GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 524, 22 July 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

On Tuesday, in the Council, On Colonel Brett's motion, a return was i ordered of aM appointed to the Civil Service rince last r-essioiv The Regulation of Elections Bill waa read a first time. The Affirmation in Lieu of Oaths Extention Bill was thrown out, on-the motion of Dr Pollen, by 14 vote to 12. Some measmes were advanced a stage, and. the Council rose at 5 p.m. In the House of Representatives, Replying to Mr Turnbull, The llou T. Dick said that Government had not yet considered the report sent in by the Inspector of- Prisons, and wero not yet prepared to say what would be done regarding its recommendations to abolish schools iv the different prisons; to weigh prisoners periodically, in order to test whether they are losing or gaining flesh ; to alter the present dietary scale, so as to check any propensity on the part of prisoners to increase in weight; or the appointment of a Medical Board to decide upon a dietary scale; or that gaolers be permitted te punish prisoners without the consent of visiting Justice?. Mr Sheehan, before moving the introduction of a Bill to repeal "The Abolition of Provinces Act 1875," asked .Government to state what course they intended pursuing in the matter. All manner of rumours on the subject had been in circulation about the lobbies. The Hon J. Hall said that the motion was one which raised a vital question of policy, and it was desirable that as little 'business as possible should be gone on with until it was brought to an issue. Government would not object to the Bili being introduced, and read a first time, as proposed; but in order that it should be disposed of with ac little dai&y as possible, they proposed to oppo.se tho motion to (is a date for tho second leading, and to take the debate on that question that evening at half-past seven. Mr Sheehan said that he had brought in the Bill entirely on his own responsibility, but if those with whom he usually acted were opposed lo take the debate that night, he would not be prepared to go on. Mr Sheehan would withdraw his motion for leave to introdnce the Bill. If Sir George Grey's Bill did not achieve tho purpose aimed at, then most assuredly he would take stops to have tho House divided on the point. ; Mr Montgomery vmuld have p;oforveu J that the debate had gono on, and "the question been settled at once. It was not a motion put forward by the Opposition. He would vote against it, nnd he knew ol: others ef the party who wero prepared to follow the same conr.-v. I Mr Hutchison Raid that ; ; o (V ar- he understood it, iho nhy-ci w:.:-. u> .hviue the > House, «> r t ,i v- win, -j.'.wtiiicd j Proviiuri:- ivi.-i wiiv; \,';;ie sfi.i ;7:-.um:7 ! ie Ahoii'.imi. He wished 7; give. ,m -i-i- j C:Ttum souml on '.'lt'i po-jtit. .-.!'; ! '': , ;r-i7c;:''' . j nuitiaed v-u-.-vihcianVm h: VVelbngto:; as a I most viciouH iy,'Az\.:\, nud he <.7,ji.-vr.:v: 'c- i any return to it in I'liy f--;a wii..-.tuv;M-_ j oi i.i;er ;vi i. ii.od-il.d :j-y.'y-:,\ <..■;• 0.1.7: >'wiri : ., J \'l,eth.;r it Wert? .r;rar-:c.l a.-, v . ,»i._; ot j coTiii'lence or nut b'jfwre. b« wc-rj:.: m;r I hetUaie to vote against the Bill. ! idr objected to any oik :A'.on J of' pro.vmvi.ihs.i.l being uisemiped in tin; j present aspect of the •..;iH!;;ii;r.- !) ti.iiv- on hi': | s:!,x.ce.-stion, ihe motion •'('." a.?7,r:--;..■■■.*♦,>. I

was withdrawn,- and the business of the order-paper proceeded with. The House went into Committee on tlie Licensing Rill. The lion T. Pick moved—-"That tho report on the Sill be agreed to." Sir Sad do n and Mr Lundon both objected to the Pill, which wnnthon reported. On the motion that it be read a third time, ! Mr Macandrew moved as an amendment —"That no Licensing Bill will be suitable to the requirements of every part of the Colony unless there be reserved to each Provincial district a right to determine the nature of tbe licenses and the fees payable therefor within the district." On the suggestion of Mr Hutchison, Mr Macandrew agreed to substitute "County Councils and Boroughs " instead of " Provincial districts." The House divided on the motion for the third reading—Ayes, 46'; Noes, 24. Mr Sutton renewed the debate on the second reading of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill. He reviewed the whole financial proposals of Government, and spoke in favor of tho Property-tax as it stood, expressing regret ot the announcement that it was proposed to bo reduced. Instead of reducing tho Property-tax, he would like to have seen the exemption repealed, and every man share, whether large or small, but that amounts under £1 should not he collected. If any remission of taxation were possible, he would rather see it in some other direction, by the remission of some indirect rather than direct taxation. Regarding tho Bill before the House, he said that he would not oppose the motion, but in Com. mittee he would reserve the right to make certain alterations, which lie believed would make it more workable. At tbe evening sitting, Mr Saunders resumed the debate. He referrd to the Treasurer's speech as highly unsatisfactory. It proposed nothing, did nothing, and said nothing, and lie did not believe two members of Government were agreed as to what local government should be. He had never changed his opinion on the subject. It was to give | much power as possible, and. to take the same out of the hands of the central power. The effect of the Bill would be to take from districts in which money could be profitably spent what money they had, and to spend it on land in tho midst of uninhabited localities—in the wilderness. He was disappointed with Sir G. Grey's Local Government Bill, Its financial proposals were weak. After this House had taken what it wanted, very little would be left for the districts. Ke believed that a modified Provincialism would savo over and over again their expense, and a great saving would have been effected had they never been swept away. After sketching the scheme of modified Provincialism which ho would suj port, the hon member concluded by saying that the one great evil of that House wa that they were called to distribute that which ought never to come to tho House, thereby losing the respect both of themselves ancl the country. | Mr Ormond was obliged to say thnt he was unable to see anything satisfactory in tho' Government proposals. Their proposals would only strengthen and stereotype the present unsatisfactory state of matters, and lie did not wish to see that done. He had, therefore, decided that it was his duty to move an amendment to the Government proposals. It would be to the effect that ihe proposals of the Government on the question of local government and iinani'e were unsatisfactory. Me knew very well waat a motion of that kind meant. Ho was taking this course with the assent of a number of gentlemen who. like himself, had desired to support to support tho Government, but who were unable to accept these proposals. Of course they know that, as this was a moribund Parliament, the carrying of a motion of this kind would not affect the position of tho Government until they had appealed to the country, therefore the usual responsibility of such a motion would not devolve upon him. He could not, in justice to himself, take any other course than the one proposed, much as he regretted having to oppose his former colleagues and friends. >But he felt it his duty to do this, as their proposals were, he believed, fraught with'fjdisaster Colony. After severely criticising the principles of the Government measure, Mr Ormond moved—"That the proposals of the Government in respect to loca government, and finance are unsatisfactory."

The Hon W. Johnston said that the reasons given were entirely out of accord with the motion itself. He contended that the Inst speaker had shadowed out nothing in the shape of a complete scheme of local government. He defended the Government against the charge of having done nothing, stating that during the present session they had only had twelve days for- transacting Government business. In all parts of the colony abolition had met with universal acceptance, therefore the statement that Provincialism was looked back to with regret was wholly without foundation. Sir George Grey' 3 Bill set forth provincialism in its very worst form. Mr Ormond had proposed nothing. He concluded by saying that the proposals would do more to advance their colonisation scheme than anything that had yet been heard of in the House. Mr Whitaker said that what Mr Ormond wanted was not local government, but the repeal of the property tai, a tax which bore on himself rather heavily. Colonel Trimble supported tho Government proposals. Mr McLean defended tho county system. Mr Fulton moved the adjournment of the, debate, and the Hollsoro.se at 12.35, A oinUTMN' lawyer was compelled to apologise to the court. With stalely dignify ho roae in his place, and «aid : "Your Honour in and i am wrong, as your Honour generally in " Tho judge hardly know whether to feel happy or ih:o ':\h\\ i'cv C:si! , -.:-in;it ;;■- ..ui.n;. j Sy,. ■-'■;:;]! leltf' -.he :'';;! r-ving j t;>-!MY ?;;': !:■•* CApCiionce a.i ;vi :Ttevt.;\b-.r ; , j •--U::. :>.■::''! *.77„ 7, vvu, • v.d.crs he had j !.;;iv::. ;..-;, pariol r.:r.ih?y the on'-vie us night,, j iiO met .it ilie. ih-jnut-the i'nl!o , vi::''.'mor.'r..: i -'i aucii.'-iriy .vraugor, who, wh'-'i'.i ho" ?.c-.o-?- !- ---ful'y !V;::Whed ! i lui're oU'"'.: "f lol:,":?o, ; '•'-i;v. mi'-i'.n - , iter/i you the lo!io'. ; - v--i:?t! ryj,i vj, v . -- i t .-_> -... <;:j-, In Se'.oc-t'r; fi a ;i ivt /:igb'. " j ■'Yes," r:.i,ii",a 17.veil ■'.>.' riK give a"; j ;.i.U;it,ii'ii. ->'ii! i-1. 7;ir.'-77 I tub . i;ii' night." j •Wail, I. y ; wiii the. ch;iy. J. j wa.ild! (>.t toil you 'bonl: ;; boy oi: mio:: ; I vcm ooaiu to have him ; :10 V. inst tho j f.jiiow Tor V■}'.: .7cv, ;he ; ii.v " d~dust j ><yy I ever«.."• -.7 N 7.-o7 ,7 r« J'i '