IN AND ABOUT PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2547, 27 June 1895, Page 3

IN AND ABOUT PARLIAMENT.

THE WULLINGTON-MAN»WATU RAILWAY. With unfailing regularity for many sessions past tho Government have been asked what their intentions aro in regard to tho purchase of this railway, and tho answer has always been that tho Government had no intentions, or atany rate they could not think of taking over tho railway just yet. Yesterday afternoon, however, when this question cropped up, tho Premier stated that the Government had tho matter under consideration. Tho present was tho last year, lie stated, upon which tho Government could takeover the lino under tho existing conditions, and the matter would therefore bo dealt with in tho Public Works Statement. CO-OPERATIVE WORKS. Tho Minister for Labour was asked yesterday, “ If, before men aro sent from a distance to co-operative works, he will cause enquiries to bo made, so as to ascertain if the local men aro in want of work, with tho view of-lotting men who Ijve on tho spot have a fair share of tho work, if it is found that they aro really in need of it V’ Mr Reeves stated that tho Labour Department endeavoured to bo as fair as possible in distributing the work to the unemployed of the different districts. It was not to bo thought, however, that because there wore some big works going on in any one particular district all tho unemployed in that district woro to bo found work before any from other districts in which there woro no works. Tho people of tho Colony ns a whole paid for Government works, and because these works happened to bo in a particular district tho unemployed of that district were not to have tho whole of the benefit of them. TIfE AfANAWATU GORGE BRIDGE. Messrs Whitcombo (Mayor of Pahiatua), Haggou (Mayor of Woodvillo), Lethbridge (Chairman of the Manchester Road Board) and Cotter (a ratepayer), wore yesterday introduced to the Minister of Lands ns a deputation desiring tho Government to re-erect tho bridge over the Manawatu Gorge. It will be remembered that another deputation recently asked tho Government to abandon this road and adopt a now route. Tho deputation yesterday urged tho continuance of tho present route, and that the Government should take over tho maintenance of the road and tho toll-gate thereon, fliey di s CPPFOved of the other route. Tho Minister pointed out that the Government could not assist both the Hokowitu route and this one, and while ho agreed that some assistance should be given to tho local bodies concerned in tho re-erection of the Gorge bridge, he did not think tho Government could boar the whole cost. He Would lay the matter before tho Cabinet. WHITE PINE. Another deputation, comprising Messrs Cornfoot (Holcombe), Spurdle (Wanganui) and W. L. Bailey (Peilding), sawmillera, waited upon tho Minister of Railways and requested a reduction in tha railway charges on white pine for export. They pointed out that there was a good demand ror the timber in Australia, but owing to tho railway charges tho return for the timber was not sufficient, , A reduction in rates similar to that made on firewood would cause a valuable industry to spring up. Tho Minister promised to lay tho matter before Cabinet, but could not promise reductions to the extent asked. ADDITIONS TO TUE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. This.question, which has of late been the cause of agroatamount of speculation among members, camo before tho House yesterday afternoon in tho form of a query from the member Ip r Invercargill. Mr Kelly asked if the Government intended to make any appointments this session. The Premier, in replying, said there had been communications pn tho subject; but further than this fie could nek at thp present time say. THE OLAI3JS op OLD SOLDIERS. To deal in a comprehensive manner with the claims of old soldiers, the Minister of Lands states, would cost 400,000, _Ho is opposed to dealing with any claim by special legislation, and would wait vrotil the House saw its way to vote the amount mentioned, - and then settle the matter once and for all. Mr E. M. Smith, who asked a question on the subject, moved the adjournment of tho House to discuss the matter.

Several members spoke urging that the claims of those who had done military and naval sorvioo for the Q olony should be recognised. Tho Minister pointed out tho abuses practised under the A ct, and tho Premier thought that as a limit of time for receiving the claims had been fixed, all claims which did not como in within the limit should be ignored. It was, however, a matter for tho House to decide.

IN BRIEF. An Imprest Supply Bill is to bo introduced by the Government to-day. The improvements in flax - dressing machinery brought under tho notice of the Government last year did not warrant the granting of tho Government bonus. Tho offer is to be renewed for an extended period. The Premier is in favour of granting scenery preservation and other societies legal status. , The Government are doing as much as possible with tho means at their disposal, tho Premier yesterday informed Major Steward, to put the linomjiloydd on certain railway works. There wore 288 men now employed on tho Otago Central line j and on the North Island Main Trunk lino and the Canterbury-Midland men would bo put on as circumstances permitted. In answer to a request that provision should be made in the Alcoholic Liquors Solo Control Amending Bill for preventing tho transfer of a publican liconso from ono township to another, tho Premier pointed out that this could be done when tho Bill came hoforo-tho House. The work of erecting the now Auxiliary Asylum at Avondale, Auckland, is to be put in hand as soon as plana and specifications are ready. Sir Maurice O’Eorko and Mi Mitcholson arrived from Auckland yesterday. The Government do not see their way to sot up a Eoynl Commission to enquire into tho Chonjishasi), " Provision ia to he made in a Fencing Bill to be introduced this session that all rabbit fences shall bo deemed legal fences. In answer to a question by Mr Morrison, the Premier yesterday stated that ho thought it only a reasonable thing to exempt Volunteers from service on juries as a recognition of tho large amount of time given by them to the Colony gratuitously. Ho would bo willing to move in that direction when tho Juries Bill cams before the House. Mr Montgomery yesterday asked the Premier to amend tho Standing Orders to prevent tho House sitting after midnight. Mr Seddon thought that if members would make up their minds not to obstruct the business of the House they could go home at midnight every night. Tj|o Goyerproept are obtaining a Report upon the advisability of establishing a lire insurance department upon the same lines as tho Government Life Insurance Department. Pending the report, the Minister of Lands yesterday informed Mr Q. J. Smith the Government could say nothing. Civil servants are not compelled to work overtime except in cases where it cannot possibly bo avoided, the Premier yesterday informed Dr Newman. Only in special cases is a small allowance made to sutih officer?. ‘ ■ Mr O’Eegoa’s suggestion to change the name of the Colony to “Maorihmd " does not im i favour with the Premier. The Minister of Education thinks that about the beginning of next session the time will have arrived for placing tfie

-several inspectors of schools underihe direct control of tho Education Department. Mr Joyce is asking for the establishment of an inebriates’ home. Finance will not permit just now, is the answer of the Minister of Justice.

The Premier has promised to reconsider tho question of continuing the grants to fire brigades. He, however, is of opinion that the insurance companies should he compelled to support the brigades. Tho question of travelling allowances of railway servants is receiving the careful consideration of the Minister of Railways. He finds it a very difficult subject to deal with. A Bill to amend the Shops and Shop Assistants Act is to be introduced during tho session. In it the Minister will endeavour to do away with the exemptions put in tho Bill of last session by the Legislative Council. Regarding a reciprocal tariff treaty with New South Wales, tho Premier states that the Government are willing to enter into negotiations on this subject, but New South Wales, when approached, offered no encouragement. Tho Government, in answer to a question by Mr Larnach, have promised to ascertain whether any persons in the public service hold seats on tho directorates of public or private companies. Mrs Catherine Barnes, of Wellington, is again petitioning the House for redress. Will the Government make tho Porirua Asylum watertight is a question appearing on the Order Paper in tho name of Dr Newman. A reduction in tho haulage charges for potatoes is being asked of the Minister of Railways by Mr G. W. Russell.