GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 5, 16 September 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Legislative.Council on Monday,

The CoiJneil decided to adhere to its amendments in tbe Licensing Bill, and the lions Wale.house. G. 11. Johnson, and Whiiaker were appointed to draw up reason?. The Council also decided to adhere to its amendments in Ihe Pension Bill, and the Hons Whitaker, Waierhonse, and Acland were appoinled lo frame reasons. The amendments by the Lower House in the Adoption of Children Bid were agreed to.

In the House of Rvpresentalives,

The Hon J. Hall made bis statement of the business to be proceeded with, a telegraphic summary of which appeared in our last issue, lie further said, that the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill was a useful measure, which would again have to be dropped ; also, tbe Roads Constrnction and Crown and Native Lands Rating Bills. The Sharebrokers Act Repeal anil Patents Act Amendments Bills would also have to be dropped. The Town Districts and Oounlies Act Suspension Bills he hop-d to be able to pass, and unless serious opposition was offered they would succeed in doing so. The Hon J. Hall briefly moved tbe second reading of the Leaseholders' Quali ficalion Bill, which was strongly supported by Dr Wallis. Mr Andrews suggested tbat tbe leasehold qualification should be restricted to a registered basis, so as to prevent the creation of bogus qualifications. Mr Stewart supported the Bill.

Sir G. Grey objected to the Bill on the grounds that it would give wealth additional power which it ought not to possess. If his proposal restricting persons to one vote was out of order, he would move that the limit be restricted to two, and if tbat was lost then to three, and so on until the voting power of wealth had some limit placed on it. Mr Moss would like to see tbe freehold vote abolished, but while this was retained and plural voting allowed, the leaseholders should also be allowed to vote. Mr Reid opposed the Bill. . Mr Saunders would support Sir G. Grey's proposals. On division the second reading was eariied by 45 to 16. In Committee on the Bill, S'r G. Grey moved as a further amendment —•' Provided that no elector shall in respect of this or any other Act vote for more than one electorate." The Hon J. Hall contended that a pro - posal of this kind ought to be dealt with by the Regulation of Elections Act. Moreover, it bad been already decided in the negative. Mr Speight moved that progress be j reported. Mr Levestam and MrTurnbull supported the amendment, which was negatived on the voices. Sir G. Grey's motion was then put— Ayes, 20 ; noes, 32. Sir G. Grey then moved—" That no elector should under any Act vote in more than two electorates." The House divided—Ayes, 28 ; noes, 27. The amendment was carried. Sir G. Grey asked how the Government would give effect to the declared will of the House, tbat no one should vo c in more than two electorates. Tho Hon J. Hall said Government would be prepared, after due consideration, to give a reply. Sir G. Grey said he really thought the matter was so serious that it did demand time for consideration. The Hon J. Had said that this consideration would be given. The exultation of the lion member could be pardoned, as he had for once, and once only this session, > carried his point. ( Mr Gibbs hoped that the Premier would recognise the will of the majority. The rcinaiii'ng cir.v.wjis were agreed to.

On the Bill being reported, The Hon J. Hall moved that the amendments be considered to-morrow. Mr George moved that they be agreed to at once. The Hon J. Hall hoped the House would not agree to any such proposal. The Government were entitled to have time to consider the important amendments which had been made. The motion for considering the amendments to-morrow was carried by 38 to 26. After a brief explanation from the Premier, relative to the Governor's departure, the House rose at 12.55. In the Council on Tuesday, The action of the Hons Wood and C mpbell in selling their honorarium was discussed at some length by the Council. The Hon W. Wood stated that, acting on the advice of his friends, he bad paid Mr Reeves the money, though he still denied ever having entered into the bargain. The Hon Colonel Brett moved that Mr Wood should be called upon to apologise to the Council. In the House of Representatives, after a large number of questions had been asked and ariswered,

The Premier Baid tbat be wished to call attention to some unfounded statements affecting the conduct of the Speaker and the Government which had appeared in a paper having a large circulation, the Auckland Herald, on the sth Sept. The honorable gentleman read extracts from the article which accused the Speaker and Chairman of committees o£ acting in the receut deadlock at the instigation of, and in subservience to the Government. The article further said " if he (the speaker) and the Chairman of Committees were to become the pliant tools of the Government and their majority, they would both be unfit for their positions. The imputation was that the Speaker had submitted to the instigation of the Government in his ruling. Well, it was really almost humiliating and derogatory to have to deny such a statement. There was not a particle of truth in it. The House knew that there was not the slightest foundation for such an assertion ; that it was absolutely false from beginning to end. The Government had never in any way attempted to influence the Speaker, and had they made any such attempt, he was Bure it would have been treated with contempt. No doubt action could be taken in this matter if the House thought it worth while, as it was decidedly a breach of privilege, but he did not, with the concurrence of the Speaker, propose to take any steps in the matter, but would content himself with making the contradiction and expressing an opinion that the article in such, be was bound to say, a usually well conducted paper, was most unworthy and reprehensible.

The Speaker said that neither directly nor indirectly did the Government or others make any suggestion towards bringing tbe late obstruction to a close. Had they done so he should have considered it an unwarrantable interference with his privileges, and should have felt it his duty to report the circumstance to the House, especially had such a suggestion come from tbe Government. As to tho aspersions contained in the article, he was indifferent. The session would soon close and be would be able to live those aspersions down. Mr Seymour (Chairman ot Committees) endorsed the remarks made by the Speaker, that the matter should be allowed to drop He had already had an opportunity of stating to the House that in his conduct he was instigated by no one, nor had be held any communication with any other member than the Speaker. He believed that every member of the House believed in his heart he spoke the truth when ho said that no person knew what was to be done except the Speaker. Sir G. Grey thought the subject worthy the consideration of the House. It was a question which ought to be considered in some form and at the same time, and if the Government would fix some period when the matter might be brought forward he would then give notice of Bomo motion. The Premier said that it was desirable that tho matter should be allowed to drop After mature consideration, he thought the subject bad beeu satisfactorily dealt with. Sir G. Grey said he would give notice of a motion upon going into Committee of Supply. If the Premier thought the matter bad been satisfactorily arranged, he (Sir George) did not think so. A matter concerning the privileges of Parliament should be disposed of, and he would give notice on a future occassion. On the motion for consideration of the committees's report on a direct steam service with Great Britain, Mr Macandrew said the advantages were admitted, the only question being one of expense. He moved hat they go into committee to consider the report. The Hon W. Johnson said the proposal, to his mind, was premature. The San Francisco service did not expire till the end nearly of 1883, and it would be time enough to consider the matter when the service was about to expire. In committee, Mr Macandrew moved a resolution affirming the desirableness of diiect service. Mr Wood moved as an amendment, relegating the matter to the Government for enquiry. On the motion for going into committee of supply, Mr Bryce moved the motion standing in his name, affirming the desirability of reducing tbe estimates by £30,000. He said it had been reported outside to be an inspired motion. He supposed that meant tbat it had been inspired by the Government Such was not the the case, and in fact he did not know down to the present moment whether or not the Government intended to accept the proposal. After some discussion The Hon Major Atkinson said tbat ho would accept Mr Bryce's motion in the spirit in which it was made. He did not pledge the Government to reduce the estimates to the amount proposed, but they would do their best to give effect to it. The motion was then put and carried. Mr Saunders moved—" Tbat it was not desirable to proceed with the consideration of the estimates until they bad passed the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill through all its stages." The Hon J. Hall said that it was asking too much to delay the estimates until this Bill was passed through all its stages. Ho proposed to refer the Bill to a Select Committee. Sir W. Fox was afraid tho Bill was needed as a cure. Mr Collins concurred.

Mr Speight warned them that if referred to a Select Committee they would hear no more of the Bill this session. Mr Oliver spoke in favor of the proposal by tho Government lo refer the Bill lo a select Committee. Mr George thought it possible to pass •* the Bill in a very short time. Col. Trimble thought otherwise. Mr Montgomery spoke in support of going on with the Bill at once, giving it as his opinion that if the estimates were once got through, members would forthwith take their departure, and there would be no chance of the Bill this session. Mr Weston spoke in favour of the estimates being gone on with at once. The question was put that the House go into committee—Ayes, 36 noes, 33. The House then resolved itself into com-

mittee of supply. In committee tho two items which elicited most discusion were, Revision of Statutes, £800 ; and Clerk of Parliament, £100 (addition to permanent salary of £G00). With regard to the former, Mr Stewart contended that the payment was a most improper one. It was paid to tho Solicitor-General and a Judge of the Supreme Court. He contended that it was improper. This view was very generally concurred in, but after a statement from the Colonial Secretary that the suggestions made would be carefully considered by Government, the amendment was withdrawn, and the item passed as printed. The latter item was supported by Sir G. M. O'Rorke, and opposed by Messrs Andrews, Saunders, Pitt and Montgomery, the latter pointing out that it was ridiculous that they should pay the clerk £700 and the Speaker only £600. The House divided. Ayes, 32; noes, 20. Item retained. On Wednesday, The Hon Major Atkinson moved the adoption of the scheme already telegraphed for the distribution of

the Government Insurance profits. Sir G. Grey said the primary object of Government life assurance should be to provide for tbe poorer classes, leaving the wealthier classes to transact business with the private companies. He concluded by proposing the following as an addition :—'This House is of opinion tbat tbe present system of Government insurance not being adapted to the reqirirments of the working classes, a scheme should at once be devised and given effect to, which shall meet their requirements." The Hon Major Atkinson said that the proposal was in accordance with the Government views on the subject, and he would readily accept the addition proposed. Furthermore, he would during the recess take steps for giving effect to the recommendation. After discussion, Mr Andrews moved that the management of the department should be placed under the control of a Board nominated equally by the Crown and elected by the policy holders. The resolution as amended was then put and agreed to, tbe amendment by Mr Andrews having been withdrawn. i

The House went into Committee of Supply.

Class B—Ministerof Education, £277,416 2s 9d. The following were passed as printel:—Education, £250,504 8s ; Native schools, £14,788 14s; industrial schools, £6273 6s 3d ; nnval training school, Kobiinaramara, £2330 10s; deaf nnd dumb institution, £2263 2s 6d ; miscellaneous services, £1256 2s. Class 9—Nntive affairs, £19.084. The following were passed as printed :—Salaries and contingencies, £8167 17s 9d ; miscellaneous service", £302 ; Native Land Court, £10,142 13s 3-i ; Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1870. £472 8s 3d. Class 10—Minister of Mines £21,033 10s. Passed. Classl2—Minister for Defence. Vote ; Militia and Volunteers, £30,043, passed ; police and Armed Constabulary, £97,649, passed; miscellaneous services, £1552, passed. Class 13—Minister of Lands, total of class, £134,583, passed ; chargeable on Native reserves account, £1272, passed Clause 11—Minister of Public Works. Railways, £543,958; architect's office, £1442 : Government domains, £1162 ; public buildings, £22,452 ; miscellaneous, £13,635 t0ta1,£591,945, passed: Tlie following were passed :—lmmigration, £23,588; Public Works Department, £12,772 ; railways, £1,017,633 ; surveys of new lines of railways, £4000 ; roads. £262,763 ; land purchase, £87,623 water works on gold6elds, £22,000; telegraph extension, £21,154; public buildings, £190,906.