Friday, 23rd June.

Otago Witness, Issue 1597, 1 July 1882, Page 12

Friday, 23rd June.

The intended attack of the Opposition tonight collapsed utterly. It was rumoured before the House met this evening that this would probably be the case. Mr Montgomery rose as leader of the Opposition, but his " claim was jumped " by Mr Dargaville, who proceeded to deliver a long financial speech, which he is understood to have been incubating for several days. He criticised the Budget, but there was little original, and hothmg formidable, in his attack. His chief points seemed to be a defence of the land and income tax as against the property tax, and the assertion that there was no real sinking fund as represented. His speech fell very fiat, and was openly sneered at by the Opposition, who did not seem at all pleased at his action. Then Mr Seddon came in with his pay-ment-of-members motion, and that has occupied the House until 11 p.m. The tone of the debate was not of a very dignified character, several members plainly hinting their conviction that paying members was the only way to prevent their lpeing bribed. However, the motion was carried nem. con., and there is now little doubt a bill will pass this session fixing the payment of members by statute. I understand that the Colonial Treasurer will not bring down his national insurance scheme before Wednesday week. 1 believe it will probably be first brought forward in the shape of a resolution affirming its desirableness. The Public Works Statement will most likely be delivered on the following Friday. It is in active course of preparation. In reply to Mr Weston, the Government abated that it was not intended to put on excursion trains to Christohurch at the time of the members' visit to the Exhibition. , " Mr Bracken has been informed by the Minister of Education that Mr Farnie's discharge is a matter which Was entirely within the province of the Education Board, and with which the Government have nothing whatever to do.

Major Atkinson announced to-day in the House that the Government had under consideration a scheme to establish a pension fund for all Civil servants by making regular deductions from their salaries and wages. The Opposition made a lame attempt this evening to get up a debate, as # had been threatened, relative to the financial policy of the Government. Mr Dargaville made a sot Bpeech in criticism of the Budget, but it was very weak, and was not followed up, except very briefly by Mr Montgomery. Mr Seddon then brought on his honorarium motion, and the subject had greater charms for members than a criticism of the Government policy, for they talked at length upon it, although the only difference of opinion seemed to be as to the amount of the pay, and as to whether the Upper House deserved the honorarium also. Eventually Mr Seddon's motion, affirming the principle, was carried on the voices. On the honorarium question being disposed of, the motion for going into Committee of ' Supply was carried without further opposition, and the Estimates were proceeded with. An abortive attempt was made to postpone the Charitable Aid vole of £40,000, but the Government succeeded in passing it by a large majority.

MOTIONS CARRIED. The following motions wero put and carried :— By the Hon. Mr JOHNSTON : "Thata committee be appointed, to consist of five members, to consider and report upon the propriety of giving the consent of Government to bring the Brngden claims under the provisions of "The Government Contractors' Arbitration Bill, 1872," such committee to consist of Sir J. Hall, Messrs Maeandrew, Fulton, Montgomery, and the mover." By Mr O'CALLAGHAN : " That the House resolve itself into Committee to consider an address to the Governor praying that & portion of the amount paid up to 1880 for incidental expenses to the several boards of education be restored ; and to recommend for appropriation this year the sum of 5s per child on the average attendance at district schools, with the view of enabling the boards to return the 10 per cent, deducted from the salaries of schoolmasters."