Parliament Day by Day.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7358, 4 November 1898, Page 1

Parliament Day by Day.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. (by telkgkaph. ) (from our own correspondent.) Wellington. November 3. The first: portion of this afternoon was occupied in discussing the report of the Extension of Committee on the question of primage and other charges upon wool and produce made by shipping agents. , A resum<s of the report appears in another column.

Mr Buchanan said that he could testify to the way in which agents managed business for the producer. He had frequently asked his agents if there was any refund, bub was never able to get any. Mr Hogg and Mr Duthle also spoke on the matter, and the debate was then adjourned on the motion of Mr Crowther. The report of the Public Accounts Committee on the question of the correspondence between the Audit Department and the Treasury Department with respect to transfer of votes was presented. Tha Committee considered that the Audit Department had acted in strict conformity with law, and was justified in reporting the matter to Parliament, but after explanation it was also considered that the Government was justified under the circumstances in adopting the course they did, and authority should be given to the Auditor-General to sanction such transfer.

After Mr G. Hutchison had spoken, the Premier referred to the look of blank dismay upon the faces of members of the Opposition when they heard the report of the committee read out. They imagined that the Government would have been accused of wrong-doing, in connection with the matter, but, instead of that, the evidence had shown that the transaction complained of had been the method pursued by various Governments since 1882. The reason for this particular transaction was that there was an abnormal increase in the business of the railways, consequently the expense was also increased and the railway appropriations had been expended, and it was impossible to get money from the unau-hovlsed fund, as the sum of L 50,000 had been transferred from thab fund to the consolidated fund. Therefore, the railway stores had to be sold to get money for the purposes required. There were only three ways by which money could be got : First to call Parliament together to authorise money to be spenb on salaries tor the railway employees ; second, to suspend the wages andother liabilities of the working railways till the beginning of the next financial year ; and the third was the course taken. If the first course had been taken he would have been worried by members of both sides of the House for calling Parliament together for the purpose of setting such a small amount of money. The Minister for Railways endorsed the remarks of the Premier, and the matter was diccussed until the 5.30 adjournment, and as this was considered to be equivalent to burking the matter, the Premier moved to have the report made an order of the day for to-morrow. At 7.30, the amendments of the Legislative Council in the Land Drainage Amendment Bill and Stock Act Amendment Bill were considered and agreed to. Consideration of the reporb of the Waste Lands Committee on the purchase of the Otahu Estate was taken, and the reporb was agreed to without debate. The amendments made by the Governor in the Shearers Accommodation Bill were considered.

Objection was raised to the system which it was considered was now getting quite common of having amendments in Bills passed by both Houses by the Governor. However, on a division the amendments were agreed to by 30 to 13_. In Committee of the whole the Premier moved resolutions renewing the San Francisco and Vancouver mail services. The Premier said that the Government had considered that it would be better to renew the mail contract for another year, and not for a longer term, as the New South Wales Government did aob intend to renew the Vancouver mail service. Ho said that

Both the San Francisco and Vancouver services had been satisfactory from _ a financial stand-point. He hoped soon in connection wiih the mail service to have a good coast service between Wellington and the South Island.

After debate the resolution was agreed to without a division.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Porirua School Grant Bill, bub after an unfavorable criticism further discussion was postponed. Mr Hall-Jones moved the second reading of the Separate Institutions Bill, dealing with the election of trustees to the Waimate 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 oub that the Premier and Minister of Education, in reply to a deputation which waited on them last session, had expressed the opinion thab separate institutions should be abolished. The second reading was agreed to. 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 transfers of votes, bat ultimately the Bill was Intro duced and read a iirsb time. Mr Seddon gave notice to move a reao Jution respecting the control of officers of the House. With reference to the Technical Education Bill, Mr Seddon, In drawing the attention of members to the proposed new clauses bo the Bill, said that, if no strong objection were offered to the Bill, he intended placing a sum on the Supplementary Estimates to replace that struck off the Public Works Estimates. The House adjourned ab 1.10.