HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11739, 12 September 1890, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. THE BABBIT PEST. Mr Lance brought up fcho report of the Joiut Live Stock and Babbit Committee In speaking to the report, he said with reference to the.rabbit question, that tha pest was now probably causin K an annual less to the colony equivalent to the amount of interest on our National debt and he urged that steps should be taken to do a great deal more towards its extermination than was done at present MrMcKenzie (Waihemo) expressed the opinion [tea ; the whole administration of the Babbit Department waj a complete fa ™ c - He moved an addition to the re r port, and "That it be referred back to Government with the request that the strongest measures bo adopted for the eradication of the rabbit pest, ♦w" H . on :, jKf R j? har dscm maintained that notwithstanding Mr McKenzie's assertions, the record of tho last twelve months was a grand one. Clean certificates had been issued for sheep all over the colony; and as to tho rabbit question he pointed out that there were 2 300 000 skins exported less than the previous year, and that he thought showed conclusively that the rabbit post was declining. After a lengthy discussion, in which a great many members took part, Mr McJtenzie s amendment was carried on the voices, and the report, as amended, was ordered to he on the tablo. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30. THE DISMISSED BAILWAY MEN. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson said that in accordance with the promise he made to the House the previous evening, he had placed himself in communication with Eailway Commissioners witli respect to the dismissal of four railway employes at Chriatchurch, and had obtained a memorandum on the subject. Ho moved that the memorandum should Ho on the table and be printed. The memorandum shortly reviewed tho circumstances which led up to the dismissal of the men at Westport iy ttelton. and Christchurch, and included ft copy of the several circulars which the Commissioners have addressed to their men during the present crisis. The report of the meeting held at Christchurch m which the four men Elvinos, Winter, Ovren,and Newton, were concerned, was also attached to tho communication. Mr Ballanco said this was a very im portant question, and he should propose that the memorandum be produced at once, and circulated before the House met to-morrow, so that discussion might take place on it. Tho Commissioners were no doubt servants of the House and members, had a perfect right to criticise their actions. Several other members having spoken the Hon, Mr Mitcholson said ho regretted that any debate had taken place at this stage. He had no objection to the memorandum being printed at once, butlhe could not say at present whether Government would set apart any time for its consideration, and he should inform the House definitely of the decision of the Government on the matter at 2.30 next day. ANNEXATION. The Hon. Mr Mitcheison moved that an address be presented to Her Majesty the Queen, praying that Macquarrie Island and adjacent isles may be annexed to Now Zealand. Mr Fraser asked whether any liabilities ivero to be taken over with tho islands. The Hon Mr Fergus said there were no liabilities. In reply to Mr Marchant, the Hon. Mr Fergus said it would be utterly impossible at present to do anything in the direction of preserving soa lions, seals, and penguins at Macquarrie Islands, as it would be sevoral months before the " Government could obtain possession of the islands. Mr Kerr asked what they wanted to protect sea lions for, as those animals were in tho habit of eating men Mr Smith said if they ate men, perhaps thoy could send the gentleman from Invercnrgill, who had caused all tho trouble in connection with the seals, to that place. Mr Fish— Or the Railway Commis. sioners. Sir George Grey hoped the Government would take somo action with respect to seals and penguins, as ho understood preparations were now being made for their destruction. The motion was agreed to. PHOOBESS OF BILLS. Tho Midland Bailway Contract Bill was read a thtrd time and passed The Distillation Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed.