PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1255, 4 June 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Per Pkkss Association.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Thursday, June - The Hon Coiunel Brett, without notice, moved “Ihat a message bo tranimitteo to the House of Representatives, asking chat the Uon J . A. Tale may bo permitted to give evidence before the Public . etition* Committee, relative to the reception of Cardinal Moran.”

The motion was agreed to. The Hon P. Buckley said that as a Want of Contidenoe motion was pending in another place, in accordance with the custom of the Council ho desired to move—“ That they adjourn.” The motion was agreed to. The Hon J. N. Wilson gave notice to move—“lhat it was desirable the members of the Legislature, in the present financial state of the colony, should forego this session half their honorarium, and that the members of this Council declare their willingness to make the concession.”

J ha Council adj urrned to next day,

HOUSE OF KhiVE jLNTATIVES,

Thursday, June 3

AFTERNOON SITTING Tho House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS,

Replying to questions Miristers said it was not the intention of Government to bring down any measure dealing with Hoad Boards, there was no truth in the report that a precedent to the signing by Government of an San Francisco mail contract, was an undertaking that sugar should not he earned by tho mail steamers from San Francisco or Honolulu to New Zealand without tho consent of the New Zealand Sugar Company. Other important questions were answered. MOTION,

Mr J. W. Thomson moved—“ That a Committee be appointed to enquire into and report whether any member of the Legislature negorated for, or claimed, or received any commission, or other re" numeration, for promoting the passage o" ‘ The i istrict Railways Purchasing Act, 1885,’ or for negorating th sale or purchase debentures issued, or to be issued, thereunder by Government.” Agreed to. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT, Mr Btyce resumed the debate on the Financial Statement. He said the Pre raier and Treasurer were very severe on those opinions fell heavily on him, as incertainly took a most despondent view oe the immediate future of the colony. Ha felt so strongly on this point that if y better condition of affairs did not ahortls come about he would retire from politicf altogether. He was not going* to cry “ Peace ! when there was no peace, ’’ and he help that it was the duty of every member to express his opinion fearlessly without regard to consequences. Those men who pointed out the true state of the Colony were the friends of the Colony, and they should not be deterred from speaking their minds. He considered it a great misfortune that the Financial affairs ot the Colony were ia charge of a gentleman whose name was everywhere connected with borrowing. Mr Bryce then proceeded to eritfclsa the Financial Statement at length. He did not know positively how that reduction was to be made, but ha prophesied that probably before two years larger reductions would have to be made. If the Premier did not make reductions, he would incur a responsibility that would bo distressing to him In the future. He believed that they were approaching a period when economy of a stringent character would be absolutely necessary, but he did not thinkpeople were prepared for vhat economy a present. They were prepared, howevert for a motion like that of Mr Montgomery’s, He did not think it fitting or right th«. those things should be answered by either abuse or sneers, as he had simply spoken from Ms own thorough conviction. The Hon J. Billance commended the manner in which Mr Bryce had approached the subject but said he had not shown that the expenditure of the country was such as to justify a reduction of £75,000 ; Jhe had not, infect, debated the amendment at all. Referring to Mr Bryce's remarks as to Sir J. Vogel's name being synonymous with borrowing, he pointed out that he (Mr Bryce) was for years a consistent supporter of the public works policy pf tips present Colonial

Treasurer Mr Balance deferred the policy of the Government Mr Macarthur d.d not think a dissolu tion was the bogey which had been bel.. up- Mr Ballauce would not at all frighten the House. It was absurd to talk of dissolution on a question like the present. He held that no Government which cou d possibly bo formed would hold more diverse views than the present Government

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING rUTTIVG

The House resumed at 7,30. Mr Macarthur want on to refer to the difference of opinion between his fritnd mid the Treasurer, with respect to the Sinking Bund. He hoped, if the amendment wort carried, a substantial reduc o would be given effect to. Dr A. K. Kowman thought it was strange that the Govorom..n', should ac cept this as a Ho Goi fidence motion, on which they might go out of office, whereas last year half a million could not dislodge them, tie thought the system ihat had iirnviled at Home of rewarding politica : supporters by giving thm orders and titles was cheapness itself coupared with the system of giving political railways and public works. The Hon E. Richardson siid he could

euow the House where a considerable laving had been effected during the las’ year. Ha pointed out that 90 miles el railway had been opened during the year, uid the working expenses were £SOOO lesthan in the previous year. The revenue had decreased £3OOO, but the net revenue had increased £2OOO, so that tinting th< year a profit had been made. More iiasengers had been carried this year, and many reductions had been made in, various directions. The outstandings accounts were £23,000 less than in the previous year, and yet it had been said over and over again that no reductions had been made m any department. In respect to liabilities, he found that in March, 1884, the liabilities were £1,282.0j0 j yet the hou gentleman h’m self, in the motion he made, set the expenditure down at £[,000,000. He might ■ay that the whole of the £386,000 would practically go to new railways. Mr Whyte said Government had, .luring the recess, learned many useful lessons, and, amongst others, not t < make too many rash promises. He expressed the hope that the virtue which would be impressed on Government before long was the virtne of resignation, Mr O’Conor wished to address his conatituents, as other members had done. He thought takidg the Estimates as a whole, they were moderate, but great savnga could still be effected in depart, mental expenditure. iUr tiiuoe said it was at last practically admitted by Government that there was depreason in the colony, and the antidote Government had discovered was a borrowing and a spending policy. He thought the antidote had not been suceessfui, but the reverse. He did not hlame any particular Government for the depression, hut he considered any Government deserving of blame which ignored the fact that deprecsion existed. Mr Menteath took exception to the form in which the motion was brought down* Che mover knew well the motion must have but one effect, namely, to turn out Government, Mr Mon gomary still persisted in his motion. In his opinion, no benefit would result from a change in the Ministry, and a political criscus at the present time would be very diaastroas. Mr Ross was In favour of retrenchment has made up his mind never to support any vote of no confidence brought down oy a private member, and for this reason he should give a vote which some people might be inclined to challenge, Mr Levestam combated the statements made by Mr Bruce that the O denial Treasures did not understand the Public Works policy. Why, the Colonial Treasurer’s policy in 1870 rings throughout the country, and public meetings ail over the Colony endorsed that policy. He con-

siderod the Government had shown a net credit for every retrenchment they had made, and in the Charitable Aid aloce they had made a very large retrenchment. On the amendment being put, it was lost by 44 to 28, and the motion was carried. The following was the divisionlist :

Ayers, 44.—Messrs Alhvpight, Ballance, Bevan, Bradshaw, Brown, Cadman, Gown, Dargiville, Duncan, Fraser, Gore, Grace, Guinness, Hakuene. Hatch, Holmes, Hursthouse, Iveas, Lance, Larnach,

Levestam, j, M‘Kenzie, M'Millian Men

teath, Moat, O’Callaghan, Pere, Pratt Reese, Reid, E. Richardson, Ross, Samuel Seddon, Steward, Stewart, Sir R. Stout, Taylor, Te Ao, T, Thompson, Tole, Turnbull, Walker, Sir J. Vogel, Noes 28.—Messrs Atkinson, Barren, Beetbaiu, Bruce, Buchanan. J.Buckland, W. Buckland, Conolly’ Dobson, Fergus, Fulton. Hirst, Hialop, Hobbs, Lake. Locke, Mtoarthur, M. Mackenzie, Mitchel son, Montgomery, Moss, Ormond, G. Richardson, Rolleaton, Russel, J. Thompson, Trimble, Wilson,.

Pairs: For—Messrs Coster, Joyce, f Bzherbert, Karr, Garrick. Macandrew, Pearaoc, Harptr, Smith O’conor ; Against —Messrs Herat, Peacock, Johnston, Fisher, Wakefield, Softer, Brace, White, Newman, Sir G. Grey.

The House then went into Committee Supply for consideration of the Estimate Progress was reported. Major Atkinson asked how the Government proposed to proceed with Estimates.

The Hon Sir R. Stoat said he bad proraised to effect a reduction of £30,000 or £40,000 daring the financial year, and he still adhered to that promise. The House rose at 11.40.