PARLIAMENTARY TELEGRAMS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 249, 18 August 1874, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY TELEGRAMS.

Tuesday, August 11,

Fourteen days’ leave of absence was granted to Mr Pyke. In reply to Mr M'Glashan, the Minister of Works said the Government had no intention to construct line of railway or make a survey through the central part of Otago to Lake Wakatipu, as they considered the work purely a provincial matter. In the course of the evening the Premier said he expected the session to be over in a fortnight. Mr Macandrew asked why the names of certain Otago Mayors were omitted from the Gazette notice intimating the appointment of other Mayors as J.P.s.—ln regard to the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr O’Rorke was understood to say the Government had not considered it necessary. He did not deem the Mayor of Milton eligible, he being a publican. Information of the Mayors of Clyde and Lawrence had not been received in time for the Gazette. —Mr Macandrew thought, if publicans could not be Justices of the Peace, a law ought to be passed to that effect. Wednesday, August 12. In the Legislative Council, a motion by Colonel Brett, affirming the desirability of establishing a Central Asylum for the deaf, dumb, and blind, was carried unanimously. On the Goldfields Act Amendment Bill No. 2, the House went into Committee. Clause 2 met with opposition, on the ground that giving miners power to allow tailings to pollute rivers and destroy lands simply means confiscation of recognised rights. The Premier explained that a case to settle the point in dispute was now before the Supreme Court. If the miners gained their point, the Bill would neither give them anything nor take anything from them, and if the riparian holders or squatters gained the day, the Bill, if passed, could not be of any avail. Mr Shepherd, who was in charge of the Bill, regretted that members were so ready to oppose in Committee when not reported, and so shy of doing so on the second reading. He was only asking to legalise that which had hitherto been permitted, and to give the miners powers to do that which must be a serious evil to the Colony if denied. Mr J. L. Gillies failed to see any good ground for objections to the clause, which was purely permissive. Why not apply it to rivers upon which private rights did not exist, leaving other cases to the Governor-in-Council.

Mr Steward pointed out that the clause came before the House with the approbation of all the goldfields members, and with the imprimaturs of the Otage Provincial Council. To meet the objection, the Premier moved that clause two should be amended by adding the words, " Provided before making such proclamation the Governor shall satisfy himself there are no private rights to be prejudiced by such proclamation." Mr Shepherd called for a division, and the amendment was carried by 25 to 9.

The House went into committee on the' Licensing Bill. After several hours' discussion, a division was called for on an amending clause proposed by Mr Fox, which was defeated by 24 to 10. The amending clause prohibiting the hiring of young girls for dancing with men in places where liquor was sold, under a penalty of not less than £2O, was carried without discussion. The charge of prohibiting barmaids under a like penalty was moved by Mr Fox in an energetic speech condemnatory of the practice.

The Premier pointed out that the clause | would shut out female members of country publicans' families from assisting in bars of their houses, thereby causing great hardships, not only to many publicans, but to females compelled to travel and make use of hotels. The clause was of such an individual nature that it could not possibly work. The clause was negatived on the voices. The clause prohibiting barmaids under 30 years of age was withdrawn. The next clause, making every bar or place where liquor is sold by license a factory, under the Employment of Females Act, limit-

ing their hours of labour, and giving them Sunday, was negatived. On the clause providing that public-houses shall have open glass fronts to the street, Mr Fox quoted the Premier's words in 1872 as to tho same views,. A division was called for, and the clause was lost by 9 against 24, the Premier voting with Mr Fox.

Clause 10, providing special commissioners and inspectors of public-houses, and the following clauses, were negatived. Mr Steward moved a new clause, to the effect that no female, other than a wife or daughter of a licensee, should be employed in a bar more than 10 hours.

A division was called for, aatd resulted—in favour of the new clause, 21; against, 12. The amendments were reported, and the House adjourned at 10 minutes past 3.

Thursday, August 13.

The Premier, amid loud applause, rose to move the following resolution, of- which notice had been given :'< That, considering the present circumstances of the Colony, it is desirable to abolish Provincialism in the North Island—at the same time fixing Wellington as the Seat of Government, and providing for the localisation of the land revenue, according to the Compact of 1856 ; that Government, during the recess, consider the best means of giving effect to these resolutions." He spoke at considerable length on the subject, denying that anything personal or of an ambitious nature had induced him to take this step. It was a question that, for the good of the country, must be faced boldly and at once.

Mr O'Rorke made a personal explanation, and wished to say that he had been no party, and could be no party, to the scheme. Had he voted for it he would deserve to be called a base political traitor ; and, although there were many political apostates, he was happy he could not imitate them. If the scheme was carried out, it must result in a failure. He could not alter his political opinions in the twinkling of an eye. He would never have joined the Ministry if he thought his honorable colleague had in his copious armoury the dagger to stab the political life of Auckland. The resolution contained as much as it was possible to condense of all that was offensive to Auckland. He had no personal grounds of objections against his colleagues. He had always been courteously treated by the Premier, but he had entered upon a voyage of which no man could see the end.—(Loud applause from the Opposition.) The Premier said he owed the House an apology, for a member of the C.ibinet making such an exhibition of his colleagues. He had never by a single word intimated to himself or colleagues that he disapproved of the policy. It was quite a surprise. Mr Reeves moved an adjournment until Monday.

The Daily Times' Wellington correspondent telegraphs as follows : " Mr O'Rorke has resigned his seat in the Cabinet. It is owing to Mr Vogel's resolutions. The scene in the House was great to-day when he spoke. He made the most forcible speech I ever heard him make, and at its conclusion left his seat and walked down the House amidst enthusiastic cheers, which lasted till he got outside. Mr Vogel was white with rage, and spoke strongly regarding his late colleague. He said that Mr O'Rorke had given him no notice, but this was nonsense, for O'Rorke's intention was well known. A dissolution is sure to ensue."