PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3567, 20 October 1898, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

THE ESTIMATES. The discussion of the Police Estimates was commenced by the House in Committee of Supply about 2.30 yesterday morning. Captain Russell moved that the item .£3387 for 50 additional constables be struck out, on the ground that such an increase wasunneoessary. The Premier stated provision would be made on the Supplementary Estimates for the salaries of sub-inspectors. He thought subdistricts were desirable. As the police would now be taken from the general public, and not from the permanent force, it would bo necessary to establish a dep6c for the training of the police. As regarded the detective department, the sams physical standard would'not be required as for ordinary constables. Effect would be given to the system of promotions and classes recommended by the Commissioner. They thought it was necessary that transfers should be made periodically on the recommendation of the Commissioner. He did not think they could afford to buy bicycles for the members of the force, but probably some allowance would bo made to those using them in the discharge of their duties. Next session he hoped to be able to give the House information which would enable it to consider a scheme of pensions for the force. Ho did not think it desirable that men should bo reappointed after having once left the force. He had much pleasure in announcing that increased accommodation would be made for police quarters and cells. Ha thought district clerks should receive Is a day additional, and that matter would be considered. It was proposed that' inspectors should receive £3OO a year to commence with, rising to a maximum of .£l3O, and subinspectors to £250, rising to £2BO, and provision would be made for those rates of pay to apply to present members of the force. House allowances would bo granted to married men. Cabinet had decided that monetary rewards should be dispensed with, and that in lieu thereof orders of merit should bo given, tending in the direction of promotion. Punishment should be by the imposition of fines, a.nd in ail snob ea?es the decision of the Commissioner would be final. The vote eventually passed without alteration. The committee also passed the votes for Education, JMines, Public and School Buildings and Domains, Rates on drown Lands, State Forests, Cheviot Estate, Lands for Settlements, Public Trustee’s Account, Government Insurance Account and Government Advances to Settlors Account, the sitting continuing until 6.45 a.m. The votes yet to be considered on the General Estimates are Working Railways, Department of Agriculture, Lands and Survey, Lunacy, Charitable Aid, Department of Labour and Valuation Department. THE ABATTOIRS BILL, Considerable alterations have been made by the Stock Committee in the Slaughtering and Inspection Bill. Tbe principal amendments are The population of a borough or town district is increased from 1300 to 2000 before an abattoir is to be established by ‘ the local authority. In clause 10 the committee have struck out the second proviso dispensing with a vote of the ratepayers where a special loan is raised for the establishment of abattoirs. The approval of the Minister is not deemed to be necessary when districts combine to establish abattoirs, or when an abattoir established by one local authority is made available for another body. The license to slaughter is extended to any person with tbe written consent of the licensee. The provisions for the prevention of the slaughter of deceased stock are struck out, and others substituted providing that no stock shall be slaughtered in an abattoir or meat-export slaughterhouse without the written authority of _an inspector ; that the carcases are to ha inspected after slaughtering, and no meat shall be removed for human consumption or export unless declared to be free from disease; no meat known to be diseased, or declared to have been diseased, is to be offered for sale or export. LAND FOB SETTLEMENTS. The Premier informed the House yesterday afternoon that the purchase had been completed of Mr A. McLean’s Waikakahi estate, South Canterbury. The estate contained 41,000 acres, and the pries paid totalled about £300,000, the price per acre being £Q 15s, The announcement was received with expressions of approval.