PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 957, 22 November 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph.]

[fkom our own correspondent.]

Wellington, This Day. The House met at 7.30 last evening. The Registration of Electors Bill was read a third time, and passed. On a motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. Pyke moved an amendment that the Government should give assurance that provision would be made for carrying on Public Works m counties before subsidies to local bodies was discontinued. The Premier said that for the present the subsidies would be paid. During the recess some plan for the adjustment of local finance would be settled upon, but if subsidies were to be continued, increased taxation would be necessary. Considerable discussion ensued, and ultimately Mr. Pyke's amendment was carried. Mr. Stewart then moved as an amendment that Supply be not granted until the Government give a distinct pledge to bring down this session a measure to that effect. The Redistribution of Seats Bill Amendment was negatived;, on the voices. On the first item for Postal Department being put, Mr. Montgomery moved that progress be reported, on the ground that until the Public Works Statement and Financial proposals were before the House, it was not possible to say what estimates should be voted. A long debate ensued, during which the estimates were attacked as too high, and general cutting down of salaries of civil servants from highest to lowest advocated. All the speakers m that direction being on the Opposition side. The debate was prolonged till a very late hour, and then progress was reported. Mr. Macandrew did not move a want of confidence.