PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 992, 11 July 1883, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 10. The House met at 2 30. sr. John’s college bill. The report of the joint committee on the Standing Orders on St John’s College Bill was brought up. NEW ZEALAND NATIVE LAND SETTLEMENT BIL..

The Hon Mr Bryge presented a petition from 152 natives interested in blocks of land acquired by the East Coast Land Settlement Company, praying that the facts of their case he inquired into before the New Zealand Native Land Empowering Bill was allowed to pass. The motion for the adoption of the report was put and carried. Formal leave was then given to Mr De Lautour to introduce the New Zealand Native Land Settlement Empoweringßill, which was read a first time, and referred to the Joint Committee on Bills to report whether it was a public or a private Bill. THE GUARDIAN TRUST AND EXEC-TORS BILL This Bill was reported on by the Joint Committee, introduced, and read a first time. NOTICES. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would move that the portrait of the late Dr Eeatherston pa nted by Mr Beetham be hung up in Parliament Buildings. Mr Bracken gave notice that he would ask the Government if they would issue orders to'the police at the various seaports to exercise special vigilance so as to prevent Mr James Carey and the other Phoenix Park murderers from landing in this colony. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said steps would be taken for bringing into operation a system of compulsory insurance among railway employes, and the proposals would be explained befoie the close of the session.—The propriety of reducing the charge on delayed telegrams by abolishing the postage charge, would be considered.—The suggestion of the Prison Inspector for the establishment of a reformatory would be favorably considered by the Government during the recess.—lt was considered advisable that the survey of the three Northern railway routes should be commenced at once. That could not be done until the Native Minister reported that it would be safe to survey at least one of these routes. —The Government had under consideration the propriety of introducing a Bill to alter the law affecting the vesting in local bodies of lands opened up as roads and streets, and to obviate the necessity for obtaining conveyances in favor of local bodies.—Commissioner Mackay’s report on the Thames goldfield was now out of print, except those bound up with the Parliament proceedings, and the Government could not furnish copies of these reports to certain libraries. RAILWAYS AND TAXATION. Sir George Grey gave notice to move the following on going into Supply ; “ That this House regrets that the Government has expressed its intention not to make any proposals to deal with lands specially benefited or advantaged by the construction of railways, in so far as such benefits or advantages have accrued in the past, as in the opinion of this House the principle of taxing all property increased in value by the construction, with the public money, of railways, roads, bridges, harbors, and other works, is just.” The proceedings were interrupted at 5.30.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. DEC ENTRA LIS ATION.

Mr Montgomery moved— “l. That the existing system of central Government has failed to realise the results anticipated, and that the promises and engagements made at the time ot abolition of the provinces have not been fulfilled. 2. That in consequence of this centralising policy much discontent prevails throughout New Zealand. 3. That to ensure economy and efficiency in the administration of local affairs it is necessary that all such local affairs, including public works, should be withdrawn from the control of the central Government and vested in local governing bodies elected by districts having a community of interests.” He thought a great change was necessary in the government of this colony. Previous to the abolition of the provinces everything bore an aspect of progress and prosperity. The central system of government had added an extra burden of taxation. The debt cf the colony had been increased in nine years by seventeen millions, and last year the revenue could not meet the expenditure, and a sum of L 168,000 had to be raised by additional taxation. The land fund had been swept away, and local bodies were without funds. He did not, however, propose to go into a scheme of finance. He had gone into the question, and he would say there was no difficulty, nor could there be any difficulty on that score. The public mind of New Zealand was ripe for the change, but he would not say that it should be given effect to suddenly. What he would propose was that it should be embodied in a Bill, and then held over for the general election. The Hon Major Atkinson said Mr Montgomery had failed entirely in proving anyone of the propositions in his resolution. The people had a General Government and required nothing more.

Sir G. Grey denied the assertion that there was no discontent in the colony. It was the very essence of good government that districts having different geographical interests and having a variety of climate should be allowed to legislate for themselves. Mr Turnbull said no man had done more to lower the tone of the House than the Treasurer.

An amendment for adjournment of the debate till to-day was carried, and the House rose at 12.15.