PARLIAMENTARY. (From " Auckland Star" special correspondent.) Wellington, May 10 to 12.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 203, 14 May 1887, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY. (From " Auckland Star" special correspondent.) Wellington, May 10 to 12.

On dit that the Opposition will forco the Government to reduce the honorarium, and the ( tovernor's salary. Of the bills given notice of, tho most important wore by Mr Downio Stewart, for the purpose of amending tho law of libel, and by Mr Seddon, relating to the mining laws. There were no less than twenty-four questions put to Ministers, and the replies to tho principal of these wore to tho following effect :— That tho system of allowing penalties for minor breaches of tho law without attendance at Court was desirable, and they would try to give effect to it this session. That the question of reform in railway management would be dealt with largely in the Public Works Statement. That it was impossible to get a railway tariff that would satisfy everybody, and than agricultural produce was charged in a way that gave sa'itff action to those dealing in it. , That tho practice of allowing senior sergeants to conduct prosecutions led to promotions, and the Government would nob increase their pay. Thut the report of the Recess Committee on Stark purchase would be laid on the table on Tuesday. That they had no objection to the electoral rolls being displayed in post offices and sold there. The second reading of the Wellington University College Bill, which granted aid to the extent ot £1, .">()() a year, and provided that the .services of the staff of the colonial museum should be utilised, was agreed to without debate. ■ . Tho second readings of the following measures are also passed : -r— Infants' Guardianship and Contracts Bill, Kermadec Islands Bill, >\ Inch gives effect to the recent annexation of the Kcrmadees. The measure introduced by the Treasurer for the purpose of giving local bodies power to expend money on Jubilee festivities was nob favourably received by a large majority of the House. In moving its second reading 1 , Sir Julius Vogel «aid that the e\ent was an exceptional one, and therefore warranted exceptional treatment. Although the Queen specially wished tho Jubilee celebrated by the Imperial Institute, he did not think there was any objection to local memorials of the event. Major Atkinson, while .-ympathising with the object the Government had in view, felt compelled to oppose the bill. If it were passed some bodies would feel bound, out of a feeling of loyalty, to vote a considerable sum, others would only give a little, while others again would give nothing at all, so that the bill would woik unevenly. He hoped the Government would allow the debate to be adjourned, and then drop the measure. He thought that any cclebiation of the Jubilee should be by way of \oluntaiy subscriptions. Besides, nearly every local body in the colony was in lnmncial difficulties Mr Bruce supported the bill, urging that local bodies would give Mich funds as they could .-pare. After some further discussion Sir Julius Vogel said it was apparent that the Hoiwf was against the measure, and as a bill of this kind should be unanimously adopted if at all, he would ask to ha\ c it di-ehiii god from tho order paper. This was agreed to. Tho Ward Con.-ervation of' Rights Bill, which provides for conserving Charles Dudley Ward's right as a ci\il servant, while temporarily acting as a Supreme Court judge, was passed through committee without amendment, read third time, and passed. The second reading of the Naval and Militaiy, Settlers and Volunteer Grants Bill was not oppo c ed, but seveial members expressed di-^ati^faction at the omission of certain claims. Major Atkinson said he knew of claims which the colony would have to recognise, and which had been rejected by the Commission. The Defence Minister, in reply, said every claim had been carefully inquii ed into. If members would give the names of claimants whose claims they thought should nob have been rejected, he would give the specific reasons which had actuated the Commissioners in their decision. The bill was referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The Employment of Females Amendment Bill was passed through Committee with .slight amendments, read the third time and passed.

Ballot Amendment Act. The Regulations of Elections Act Amendment Bill, circulated a, short time before the Mjeond reading "u as moved, was unfavourably ciiticu-ed in some of the main provisions. The Premier explained that its purport Was to make better pro\ision for taking the poll. One of the main provisions was to have ballot papers sent to the head office mixed up, and there counted, to prevent poisons in small districts knowing who voted. Another principal provision was to make the ballot absolutely secret. The system prevented a Returning Officer from knowing how a person voted. Every paper had a counterfoil, and it would be easy to detect double voting, besides providing a better means of catching attempts at personation than now existed. Mr Hursthouse opposed the bill, and argued that the mixing up process would mean that it would take weeks to ascertain the result of a poll in scattered districts. Messrs W. F." Brickland, Fulton, Eraser, and Fisher" alsp opposed any attempt to interfere with the present laws, which worked satisfactorily. Major Atkinson thought that the I ' bill suggested a better method than at present existed for dealing with elections. He disapproved of all elections beinw held on one day, and thought the qualification ought to be altered. His suggestiou that further consideration of the measure be deferred till Tuesday was agreed to.

Extending Hoars of Polling. The House sat till one o'clock, some time having been spent over the last clause of the Regulation of Elections Act, which extends the hours of polling to seven o'clock. A town and country discussion was raised, and as there was no probability of an understanding being come to at that sitting the motion to report progress was put and carried.

The Opposition Tactics^ The Opposition have decided to force the Representation Bill before the Budget is delivered.

Military Cemetery. Mr Whyte has drawn the attention of the Government to the dilapidated state of Rangirangi military cemetery, and Mr Ballance promised attention.

Reduction of Governor's Salary. Mr Barron has given notice of resolu* tion limiting the future salary of the Governor to L 3,500, and reducing Ministers, excepting the Premier, to L 750,

The Expected Biggolntlon. The aotion of the Government In bringing 1 forward the Financial Statement while the Representation difficulty ia pending is regarded as a very adroit move. The *' Poet "

and "Times" both confirm my prediction thut an immediate dissolution is probable.

Onchiiiiffa Cemetery. Mr Peacock presented a petition from 244 burgesses of Onehunga against a bill taking part of the cemetery grounds for a recreation reserve.

The Anti- Coercion Motion. Mr Bracken's anti-coercion resolution was talked out by those hon. members who had not the courage to go to division, and it is not likely to be reached again this session. The debate showed that a large majority of members wore in favour of it. Mr Moss, Sir R. Stout, Sir G. Grey, Messrs Joyce, Keece, and Turnbull strongly supported the motion, Messrs White, Samuel, Monk, gutter, Hatch, and Trimble opposed it.^ Mr Bracken received the congratulations of 10 residents of Wunganui on his anticoercion resolution.

Cuvier Lighthouse. The erection of a lighthouse on Cuvier Island is to be commenced in August or .September.

Charitable Aid Districts. Mr Hobbs wants the Government to make Auckland counties a separate district under Charitable Aid Act.

Volunteer Fire Brigades. The Government say they cannot afford to pay capitation to Volunteer Fire Brigades.

Wellington College The bill granting an endowment of L 1,500, 500 per annum for seven years to the proposed Wellington College passed safely through Committee.

cicntific Mining. The Minister for Mines promises a moderate vote to encourage mining by proper scientific treatment.

The Statue. Sir Maurice O'Rorke and Sir George Grey proceed to Dunedin to be present at the unveiling of Burns's statue on Queen's Birthday.

. Chinese Immigrants. Mr Seddon says that naturalised Chinamen forward their letters of naturalisation to China. Other Celestials come to the colony with them, and thus avoid payment of the £10 tax.

Goldlields Statement Mr Larnach will make his usual goldtields statement at the end of the month.

Local Industries Commission. Mr Moss declined nomination as chairman of the Local Industries Commission, and Mr Dargavillo has been appointed.

The Sovereign of the Seas. The Petitions Committee have decided that HenderMon and Spraggon have no claim against the colony for the loss of the Sovereign of the Seas.

Wairoa Telegraph Station. Sir Julius Vogel informs Mr Buckland that the telegraph office at Wairoa South will be completed as soon as possible.

<;iove Fights. Mr Hobbs is asking the Government to put a stop to the so-called glove fights, which, he suy&, are disgusting and demoralising.

Parnell Station. The Government refused Mr Moss's request for a passenger station at Parnell, on the ground of the expense and delay involved" by the stoppages.

Jottings It is asserted that some of the debentures of the last loan were negotiated as low as 92. Eleven electors of Wnitemata are petitioning the House re alleged ii regularities in preparation of the Waitemata electoral roll. The anti-coercion resolution was talked out yesterday. The heavy artillery was all on Air Bracken's side. Mr Ballance informs Mr Cadman that Captain Daveney's pensions settlement scheme is engaging the attention of the Government. The Government decline to give Mr Williams any more assistance to test his rabbit exterminator. Sir R. Stout says the weakness of our education system is the want of teachers being properly trained. Major Stewart introduced a bill to abolish the cumulative vote at the election of school committees. Mr Davgaville intends to vote for the reinstatement of members at 91. He says he prefers 71 members, but such provision, he considers, would endanger the bill. The printed copy of the report on military land claims is laid on the table of the House. I forward a copy of the report for the perusal of the unsuccessful applicants. Mr Ballance, in reply to Mr Monk, said the Government were not prepared to deal with the question of forest tires without further consideration. The next supply of post-office pass-books are to be printed on more desirable paper. Forty-one pupils are now in the schools for deaf mutes at Sumner. The proposal to make a graduated reduction in the amounts of civil service salaries has caused some sensation in Wellington.