PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8360, 13 September 1890, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[by telegraph— reporter.] Wellington, Friday. THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

A movement has been started among mombors, chiefly those representing Southern constituencies, to have Wellington made the terminus of tho San Francisco Mail Service if Sydney does not join in tho contract. They contend that Wellington is, in tho first place, actually nearer to San Francisco than Auckland, and is also a better distributing point for mails. It would make a difference of fully two days to the South Island in the delivery of mails, and it is not at all improbable that such a" arrangement will be made a condition of support to the Government proposals, or an amendment to that effect may possibly be moved when the resolutions come down.

A CURIOUS DEBT. The Petitions Committee have reported on a petition which is of some interest to volunteers who are entitled to scrip for land. Some yours ago Mr. John Smyth, of Mercury Bay, bought some land at a Government land sale, and paid for it with a land order worth £10 more than the land he bought. He then found that he could not got his £10 returned to him, there being no provision by law for paying back "residue scrip." Mr. Smyth accordingly petitioned Parliament for relief, offering to tako the amount due to him either in money or in land. Tho Petitions Committee have recommonded that the Government should allow petitioner to select lund to the value of £10.

MR. lIOBBS AND TKE FEDERATION DELEGATES.

A curious little incident took place this afternoon, during the voting on the choice of delegates for the Australian Federal Convention. When the question camo to tho vote, Sir George Grey and Captain Russell would have been elected as delegates on the voices had not Mr. Hobbs, in opposition to them, called for a division. The bell wes accordingly rung, but on the question being put again, Mr. Hobbs remained silent, and allowed Mr. Walker to call for the division. Mr. Hobbs then voted for the delegates, after having just previously called for a division against them. Mr. Hobbs' conduct gave rise to considerable comment.

THE RAILWAY SERVANTS. Near the close of the debate on the action of the Railway Commissioners this evening, Mr. Withy made what was by general consent recognised as a most excellent speech, quiet, thoughtful, and judicious, upon tho subject of strikes and Unionism, winding up with some very practical advice to the Unionists. Tho only point on which he found fault with the Commissioners was in their not giving the four leaders of tho Railway Servants Union more time to consider their ultimatum. Mr. Withy, on resuming his seat, was very warmly applauded by all sections of the House. Mr. Bruce also made a good speech, in which while ho supported the action of the Commissioners, he agreed with Mr. Withy and other speakers that not sufficient time lor consideration had been given to the men. Messrs. Yerrall and Joyce also had a say in support of the men, after which the debate collapsed shortly before one a.m. The House then adjourned till eleven a.m. on Saturday for Government business only.

MISCELLANEOUS. The Public Petitions Committee passed a unanimous vote of thanks to-day to their chairman, Mr. Thompson, for the admirable manner in which for three years he has presided over their deliberations. The vote was proposed by Mr. Bruce, who said ho felt sure that the harmonious working of the committee was largely due to the courtesy and ability displayed by the chairman of the committee. A vote of thanks was also passed to the clerk of tho committee (Mr. Lowe).

The Joint Library Company reported to day recommending that tho appointment of librarian be left overfill next session, and that the second assistant in the library, Mr. James, bo appointed acting-librarian at a salary of £180 per annum. The committee also recommend that a new catalogue be prepared. The House will meet to-morrow at eleven a.m.