HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1578, 7 June 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The Houao met at 2.30 p.m. PUBLIC REVtiSCES BILL The Public Revenues Bill was farther considered m Committee. On clauß9 4, appropria'ion of £28,000 out of the Consolidated Fund, and £285,CC0 out of Public Works Fund, Mr Peacock aeked Mr BaUanco whether he had made op *hia mind that when he would establish a village settlement scheme to spend £20, 000 without the sanction of Parliament. * Me Ballance said he had not intended to incur euoh a liability, but, as tho scheme proceeded, he found that further expenditure was required to maot the necessities of the colony. He had intended to ask for a vote of £50,0C0, which would cover all liabilities. No less than 1000 families had been put on tho land, and that was his justification for the expenditure. He was having a return prepared giving fuller information on the whole matter. Mr Fulton referred to the appointment of Mr John Lundon, and tho Influence he possessed over the Minister of Linda. He said a political agitator had recently been granted a passage In the Hlnemoa from Auckland. This passage had been given by Mr Ballance at the instance of Mr John Lundon, which he (Mr Fulton) considered highly Improper. After further discussion Major Atkineon suggested thnt progress be reported till the return which Mr Ballanoe had promised had been laid on the table. It wag quite olear that the vote wou'd not pass till the house had received every possible information on the subject. The Premier said there wab no objaction to report progress, but no other bn&ineea wonld be transacted. Major Atkinson said this Bill was the Appropriation Bill of the year, and wenever brought down by any Government till the last moment. The Premier pointed out the regu'ationa under which thof?o village settlements were started and grz3tted on the sth May, 1886, before the vote of £5000 was asked for. Mr Harsthonse felt convinoed that not one per cent of the money advanced to thoße settlers would be paid. He was not opposed to village Battlements. The land should be of good quality to enable settlers to make anything ont of it. The village settlement m Nelson, some year.! ago, only paoved successful as long as Government expenditure continued. Mr Turnbull regretted that the question of unauthorised expenditure had been allowed to sink while so much had been made of the appointment of an agent. He was strongly opposed to per* petual leasing, and felt convinced that the people would demand the freeholds, which they woold gat. He thought the Opposition would have failed la their duty if they had not drawn attention to this matter of expenditure, but he condemned the manner m which Mr Lundon had been attacked. " i P* ogress waß reported after further discussion, j WBST COAST SETXXEUffINT HILL, I On the motion for the committal of the West Coaßt Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill, Mr Samuel safd he should move a new olause allowing settlers to surrender their leases. Major Atkinson warmly supported the clause, and regretted that Mr Ballance had not accepted it. Mr Ballanoe said it won?d be a dangerous power to give those Bottlers without farther consideration. Ho hoped the [ clause would not be pressed this session. The House weat into Committee on the Bill. A lengthy discussion ensued on the third olauaa (amended provision as to gr&ntirg new leases or surrendering.) Mr Wi Pere hoped that the Bill wonld be postponed till next session, as he had important amendments to propose. Mr Ballerice said he wonld bo quite In order m proposing amendments. Mr Wi Pero hoped that two Fatlve asßeßßorfl would be appointed who were not half-caßtes, as Maoris would be likely to deal more justly with the leases. Mr BaUanco agreed that (he aesesecr to be appointed should be a full Maori. * The debate wrs interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. T,he J&'jae ttftUttecl et 7.30 p.ta,

Clause 3 was farther considered In 1 Committee. la reply to Mr Bolleaton the Premier said that the Bill originated m the Public Trust offioe. He sympathised with the desire of the member fur Geraldine that by an oversight the measure should not miscarry. Mr Wi Pare and Sir George Grey wanted the Bill postponed. Major Atkinson hoped the Bill would be allowed to proceed, as It was muoh wanted In the Interests of the West Coast settlers. Unfortunately the Public Trustee considered himself bound by the strict letter of the law, and it was sought to place matters on a less oast iron footing. Mr Rolleston opposed the measure strongly. Sir George Grey urged that the Government, under the present circumstances, had no right to try and push through such a Bill. la his opinion the Bill had been brought on by Mr Billanoe because he knew It would Influence the vote at the coming eleotion. He denounced the attempt to foroe it through the House. Mr Samuel defended the necessity of the measure. Mr Tapene objeoted to It at considerable length. After a motion to report progress had been lost by 60 to 23, Mr Katene moved that the Chairman do leave the ohair. The motion wan lost by 41 to 21. The Committee divided on Mr Montgomery's amendment to omit the value of build lng'a from Improvements m computing the rental. — Ayes, 21 ; Noes, 35. Mr Ballance agreed to two Native assessors balng appointed instead of one. The Native members continued to offer strong opposition to the passage of the Bill, and Mr Ballance moved to report ' progress. The motion was agreed to. SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS . A return relative to the special settlements was laid on the table, and the debate was further adjourned till tomorrow. The Chattels Securities Act Amendment Bill was pa-Bed through all its stages. COUNTIES BILL, The Count ies Act Amendment Bill In. Committee gave rise to Borne discussion. Mr Samuel and others strenuously resisted the insertion of olaaae In the Counties Bill. La the final motion tint the olauae do pass, it was rejected by 31 to 28 Mr O'Oonor moved an'; additional olauae authorising tho Chairmen of Oounci'a to be paid a salary not exceeding £200 a year. This motion was lost by 31 to 27. On the motion of Mr Bsetham, a new clause was read a second time giving power to erect swing gates on unconBtruot B .d roads. After a long debate, the motion was lost on a division. The Bill was reported with amendments, and the House rose at 2 B.m.