PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9582, 6 August 1894, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

>» TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORUESrONDENT.]

'•'"*, :." Wellington, Saturday. Mb. Pinkerton compares the old soldiers of New Zealand bo the gallant band of 600 men who took parb in the famous charge at Balaclava of whom 200 returned, bub who later numbered 10,000..,.

Doctor Newman suggests a State monopoly of tobacco manufacture, the profits to be devoted to old age pensions. Mr. Buick urges that the right thing for the Government to do is to wipe out the Bank of New Zealand as it stands and make it a State bank. '

The report of the Prieons Department for | the year was laid upon the table yesterday. , Colonel Hume states that the management of the various prisons is effective and economical, and the system of discipline creditable to the gaolers and other officers. The parliamentary excursion by the Hinemoa bo lefb Wellington last night. Many members and their friends are on board, The exouraionists land at Picton, and are to So to Blenheim and Nelson, and to the rounds,. returning to Wellington on Tuesday morning. .; During the year, says Colonel Hume, only six children under ten years of age have been in the prisons of the oolony, exaotly half the number of the previous year. He demands thab the practice of sending children to prison should cease. In the majority of cases the parents and not the children are the guilty parties. Mr. Duthie is asking for a return concerning the Cadets adroibbed to the civil service

without the necessary examination. I : Sir R. Stout is to deliver a public address I at Wanganui to-night, at the first annual ifleebing of the Women's Political League. The subject will be, Woman's. Mission in Politics." V V Colonel Hume days the First Offenders Probation Act is working mosb satisfactorily. It is, ho adds, one of the most useful Acts ever passed, and has saved many from becoming confirmed criminals. The amount of costs ordered to be paid in the case of first offonders was £266145, of which £165 2s had been paid, the greater portion of the remaining sum being paid by insalments. The cost of keeping these offenders, had they been sent to prison, would have been £1425, and the Act has, he estimates, saved £1587 to the colony. It is believed that the financial debate will end on Wednesday or Thursday.