PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 334, 19 November 1897, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr Taylor's motion to reduce the salary of the Assistant Surveyor-General was negatived on the voices.

After discussion on various items of votes, Mr Taylor moved to reduce the amount of the total vote of £122,161 by one shilling as an indication that it is undesirable to increase large salaries. Negatived by 46 to 11. Vote agreed to unaltered. Miscellaneous services, £9155. Mr Montgomery moved to reduce the itam of fees to members of land boards, £ISOO by £5 as an indication that land boards should be elective.

Negatived by 31 to 21. Mr Taylor moved to strike out the item balnealogist and expenses £IOOO, Negatived by 49 to 7, and class agreed to. Class 14, police department.

Mr Pirani moved to report progress. Mr Seddon said he had every reason to complain of the treatment the Government were receiving in connection with the estimates this year. It was clearly understood the other evening, that if certain classes were taken the remainder would be finished in one evening. The non passage of estimates was blocking business and paralysing the House.

After a debate the motion was negatived by 31 to 7. Vote police department, £105,666, Mr Taylor asked for information as to the scope, and the order of reference of the police commission.

Captain Russell protested against Mr Tunbridge being one commissioner, and Baid it was unfortunate that he should be placed in such a position. The Hon Mr Thompson said the commissioner would enquire into the organisation of the force and any other matters brought before it. When Mr Tunbridge arrived in the colony the papers were laid before him, and it was at his own request he had been placad on the commission.

Mr Allen contended that Mr Tunbridge had been forced into a position on the commission.

Mr Rolle9ton wanted the scope of the commission more definitely stated, Were the commissioners to have a f-iee hand or only to investigate the charges brought before them. Mr Taylor was not aware of any preceedent for Mr Tunbridge's appointment to the commission. If the Government insisted on this course they would do a great deal to thwart the enquiry pretended to concede to the country. The Minister's answer as to scope of the Commission was most unsatisfactory and he demanded a more definite statement.

Mr Seddon said he was satisfied that no matter what position Mr Tunbridge was placed in he would acquit himself with credit to himself and profit to the colony. He was sorry to inform the house that Dr Giles, from private reasons, had been unable to accept a position on the commission, His (Seddons's )mind was still open on the question of the appointment of Mr Tunbridge to the commission, and he would give it further consideration.

At 3,45, after an hour and a half's discussion, a motion to report progress, moved by Mr Montgomery, was was negatived by 26 to 23. A further lengthy debate ensued on the subject of the Police commission. Mr Taylor at 4.55, moved that the item, " Three clerks £575 " be reduced by £5, as an indication that the Premier's reply to the questions respecting the scope and conduct of the commission was unsatisfactory. Negatived on the voices, Mr Mason moved to report progress at 5o'clock.

After debate it was negatived by 27 to 20. Discussion ensued on different items of the vote.

Mr Moore moved to reduce the item four inspectors under Licensing Act £6OO, by one, as indication that their servieces be dispensed with.

Agreed to on voices. At 6.35 Mr Moore moved to report pro gress.

Negattved by 27 to 14. Replying to a question in the House the other day. the Minister for Lands said the Advances to Settlers Department did not advance money on the security of West Coast leases held under the Act of 18S1. Asked by Mr McGuive whether he would alter the law so as to allow lessees who had not done so within the appointed time to come in under under the Act of 1892, the Minister said he would see ; if their leases were good enough he saw no reason why this should not be done.

The following petition from settlers on the Pomohaka Estate has been presented to Parliament: —" We do humbly pray your honorable House to take our position into your most serious consideration for the following reasons—l. After our experience of the land, in most cases extending over a period of 3.J years, we find that its capabilities are not sufficient to enable us to pay the preHent rent and live. 2. We came here with a fair amount of capital, and have expended it in improving our holdings. From returns we have received we are forced to the conclusion that the rents are too high. 3, We are now forced to the forfeiture of our holdings and consequent loss of hard-earned savings. We therefore pray your honorable House to give consideration to the matters set forth herein, and take such steps as may appear necessary to assist us,"