A, Z. Parliament.

Otago Witness, Issue 1596, 24 June 1882, Page 9

A, Z. Parliament.

Thursday, 15th June.

With regard to the question of charitable aid, the scheme of national insurance suggested by Mr Blackley in the "Contemporary tieview" and '"'Nineteenth Century, for the prevention of pauperism, has recently been brought into prominence, and it is said the Government are favourably disposed towards the scheme. Its main priuciple, you will remember, consists in the compulsory payment of a small capital sum (£lO or £15) in youth (i.e., before the ago of 21) by everybody, high or low, rich or poor, which, by accumulation would enable him to draw weekly payments in sickness or old age, enough at least to maintain him. This idea seems to have grown in favour. I should not be surprised to iind some private member move in the matter, even if Ministers do not.

I am in a position to state positively that Government will strongly oppose Mr Sheehan's proposal for throwing all educational leserves into one common fund. I believo they hold that there is no warrant for such a change at the present time, and that as yet there is no reason to suppose that the .step would be justifiable even at a future dato' This should relieve the Canterbury and Otago minds

Tho following notices of motion rclativt o educational matters have been given for Wednesday next :— l. (Mr Hutchison) " That this ] louse will to-morrow resolve itself into Coir, mitioo of the whole to consider an address to his Excellency the Governor praying that he will recommend for appropriation this year the sum of £10,000 to be divided among the Education Boards of the Colony for the purpose of encouraging technical education by maans of night-schools or otherwise, and for the establishment and encouragement of female classes for sewing and cookery "; 2. (Mr O'Callaghan) "That this House will, on Wednesday, the 28th of June, resolve itself irto a Committee of the whole to consider an address to his Excellency the Governor praying that a portion of the amount paid up to 1880 for incidental expenses to the several Boards of Education may be restored, and that ho will recommend for appropriation this year the sum of 5s per child on the average attendance at the district schools of the Colony with the view of enabling the boards to return tho 10 per cent, deducted from tho salaries of schoolmasters."

Late last night Mr Turnbull gave notice in tho House that next week he will move a motion affirming the opinion that there should bo a progressive land tax upon all landholders to the extent of more than fiOO acres. A sharp debate is expected upon this motion, which has already been proclaimed by Sir George Grey and Mr Holmes to be the centre and keystone of the policy of the "Liberal" party. Of course if it were carried it would amount to a distinct condemnation of the Ministerial policy regarding finance, and so might lead to extensive consequences. That the merits of the cental system of weights and the decimal system of coinage may bo, more practically recognised, Mr Barron luis suggested that Govonunent contracts and railway and custom-house business should bi> conducted on the basis of the one, and that the 2'i'ing cceneration in the State schools should bo specially taught the advantage of the use of thfowft over the move cwipHoate'l method*. v>t I trcHcut in use, A furious petition ban been reported on to(Ly Ly U.r T\iL<io Pet:L\.iu- Conn.ntteu. Mr A.S. Allan, registrar of tho Supreme Court,

Wellington, is the petitioner. He states that, being appointed sheriff 'in 1879, he appointed a bailiff , who retained for his services a poundage fee amounting to £98, less which all the fees received by the petitioner were paid by him into the Treasury. But the Auditor-general had commenced an action against the petitioner for the .tJ'JS, whereforo lie prays Parliament for relief. The Committee recommend that, taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, the Government should stop the action and abandon the claim for a refund of the poundage fees.

liKI'UKK TO QUESTIONS.

lleplyin'jf to Mr J. (Jveen, The ii oil. iMi- IHCK said Government had taken tho r.iblrir nuisance into their own hands. Arrangements had beenmadeforintroducing'ioO polecats from Tasmania, and each hhip leaving Eno-lund would bring a supply of 50 ferrets to cope wich the nuisance. Parties bringing out those animals would get no subsidy, but they would iii id a profitable market at their disposal. Keplying to Mr Cadman, The "Hon. Mr DICK said Government did not intend to make it compulsory that persons appointed to the Commission of the Peace should undergo examination in the various Acts they may be called upon to administer ; but it a bill' to that effect was introduced Government would give it consideration.

OTAGO HARBOUR BOAU1). Mr FISH moved the second reading of the Otago Harbour Board Further Empowering Bill,' stating that he only wished to advance it a stage, and to take tho discussion on the motion for going into Committee, so that members might have time to consider certain data compiled by the Harbour Board and which he hould circulate. Mr MACANDREW said ho would not oppose tho second reading, although at the same time he differed entirely with the promoters of the bill, both as to the amount sought to be borrowed and the work towards which, as he understood, the loan was to be applied. When tho bill got into Committee he would be prepared to move certain amendments, the object of which would be to diminish the amount of the proposed loan, and to reserve its application to works most conducive to the public interest. As the mover had deferred debating tho question to a subsequent stage, lie should reserve auytlnuti he might have to nay until then. Tho bill was read a second time. HANSARD.

Mr PY3IE moved—" That members defray tho cost of printing their own speeches in " Hansard," and that such cost shall be deducted fiom the honorarium, if any, to which they may bo entitled." The cost per night was very heavy, and he thought that the motion, if carried, would shorten the session one month. That was an important consideration, and would tend to benefit the health and add to the convenience of members. The present was an opportune time to make a proposal of the kind. There had as j et been no abuse of the forms of the House, and this precaution would help to counteract an abuse of the kind.

Mr Tl/RNBU LL moved as an amendment— "That the words read 'members who desire to have their speeches reported defray the cost.'" He for one would prefer not having his speeches reported. Mr 1 iIIACKEN moved as a further amendment—" That m umbers be made to pay for the corrections upon their speeches." Mr TumbuU's amendment was negatived on the voice-;.

The Rouse divided on Mr Bracken's amendment, which was lost on a vote of 45 to 21. The House divided on the original motion : — Ayes, U7 ; noes, 36. The motion was lost.

Friday, 16th June, replies to questions.

Replying to Mr Barron, The Hon. Ivfr DICK said Government was not unfavourable to the introduction of the cental Kvafcum of 1801b as tho standard for sale of grain, but until the population was educated thereto it »vould bo injudicious to adopt it. In South Australia i' i.ad been adopted, but afterwards abandoned for the reason stated übo'-o.

.Ituijlyhig" Lo Mr J. Green, The' Ron. Mr DICK said an _ Order-in-Couucil was being prepared, declaring- stoats and polecats natural enemies of rabbits. Ferrets and wc.isals were protected under the Rabbit Act. Owners and lessees of land could obiaiu the services of imported ferrets from Government on certain conditions.

CHINESE ON GOLDFIELDS.

Mr TULINBULL, on behalf of Mr Daniel, moved for leave to introduce a bill to_ disqualify Chinese from holding miners' rights and business licenses on goldfields. Pdr BRACKEN denounced the measure as tyrannical and uncalled tor, and thought the House would consult its own dignity by refusing lc ive to introduce such a measure. Vi'r KiiFiPHAlll.) moved adjournment of ilfjUile Uw a fortnight to enable them to ascertain i.v- nature of the bill. The motion for adjournment was carried.

Monday, 19tu June.

Two Opposition caucuses took place to-day. The f inst was held in the morning. It was convened hy Mows Feldwick and Steward, as whips fo>- the party, and "about 25" members are stated by the whips to have been present. Mr De Lautour was iv the chair, and according to tho version which he was authorised to communicate to the Press as to the proceedings, it was agreed that common organisation was necessary if any useful criticism of the Government measures was carried out, but that it was not rn.-cess.-iry to appoint a leader. An independent version is to tho effect that the meeting was attended by about 12 or 15 of the older mem burs belonging to the ranks of the Opposition. A desultory discussion ensued, during which nothing was mentioned regarding the permanent appointment of a leader, nor with respect to any contemplated attack upon the Government. Conversation related principally Lo the order of business to be pursued during the .session, the criticism to be brought to boai- on Government, and the means of coming to a friendly undersbanding with new members who are not supposed to be supporters of Government.

This aitornoon an adjourned meeting was hold, Mr Do Lautour again presiding. After some discussion it is officially stated to have boon decided "that a common basis of opposition should be agreed to, and with that object all tho Opposition and independent members should be invited by Messrs Steward and Feldwick to moot on Wednesday morning next, to decide what form the organisation of tho party should take ; in tho meantime the members present to lie independent, and take such course as they think fit." Such is the "authorised ver-ooTi.'' L am not responsible for h,i wording. Fir Ceorge Grey wa.'j present, but Mr Pyko, and others were absent. From one quarter i hear that 12 members were present, and eight or nine "accounted for." ICven giYin 4 wif; the whole 25, it does not .seem a proliii -ii, ;■ ;> v of<pf"jt. One rumour afloat is to the efLc 1 'ti' 1 . X Mr Montgomery and Mr Macand . :. '"^i- (Vdavrd their wjllinfjno'"! eJthc- 1 to j v ; ;v l ■ ) 'c<n<>w Bir George Groy os tho party may doom beuW I hear that Sir George Grey

has declined to commit himself to anybody, but declares he will romain an independent member. There is some talk of a new party, calling themselves the "clean-sheet" party, their basis of operations being "to lot the dead past bury its dead," and " start afresh with a clean sheet." This idea, seems popular among the new members, who are evidently much puzzled whom to believe after the positive affirmations and denials to which they have been alternately treated by both sides ' regarding past transactions. It is understood that H.M.S. Miranda is under orders to be ready to proceed to Fiji. His Excellency is said not at all to relish any allusion to his pending departure, and 1 hear that recently he severely snubbed an unfortunate consul who innocently wished him a pleasant voyage-. The Commissioner of the Government Insurance Department has issued a circular to all the total abstinence societies in New Zealand on the subject of a special "temperance section "of life assurance. A new branch, called the "temperance branch," has been established, in which all total 1 abstainers may assure their lives at rates ordinarily charged, but with the privilege that at each quinquennial investigation into the results of the department's work they shall have their policies valued separately, and have the whole of the profits accruing ' therefrom divided amongst themselves separately. Copies of_ the circular have boon forwarded to the various country postmasters.

Tuesday, 20txi June.

hi the Upper House to-day tho "secon reading of tho Peace Preservation Bill was moved by the Premier, and after some discussion the debate was adjourned. Mr Chamberlin has given notice to move that all vessels must be provided with a supply of oil in order to be used for the purpose of quelling a turbulent sea when necessary.

Mr Fulton, in the Lower House, has given notice of motion to secure a reintroduction of the Bible iv schools. Mr Hutchison presented a lengthy petition from the North Island against the teaching of skilled labour in prisons, and Mr Bracken is to present a similar petition from tho South Island on Thursday. Considerable progress was made with the Estimates, the House sitting till after midnight debating the various item.".

Tho report which was so widely circulated last night and positively affirmed— viz., that Mr Bryce had declared his determination to resign if the Native Reserves Bill were thrown out, is authoritatively denied to-day. I hinted last night my suspicions as to its being nothing more than a lobby canard. I hear, however, it was distinctly put forth by a certain prominout member of the Opposition party, and can be traced to him, but not further. This needs no comment on my part. The Native Reserves Bill is undoubtedly a troublesome affair, but there is little doubt that it will pass, notwithstanding all opposition. Meanwhile it stands over for a few days, during which time there will be doubtless some active whipping up, and probably some improved consolidation of the Ministerial party. To-day the House got into the Estima,tes| almost immediately, and have been hard at them all the evening. Mr Turnbull obtained leave to postpono his motion in favour of a progressive land tax, although Major Atkinson would have liked to have it out there and then. But the Opposition knew that its fate was assured, and they hoped by keeping it off to secure the assistance of the newly-elected members.

The Estimates are going through at present very quietly, but a stupid piece of unfairness has been committed at the outset, through a misconception. Tho Legislative officers were put down for an apparent increase, but this was really only the restoration of the 10 per cent, docked last year. Nobody, however, explained this to the House, and so the seeming increase was promptly knocked off, thus placing the unfortunate officers in the position of being the only ones who will still suffer the 10 per eeut. blackmail.

An interesting debate took place in the Legislative Council this afternoon on the second reading of the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill, which was moved by tho Premier in a very able speech of exactly an hour's duration. Ho ox plained the whole history of the West Coast difficulty with admirable lucidity, and urged the necessity of the bill with remarkable cogency. The 30 councillors who were present did not manifest much interest, excepting Sir George Whitmore, who took copious notes, with the obvious intention of replying, and Colonel Brett, who seemed spellbound, and listened with rapt attention, never lifting his eyes off Mr Whitakor's face; but no fewer than 13 hon. councillors were buried in deep hluuibors, and lounged in a striking variety of .sleeping attitudes. Suddenly Mr Hurst, M.H.R., entered the strangers' gallery, and accidentally knocked down a wooden flag which divides the gallery, which fell with a loud crash. The effect was electrical, and all tho .sleepers started up as if they had received a shock from a powerful battery. Sir G. Whitmore followed Mr Whitaker, and supporled the bill, but contended that Mr Bryce ought to have been allowed to march on Parihaka when he first desired to do so. Sir G. Whitmore also stoutly defended the action of the Grey Government, and asserted that the difficulty had been left as a legacy by the continuous Ministry. Wi Tako Ngatata made a very strong speech in favour of the bill ; and Messrs Mautell, M'Lean, and Scotland, who all spoke to different points, declared their intention of voting for the second reading. The debate was ultimately adjourned. The bill, I think, is safo to pass. The goldfields members havo approved the suggestions of Messrs Wu« ( .i.:i and Sheehan which I telegraphed to you I i,t week, and will recommend them for adopt ion by the House in legislative form. , The members of the Lower House interested in harbour matters have, .(greed to recommend that members of harbour boards should not be permitted to vote on questions on which they or their partners are commercially interested ; that lands submitted to auction, and not sold at the end of lease, should he leased ayain to the highest bidder ; that harbour boards should have power to lease lands between low and high water marks 1 ; and that boards should have power to lease foreshoi oa Lor 21 years on valuation, without special legislation boing necessary, as it now is.

PKTJTIONS,

Mr SMITH presented a petition from de-[c>Tcd-iuy;iuMit settlers praying- thai they miyht be enabled to lake up additional land on the deiem-d-p.iymtsut piniciple.

HEP/JUS TO QUESTIONS.

Jli3|»l\ iirr to Mr otiward, Th<> Hon. Mr UOLT.J^TOIST Raid }eseivo No. "I T', W.um-do surwv disUi<'t, contain "J o ' [■> ac'v.-. Lo be su'd, w;>, not, so iai 1 ti' : Government was advised, suitable for small settJera in lots i>r from {> iq to JO acres each, smd con«o<<'tcnllv1lioy <Ti ! not Ihinl- i ( i<'(M. '■> ' |f w" f 'h'' Und <iln,ird 'i,i, \Yjujlii:i.l,o iiJ'.)ts;:.d ot i 1 L l/hiiKboburw), bui/ Uiab iurtutn 1 inquiries would bo

made as to the nature and position of the land. Replying to Mr Steward, The Hon. Mr JOHNSTON said Government would consider the propriety of introducing into the railway system a method for forwarding passengers' luggage similar to that in operation in the United States, known as the check system. Replying to Mr Bracken, The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said forest planting in New Zealand had been already, largely resorted to, and. encouragement would be hold out to local bodies desirous of going in for it more largely. Replying to Mi- Tole, The Hon. Mr DICK said a fee of 20s under "The Patents Acts, 1871 and 1881," protected an invention for a period of six months. At tho expiry of that time 40s moro secured all the rights of protection under' tho Act. Government deemed these liberal enough terms, and did not consider any further amendment necessary. Replying to Mr Fulton, • The Hon. Mr DICK said Government had under consideration the recommendation of the Petitions Committee that all persons entering the Government service under permanent engagement should insure their lives for an amount equal to two years' pay at least, but they had not seen their 'Way to give .effect to the recommendation. The. question was not yet finally disposed of. ' ■ Replying to Mr Fcldwick, The Hon. Mr BRYCE said Government would, so soon as possible, make a statement in respect of their intentions regarding the suggestions in the Volunteer Commission's re-