PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 197, 24 July 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

'Wellington, July 21. CONSTITUTION BILL. Mr Seddon gave notice to introduce the Constitution Act Amendment Bill, and said he would, at the same time, move to withdraw the Legislative Council Act Amendment Bill at present on the Order Paper. GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE. In reply to Major Steward, who asked whether the Government Life Insurance Department could not reduce its rate of interest upon advances on policies to five per cent, which was the amount charged by the A.M.P. Society, Mr Seddon said the matter would have the careful consideration of tbe Department. He pointed out, however, that the A.M.P. had not made by any means the reduction mentioned by the bon member. The rate of interest had been brought down by the Advances to Settlers Act. It was only*right that the Insurance Department should fall into line with the reduction, and he would see to what extent a modification could be made. COLONIAL MINT. Replying to Mr Millar, who asked for the establishment of a mint in the colony Mr Seddon said when the Government received the necessary authority from Parliament, he would be prepared to carry the proposal into effect. To have a mint in the colony would establish a very costly department of State. The time might come when it would be necessary to establish a mint, and when that time arrived, the matter would be taken into consideration.

QUESTIONS.

Replying to further questions, it was stated that indications of the existence of gold on the Cheviot estate were not sufficient to warrant the Government in incurring further expense in prospecting the estate. Complaints had been made to the Government as to the treatment of patients of Sunnyside Asylum, Christchurch, but they had been proved to be groundless. Other charges were being investigated by’ the proper authorities.

.That Mr 0. N. Barron, late chief of the Hansard staff, was not entitled to a pension, and it was questionable whether he was entitled to the compensation received by ordinary civil servants. However, under the circumstances, the Government was prepared to give Mr Barron compensation, but could not grant him a pension. A MARK OF RESPECT. Mr Seddon moved that the House do adjourn until 7.30, as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Hon. Robert Pharazyn, M.L.0., who he said had been a worthy colonist. He referred to the friedship that had existed between Mr Pharazyn, and Mr Ballance, and although he (Mr Seddon) did not always agree with Mr Pharazyn’s political actions, he recognised that he acted from conscientious motives. Captain Russell seconded the motion. The late Mr Pharazyn had passed away without having a single enemy in Parliament, and he (Captain Russell) thought how much members might do to make their lives in the House happy, if they would endeavor to cultivate feeling of friendship, and not be severe in their comments on one another. Messrs Duthie and Willis having added their tribute of respect, the motion was agreed to. FINANCIAL DEBATE. The Financial Debate opened on Tuesday and as a large number of members intended speaking it was duly arranged in what order they should speak. On Wednesday afternoon Mr Willis was to speak, but being absent no one else stepped into the breach, and Mr Seddon started his reply, which was a very telling one, from an electioneering point of view. A number of members were absent at the Hutt Races, and have thus been caught napping and will be deprived of their opportuniny of letting their electors know how little they know of finances. Sir George Grey sprung a somewhat similar mine on the House by delivering his budget extempore, and as a large number of members on that occasion were away at a ball they were debarred from giving the usual for want of data. It is expected that the closing of the financial debate will shorten the session by three weeks.