GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3022, 10 September 1896, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, September 8. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tho Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE LOAN BILL. On the Minister of Educatiou moving to commit the Loan Bill, Mr Morris moved to postpone the commitment for a week, in order that the Council should obtain further information on tho subject of the proposed allocations in the schedule. A number of Councillors spoke, the general feeling being iu favor of deferring consideration of the Bill for a week. The amendment was carried on the voices, tho Minister uot c&lliug for a divisiou. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS BILL. The second reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill was agreed to on the voices. Tho Council adjourned at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. IN COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House met at 2.30 p.m., and went iuto Committee of Supply for consideration of the Estimates. Tho various votes under the Miues Department were briefly discussed and passed without alteration. On the Estimates of the Department of Agriculture a long discussiou ensued. Mr Allen complained that although the large expenditure of £21,000 was allowed for the year for the destruction of rabbits, the Government had done nothing whatever to put down the post. The Hon. Mr McKeuzie contended that the rabbits were decreasing all over the colony, and that the Government were doiug their best to cope with the difficulty. In reply to questions, Mr McKeuzie said that the Government were now paying £5500 for the cool storage of dairy produce. The iucrease in the expense of the Agricultural Dopartmentfrom£3l,oß6 in 1891 to £49,990 in the prosent year, was due to the greatly increased functions oi, the Department. He strongly defended the administration of the Department. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Iu committee on the estimates the discussion was continued for a considerable time on the rabbit question, and the grading of butter and produce. An amendment was moved by Mr Allen to reduce the vote of the Department of A griculture by £9B iu order to emphasise the opinion of the House that the expenditure upon the eradication of the rabbit pest was effective, and was lost by 33 to 13. The total vote passed unaltered. On the e3timates for the working railways department Mr Morrison objected to the office of Under-Secretary for Railways. He moved that £5 be struck of the officer's salary as au indication that the office should be abolished. Eventually Mr Morrison withdrew his amendment. After some two hours' discussion on the whole working of the department the total vote passsd unaltered. The votes under the headings of public and school buildings, domains, and inspection of machinery, were agreed to practically without discussiou. When the Defence Department estimates were reached, Mr Duthie moved that they be postponed until the House was in possession of Colonel Fox's annual report.

Captain Russell condoraued the present system of defouco as not being sufficient for possible requirements. Ho held that by the expenditure of an additional £IO,OOO, and by allowing officers to come from Europe, they would be able to organise their forces so as to put them on a satisfactory footing. The Premier defended the present system of defence, and urged that no chauge should be made until the arrival of the now Commandant. He thought that the country would iusist on the volunteer force being maintained to work iu coujunctiou with the xegular forces of the colouy. Mr Meredith moved to reduce the whole vote by £1 as an indication that the Government should reduce the annual expenditure. Lost by 29 to 8. Mr McLachlan moved that the vote of £59,750 for permanent militia and volunteers be reduced by £I'J,OOO. Lost by 28 to 10. Mr Hogg moved a reduction of £IO,OOO, but this was lost by 24 to 12, a .d the vote passed unaltered. In the vote for miscellaneous, Mr Thompson said, iu reply to Mr McNab, that no provision was made on the ostimates for a graut to the New Zealand Ritle Association this year. If it was the desire of tho House the grant should be continued, tho amount could bo placed on the supplementary estimates. The Polico Department estimates were next considered. Ou tho vote for four inspectors under the Licensing Acts, Mr G. W. Russell objected to the nature of these appointments. Ho said it was understood when the Act was passed that thesj officers Bhuiild act not merely as analytical chemists, but as inspectors of hotels, and to seo that tho Licensing Act was properly observed. The Hon. Mr 'ihompsou said it was the duty of these inspectors to seo that hotels woro conducted properly, and they were instructed to this ell'oct. Mr Russell said tho men appointed were not competent to fulfil the duties. The vote for the whole department was agreod to without amendmont. Tho ostimates of tho Land and Survey Department, tho New Zealand State Forests Account, Cheviot Estate Account, Land for Settlement Account, Public Trust Ullice, Government Insurance Department, and Government Advances to Settlers oflico elicited practically no discussion, and passed unaltered. This finished the ordinary estimate;, and tho House rose at 2.'AO. \