PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2274, 2 August 1894, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

The Premier explained yesterday the supposed increase of salary to tho Ser-geant-at-Arms. Ho said, in answer to a question by Mr Tanner on the subject, that he had inadvertently instructed the Secretary to tho Treasury to put the salary on the Estimates for the four months at .£250, having it then running in his head that the salary was .£250. He never saw the Estimates until Mr Guinness called his attention to the matter, when he saw the error for tho first time.

“ The hon member is in the habit of asking for very expensive and very unnecessary returns/" said Mr Ward yesterday, in answer to Mr George Hutchison's demand for tho reason why his motion fora particular return he wanted had been opposed. 44 That is debatable matter/" protested the member for Patea. seeking the shelter of the rule which prevents anything debatable from being introduced in asking or answering questions. " X don't think tho Treasurer exceeded the limits/" ruled tho Speaker. “ The hon member is discussing the returns generally, instead of this particular one/" further parried Mr Hutchison, but without avail to atop the thrust of the Colonial Treasurer, who told him that tho information ho generally wanted could he obtained from papers laid on the table in the ordinary course, instead of being supplied by means of special and costly returns. Mr Hutchison denied that the returns he asked for were expensive. Mr G. W. Russell has given notice of an amendment to the Lands for Settlement Bill in the direction of providing periodic valuations of land taken up under the lease in perpetuity. “ I say/" declared Mr Mitchelaon, last night, " that Ministers are underpaid ; and if Ministers brought down a Bill to increase •their salaries, and put an end to the house allowance, I would support it."" The Colonial Treasurer says the system, of franking in this Colony has grown to such proportions that tho Government have decided to abolish it altogether in the public service as well as everywhere else, and to substitute tho stamp system in every department. Mr W. Kelly voices a long-standing grievance in protesting against the extra charges levied upon tourists to Rotorua by tho Natives there. The Premier says there are great difficulties in the way, because of private rights, but endeavours are being made to buy out the Natives at the places of interest.

Mr Lawry says the system of establishing telephone bureaux at the business premises of storekeepers is most pernicious, and the Treasurer agrees with him. The draining of swamp lands on the East Coast, including tho area taken up by the Canterbury settlers at Whakatane, and tho Waihi Swamp, in. the Bay of Plenty, is being urged upon tho Government by Mr W. Kelly. The old soldiers’ claims received up to the present are just about to be considered by tho Cabinet. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., introduced to the Minister of Lands yesterday a deputation of settlers from the Mount .Baker Block, between Mauricoville and Alfredton. .They asked that provision should be made on the Estimates for the prosecution of the roads still unmade, and which are intended to open up the block. The principal roads referred to were the Iharaua Valley road, tho Mangamahoe road and Dagg's road. Provision had been made for tho expenditure of <£l4oo on these roads, but owing to difficulties over the district boundaries and tho carrying of loans, advantage could not be taken of the votes. Tho deputation asked that the votes should bo reinstated on the new Estimates, and tho amount augmented so as to make the total about£22loo. The Minister, in reply, stated that the applications of the settlers would receive careful consideration, and if tho financial proposals of tho Government were adopted by Parliament, he would see that their claims were not overlooked.

Regarding the village settlements, Mr Mclntyre, Commissioner of Crown Lands in Victoria, says: observation, and from the information I was enabled to obtain through tho documents placed at my disposal, I think I am perfectly justified in stating that tho success of the village settlement movement in New Zealand has been proved. It has got beyond the experimental stage, and tho system, if I mistake not, is firmly grafted on tho laud policy of that country. Any apprehensions which I may have entertained of the ultimate success of our Victorian village settlements have entirely disappeared in tho light of the experience gained in New Zealand.’* The Colonial Treasurer says that in all probability the greater portion of the bonus for sugar beet will go to the manufacturer, to encourage him to provide the necessary plant.