HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Southland Times, Issue 11842, 16 September 1891, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Speaker read a memo by Messrs Rees and Palmer, claiming that the payment to members for the present session, reading together the Acts of 1884 and 1887, was either Ll5O or L 155, and also a memo of his own to the effect that the amount should be LIOO only. He suggested that the memos be referred to the Government, so that they might inquire as to the real position. — Mr Rolleston could not understand why the question should have been raised by two private members instead of being left, if there was any doubt, to the Government or the Speaker. — Messrs Rees and Palmer said they were prepared as lawyers to stand by the opinion they bad given, which would be supported by any judge in the world. — After some discussion the memos were referred to the Government with a view of getting the opinion of the Crown law officers. Mr Ballance announced that the AgentGeneralship had been offered to and accepted by Mr Perceval, who would proceed to London in the course of a few weeks to enter upon his new duties. — Mr Rolleston said a departure had been made from the usual ; practice in giving the appointment to a young member instead of to a man of high i administrative experience, and with the rank i of at least Cabinet Minister — in fact the best man New Zealand could produce. He did not wish, however, to say anything derogatory to Mr Perceval, of whose ability and integrity he went on to speak in terms of warm eulogy, expressing a hope and belief that as a young New Zealander that gentleman would distinguish himself in his < new position. — Mr Perceval'g resignation as ] member for Christchurch was read to the < House and a writ was ordered to issue for a new election. — The Premier said he would : announce to-morrow the course which the Government propose to take in regard to the Chairmanship of Committees, rendered ; vacant by Mr Perceval's resignation. In answer to questions it was stated that during the recess the Government would appoint an expert to assist the fruit-growers of New Zealand — That it was not the intention of the Government to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the working of the Government Life Insurance Depaitment, as the work that would be performed by a commission was now being performed by the Assistant Controller-General, who would be asked to make inquiry as to whether some of the officers could be dispensed with or not. Mr Ward moved the following resolutions in connection with the ocean mail services : —(1) That in opinion of this House twoweekly mail services should be maintained between New Zealand and Great Britain ; (2) that in the event of the Imperial Postoffice agreeing to extend the present agreement for the apportionment of the cost of the San Francisco and direct mail services between that office and the colony, or any favourable variations thereof, this House empowers the Government to arrange with the present contractors for a renewal of the San Francisco and direct services for a period not exceeding three years on the following conditions : _( a ) that the basis of payment shall be a rate of lis per pound on the net weight of letters conveyed (excluding those from America by the San Francisco service) ; (b) that all payments or contributions from Great Britain and other countries shall be receivable by the contractors ; (c) that the colony's direct liability be for payment of its outward letters only ; (d) that at least one New Zealand steamer iv three shall be employed in the San Francisco service ; (c) the time betweeu San Francisco and New Zealand shall not exceed 20 days : the port of|call in the colony to be Auckland orWellington, at the option of the contractors ; (f) that the time between New Zealand and Plymouth shall not exceed 42 days home*

_-B----___M«M_|MaWMW_--W-W--ward and 45 days outward : the contractors to be at liberty to arrive at and depart from any New Zealand port ; (g) uo bonus to be paid for early arrival, and penalties at the rate of L 4 an hour to be enforced only when the late delivery exceeds 4S hours ; (h) that all the provisions of existing agreements, where not at variance witb any of the foregoing conditions, shall be applicable to any new contract or contracts made under this authority. (3) That in the event of its being impracticable to renew the fourweekly~direct service on the foregoing terms then the Government to make temporary provision for alternate fortnightly mails being sent by direct steamer at ordinary ship letter gratuity or by federal packets on such terms as it may be possible to arrange with the contracting colonies ; (4) that this House also authorises the reduction of the Btindisi-Naples letter postage to the Universal rate of 2sd per -ounce and for the rates for books and newspapers being assimilated with those via San Francisco and by direct steamers. Mr Duthie thought the proposals of tho Government were the best that could be made. Debate interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.