PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10901, 4 November 1898, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[by telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, The Council met at half-past two. THE MINING BILL. The afternoon was spent discussing in committee certain verbal amendments in the Mining Bill recommended by the Goldfields Committee. The only important alteration made in the measure was the excision, by 15 votes to 14, of clause 216, occurrence of any accident in mines shall be prima facie evidence that such accident occurred through some negligence on the part of the owner. The Bill was eventually reported, and read a third time.

The Council adjourned at a-quarter to five till half-past seven. The Council resumed at half-past seven.

ARBITRATION ACT AMENDMENT

The Minister for Education, in moving the committal of the Industrial Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, urged that it was the necessary complement of the earlier legislation, and particularly advocated the adoption of the clause giving unionists a preferential claim on employment in industrial pursuits. Mr. Rigg contended that many of the charges levelled against the machinery of the Arbitration Courts were totally unfounded, and supported the extension of the existing law. Mr. Downie Stewart thought it unwise to prosecute the Bill, and Mr. Shrimski argued that the wisest course at the present stage would be to withdraw the Bill. Mr. MacUregor failed to see that any argument had been formulated to justify the introduction of this extraordinary Bill, which he thought would have an entirely different effect to that anticipated by the promoters. Un the Bill being committed, sub-clauses 2 and 3 of ekiuse 3 were struck out, those originally providing that unionists must be given preference over non-unionists by employers. Clause 4, employers shall not discharge any worker on account of an industrial dispute, was also deleted, and the next section, which made it a breach of the Act for an employer to dispense with an employee because, he was a member of a trade union, was also deleted.

After discussion, the amendments made by the Labour Bills Committee were agreed to, and the Bill passed the committee and the final stages. The Council rose at half-past one.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY. PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES. After the telegraph office closed this morning, consideration of the Public Works Estimates was continued.

Class 8, public buildings. On tho item, Burnlnun managers and clerk's offices,

Mr. Hall-Jones promised to meet a deputation at Christeliurch, with the view of remedying defects in connection with the management of the Burnham Industrial School. A lengthy discussion ensued on the item, school buildings, special technical school buildings, £25,000. Mr. Taylor and other members asked the Minister to give a pledge that the money be used only in connection with State schools. He was also asked to make a similar promise to that given last year, that the vote would not be expended until legislative authority had been given. Mr. Hall-Jones said the money would only be expended in accordance with law. Mr. Seddon said he hoped next day to bring down the suggested new clauses of the Technical Education Bill, providing for doubling capitation and giving an opportunity for the vote being distributed in a satisfactory manner to all concerned. If any payment were made it would be the same as made last year. As the replies were considered unsatisfactory, Mr. Montgomery moved that progress be reported. " I After discussion tiis was withdrawn, and Mr. Montgomery then moved that the vote be struck out.

Mr. Seddon said if this was carried it would limit the amount to be expended. I After debate the item was struck out by 20 to 19. The class then passed. Class 4, construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, £360,000, was agreed to after a short discussion. The other classes passed without alteration. The House adjourned at twenty-five minutes to five. The House met at half-past two.

CHARGES ON PRODUCE.

The Extension of Commerce Committee reported that it had no recommendation to make with respect to the request for legislation on the question of primage and charges upon wool and produce, made by agents. Mr. McNab, chairman, moved that the report lie on the table. Mr. Duthie contended that the House had no right to interfere with arrangements made between shipping companies and their agents, and it did not follow that the producer suffered by a system of agents being paid by rebate commission. Mr. Buchanan said that the efforts of the Freights Reduction Committee last year, had resulted in a saving to the colony of £100,000. }

Mr. Hogg said that shipping agents who also acted as agents for producers worked against the latter and in the interests of shipowners, in the direction of maintaining high freights. Any agent who might desire to hand over the primage to the producer was unable to do so, as shipowners insist on them signing a bond not to hand primage back to producers. The motion was agreed to.

MINISTERIAL DEALING WITH ACCOUNTS.

The Public Accounts Committee reported on correspondence from the Auditor and Con-troller-General, respecting the transfer of Stores from the Working Railways to the 1 üblie \\ orlcs Department. In the course of a lengthy report the committee stated that the Auditor-General acted in strict conformitywith the law in the matter, and was justified in reporting the transaction to the House. The committee, amongst its recommendations, suggested-that the vote for the working railways should either be increased, or amount available from unauthorised expenditure for working railways should be increased by £50,000. Mr. G. Hutchison complained of the fact that as the evidence had not been circulated it was impossible to discuss the report. Mr. Montgomery pointed out that the report of the committee did not refer to the fact that the Audit Department had been kept in the dark as to the reasons for the transaction. The result of the investigation had been that they now knew that the surplus had been increased by £51,000 by transfers of stores. Mr. Seddon said that as the report stated that the Government was justified in the course they took, and that the AuditorGeneral had been justified in his action, the Opposition could not contend that the committee had condemned the Government. No Government had ever received such an exoneration from a committee as the Government had received from this committee. The value of the report was enhanced by the fact that it was practically a unanimous one, and not arrived at by a Government majority. The transaction had not been done for the purpose of increasing the surplus, and had not had that effect, but the position was, that if £50,000 of unauthorised had been available and had been spent, their surplus would have been increased by £31 000. He denied that the Auditor-General was ignorant of the reason for the transaction, as he knew what would happen by his refusal to unlock £50,000 of unauthorised expenditure. Under the extraordinary expenditure ilie Government had adopted the best course in the interest of the colony, and there had not been a treasurer since 1882 who had not done exactly the same thing. Mr. Dutbie considered that, on the whole, the report was a very good one, but lie disagreed with the recommendation suggesting an increase °{ the statutory limitation of unauthorised expenditure on this vote, inn™, ?li •P adman said the abnormal the vnf / ,'- ay tKlffic liaa resulted in so f for r kln « railways being absorted before the end of the financial year, and when assistance was .looked to from unSlOOm expenditure to the extent of £100,000, t was found that the AuditorGeneral only owed £50,000 to be used, tie found himself m the position with plenty of money in one hand and none" in the other,

! and had simply taken from one to increase I the other. As an amendment to the report, he moved that an inquiry be made into the efficiency of the Audit Department. The Speaker ruled that the amendment was irrelevant to the subject of the report. Mr. Meredith moved and Mr. J. Hutcheson seconded, the adjournment of the debate. This was withdrawn after a brief discussion. The further debate on the report was interrupted by the half-past five adjournment. The House resumed at half-past seven. TRANSFER OP MONEYS. Mr. Seddon gave notice that consideration of the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the transfei of votes would be resumed to-morrow.

PREFERENTIAL DUTIES.

With reference to the motion proposing preferential duties in respect to British manufactured goods, Mr. Seddon said that he did not intend to move it this session. During the recess members could consider the proposals, which would be discussed in the press, and next session the House would be in a position to do full justice to them.

WAGES PROTECTION BILL.

On the motion of Mi. Seddoii, it was agreed to ask for a conference with the Council on the Wages Protection Bill.

EDUCATION ENDOWMENTS.

On the motion of the lion. Mi. McKenzie, certain lands were permanently set aside j as endowments for primary education. STOCK BILL. s The Hon. Mr. McKenzie moved that the amendments made by the Council in the ) Stock Act Amendment Bill be agreed to. Objection was token by several members t to the new clause put in by the Council, pro- - vidiiig that some particular brand shall be deemed to be a brand under the original ' Act. : The Hon. Mr. McKeuzie was unaware , what member of the Upper House had moved ' the clause, but he saw no reason why the i clause should not remain in. fie understood it referred to a chemical brand. i Agreed to. 1 COUNCIL'S AMENDMENTS TO MINING BILL, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Cadman, and Mr. Camcross were 'appointed to confei with the Council respecting the amendments made in the Mining Bill, which were objected to by the House. PURCHASE OF OTAHU ESTATE. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. McKenzie, and without debate, the report and evidence on the purchase of Otahu Estate was ordered to be printed. MAIL SERVICES. Mr. Seddon moved, in committee of the whole, the renewal of the San Francisco and Vancouver mail services. He said ha had hoped that proposals would have been made for a series of years instead 01 one year, but on account of the possibility of New South Wales withdrawing the subsidy to the Vancouver service, it had been found impossible to do so. With respect to the San Francisco sen-ice, it was intended to make better arrangements for the speedier distribution of the Southern portion of the mail. Mr. Smith suggested that in order to lessen the cost to the Vancouvei steamers, port charges at Wellington should be remitted. Mr. Ward said it was satisfactory that the contracts were not to be renewed for any lengthy period, as there were indications that very much better services than the present ones could be established across the Pacific. Captain Russell, in objecting to renewing the contracts for a lengthy period, pointed out that improvements in steam machinery were being made every year, and that it was , to the interests of ine colony to have the , most rapid services. , Mr. Duthie said greater permanency than , extension from year to year was necessary before shipowners would feel justified in , investing in a better class of steamers. , In the course of further debate, , Mr. Seddon said he believed it would have < been better if New Zealand had increased , the subsidy at present paid to the San Fran- ] cisco service by £10,000, m order to have , the terminal port in the colony instead of ' New South Wales, as this colony had lost , the Island trade by permitting the terminal , port being made at Sydney. ( After further debate the resolutions were ] agreed to, reported to the House, and passed, j SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION BILL. • After discussion, and by 42 to 15, amend- 1 ments to the Shearers' Accommodation Bill ' were inserted to provide that the Act shall ( not apply to sheds where only six shearers f were employed, or in cases where shearers £ live at ordinary residences. 1

PORIRUA SCHOOL GRANTS BILL. Mr. Seddon moved the second reading of the Porirua School Grants Bill, which is a suspensory measure in connection with certain school grants. Mr. Rollcston objected to interference with these trusts, as did also Mr. Pirani, who considered a suspensory measure was only the first, step towards hanging the matter up indefinitely. After further unfavourable debate, and on the motion of Mr. Herries, the debate was adjourned.

SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS BILL. The Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones moved the second reading of the Separate Institutions Bill, dealing with the election of trustees to tlie annate Hospital, and amending the law with respect to separate institutions. Several speakers objected to such an important measure at the present stage of the session.

Mr. Lewis pointed out that the Premier and Minister for Education, in reply to a deputation which waited on them last session, had expressed the opinion that separate institutions should be abolished. 1 he second reading was agreed to. PUBLIC REVENUES BILL. Some objection was taken to the introduction of the Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee with •reference to the transfers of votes, but ultimately the Bill was introduced, and read a first time.

OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE. Mr. Seddon gave notice to move a resolution respecting the control of officers of the House.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION. With reference to the Technical Education will , Air. Seddon in drawing attention of members to the proposed new clauses to the f,! Sa 1 l d „ , no . stron g objection were offered to the Bill he intended placing a sum on the Supplementary Estimates to replace that struck off the Public Works Estimates. one House turned at ten minutes past