PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1558, 17 June 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE OjUNOIL. Tuesday, Jons 16. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. A massage was read from Hia Excel* leocy the Governor, announcing the resignation of the Hon 0. J. Pharazyn. The lion R. Pharazyn moved—“ That the Address which had been prepared la reply to the Governor's Speech be agreed to.” He dwelt upon the various topics referred to in His Bxoallauoy’a speech from the Throne. The Hon J. Bathgate briefly seconded the motion. The Hon Dr Grace having spokeo, the debate was adjourned. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Municipal Corpora* tions Bill, which he said was a consolida* tion measure. Agreed to without debate. The Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, June 17. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS A number of petitions were presented, and notices of motion given. IN MBMOKIAM. The Pkemeik said that since the House last met Mr Sheehan, one of their nnm. ber, had died at Petane, near Napier. Having spoken in high terms of the late Mr Sheehan, the Premier moved that the Bouse adjourn till half-past 7 o'clock as a tribute of respect to Mr Sheehan's memory.

Sir O. Grey seconded the motion. The motion was then pat and carried, and the House adjourned at 3 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 30 p.m. TAURANOA SEAT. The Hon R. Stout moved that a writ be issued for the election of a member for Tauranga. This was agreed to. RE ATE or ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs Gillies, W. F Buckland and Coster for one month, on account of illness, NEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced Land Art 1884 Amendment Bill, Tuakitoto end Kaitangata Lakes BUI, Native Lands Disposition Bill, Native Lends Act Consolidation Bill (Hon J, Bsllanoe), Bill to Regulate Election of School Com* mittees (Mr Steward), Bill to Amend Employment of Females Act (Mr Lores* tarn), Unclaimed Land Bill (Mr Wakefield). ADDRESS IN-REPLY. Mr Pearson rose to move the Addrsw in-Reply to the Governor’s Speech. He began by saying that owing to his having held a seat in the Goose for several sessions, he o >uld not claim the leniency generally afforded new members. He wee sorry such a melancholy event bawl oe* curred recently in the death of Mr Shoe* ban He had lost in him e sincere end valued friend. He thought the present depression was showing signs of disap* pearing. There were several causes for tain depression. In the Southern Island it was mainly caused by the almost total OQllaptc of the grata production, but

wmß a^B3 cine to the system that had prevailed of introducing immigrants into the country in each large nnmbsn. Another industry that had sprung uo recently that was likely to prove of vast importance, was the development of the frozen meat trade. He thought the success of the North Island depended largely on that industry. He was glad to find that our local industries were increasing every year. Referring to the Soudan War,. he said it had resulted in the death of some ot our beat soldiers, including General« Gordon. He was glad to find that the late loyal manifestation in the / colonies had proved that the colonies were hound to the Mother Connery. Speaking as y col onial, he was proud to say there were no more loyal subjects in the Eflapire than the colonials, and he thought when the time came New Zealand would give practical illustration of her loyalty. He also thought the natives were to be congratulated upon the offers they had made of assistance. The late Russian ■care found the colony in a most defenceless state, and he oonsidered the Government were to b* congratulated on having placed our defences in » better position. He bad beard the Government blamed for taking the steps they had in this matter, bat he believed documents were in existence to prove that Russia had an - organised’ scheme for attacking 1 the colonies. : It was matter for congratulation that the North Island Trank Line was started, as he considered that it would he not only a benefit to the North Island bat to the South also. He eulogised Mr Ballanoe’s native policy, and he attributed the present state of native affairs to the firm and manly policy of Mr Rallance's predecessor. He was sorry he could not ' speak so, hopefully of the construction of the Seat and West Coast Railway line; bat no doubt more vigorous steps would shortly be taken In this matter. He congratulated Government on the successful manner in which the lata loan had been floated, and he considered that it justified the Colonial Xceasniez in his management of the finances of the country. He also con* • gratulated the Minister of Lands on the success which had attended his administration of the Crown lands of the Colony. He thonght that with intelligent administration in the Mining Department, the products of our mineral resources would be largely increased. He hoped that when the local government scheme was brought down it would not .interfere with the present Road Board system; as that system had been of great benefit to many parts of the oonntry. It was a melancholy thing to _ see the way in which the country was being denuded of ' Its timbers, and he was glad to find . Government intended to bring down • a measure for the conservation of onr forests. The opening np of a trade with the Sonth Sea Islands required the attention of the House, and he was glad that the steps taken last session bad produced good results. He thought that what the country wanted at present was sound legislation. He believed the present > Government would give effect to practical legislation, and*bring the Colony back to

MnUMI tIITHMI Mr Hislop, in seconding ihe motion, also alluded to Mr Sheehan’s death as being a great loss to the Young New Zea- .. land party that was growing up. in the country. He recollected that there was • general desire last session that there should be abolished from the House the question of abstract principles, but he thought, if. the present depreasion|waa to be removed, they should constantly refer to abstract principles. He referred at ' some length to the introduction of the Public. Works system, and pointed oat . that the policy which had been carried on,in the country bad not been paoductive of tike best results. He said it was because be saw some effort in the Go- ' vemor’s Speech to carry out several re- ’ forms that be Intended to support the ~ Government. As to the present depression, the people bad not lost confidence in the country, bat they had lost confidence in the policy that was ruining the country, and were determined to make a change as they had done. Referring to the settlement of land, be thought that unless private, as well as public lands were dealt with, the depression would not pass' away. He hoped the House would give fair 'consideration to the proposed change In the taxation, and hoped it wbnld be permanent. He was also pleased to gee that Government were introducing questions of policy such as those indicated in the Speech, and he hoped they would be drawn In the lines advocated from time to time by the Premier. They should endeavour in this community not to have tiie extremes of poverty and wealth, bat one of happiness for all. They found in -'.the Old Country that where the land was cut np into small holdings, the people - were better able to bear the burdens pat upon them, and the same state of things prevailed in thia country. Major Atkinson said he would like to kwow whether the Government were prepared with all their policy measures; if ao, he was prepared to accept the Address without any farther debate. If the Financial Statement was ready for Tuesday, they would be in a mnch better position than to discuss the whole policy of Government. The Hon R Stoat said if the Address were carried that night, the Government would be prepared with the Financial on Friday. It was not proposed to bring down the Public Works Statement y"tn the Financial Statement was folly , . discussed. Hajcr Atkinson said that after the Premise's reply he should reserve his remarks till atiotber occasion. He merely wished to say that, in accepting the Address, the : <■ Opposition did not commit themselves to anything. They reserved to themselves ' full right to criticise the Government ageasores as they were brought down. The Address was then pnt and agreed to. The Home adjourned at 9 5 p.ra.