PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11202, 24 October 1899, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY CELEGBAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Monday.

Tee Council met and adjourned several times to-day in anticipation of receiving the final Bills from the House.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mondat.

THE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES.

The House met at eleven a.m., when the debate on tho motion to go into Committee of Supply, and Mr. Taylor's amendment that no new railways be constructed until the betterment principle be affirmed, wis resumed.

Mr. Taylor's amendment was lost by 43 votes to 7. Mi. Seddon expressed regret at Captain Russell Being unwell, and said that while he had been indebted to Captain Rjosell on several occasions for assistance in cairying on the business of the country, he did think lie had to thank the Leader of the Oppusilioa for his expressions, that had it not been for the late period of the session he would have moved a hostile amendment to the betterment principle. It was too late in the day to adopt such a principle in connection with railway construction. The Premier replied to the criticisms of the Opposition on the land and labour policy of the Government, and ridiculed the policy that there should be only freehold tenure of land. To give the poorer classes a chance, an opportunity shouiu be given for them to amalgamate holdings, and the lands to be revalued. With regard to railway management, he condemned the proposal of the Opposition to revert to management by Commissioners. State management had proved most beneficial in the interest of the colony and of tbo people generally. With regard to technical education he asserted that the Government had spent £12,000 on that class of education, wnile the Opposition had never spent a shilling upon it. He denied that lie was opposed to the present system of primary education, or that in connection with the Technical Education. Bill lie had in any way endangered that system. The House then went into Committee of Supply for consideration of the Supplemental Estimates. On item printing and stationery, £1000, Mi. Taylor moved that the item be reduced £5 as a protest against extravagance in that Department. The House resumed at half-past two p.m. The motion to reduce the printing vote £5 was lost by 25 to 18. Item £200, grant to swimming associations for the encouragement of swimming. A motion to strike out the amount was lost by 28 to 22. Subsidy to the acclimatisation societies for introducton of Vingiuian quail, £250. A motion to strike out the amount was lost by 31 to 22. Grant to private secretary accompanying the Hon. J. McKenzie, £250. A motion to strike this item out caused some discussion, during which the whole subject of Mr. McKenzie's visit Home and the question of Ivunisterial salaries was traversed. The vote was eventually carried by 37 to 15. Mr. Taylor moved that the item £3000, grant to Lady Vogel and daughter, be struck out.

Mr. Rolleston said, although it was a painful subject, lie would oppose the grant. The time had come when the expenditure of tho taxpayers' money in such a way should be stopped. Certainly, rewarding public services should not be recognised at the will of the Ministrv of the day.

The Premier, replying to the criticism on ' the vote, said he regretted the position taken ' up bv some members, contending that it 1 would be discreditable to the colony if the splendid - services of Sir J. Vogel were not 1 recognised. He was given to understand j that the majority of the members were in • favour of the vote before he decided to place c the sum on the Supplementary Estimates. ' But for that impression he would rather have 1 left the question of recognising Sir J. Vogel's 1 services an open one. Under the circum- ! stances he would accept a suggestion to re- 1 duce the vote by one-half. 1 After considerable discussion, on the vote ' being put the item was retained by 26 to ! 23, and an amendment that the item be re- ' duced tJiz!l5UO was carried by wins. The House resumed at half-nast seven pi.m. " [ Mi - . Allen moved that the item £1000, ' statue of Sir George Grey, be struck out. 1 The Premier said it was desired to perpetuate the memory of Sir George Grey in 1 a mannei usual to our race. He regretted 1 the tendency to depreciate the sendees of ' colonial statesmen and the founders of the 1 Empire At jiny rate, no effort had been made to pertuate their memory in a suitable manner. He thought the fault of the present age amongst the young peoplo of tho colony, particularly, was want of veneration, due. in a great measure, to the ab- 1 sonce of those monuments of departed great- £ ness that adorn older countries. c Mr Pirani thought the better way of perpetuating the memory ol great men was by • scholarships, bearing their name, rather 8 than such hideous statues as might be seen ' outside the Parliamentary Buildings. ' Mr. Growther said they might give a sub- 1 sidy of £ for £ to the sum of £500 raised < privately in Auckland, and lie hoped a similar effort would be made in Wellington and other parts of the colony. He urged members to unanimously pass the vote. Mr. Rolleston supported the vote. He believed in the principle of perpetuating the memory of such men as Sir George Grey, ' who was the greatest man he bad come across. In a young country it was wise ' l'i cultivate the spirit of veneration amongst the rising generation. Messrs. Montgomery, J. Hutcheson, Wi 1 Pere, Sligo, Holland, Lawry, and Monk ' spoke eulogistically of Sir George Grey. * The vote was put. and carried by 31 to 16. 1 Mr. Pirani moved that the vote, £1669, 1 miscellaneous services, be reduced £1 as an ■ indication that the allowance to Captain 1 Fail-child's widow be increased. Lost by 30 1 *"0 15. ' Item £1000, expenses in connection with tbi Arbitration Act was challenged, but was rej-Sned by 25 votes to 20. Objection was 1 take), to the delay in the sitting of the ' Court. Mr. Rolleston moved to reduce the 1 amount i )v £500, as an indication that the ' vote shotfj be placed upon a legal footing ' next sessioi. Lost on the voices. 1 South Afi'oan contingent. £35.000. In i reply to a quetfion the Premier said the vote provided for all the expenses of the contin- 1 gent for six months hence. In reply to a 1 question the Premier said he had no doubt 1 that- if in the future a further vote was re- 1 quired Parliament would treat them generously. The vote passed unaltered. (Left Sitting),