General Assembly.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 226, 8 November 1878, Page 3

General Assembly.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30. In the Legislative Council — .Ah attempt was made to have.the lines in the^sqhedule to the Railways Bill considered s*eriatim. This was resisted by the Colonial Secretary, and the schedule was passed as a whole by 20 to 9. The Bill was reported. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was committed, amended, and reported. The Council considered amendments of the House of Representatives in the Municipal Corporations Bill. Some were agreed to and others not. The Bill was sent back. The like was done with the rating Bill. The Railways Construction Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council went into Committee on the Public Works Amendment Bill, which was amended and reported. In the House of Representatives — On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, •Mr Fox proceeded to move that the arrangement entered into with the Otago Daily Times, Lyttelton Times, and Auckland Herald, shall be suspended till the machinery of the Telegraph Department shall be in a condition to grant equal privileges, if required, to all journals and press agencies in the Colony. The hon. gentleman referred in detail to what took place in the previous debate on the question of special wire, pointing out that it had been shown the machinery of the department was unequal to the task of fulfilling contracts which Government had agreed to carry out. He wanted any arrangements of this kind established on a proper basis, so that even-handed justice might be meted out to all journals or press agencies. The Premier said the lion, member for Wanganui called the arrangement a nastyone, but such a term might be more fittingly applied to the speeches of the hon. member. A misapprehension existed on the. matter. After receiving the memo, of the General Manager, and examining that gentleman and questioning him closely, they found that the General Manager had been mistaken in his calculations, and consequently they had granted the application made to them on behalf of the eight papers. There was no monopoly intended. The sole object of the Government was sob-dy to destroy an existing monopoly, and secure for the Press of the Colony the liberty of printing. When they came into office tliey found a monopoly existing, aud the hon. member for Waikouaiti was the person who arranged that monopoly. The Premier then read certain correspondence between the Press Agency and the Government witli regard to collect messages between New Zealand and Australia, to explain the nature of the monopoly. The object of the correspondence was to enable cable messages to be transmitted without pre-payment. The allegations made agamst the Government with regard to establishing a monopoly were perfectly untrue. The hon. gentleman went on to explain the mode of dealing with special wires adopted in the old country to show that the Ministry acted perfectly fair and in a customary way in the matter, and said the Government could not entertain the motion of the hon. member for Wanganui. After a discussion, the amendment of Mr Fox was negatived by 37 to 23. The House went into Committee on the Additional Supplementary Estimates. Amongst the items passed were Public Buildings— Courthouses, Balclutha, Invercargill, and Picton, L 2650. The Hon. J. Macandrew moved his resolutions (reported last week) with reference to direct monthly service with Great Britain. Some opposition being shown to the resolution, the Hon. Mr Macandrew moved — " That the Chairman report progress." He expressed the hope that next ■session he would be able to bring down such proposals as would commend themselves to the House. Progress was reported. The Appropriation Bill was read a second time and committed. On the proposal to read the Bill a third time, Major Atkinson proceeded to review the history of the Session, which was to a large extent a recapitulation of his speech on the second reading of the Land Tax Bill. He first referred to the charges made by the Premier against the late Ministry, by saying that the accounts of the Finances of the Colony had been cooked, but now he referred the House to the printed accounts now before it which had been submitted by himself, and which now bore the signature of Bir Ballance. The Premier said that a saviug of a hundred thousand per annum could easily be effected, but the result was that they spent seven thousand more than was estimated by the late Ministry, and now they asked the House for L 39.000 more than the late Ministry. He did not find fault •with this,, as he considered the estimates reasonable, but what he wished to point out was the utter failure of the Premier to carry out his promises of economy. Then he also told them that the taxation of the poor man could be reduced 1.356,000 per year. The hon. gentleman did not keep that promise. He did not even attempc to do so, becaiise it could not be claimed that the abortion of Bills Drought down by the Government dealt with the subject at all. The remission upon tea and sugar did not relieve the poor. What was taken off with one hand was put on with the other. The. hon. gentleman then proceeded to criticise the the Land Tax Bill, to show it failed in all the objects claimed for it, and practically played into tlie hands of the wealthy classes, who had their capital invested in various ways, but not in land, and who were represented by the Premier. The effect of the Bill was to discourage bona fide settlement of land to the protection of money-lenders. He referred to an announcement of the Treasurer's early in the session, that their policy must be taken as a whole, and yet at the .first breath of opposition they abandoned their attempt to raise L 40,000 out of the working men. He believed if the Government had any courage they could have carried that Bill, but, being defeated, their most seemly course, would have been to resign ; but it seemed to be that the law of their being was to keep their seats under all circumstances. Touching the, Electoral

Bill, the hon. gentleman denied the statement of +he Premier that 79,000 voters not, now on the roll would be put on. The electors were not in existence. Referring to the Maori dual vote, he said the Bill was! withdrawn, and 70,000 Europeans languishing for freedom deprived of the franchise simply because the Maoris were not allowed to swamp the Europeans. That was the policy of the Native Minister, who could £end ignorant Natives to the polls in shoals? If this was such an important matter in the eyes of -the, Government, he asked them to dissolve and ask the opinion of the Colony as to the merits of that proposal. He did not propose to go into Native matters, but would merely say in passing that he thought the Native Minister had acted with great wisdom and discretion, though he had in some instances done great wrong to the late Ministry. He, however, preferred to bear that until next session. The hon. gentleman then went on to show that the Native Minister had made an exaggerated statement when he stated that the late Government had LSO to spend on Native affairs, while the present Ministry had done nothing towards putting petty local self-government upon a satisfactory footing, or were even doing anything to amend the defects in the existing laws. As to the Land Bill, with regard to which the Premier had acted in such a singular manner last session, if half what the Premier said against the Bill at that time were true, it was an eternal disgrace to the Premier for having recommended Her Majesty's assent to the Bill ; and if the Bill was as bad as the Premier told them, how was it that no measure to amend it had been brought down. He hoped the Premier, would inform the House why he had not brought down a Bill re-adjusting the representation of the country. The Government had been prolific in promises, but insignificant in performances, and he ventured to say that the country would not put up with another year of unfulfilment of promises like the past year. Major Atkinson then went on to show, in minute detail, the expenditure of the late Ministry on Native affairs. Two previous years before leaving office they spent L 35,000 a year for Native purposes, and when they left office L 3500 was at the disposal of the present Government, who chose to devote as much to other purposes. Another j-oint was the way in which the Premier had denounced the enormity of Orders-in-Council. Well, he would say that no Government ever in power in the Colony had dealt so largely in Orders-in-Council. The Premier said he re-asserted every one of the charges he had made against the late Ministry, and said they had all been maintained. He asked who had enriched their friends at the expense of making several charges of a general nature, and said — " I charge them distinctly again with having in a great measure applied the public funds to the advantage of their friends, and that large fortunes were so realised." Major Atkinson asked that these words be taken down. A warm discussion took place. The Hon. J. Sheehan moved the following amendment—" The House, having considered words ought to be taken down, is of opinion that words do not transgress the rules of debate unnecessarily." Major Atkinson moved that the matter be referred to a Select Committee for inquiry. A very long discussion ensued upon points of order, and at length a division resulted in Major Atkinson's amendment being negatived by 29 to 13. Major Atkinson called for a division on Mr Sheehan's amendment, when it was carried by 28 to 14." As Sir George Grey entered the House and bowed to the Speaker, Major Atkinson retired. Sir George Grey continued his speech. He referred to the words of Major Atkinson and Messrs Fox and M'Lear. against the members of the Ministry personally in connection with the special wire arrangement — charges of corruption of the most gross kind, wliich were allowed to pass unnoticed ; but he would state that he did not intend for a moment to impute personal dishonour to Major Atkinson, though he believed the late Premier had used his office to protect those who should have been punished. No Committee was needed to investigate the charges ; they were proved by speeches of the late Ministry themselves. Sir Julius Yogel had admitted that a million and a half had been spent in obtaining support, for the Public Works policy. The Piako Swamp and Auckland coalfields transI actions sufficiently proved the second l statement. Now, in reference to the third charge, that Native officials and their friends had made large fortunes by the use of their position and public money to get land from the Natives, he had the misfortune, while in office as Governor, to offend the Colonial Office by refusing to appoint a relation of the Earl of Derby to an office in this Colony. He had also the misfortune to have the Government of the Colony and the Legislative Council against him. He then referred to the injury inflicted upon the Colony by the member for Egmont in resisting the loan proposed by him (the Premier). He maintained that the term " abortion," 1 applied to the Land Tax Bill, was undeserved and uncalled for. The advantages conferred upon the people by that Bill ', were such that the people would never give them up, and he further would say that the Bill had brought upon himself and those who followed him the hatred of the Legislative "Council. He instance! the language used by Sir F. D. Bellin a. speech which he said he forgot, but which had caused him and his friends the very, greatest pain arid regret. He denied he ever said there* 8 were serfs in New Zealand. He had said, however, the poor of England were kept down, and that the press ure "of the, struggle for existence was so great there Avas neither hope nor prospect; and he held that the member for Egmont and those who worked with him were- on the road to place the people of this Colony in the same position as the oppressed people of Great Britain. He denounced, at some length the injustice done to the Maori race by the action of the other House in regard to the Maori vote, when all instances of chivalry and good- feeling " should incite them to do justice to a weak race. The hon. member for Egmont asked them to go to the country, He wished to do. so at?6nce,

but was refused. He began the session i with trembling knees, under great fear that he would not be able to secure for the people the rights and liberties they ought to have, but he felt strong now. He thought they had no power, and next session would bring down a measure that would make the people say — Go on, and get us all our rights ; we are with you. He might say they had tasted blood, and next year they would take a taste of the necessai*ies of life. Last year he told the member for Egmont that a new party would arise, but that hon. gentleman thought there would not..-, , But that party had arisen. He pointed out that the otherbranch of the Legislature had incited a weak minority in that House to obstruct and impede. He had been taunted with not fulfilling his promises, but that was due to exceptional circumstances. But now the conduct of the member for Egmont had nerved him to talk, and he hoped that by next session he would have measures prepared which the hon. gentleman dreaded to see. Then as to Orders-in-Council. The system was not one that he was responsible for. It was a detest-, able system, and he hoped to get rid of it, but that could not be done for two or three years. The hon. member for Egmont last year predicted that the new Ministry would meet the House with a deficit, but they had met it with a surplus. Then he slighted their loan operations, saying they could not raise it. He told the hon. gentleman nothing was more damaging than the raising of small loans, but he was deaf, and would not listen. He was only anxious that the disaster he predicted would overtake the Colony under the administration of himself and friends, but his unpatriotic desire had not been gratified. The hon. gentleman proceeded to descant upon the excellencies of the Provincial form of government which had been'destroyed by the party of destruction — a system peculiarly adapted to developed the varied genius of a people, while now they were to be kept ground down to one uniform level. Oh ! those men had done great harm to New Zealand. According to the Constitution of the Colony, until the Tories interfered, there was to have been an elective Upper House, and what were the results of this ? why they saw it in the way their Electoral Bill was treated, and in the difficulties to be seen in Victoria. It was a cruel thing to impose Constitutions upon a people that* they were never consulted about. The party opposed to him followed in the steps of the Home country by trying to reduce the population to two classes— -one wealthy to rule the other, which was to lapse into poverty, by supporting plural voting and other ways of perpetuating evil, he was striving to reform, by placing the expenditure of money given to counties in the hands of the -wealthy classes to spend as they liked. What was this but to create a class with money, and a class of serfs.' Those who did this were the enemies of the country, and he for one would always battle against such injustice. The hon. gentleman sat down amidst applause. The Appropriation Bill then passed.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31. In the Legislative Council — Sir F. D. Bell warmly denied some words Sir George Grey is reported to have used in reference to him. The words were that Sir F. Dillon Bell had in Council said that the Natives should be punished for having passed the Land Tax Bill. Sir F. Dillon Bell expressed his regret that on the close of their lives Sir George, with whom he had worked for years, aud who knew his opinions on Native affairs, should have so misrepresented him. Members on every side supported Sir F. Dillon Bell, and the Hon. Colonel Whifcmore said most likely the report was incorrect. Several Bills were passed. The Public Works Appropriation Bill was read a second time after a short debate, and the Appropriation Bill was read a second time. Both measures were then committed, read a third time, and passed. In the House of Representatives — On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Barton said his object in -bringing forward his motion with regard to the Judges of the Supreme Court was merely to elicit an expression of opinion of members, but as so many members had gone, and the period of the session was so late, that hope was futile, and he begged to withdraw his motion by consent of the House. The motion was withdrawn. . The motion that the report of the Joint Committee on Private Bills, on the Otago University Ordinance Amendment Bill, was agreed to by 20 to 9. The following Orders of the Day were discharged : — Maori Representation Acts Bill, report of Free Conference on Electoral Bill, South Canterbury Secondary Education Reserves Bill. Sir R. Douglas moved the second reading of the Mongonui and Bay of Islands Electoral Bill. The hon. gentleman quoted from an article in the New Zealander (a paper he said under control of the Government) which.- said that the object of the Bill was to place the representation of the Bay of Islands in the hands of the mission families of the place. The hon. gentleman quoted from the Bill to show that, the. above remarks were not justified. The hon. member then asked to withdraw the Bill. Mr Tole said he had been reticent a long time on this matter, but could be so no longer. The hon. gentleman then proceeded to give a complete history of the . election for Mongonui, . to show that a most unhealthy state of things had been . existing at the Bay of Islands ; in fact, it was a perfect reign of terror. It was the Resident Magistrate on one side and the Clerk of the Court on the other, who was a wealthy person, concerned in nearly all the enterprises of the place. He might say it was currently reported, up there 1 chat the Court was adjourned arbitrarily, . in order that the Clerk of the Court and : the, Resident Magistrate might attend the i cattle sale. There was no doubt of this i and he could give numerous instances to s sho w r the reign of terror wliich existed up : there. The hon. gentleman, went on to i. show that Mr Williams had exercised This. L poyers in an arbitrary an<l tyrannical > -manner in striking off. the roll Natives who * had every right^tp be there, except, per- * haps, that they "w'ere s not political friends? , The hon. gentleman cited several instances

I of qualified Natives being struck off the j.roll, to.show the. very great partiality of ' Mr Williams, as registration officer. Several adjournments took place during the afternoon on account of conferences between the two Houses respecting amendments in several Bills. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Public Works Act Amendment : Bill were disagreed with, and managers were appointed to draw up reasons. The House and Council having disagreed on the Railways Construction* Bill, new managers were appointed, and another .adjournment took place. At 10.40 a report from the Conference was read by the Treasurer, -which announced that a satisfactory arrangement had been come to by the Managers of both Houses, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1. In the Legislative Council — The Legislative Council met at 12 o'clock, when an amendment, by message from the Governor, in the Railways Construction Bill, was adopted. Referring to the promise made to take out the 17th clause of the Public Works Appropriation Bill, The Hon. .Colonel Whitmore said the Speaker of the other Chamber declined to agree to any alteration in that Bill, and it was too late now to take any other steps. The Council then adjourned. In the House of Representatives — The House met at 11 a.m., when the Appropriation Act and Public Works and Immigration Appropriation Act were brought down from the Legislative Council. The Attorney-General referred to a question of privilege in connection with the report of the conference last night, and asked the ruling of the Speaker. The Speaker was understood to say that the Bill being an* appropriation one the Council had exceeded its power in amending it, and he objected to a clause being brought down by message, which he considered would be a violation of the privileges of the House. After a considerable pause, the message received from the Governor containing an amendment in accordance with the suggestion contained in the report agreed to by the conference of the previous evening. The Attorney-General proposed that the amendment be agreed to. Mr Richardson congratulated the House on the fact that wise counsel had prevailed so as tp put a satisfactory termination to the conflict of opinion which had prevailed during the last two days. It was fortunate that both Houses had agreed to a modification of their views, and also fortunate that the Bill did not pass as originally submitted to the Council. ■ Mr Hislop said if it were not so late in the session he would oppose the amendment, as there was an important principle involved. The amendment was then agreed to, and the House adjourned till 1. On resuming at 1 o'clock, The Speaker announced that the Legislative Council agreed with the amendment, which came by message from the Governor. The House then adjourned. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2. The House met at noon to-day, when the Speaker read a schedule of the business during the session, after which the members repaired to the Legislative Council, where Parliament was formally prorogued by commission to the 14th January next. The commission consisted of the Hon. Major Richmond, Sir F. D. ■ Bell, and the Hon. Colonel Whitimre. Twenty-three members of the House of Representatives were present.