PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 4758, 29 August 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(PER UNITED PRESS, ASSOCIATION.) ' MONDAY. The House met at 2.30. The Laud Act 1877 Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. , In committee of the; whole . House Mr Johnston moved as follows :— (1) That it is not expedient that an attempt should be made for the present to establish a direct eteam postal service between England and New .Zealand, as the large subsidy which would necessarily, b> required would more than counterbalance , the advantages. (2.) That the San Francisco mail service now in operation should be extended for two or three years, if the cost of extension does not exceed the present cost to the colony. (3.) That it is of importance that there should be a monthly passenger and mercantile steam service established between England and New Zealand by suitable steam vessels. (4.) The length of voyage each way should not exceed 50 days. (5.) That any contract should not be for more than 3 years. (6) That the cost of such service to the colony should not exceed, £4o,ooo per aanum. (7) The Government are hereby authorised to take the necessary measures to give effect to these resolutions. He said it was found that a subsidy of £160,000 would be required for a service to be performed in 30 days, and that was considered too much at present. Power to renew the San Francisco service was asked, subject to an arrange-, ment that might be made with New South Wales to defray part of the cost. At present New Zealand paid £5350 for; this service, and they asked the power of renewal on the understanding that the amount would be about the same as at present. The mercantile service referred to would be of great service in developing the trade of the colony and encouraging passenger traffic— ;Mr Dar« gaville moved, as an amendment, that power be given to the Government to make the term 5 instead of 3 years, for the renewal of the San Francisco contract. — The resolution, ai printed, was carried on a division of 52 to 22. After the usual adjournment on clause 6, Mr Shrimski moved the amount of the sub- 1 sidy be £20,000 instead of £40,000. —Mr Johuston said the N.Z. Shipping Company offered to carry on the service for £30,000, but wanted a long term. It would be better to give more for a shorter period. The route and ports of call would be left to the contractors.— Several amendments were proposed, but ultimately the £40,000 was struck out on a divisioa of 46 to 30, and £20,000 inserted by 5S to 18.— After further discussion clause 6 as amended waa passed. — No, 7 was, at Mr Fish's suggestion, amended by requiring tenders to be called for the sorvico, and as amended was agreed to. — The Houso then resumed, and the resolutions on a whole were reported and agreed to on a division of 52 to 9. |!he House rose at 2 o'clock. v 1 i > >