THE HOUSE.

West Coast Times, Issue 10667, 22 December 1897, Page 2

THE HOUSE.

The House met at 10.20.

A long discussion took place on clause 1 of the Reserves Endowments and Crown and Native Lands Exchange Sale Disposal and Enabling Bill. Mr lion Rolleston strongly objected to the Bill, which he contended was practically a private measure. Eventually progress was reported on the Reserves Bill.

Progress was also reported on the 8 Hours Bill and Technical E^caMbn Bill. The 'Supplementary Estimates were brought s down 'by^ mewg£ Vffpm Hhe Governor. ' ; f ' ' Mr Pirani moved progress be reported in order to allow the Premier to plaoe a ! sum on the estimates for the payment of costs of the Public Trustee in the Horowhenua case. Mr Seddon said if the Supreme Court ruled that costs could be paid out of the trust funds no doubt they would be paid. ~"~ He did not want to prejudice the question at present. The debate was adjourned at the luncheon adjournment.

The House resumed at 2.30. Mr Pirani's motion to report progress on the supplementary estimates was lost on the voices.

A lengthy discussion ensued on the item, £500 payment to Reuter's Telegram Company for special telegrams. Mr Seddon explained that the vote was

required for telegrams sent by Rsuter relating to the colony' and a saving-was effected by putting the sum on the estimates — The item was agreed to.

Mr Pirani moved that the vote of £500, bonus for the felt industiy, be struck out— Lost by 25 to 21 and the vote carried. Colonial Treasurer, Xl 9s— Mr Pirani moved to report progress as the Premier would not give a definite answer as to whether the trust funds of the colony '"" would not be called on to find costs in the Horowhenua Block case.

Mr Seddon said he should not allow anything to happen to injure the colony.

After discussion the motion was lost aud the vote agreed to.

Justice Department, £1049— 1n the course of the discussion which ensued on the fact that while the Magistrates were given increases, no increase appeared f.or District Judge Kettle.

Mr Seddon said Judge Kettle had been offered an increase of £50 if he' came'to Wellington. This Kettle had refused. It was the intention of Government to hold an enquiry into the charges made agaiust Kettle by Barnes of WanganuL— The vote was agree d to.

Marine and Harbor, £5809. Item, shipping master and examiner of masteW and mates, also Under Secretary for Defence, £400, £50. Mr John Hutcheson moved tint this item be struck out. After discussion this was negatived by 22 to 20. . '-''.■',- Mr Pirani moved, as an indication that the appointment of a shipping Waster at Wellington was unsatisfactory 'that the total of the vote be reduced £l.—Negatived by 29 to 13 and the vote agreed to. Minister for Education, £2793. Item technical education, £100. ' : Mr Priani moved that this item be struck out— Negatived by 28 to 9 and the vote agreed to. '

The House resumed at 7.30. Consideration of the supplementary estimates was resumed. Vote, working railway, £12,127. Mr Morrison moved to reduce the item, general manager, £50 by £1 as an indication that the salary of this officer should be substantially increased . After -discussion it was negatived on the voices and the vote agreed to. Vote Defence Department, £2909. Mr Carncross moved to reduce the item, railway fares £200, by £1 as an indication; that free railway passes should be issued to volunteers proceeding to shooting meetings. A lengthy debate ensued. Carried on tha voices aud the vote agreed to. - - - The remaining votes pasaed unaltered after discussion. On the resolutions being reported Mr Seddon moved the recommittal of ths estimates in order to restore £1 struck off the item, permanent militia and volunteers — agreed to. The estimates were re-committed and ' £1 restored on the understanding that Government would make a' 'better and more liberal provision hr respect of railway passes for volunteers.

Ou the motion that the resolutions from the Committee of Supply be agreed to,' " -----

Mr Meredith .moved that tho amount, of '£13,000 for school buildings and technical education buildings be reduced by £6500. The Technical Education Bill nothaving passed he contended the vote should be reduced. Mr Seddon said if Government wished to evade the law it would do so by devoting a portion of the remainder of the vote to technical education, Government had no intention to do so. ' After farther discussion the amendment was withdrawn and the' resolution agreed |to. The Appropriation Bill was introduced, read a first and secondjtime, committed and passed unamended. • On the motion that the Bill be read a third time Mr George Hutchison said the little legislation this session contained no elements of danger. The Opposition had presented the -Premier from passing many injurious measures and ~ from carrying on the business at hours when members were physically unfitted to carry it On. He contended that the Opposition wasjas anxious as Government! was to f urtiher settlement by the construction of roads and bridges but complained that the Government's policy in this respect was non-progressive and consisted of more borrowing. He dealt at some length with the measures passed andjdropped during the session. He referred to tho Horowhenua BUI as a crowning degradation of Government's legislative proposals.

Mr Pirani "pointed out that the severance of the Independent party from the Government ranks had been duo to its members voting against Government in respect to the desirability of holding positions, on the Advisor^ Board*

of public Companies. He warned Go* vernment if it did not abandon its proposals respecting Horowhenua, disaster would fall on Government and its friends. Mr Hogg dealt with the history of the Horowhenua Block ai some length. Referring to the failure of Government, to pass any labor legislation he pointed out that in other countries very little of such legislation had been passed. He was speaking when the telegraph office closed.