsory that the mails are landed at the first New Zealand port en route ? Major Atkinson said when the time arrived for making* new contract, this point would be considered carefully, but aa at present advised Wellington was the most suitable port of call for the direct steamers. GOVBBNMENT SETTLERS. Mr. Valentine aaked the Minister of Lands whether, in view of the present depressed condition of the farming community of the colony, he will take into consideration the position of the Government settlers with a view of affording them some immediate relief from their straitened circumstances ? end whether he will take steps to have e general re-valuation made of their holdings, so as to secure their retention upon the land ? Mr. Richahd'ON eaid the question or revaluation was now under consideration. Measures of relief would be dealt with nnder the new Land Bill. COLONEL NOAKE'S PAMPHLKT. Mr. Fbldwick asked the Minister of Dofance if he has seen a pamphlet entitled, " How we may save £50,000 a year by reorganisation of our forces," addressed and posted to members of this House by Lieut.Colonel Noake? and whether he does not consider the conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Noako a gross breach of military discipline and of the Volunteer regulations ? Mr. Fkkgus said his attention had been directed to the matter, but he had not yet had time to fully consider it. DUTY ON FRUIT. Mr. Joyce asked the Government if they will take necessary and immediate action to put a reasonable duty upon all fruits, whether in pulp or otherwise, arriving in the colony, excepting therefrom such fruits as are of a tropical character ? Mr. Fisher said the whole question would receive attention during the recess.

RAILWAY RETRENCHMENT. Mr. Fish asked the Minister for Public Works Whether it was true that instructions have been issued to the heads of the different railway departments in Danedin to retrench, by discharging a number cf men now receiving five and six shillings per day, and if so, how many men are to be discharged? 2. Whether instructions have been issued that men receiving seven shillings are to be reduced to six shillings and sixpence per day? 3. If the reduction abovementioned ie to bo made, is it the intention of the Government to reduce the salaries of the heads of departments in like proportion? . Mr. MiTCHEii'ON said no instructions had been "given to the effect mentioned in first and second questions. The third would be replied to in the Financial Statement. DETKBIOBATKD POWDER. Mr Vincent Pysce asked the Minister <rf Defence—l. Whet quantity of " deteriorated " powder there i» in magazines ? 2. What was the cost of such powder? 3 How did it become deteriorated? 4. \Vhethnr this powder was obtained for defence purpoeea ? Mr Fekgds said 19001ba of powder saved ( ot cartridges was handed over in 1865 ; 1200 lb3 was bought in Otago at Iβ a poua4,..but via found to be too weak »nd dirty for anvth ifl K but saluting. 3 ' PUBLIC P.BHIIONS COMMITTEES. On ti'ie motion to appoint two Public Petition.,' Committees, Mr. Turnbull spoke

against the advisability of altering the old system on the ground of expense. Mr. Fishkr explained that eo many new members had expressed a, wish to serve on this committee that the Government, to meet their Jeeire, thought it as well to set up two committees. This would expedite the work of dealing with petitions. The motion was carried, and Mr. Turnbull then had his name withdrawn from the first committee. MEMBKRS AND NATIVE L4NDS. Mr. Tax whang a moved for a return showing the names of any hon. membere of the present House who are interested pecuniarily in native lands. Objection was taken to the vague nature of the resolution, and the debate was adjourned at the suggestion of Sir J. Vogel for nine days, to enable Mr. Taiwhanga to remodel it. RBTORN. Mr. Hutchison moved for return showing —(1) Area of the various blocks of land, including education reserves, belonging to the Crown, and situate wholly or iu part in tho eleotoral distriot of Waitotara ; {2) what moneys have been reoeived ; (3) as to the suitability or otherwise of such blocks f/or settlement. Agreed to, with the addition of now roads and expenditure in the distriot, and names of Ministers authorising it. The House adjourned at forty minutes past four till half-past seven. The House resumed at half-past; seven, THE FINANCIAL STATftMKNT. Major Atkinson brought down the Financial Statement [printed elsewhere), which occupied an hour and a half in delivery. rCBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. Sir Jolius VoGBL aaked when the Public Works Statement would be brought down ? The Premier said he could not yet fix a date. To-morrow he proposed to table a resolution regarding the Midland Railway, and if the House desired he would bo pre- < pared to move it. i TheHouseadjournedat9.lop.nl,