PARLIAMENTARY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1299, 27 July 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Monday, July 26. The Council met at 2 30 p.m. BILLS The Hutt Gas Company’s BUI was read a second time The Coal Mi> es Bill was read a third

time and passed. The debate on the question that the Civil Service Raform Bill be read a second time, to which an amendment was moved by Dr Pollen that the Bill be read this day six months, was resumed. After a discussion, the motion for the second reading was carried on a division—Ayes 21, noes 13.

The First Offenders’ Probation Bill was read a second time. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill was further considered in committee. Some slight amendments were agreed to ; progress was reported, and the Council adjourned to next day. HOUSE Of REPR ESENTATIVES'.

Monday. July 26. The Home met at 2.30 p.m. NSW PLYMOUTH HARBOR LOAN.

Colonel Trimble resained the debate on the committal of the New Plymouth Harbor Loan Bill, and spoke for several hours, during whic'i the bell had to be frequently rung for a quorum. He was still speaking when the House rose for the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING The House resumed at 7.30 p.mLOAN BILL.

Mr J McKenzie resumed the debate on he Loan Bill, and criticised at length the speeches against the proposals, and contended that the reason of such speeches was that the. Opposition were serry they did not occupy the Government benches. Referring to Major Atkinson’s objection to borrowi- ghe said the bon gentleman bad in four years and two months raised £9,250,000, or at least had bad the spending of it If the colony was to stop borrowing now it would mean the loss of two and a half millions by works in coarse of construction It would also lead to stagnation all over the colony. He did not say that the Government were perfect, but for the two years they bad been in office they had administered the affairs of the colony fairly. Mr G. F Richardson thought that the new works set forth in the Financial Statement were not given effect to in the 811 now before the House. He said that G vernmeut were responsible for Captain Hneseil's amendment last session, as no sooner was it moved than the Government accepted it. He suggested' that Government ahoalJ css more energy in acquiring lai da al eg the North Island Trunk Lin . The mo*t Important line nnder the consideration of the Bouse wse he thought, the Woodville-Palmerslon line which would connect the east and west coast of the .North Island. So far as bis district was concerned the money alloted it was sufficient to c instruct the line to a working point and meet all re* quirements for some time to come. He spoke agairst the amount for the Blen-heim-Tcphousa line, and also that from Westport to Inangahus, as without completion these works were quite uncalled for Taking into consideration the position of the colony be thought it extremely bad policy to proceed with any new lines. He moved an amendment to the effect that no new lines be o mmenced until the lines at present under construction are completed toa w rking point, and that the votes for the Blenheim-Tophoose£6B,ooo, and Wettport-lnangahna £63,000, be atrnckout, and that the vote for permanent way sleepers and rolling stock be reduced by £44,000 and that the earing of £175,000 be allocated to the Wowing lines:—Helenavillo northwards, £33,000 ; Napler-Palme ston North, £45,000; Blenhe m A waters, £25*000- Otago Central, £60.000; and the Seaward Bash line, £IO,OOO. Mr Dsrgaville seconded the amendment proforma, and thought the reason of its being moved was to give the members who had already spoken another opportunity to air their eloquence. He cri>* ticiaed the speeches made against the BUI, and favorably compared Mr BaUanoe’s administration es against that of Mr Biyce, •ad said that the popnlarity recently obtained by the member for Waitotan was being used by the Opposition in their endeavours to gain some of the popnlarity they had lost by their past administration. He said during Major Atkinson’s regime the average expenditure was seven million and a half annually, which bad been spent in such a manner as to secure the member for Egmont a long tenure of office. Major Atkinson should be the last member to charge the Government with a change of front. Dr Newman said he would vote for the second reading of the Bill, and also for the amendment. He pointed out that the cerdinal policy of the present Government ■»ai the completion of the Main Trunk lines, and yet in their third Public Works Statement there was no attempt to carry this out. The Premier said the reason for bringing down the amendment was to give some members of the Opposition an [ opportunity to make two speeches on | the debate. Government would not accept the amendment, nor would they allow the Opposition to dictate as them as to what the schedule of the BUI should be If the House agreed to the amend meat other? could carry on the Bill. In referring to the speech of Mr Ormond, he said ha first made an attack on the Public Works policy of the Goverrment, and then wound up by complaining of the amount of money expended in his district. He asked was that a statesmanlike way to attack the Government. There eould never be a successful financial policy if there was a continual application for roads and bridges by districts, which should not rely upon Government. Referring to immigration he said the colony should be made su attractive; that immigrants would come to it without public aid. Some of the objects of the member for Napier was to remove the burden eff the land and place it on personal property and customs revenue. He referred at some length to the speeches during the debate, end referring to the railway management said the services of Mr Back and Mr Smith could have been retained if higher salaries bad been paid. He could not blame thorp gentlemen for accepting better positiopiir—■* in Bister colonies, but their departure could not bo made the subject of an attact on the railway management In the colony. Referring to railway boards ha said there we* danger in handing over any of the Government departments to nonpolitical boards, unless such boards were responsible to Parliament. He defended the votes for the Blenhelm-Tophouse and Westport Inangahua lines. Referring to railways, he could see that the support totho Manawatu Gorge line was giving e

premium to the Welllngton-Manawatu railway. A good deal had been said about the North Island tiunk line aid, that a large amount had bet n Inacconrately spent on roads and river work, but he dented this, and quoted figures In support of his statement. The par chase of native lands along the line had also come out of loan. Be had always contended that the colony ciuld DO' always go on borrowing for all kinds of works. He thought the colony should construct its buildings out of the consolidated fund. Roads with the ex*

crp ’on of those intended for opening up Grown »r» d«, •*> u’d vi f to local badles. With loto.uuce io railways he said DO i mbt some of the Hum would bare to ba

rT e Vl h^dlsag^ were mire important then m y g t b htcoL d ny h wou , ldravo or to Btop borrowin« Whenever he had proposed thv .h -o, ..w “ss’eSs 1 come oat of loan tne non. “ . , rose to the posed economy in the Uouae wai never been up, , rrow . mg.” It hon. members who anpp h amejdment were sincere J’ did th*y not propose k .. W . £175.0)0 off »e- edu\e a. d • will not borrow thls a “? _ wo uld divide would not do this, but thelr ow , the amount ment.oned intended t> districts. Wbar Governor do this year (w th th ® a survey struck off), was only , , ino waa not made, land.fthe Midi #bM _ gone on with these im not to agree doned. Be aske rem inded members to the ameiudment, an t when thls that the tlmewasnotfar dtst Premier’s speech, said the latter con'd not la any one instance put his finger on any statement which be had mide to r D B the «fleet stated In hw «P eeoh - *“• Premier had come into Parliament with the intention of Introducing economy and a better system of local Government, but ha denied that this object had been accomplished. The res-.on of it* failure Was that members had not PP him, but he (Major Atkinson) ‘hi. statement for the tirst time . . - . v that the Premier bad even assMtedthe House to go in *ho dlrecdon lr^ ntion , e .“ In his speech. It had always bem his firm conviction that Government would have to purchase the Welhngton-Mana-watu Company’s line, and h believe that the completion of the Gorge lino would effect the price to be paid. He believed the reason that the amendment was brought down was because the opinion of a section of the Hoase was that what was now under construction should be completed to a working poln. before any new lines were undertaken, and he quite agreed with that course. Referring to the purchsae of native lands, he objected to the amount being taken from the North Island frank line. The House had neve: refused school building expenditure being dealt with locally, bu they refused to d al with the subject piecemeal, and asked the Government to disclose their policy on the question. He ventured to think the Bouse wanted a reduction of the loan and asked if the Premier was sincere in his economy, if be was let him comedown end cut from £50,000 to £IOO,OOO off the Estimates This was tbe true criterion. Hearty support from his (H»jor Atkinson ») side Of the House would ba given him in this respect ; the Opposition would cheerfully agree to anv roducti- n suggested by the Premier. If the Premier was sincere the schedules in the Bill under consideration would have to be reduced. Sir Julius V *gel denied that his return to the colony was to introduce a new system of borrowing. His reason for again (entering into politics was to endeavour to lift the colony from the position it had bean placed in by the late administration. He criticised at length the speech of Major Atkinson, and defend the Government from the accusations levied against them. As to the amendment, he thought its term too obvious for members to fall Into the trap, and such a resolution was utterly inconsistent with the spirit of our parllamen*ary institution. Government were carrying out a policy of decentralisation and cultivating friendly relations with tbe Natives They were desirous of constructing the railways to points which would be remunerative. It would be better if the House dealt with the main parts of the policy Instead of attacking the broad features. , . Mr Montgomery said he would not join anv Government of which Sir J. Vogel wa head. He in 1884 determined to support the present Ministry, but they had not carried out their promises regarding local government, taxation, &c. MfcConolly moved the adjournment of the House at 2 10 a.m. , Sir R. Stout said that if the amendment were put and negatived he would agree to the adjournment, but not otherwise. The motion for adjournment was lost by Rolieston said the debate showed the Government were divided on many points, and only kept together by c npromise He condemned the system of browbeating of the Treasurer towards the House, and he should never forget the attitude assumed by liim on that occasion. The speeches of the Premier and Major Atkinson were statesmanlike, but the Treasurer was petulant and offensive. The Treasurer said he had come to the colony because of misgovernment, but he asked the Treasurer whether he b® did not in bis calmer moments feel ashamed of what he had said. He then referred to the manner in which the Treasurer had used his position as,AgentGeneral of tbe colony at Horae to make claims on the colony jn a time of greai depression. He defended the Atkinson Administration, and said that Government had passed liberal land law and had settled the Native' difficult}’. He ventured to say that the members of the Atkinson Government were respected throughout the colony, and the Treasurer was not justified in referring to the member for Egmont as he had done. Mr Mitchelson moved the adjournment of the debate at 4a m.—Lostby 24 to -1Mr Moss spoke on the Public Works policy at some length. At 4 20 a m. the Speaker said 1 e desired to remind the House that the Hansard staff, owing to the lateness of tbe sitting, had broken down. Major Atkinson asked the Premier if he still persisted in forcing on such an important debate without being reported in Hansard. Fir R. Stout s .Id members were, evidently talking time, and bis compromise b? l not been agreed to. Mr Mobs s°id the Premier wanted to stifle discussion. He then continued his moved the adjournment of the debate at 4.45 a.m. Be said Sir a Grey wighei to speak on the Bill, and i was desirable that his remarks should be reported in Hansard. . . Sir P Etout said if that were earned it would defeat the Bill. , Maj r Atkinson again appealed to tbe Premier. He said he had never heard ot such a proceeding —that the Premier should burke d’seussion on such an important debate. He warned him that such a course of action would only prolong the session, and ho wou.d take cate that the colony would know of tbe Premier's action. Mr Rolieston raked if the House was to be gagged in this manner. He wished to know the Speaker’s rnling on the queation, Sir G: Grey appealed to tbe Government to allow him to put his speech on record. He said he wished particularly to reply to the Treasurer, who had represented himself as a poor man, but he was in a position to prove that he had dra vn large sums of money from the colony. Mr Cowan aa ; d he thought matters had come to a deadlock, and he hoped the Premier would agree to the adjournment ~ The motion for adjournment was then put and agreed to— House rdse at 5.10 a.m.