LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6240, 17 May 1888, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wednesday, May 16.

AFTERNOON SITTING. Tho Speaker took his seat at 2.30. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Tho Hon G. M. Watebhousb moved — "That there bo laid upon the table a return of the interest in arre&r, if any, upon debentures and securities held in the Colony on behalf of tho Government of New Zealand, specifying the amount of euch interest pertaining to various securities, and the particular account on behalf ot which the securities are held." COMMITTEES. Tho Hon Captain Baillio was appointed Chairman of Committees. TLtt usual sessional Committees were appointed. THB ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. The Hon G. H'Lean continued tho debate on tho Address-in-Reply. Considerable saving might be effected on the railways, and also in educational matters. Ho considered that Education Boards might be done away with. Tho salaries of some schoolmasters were too great, particularly in small districts. Too much extravagance was noticeable in tho construction of various school buildings. Eoferring to the Civil Service, the majority of the men were as good aa could be found anywhere, and he was astonished that :<o many good men 6tayed in the service. He noticed with satisfaction the Bill which he hoped would be the means of weeding out bad men, who had hitherto been surrounded by powerful friends. Very great care was necessary in legislating in connection with the Chinese difficulty. He deprecated the cry of Protection which was being raised in tho Colony. The Hon G. Johnston thought the present railway system was not fair to outlying districts, and expressed the hope that before long Government would see its way to sell or let the railway lines. Eeferring to the Chinese, he deprecated any hurried legislation on the subject. As to Chinese immorality, he did not think they w«ra any worse than many Europeans. A3 to the accumulation of filth said to exist, ho considered such a state of things ought to be attended to by the introduction of proper by-laws. The Hon S. E. Shrimski referred briefly to tho question of Protection, and expressed an opinion that a certain amount was necessary. The motion was put and carried. The Hcu3o rose at 3.50 till the following day.