HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1737, 16 December 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, December 15. The Houbb met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS Replying to questions, It was stated that Government had no knowledge of tbe proposal of the New South Wales leglslalature to increase the import duties on New Zealand products ; that there wore no regulations at present prohibiting Civil Servants from being members of education boards ; that the question of increasing the rate ot-pay allowed to common jurors would be taken into consideration during the receaa. IMPORTATION OP STOOK COMMITTEE. The report of the Importation of Stock Committee was, on Mr Russell's motion, ordered to be considered next day. THE POKANG4HAU BLOCK A lengthy d.BCUßsion took plaoe over the roport on the petition for a rehearing of the Porangahan (Hawkee 1 Bay) U ck Mr Hutchison's amendment for referring the report back to the Committee for further consideration was lost, and the report was referred to the Government for consideration, DUTY ON IMPORTED COAL. Mr [K. Reeves obtained leave to withdraw his motion tn imp»»« »v iiuyurc dntr «r a* oa per ton on all Imported coal.

THE LOAN BIT.I, Sir Jallus Yogel, at half-past 4 oVook, hoped the debate on tho Loan Bill would be postponed till the evening sitting. The Premier objected to the adjournment, and said that the debate had been postponed to that afternoon expressly to suit Sir Julius Vogel's convenience. I Mr Hutchison moved that the debate be adjourned till half-pist 7 o'clock. Tho motion waa lost on the voices. Sir Julius Yogel then resumed the debate on the Loan BUI, He criticised the publio works proposals at Borne length. The proposals, he said, did not fit m with ihoae of the Fioanotal Statement. He thought that the North Island Trunk Railway proposals were made for fear of offending both the Wellington and Auckland members. He had gone thoroughly Into the whole matter, and he found that for £600,000 communication oonld be made befcwen the coast of New Plymouth and a point on the main line south of Te Awamutu, He strongly supported the line going right through New Plymouth, and he did not think more than £400 000 wonld be required In excess of the loan already authorised for the oomoletlon of the lino. Tho line between Palmerston and Woodvllle, In his opinion, would be possible. Hedeprecated the prorosed delay In completion of the Greymouth and Hokltlka line, as it wouM "be a very paying one; The proposals for the Otago Central Railway were exceedingly unsatisfactory, and he was convinced that the line wonld be useless till it was oompleted to Middlemarch, He thought that the proposals i about roads and bridges were fallacious, and the provisions about goldfield roads \ wholly inadequate. Tho sum Bet down ; for the unemployed., £30,000 was less than J had been spent m any ono year for the < last 25 years, by the genora! or provincial Governments. The amount was altogether l-aaffioient. He thought that the Sumner Railway, to cost £14,000, might be under- . taken; Further Information should be given ooncerniag immigration. c The debate was interrpted by the 530 r E>._n. adjournment. I

The Honuo resumed at 7 30 p.m. Sir Julius Yogel oontinned the debate. He thought there was no neceßßlty for the continuance of large expenditure on harbor defence. Half-a-million, m his opinlon^waa sufficient for public works at presant. Ho considered that Government was placing the colony m great danger by giving a guarantee not to borrow further until 1891. He condemned the Pablio Revenues Bill as giving power to Goyerntnent to appoint sgents m Great Britain for tho parpoße of borrowing £400,000 to pay of laat year's defic!onoy bills. Mr Fishet eald that tho finances of the jolony were a perfeot network of difficulties, and Sir Julius Yogel was responsible for that condition; Sir Julius Yogel was merely making a bid for the votes of honorable members, but suoh tactics as ac was tarrying out would, he (Mr Fisher) ?elieved, not alter the opinion of any one. *.a to the ear-making of loane, one iißtinot featore of the Pablio Works Statement was that the loan proposals rere specifically stated. Sir Julius Vogel'a ttempt to reduoe the loan was a deluslpn, o that he might regalnlposaesalon of the "reasury bonoheß, Dr Fitohett moved that there ba added a the motion " with the understanding hat the aipoant of the loap be reduced to alf a million,* 1 The Speaker ruled that the amendment as oqt of order. Dr Fitchett then moved as an amondlenfc to the motion that after tho words that the Bill be read a second time" bo iserted " that it is desirable the loan lould not exceed £500,000." Dr Hodgkinson Seconded the amendient. The Premier said that it was impossible >t Government to acoept the amendment, In Committee Government would

b_ glad to explain the various works to be constructed out of luan. If the House then thought that certain workß should be delayed, Government would be prepared to reduoe the loan by that amount, bnt thoy could not limit expenditure to half a million, and he wished it to be understood that Government took a dlrpcfc stand npon that point. Sir Julua Yogel had misled the House as to the position of affairs. Be reminded tho House that £1,^00,000 cash had to be provided by April nex% and thero was no less than £996,000 out at present ln deficiency Bills. He deprecated the suddden stoppage pf public works, whloh would throw 1500 men out of employment. Government would willingly assist the Committee m making any reductions considered neceaasry. Sir Gorge Grey condemned the policy of the Government, and said that the House would do well not to pledge Itself to borrow any particular amount. Mr Scoble McKenzle did not like the preeent proposals and he favoured a oescation of borrowing So far a3 he could see neither the Premier nor the leader of the opposition seemed desirous of stopping borrowing. Mr Reeves (St. Albans) Bald that If the House decided to retrench, it oould only be done m the manner suggested ln the amendment. Mr Barron thought Government were anxious to honestly serve the country, and de.erve the support of the Honse. He supported the proposals ln tha Loan Bill. Mr Walker spoke against the policy of the Government. Mr Fish and Mr Feldwlok supported the amendment.