PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9468, 12 September 1889, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[BY TBUSQBAPH.—SPBCIAJj COBRKSrONDKNT.] Wellington, Wednesday. KAIPARA HARBOUR. Me. Moss tells me that there is little prospect of any reform being effected in the imposition of harbour and light charges at this harbour. Mr. Monk and several other Auckland members have also represented the case very strongly, but the officials insist on the revenue, and the Premier does not apparently see hia way to do without it. A GRIEVANCE. took place in the House on the report of the Petitions Committee on the petition of George WaWock Ell, of Christchurch, praying legislation to remedy the loss lie alleges to have been cast upon him by a mistake by tho Registrar of tho Supremo Court, Christchurch. The committee report that they could not recommend that tho prayer bo granted. To this Mr. Verrall took exception, and eventually consideration of tho report was deferred till next day, Mr, Verrall intimating that he would then move that the inquiry into Ell's case recently conducted by Mr. (uow Judge) Conolly was conducted very unsatisfactorily. MEETING OF THE OPPOSITION. A caucus of the Opposition was held this morning, at which general satisfaction was expressed with Mr. Ballance's leadership during tho session. It was also decided that Mr. Ballance should move the amendment re dissolution, of which he subsoquently gave notice. During the meeting Mr. Ballance, in reply to Mr. Samuel, said he did not refer to him when the other evening he suggested Mr. Samuel could name a gentleman of the legal profession to be a colleague of Ministers. SIR, R. STOUT AND POLITICS. I understand that Sir R. Stoub, when here last week, stated he would not contest any seat ab the next election. RAILWAY EMPLOYEES INSURANCE BILL. This Bill, which was introduced to-day, provides that hereafter no person shall bo appointed a permanent employee on tho Government railways without tirst obtaining a medical certificate that ho is "physically and mentally healthy and of sound constitution, ,, an exception being made in the c:use of persons who have already been in the service for three years. No person shall bo appointed a permanent employee (excepting those at present in the service) whose aga exceeds "21 years, without paytug such premium to the Board as the Government Actuary may determine, such fee to be paid into "The Insurance Fund." This fund is to be applied to the benefit of permanent employees in the following respects (a) the payment at death to a permaneut employee's representatives, of a sum not exceeding iv year's pay ; (6) the payment of allowance to permanent employees retireil from service ; (c) the payment of insurance premiums. Tho fund itself is m;wle up ot tines and penalties on railway employees, accrued and to be levied hereafter, and by sums to be contributed in this way : Every permanent employee whose pay does nob exceed 7s per day, shall pay "2s per week into the fund, and those whose pay exceeds 7s pur day, shall pay 'kl per week on each shilling of one day's wage. The premiums before referred to, and the proceeds of such insurances us may be effected by the Board are also to be paid into the fund. No person dismissed fiom the sorvice for drunkenness, fraud, or other improper conduct is to receive any benefits under the Act. A permanent employee discharged from accident, ill-health or permanent;incapacity, will, if he has served for under "20 years, or Inm not attained tho age of 65 years, be }>aid a retiring allowance at the rate of one-quarter of his pay during his lifetime. Tf he has served for 20 years, and is 05 yoars old, he is to receive one-third of his pay for the rest of his lifetime. When a permanent employu dies in the service, or during sickness, or superannuation, his legal representative will bo paid a sum equal to a month's pay for each year of service, providing that tho payments s'lndl not exceed a year's pay. The Board consists of the Public Trustee, the Secretary to the Treasury, and three permanent employes. Their duties are to invest the fuuds, make regulations as to medical examinations, fees, etc., and generally to do the work of administration. Tho i Board may insure the lives of permanent employes in the Government OGico. LABOUR SETTLEMENTS. Mr. Steward is asking the Government if they will make enquiries during tho recess with tho view to submitting a proposal to Parliament next session for labour settlements. THE UNEMPLOYED. Mr. Goldie is to ask the Minister of Public Works whether tho 132 men who on tho average havo been for the last fourteen months, and are at present employed upon railway formation in connection with the Otago Central Railway have been paid out of the loan money borrowed for Huch railway, or from the consolidated rovemio; if from the latter will the Government adopt, a similar course in the construction of railways in other districts where the unemployed in largo numbers exist, and further, will the Government for the future in providing money for relief works endeavour to distribute the amount fairly, so that the unemployed in each provincial di.st.rict may have a fair share of the work provided by such vote ? THE SALE OF TOBACCO. Mr. Ilntchifion wishes the Commissioner of Customs to impose a license fee on retailerri of tobacco and cigars? THE LIBRARY. The Library Committee's report, and the amendment upon it by the Legislative Council, which were the aubjoct of keen debate a day or two ago, will probably be heard of no more. Affairs are to be left in the unsatisfactory condition so long complained oF, aud the use of tho library during the recess is to be confined to a few oflicinls, heads of departments, and other favoured individuals. WEST COAST RESERVES. Tlio West Coast Settlement Reserve Bill, which baa been substituted lor that first introduced, is callod a Suspension Bill, and stays all actions at law instituted by the natives in connection with the recent arbitration. It also prohibits the Public Trustee from issuing new leases in accordance with the awards. The Bill is to be in force till three months after tho nqxt session of the Assembly. If no legislation takes place in the interim everything is to revert to its present condition. The natives concur, and give as their reason that they have not at present money enough to continue expensive legal proceedings. THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE. The members who oppose the continuance of tho 'Frisco eervico confidently claim a majority against the Premier's resolutions. PUBLIC HEALTH. Tho Public Health Bill is a short ono, and gives power to local Boards of Health to regulate dairies and the supply of milk. They mny also inspect slaughterhouses outside districts which supply meat to that district. THE PROROGATION. The session will probably end by Saturday, though tho prorogation may nob be till the following Tuesday. JOTTINGS. The whole of tho night's sitting has been occupied in obstruction, aimed at the West-porb-Ngakawa Railway Extension Bill. It was intended to go on with the mail servico resolutions at 7.30 p.m., but as only ono or two Bills had been disposed of this afternoon, ib was found impossible to carry tho idea into effect. There wero 23 or 24 members at the Opposition caucus to-day. Among other things, it waa decided that Mr. Ballance should make arrangements for political speeches setting forth the views of the Opposition during the recess. So fur as I can learn the Government will not make the amendment a party question. They profess indifference about it. With respect to Mr. Ballance's amendment each side thinks it will win. My own opinion is the Governmenb will havo a majority if they choose to fight, but it is doubtful whether they will fight.