PARLIAMENTARY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1005, 26 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, July 25. BILLS. The Parliamentary Witnesses’ Indemnity Bill was received from the House and passed through all its stages. St John’s College Removal Bill was read a first time. The St Peter’s Church, Caversham. Bill, and the Dnnedin Market Reserve Leasing Bill, were read a second time. The Property Law Consolidation Bill was passed through Committee with amendments. CHARITABLE RELIEF, . A motion by the Hon. Mr Babnicoat for a return of the sum expended in charitable relief in each district in the last six months, showing where the Government had borne the whole charges and where the local bodies contributed, was agreed to. The Council rose at 4.20 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 25. ‘ The House met at 2 30. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said:— That a Bill dealing with the payment of rates on Grown lands in'boroughs was in course of preparation, and would be passed this session.—That the railway from Wyndham to Toi Tois as far as Mokerito, for which L 12.000 was asked would be completed during the financial year. 1 -BILLS. ■ ' ' ’' ' The following Bills were introduced and read a first time ;—Mataura Reserve Vesting and Empowering (Mr Mackenzie) ; Middle Island Native Villages Control and Regulation (Mr Taiaroa). PROPERTY TAX. In reference to the Bill to repeal the Property Assessment Act and the Property Tax Act, set down for introduction, Mr Montgomery said he had an interview with the Treasurer, who had pointed out that when the Government Bill for the increase of the Property Tax came on would be the most convenient time for debating this question, and he had accordingly determined to delay the introduction of his Bill until ha had an opportunity of consulting his friends on the subject.

MOUNT COOK PRISON. Mr Hutchison moved for a return of the number of bricks made week by week . by the prisoners at the Mount Cook penal establishment, the number of prisoners employed, the number of warders in charge of those prisoners, and the estimated value of the bricks as made. Mr Holmes moved as an amendment, by way of addition, that plans of the proposed penal establishment at Mount Cook be laid on the table, which was carried. NATIVE LANDS. Mr De Lautour moved for a return showing the several blocks of native lands, their respective acreages, and the provincial or registration districts in which such blocks are situated for which certificates of title or Crown grants have been issued or are ready for issue by order of the Compensation Courts or Native Laud Courts, in favor of any number of owners, being tea or any less, since the Ist day of January, 18GG ; distinguishing between the certificates or grants made under each of such Acts, and giving the number of persons found by either of the Courts aforesaid to be interested in the case of each block of land whose names are registered in the Court but are not placed in the certificate or grant, such return to show in what cases any restriction from alienation other than by lease, was imposed, and the nature of such restriction, and also to give the names of the persons placed in the certificates or grants as ihe owners

The Hon Major Atkinson said that the preparation of the return would take six clerks a period of two years, and after all it would only be useful for the information of perso a desirous of purchasing native land. He asked that the motion should be postponed, especially as the Native Minister was unavoidably absent.

Mr DeLauxour complained of the Government having treated him moat discourteously in not informing him of their opposition. He complained that this was a deliberate attempt to suppress information, and in view of the manner in which it was done it would be quite impossible if such things were done that harmonious relations between the Government and the Opposition could be maintained. The information was required to prevent the natives being plundered, and to postpone it meant to shelve it, and he would rather have the motion dealt with at once. The House divided on the motion— Ayes, 23 ; noes, 33.—The motion was negatived. EAILWAVS. The following motions were put and carried :—A return showing by what process the General Manager of Railways arrived at the result given in his annual statement, viz., “That the difference in revenue due to the difference in rate between the grain rate of the province of Canterbury and the current class E rate estimated for the year’s traffic would probably amount to L90,0l!0, whereas the total revenue for the year ending 31st March, 1883, for all classes of goods, including grain, carried over the HurunuiBluff section, is set down at L 403,420, and the quantity of grain carried during the same period was 343,398 tons, or less than one-third of the total goods traffic, which was 1,130,410 tons ; also showing whether since a reduction of about 25 per cent in the grain rate is estimated to reduce the revenue by LOO,OOO, and the grain traffic at the old rate would have produced L 36.000 for the year, and, if so, whether the balance J of revenue from the goods traffic on the Hurunui-Bluff se don, viz., L 43,420, ie a fair charge for >he carriage of the balance of such goods traffic, viz., 787,012 tons; also showing in what respect the grain rate for . the province of Canterbury ' differs from the grain rate, for the rest of the colony, and why. (Mr Wright)! For a return showing the aggregate ‘mileage travelled by all passengers, and the total raileaje run by all carriages on the ‘New Zealand railways; also, showing the number of passengers carried for each carriage mile, such return to be furnished'for each section of. the railway and'each branch railway in the colony. (Mr Wright).

LOCAL INDUSTRIES. Mr Bracken moved—“ That it is desirable that the Government should encourage local industries, by giving preference to articles of New Zealand manufacture required for use in various public depart- ‘ ments, provided that in price and quality such articles, do not suffer by comparison with the price and quality of the imported articles of a similar character; and also • that the Government should encourage the development of .«ur mineral by giving preference to coal and-ether minerals that may be required in the public service, provided rates and quality !are equal to the rates and quality‘of the 'imported minerals of a like nature.’’ He had no intention of treading on the vexed, question of protection and free trade. All, he -sought to affirm was a much' needed safeguard for the encouragement and development of their own latent Resources. Mr Bathgate spoke in support of the motion. Mr Holmes said that the motion did not go far enough. To encourage manufactures a variety of things weie required. It demanded increased One toms duties, lowering of railway freights, and the construction of railways, tram-cars, and other public works. He moved an amendment so as to embody these proposals in the motion. Mr Turnbull opposed the motion, which he said was now assuming dangerous proportions. Colonel Trimble also opposed the motion and amendment. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. The House met at 7 30. SCHOOL COMMITTEES. Jlr Moss moved—“ That the School Committees S ection Bill should be. recommitted with the view of adding a proviso to the effect that the Bill should not come into operation until the end of March next.” That would prevent the

Committees now in office from being fixed in office- for a much longer period than was originally contemplated.

Mr Holmes wanted an assurance from the Government that the Bill would not in ai y way clash with or materially alter the provisions of the Education Act. Mr Sheehan said the Bill did materially affect the Education Act They had passed an Act making triennial Parliaments, and yet they were here to prolong the term of office of these School Committees. The present system was the only means which gave a large, section of the people, Roman Catholics, a voice in the election of these Committees. If such a measure was wanted, it ought to have been brought down by the Government, and what was most significant was that the Minister had stood by in silence. At the proper time he would move that it be read that day six months. Mr O’OallaGhan supported the Bill, and hoped it would not be re-committed. Mr iShrimski supported the amendment for recommittal of the Bill. He was fully convince ! that the Bill aimed at the Education Act, and if allowed to pass into law it would materially affect that Act.

Question put that the amendments made in Committee be agreed to. The House divided. Ayes, 39 ; noes, 11. Oh the motion for the third reading, Mr Sheehan moved it be read that day six months.

Mr Moss said if they once admitted the change there was no saying where the change would stop at. The present system 1 f education had many enemies, and this Bill placed it in a moat critical ptate. The Hon Mr Kolleston denied that the Bill was aimed at the whole system of education. The Bill itself was weak, and while it would do no good it would do no harm. He would vote with Mr Sheehan, because he looked upon the Bill as interfering with the details of a large system, but not with the idea that it was at all mischeivous. Mr Petrie regretted that Mr Rol’eaton has not expressed his opinion at an earlier stacre. It was a most illiberal measure,inasmuch as it disfranchised lodgers, and yet they were called upon to pay for the education system. Mr Steward said the Bill was affirmed by Parliament last session. There was no new feature in the Bill of this year. He contended that the Bill aimed at doing more substantial justice to the Roman Catholic Church. The cumulative vote so far from being an advantage to that Church had been used against its interests. He had satisfactory evidence that in the course he had taken he was supported by the views entertained by the body of the people. The question whether they should put in a lodger was fairly raised in Committee, and decided by a large majority in the negative. Before moving in this matter he was told by the Government that they would not bring in a measure ■ f this kind. In view of that fact it was ridiculous to blame him for having taken the matter in hand. Mr Bracken opposed the Bill. Minorities should be represented, but under this Bill they could be excluded from that privilege. Question put that the Bill be now ; read a t‘*ird time. —Ayes, 39 : noes, 10. The Bill was read a third time and passed.

PREVENTION OF FRAUDS. The Prevention of Frauds against Insurance Companies Bill was withdrawn by Mr Ivess.

EDUCATIONAL DISTRICTS. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Abolition of the Education Districts arid Boards Bill. He dcta-led the provisions of the Bill, and contended that it would effect a very considerable saving and a great improvement in our educational system. . , D . n The Hon Mr Dick opposed the Bill contending that it would be no saving of expense to administer the Act from Wellington, as was proposed. Sir Levestam had alw»ys been of opinion that either the Central Board or Local Committees should be abolished. He took it the Government would act in a more liberal spirit than the Boards did. Mr Fish combatted the idea that the Education Act could be administered as well from Wellington as locally. He complained bitterly of the injustice done by the Boards to the Committees, more especilly in Otago. He opposed the Bill. Mr J. W. Thomson opposed the Bill. The House was counted out at 11 p.m., no quorum attending after the supper adjournment.