PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8316, 24 July 1890, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[by TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER,]

Wellini;ton, Wednesday. MR. HUTCHISON'S CHARGES.

The committee met again this morning. Mr. Bryce was absent through illnoss; while Mr. Ormond, who was delayed by the slip in tho Manuwatu Jorge, arrived in tho House just as tho committee rose at) one o'clock, It is understood t hat Messrs. Bell and Stafford, who had applied on the previous day to be allowed to represent tho Bank of New Zealand, and argue tho question of the production of the Bank books were in attendance, and, after some difficulty about the confirmation of Friday's minutes had been settled, Mr. Bell read a written statement of the case on behalf of the Bank, in which it was contended that the Bank should not produco their books because the Committee came under the Bankers' Account Act, and because it, would be divulging the private accounts of Ministers who were customers of tho Hank, and whoso permission to do so should lirst be obtained. It was also argued that the Hank was not a party in tho case before t lie Committee. 1 hear that Mr. Hutchison replied to the arguments of the Bank's counsel, but the Committee adjourned at one o'clock till next day before a decision was arrived at upon the question. It is understood that Mr. Ilislop intimated to the Committee that his colleague- refused toal low their private banking accounts to be examined. It is stated that Sir Harry Atkinson looks 011 the inquiry as one of small moment. Report says that in conversation with one of his supporters ho declared that there was absolutely nothing in the charges of the Government having helped the Bank. Members of the Committee are said to bo getting very tired of the enquiry, which, so far, has been simply a long wrangle over preliminaries. From the action of the Hutchison party in the Inquiry Committee Ministers ate disposed to think the Opposition wish to protract tho sitting of the committee until after the end of the session, so as to keep the matter hanging on over the general election bv widening and elaborating various issues. The Government intend, therefore, to press on the matter, and get a decision arrived at one way or the other, on the main charges before Parliament separates. LOCAL ]\IL],S. The Committee report on the Gisborno Harbour Board Bill that the Standing Orders have been complied with, and they recommend that it bo allowed to proceed, with certain alterations and amendments, but the Committee draw attention to the fact that this Bill proposes to vary the arrangement entered into betweon tho Harbour Board and tho debenture holders, as set forth in the Gisborno Harbour Act, 1881, Amendment Act, ISS7. VAUU VMKNTAKY LIBRARIAN. The question of appointing a librarian to the Parliamentary Library came before

the Library Committee to-day, but it was decided to postpone the matter till the Hist instant, to give time to dismiss the question of salary, the retrenchment party

holding that as they have done so long without a chief librarian, such a functionary i* unnecessary, the assistant being able to discharge his duties very satisfactorily. Forty-seven applications have been received by the committee for the position. LAW OK 1.1 EL. Mr. Mitchelson made tho satisfactory announcement to-day that the Newspaper Law of Libel Bill of last session will be introduced into the Legislative Council. RAILWAY SERVICE. In view of lie opening of the Manawatu I Jorge line from Woodville to Palmerston North in October, the Railway Commissioners are preparing an important scheme of through t rain services between Wellington, Napier, Wanganui and New Plymouth,connoting with Auckland by steamer from the last named port. There will be one through train daily each way between these towns, and rolling stock is being brought up from the South to enable tho arrangements to be carried out. AN AUCKLAND PETITION. Mr. Hamlin presented a petition to-day from Valentino Biagrovo, Auckland, mariner, inventor, etc., praying for a bonus for the fruit, ti-h, and vegetable drying industry established by him, and for a grant of land (for military services) on which to erect works. THE AUCKLAND NATIVE HOSTELRY. Mr. Mitchelson informed Sydney Taiwhanga today that the Government did not intend to reintroduce the Auckland Native Hostelry Bill this session. PROCEEDING* IN THE HOUSE. The proceedings in the House to-day were not very interesting. In the afternoon a long discussion arose over a question put by Mr. Rhodes in reference to amending the Animals Protection Act by appointing a fixed day for opening the shooting season for native game, and subsequently another somewhat protracted debate arose over tho action of the Government in sending extra police to Brunnerton in view of a possible strike. his was regarded by many Members as an insult to ■ lie miners, but Captain Russell denied that there had been any such intention. In the evening Mr. Downie Stewart's Strikes and Arbitration Bill passed the second reading after some sharp criticism from Mr. Fish and others. Their opposition irritated Mr. Stewart, and in replying he spoke so warmly and energetically that the House at times laughed heartily. After the Coroner's Inquest Bill was disposed of the House got into Committee on the Dog Registration Act Amendment Bill, and the lawyers in the House made use of the opportunity to stonewall Sir George Grey's Law Practitioners' Bill, which was one of the Bills next on the order [taper. Finally when the operation of going through the successive divisions grew tedious the House adjourned at one o'clock. .MtSf'l'.r.L VNKOI'S. Mr. Fox, chief clerk in the Police Department, had a lit Into this evening in the .Speaker's Gallery. 1 >r. Grace was summoned and the patient put to bed. He is now slightly better. The Labour Bills have been referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Allen. Fish, Humphreys, Izard, Peacock, Perceval, W. P. Reeves, Smith, Steward, and Hislop. The committee meets for the first time to-morrow. I understand from tho members interested in the Shops and Factories Bill that every endeavour will be made to meet Mr. Hislop in a friendly spirit as regards the necessary amendments, and if possible arrange for their acceptance by the Government, so as-not to delay the Bill in any way.

The advisability of introducing some of the features of the Swiss system of Government is still being kept in view by Major Steward, who gave notice to-day to move that a committee be appointed to consider and report as to the possibility of devising a system of appointing the Executive Government such as may bo free from the evils of the present system, t he committee to report in a fortnight, and to consist of Messrs. Saunders and Tanner, Dr. Ilodgkinson, Messrs. Samuel, Vcrrall, O'Conor, and Monk, Dr. Newman, the lion. Captain Russell, and the mover.

Mr. Mitchelson gave notice to-day of the following batch of native Bills : —The Native Equitable Owners Amendment Bill, the Native Land Court Acts Amendment Bill, the Native Trusts Bill, the Native Land Survey Bill. Mr. Verrall wants the Government to bring in a Bill this session making bank notes a first charge upon bank assets. Mr. Wilson is urging the Government to have circulated a precis of the replies sent in in response to the circular to the Boards of Education re syllabus. Notice has been given by Mr. Marchant, to ask the Minister of Lands whether, in the" case of a perpetual leaseholder acquiring the freehold of his land, one-third of the purchase money is under the existing law paid over to the local body ? and if not, will the Minister introduce an amendment to the Land Act to enable such payment to bo made ?

Mr. Marchant is also interesting himself in the export of baulk timber, and intends to move, " That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that an export duty should be imposed upon baulk timber, with the object of conserving the timber interests of this country, and protecting the workers now engaged in that industry." Colonel Eraser intends asking the Commissioner of Telegraphs whether he will make arrangements to have the Kuaotunu goldfields connected by telegraph, the main line passing in close proximity.