GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3807, 19 October 1901, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, Oct. 17.'* LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE TO INTRODUCE. Mr Feldwick gave notice to introduce th < Chemists Rota of Attendance Bill. THE MONET LK\'T>EKB BII.L. In committee on the Money lenders Bill, an amendment was made in the definition affootiug the word " interest," which was riade to include a premium, fine, 01 ■oregift. In sub-clause 3 of Clause 3, •vhich provides for the reopening by the ourt of leuding tr msaction, a provision "us added that a person shall not be ';iaiiled to apply for a reopening under his sub clause unless fbe application is made within one year of iho transaction being ctosod. The Bill was reported. THE FACTORIES BILL. The Factories Bill was read a second time " pi-o forma," and referred to the Labour Bills Committee. SECOND READINGS. The Cornwall Park Duties Exemption HiU, the Evidence Further Amendment .'iill, the Opium Prohibition Bill, and the Charitable Institutions Eating Bill, passed their second readings on the voices. The Council rose at 3 p.m. October 10. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr Allen asked why the enquiry referred to by the Premier, into the allegation of ...vercrowding and sickness on the Tagus had not been held. The Premier said that the statement made by the doctor and others had been qualified, and he had let the matter go. He was sorry now, and saw that he should have insisted on an inquiry taking place. After some further remarks by Mr Allen, the Premier said that ihere was no choice but to take the Tagus to Port Chalmers When the sickness on the Tagus was reported to him he had ordered full inquiry to be made, and everything possible was done for the men.

Mr Allen believed that there was a wa mcr route lor tho Tagus, and it should have been taken. The House, having taken the luncheon adjournment, resumed at 2.30 p.m. he vole for the South African Contingents was immediately agreed to on -the voices. Miscellaneous Services, ,£44,058. .In reply to Mr Hogg, the Premier said that it was the intention of the Government to have future shooting gatherings held under the direct supervision of the Defence Department. Mr Hogg urged that the programme for the meering iu Kebruary should be prepared as early as possible, so as to give Australian members time to consider it. The Premier promised to get the matter attended to as soon as possible. Several items were discussed, and motions for reduction moved, but no alterations were made. The vote for Miscellaneous c ervice agreed to, and the total vote for the Defence Department, .£287,431', passed on the voices. The House rose at 5.15 p.m. * The House resumed at 7 30 p.m. The next vote taken was that for Class 12 —Working Railways: Total vote, £1,152,000. Iu answer to Mr Herries, Sir Joseph Ward said that he intended to bring down the Railway Servants' Classification Bill and Superannuation Bill on Thursday, but did nat expect to yet the latter pas-ed this session The Classification Bill would involve an increase of .£28,000 in salaries over the whole colony, but would do away >viih irany anomalies that existed at present. .u i<--py to various criticisms P-ir Joseph W ril said he would c< ase importing Australian hardwood sleepers as soon as he could get sufficient in the colony at a. reasonable price ; no denied that the cost of maintenance ol iailw»ys was taken out of the capital account, it was only where legitimate improvements aud extensions were made that the cost was charged to capital account. He said that every precaution was being taken to prevent the occurrence of fires alongside the railway. The total vote for the Working Railways Department then passed unaltered. The vote ter Public and School Buildings and Domains, *-t-6,700, and tne vote for the Police Department, £122,258, passed unaltered, practically without discussion. Department of Lauds and Survey, =£127,130. In reply to Mr G. W. Russell Air Duncan said the position of Surveyor General would be filled in due curse. Mr Thomas Mackenzie moved that the item '■ fees to members of Waste Laud Boards, AiloOO," be reduced by .£2 as a direction to the Government that hence forth no member of tho House shall be appointed a member of a Laud Board. This was carried on tho voices, and the total vote (as reduced) was agreed to. Valuation Department, £25,591. Mr Meredith said there was a strong acd growing feeling throughout the colony that local valuations shouu again revertto local bodies, who it was contended could carry out the valuations efficiently and at much less cost than the Government Department. Mr Mills said he believed that in a year or two the valuation of the colony would be completed, and after that there would be a very material reduction in the cost to local bodies.

The total vote passed unaltered. 'I he following classes then passed without amendment, and practically without discussion —Kites on Crown Lauds, £7000; Nhw Zealaad State Forests Account, -£12,332; L'.mds for Settlement Accruut, '.700U; Public Trust Office, £24,128; Government Insurrance Department. -£50,u36; Government Accident Insurance Account, -£3505; Government Advances to ■ettlers Office, £88,514. This iiuished the (Jousolidated Estimates. Progress was reported. The House rose at 1.35 a.m. Oct. 17. The House met at 7 30 p.m. DRUNKENNESS AMONG THE MAORIS. Mr Kaihau gave notice to ask the Government whether they will appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the. truth or otherwise of statements that were being made as to the prevalence of drunkenness among the natives of the Taranaki District. FIKST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced by Governor's Message, and were read a firs; time : —The Military Pensions Act Amendment Bill, the Local Bodies, Goldfields Public Works and Loan Bills, th<Government Loans to Local Bodies Aci Amendment Bill and the State Coal Mines Bill

Tho Payment of Members Bill was also introduced by Governor's Message. A division was called for on the motion that ths Message be referred to the Committee of the Whole. The motion was carried by 33 votes to 25 votes. The following- is the division list: —Ayes(33).—Arnold Barclay, Bollut d, Carncioss, Carroll, Oolvin, Duncnn, Field, Fisher, Fiatiaan, Fraser L. D., Gilfedder, Hall. Jones, Hogg, Hornsbv, Houston, Kaihau, Laureusou, Lawry, McGowan, McKeczie 11., McLauchlau, McNab, Millar, Mills, Napier, Palmer, Parata, Seddon, Steward, Tanner, Ward. Noes (25). —Allan J., Atkinson, Bennet, Buddo, Collins, Fowlds, Fraser W., Gfrahain, Hardy, Herries, Hutcheson J„ Lang, Lethbridge, Massey, Mackenzie T., Meredith, Monk, O'Meara, Pirani, Rhodes, Russell G. W., Russell W. R., Thomson R., Thomson J. W., Willis.

In Committee of the Whole, on the several Bills, Mr James Allen asked the Premier whether the amendment to the Military Pensions Act would make provision for the men who had been incapacitated in the South African campaign, although

their injuries had not been actually received in action —The Proinier at firat said the present Act would cover the cases mentioned by Mr Allen, but afterwards promised to look into th) point. In reply to Mr Thomas Mackenzie, the Premier said that it was not the intention of the Government to render any asoi.; i.u.ace to New Zeal m dors who were nob members of the various Contingents. In regard to the State Coal Mine Bill, the Premier said that the report of the officials on the best site for a State coal mine would be circulated among members

On the motion in Committee of the Whole for leave to bring in the Payment of Members Bill, another division was called for; the motion being carried by 33 votes to 24 votes. The Bill was read a first time on the voices. THE AUDIT OFFICE. The Acting-Speaker read a communication from the Controller and AuditorGeneral, in which he forwarded to Parliament, in accordance with Section 9 of the Public Revenues Act, 1900, a copy of the correspondence in a case of difference of opinion between the Audit Office and the Treasury on the question whether the public reveuue should be credited with the amount paid out of the Public Account for interest on New Zealand Government debentures, in which the Public Trustee has invested the sum of £500,000 received by him under Section 8 of the Bank of New Zealand and Banking Act, 1895. The Premier said that this was only a technical question. The matter in dispute had been referred to the Crown Law Officers, and their opinion was that the Auditor-General was not right in his interpretation of the law. He moved that the correspondence be referred to the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Fraser, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said that the committee would not have time to deal with the matter this session. After a short discussion, the motion was agreed to on the voices. THE \V AIM ATE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BILL. The Local Bills Committee recommend that the Waimate Hospital District Bill be not allowed to proceed, as the standing Orders had not been complied with. THE MAIL SERVICES. At 4 p in., Sir Joseph Ward moved that the House go into Committee of the Whole to consider the mail resolutions. He announced that if the resolutions in reference to the San Francisco service were carried, he would propose a further resolution fixinf a minimum poundage ot £15,000. The demand of Mr Spreckles for .520.0U0 from New Zealand wa3 altogether too high, in view of the fact that, with the Australian colonies in, the amount was only £30,000, but the guarantee of £15,000 at a 7s Od rate was a fair, one, nndhe attached no importance to the prediction that the service would go to Queensland. He believed that Mr Spreckles wis too good a business man to lose sight of the advantages of the trade with this colony. Last year this service had cost £10,803, after credit had been given for all postages, but under the present proposals the net cost, after credit had been given for all postages, would be .£16,304, and thia would show that the Government was not practising a skimping payment for these services. Speaking of the Vancouver service, the I'osttnaster General agreed that there ought to be an opportunity ot developing trade with Canada. The mails would take only one day longer to reach Loudon, or to reach Auckland on the return voyage. The Federal service, which was carried on by the P and O. and Orient boats, would cost the colony £19,417. The Vancouver service (three weekly) would cost £21,333, and the San Francisco service £16,304 The ;-an Francisco service was the fastest and cheapest, and it was clear to his mind that they should agree to carry it on. It was their duty to ask Mr Spreckels to use whatever political pressure he had to secure the employment of a British owned steamei in thia trade. '1 he debate which followed lasted untii the House adjourned at 1.35 a.m. The San Francisco Service was supported 3y Messrs Massey, Witheford, Napier, McGowan, and Fowlds, and Captain Russell, and opposed by Messrs Millar, Finher, G. W. Russell, J. Hutcheson, Collins, T. Mackenzie, and Atkinson.