HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3723, 21 June 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Lnave of absence until the 3rd day of July was granted to Mr Pilliett on account of illness, and for a fortnight to Mr Hobbs on urgent private affairs. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, the erection of a light in the French Pass and a beacon on Jackson's Head was promised during the current year ; the Government were considering how best to place foreign insurance companies in the same position as colonial companies when carrying on business in the colony ; dogs were required to be registered in the country-w here the owner resided or carried on business ; tho West Coast Railway Commissioners' report would bo ready in a few days ; the Tea Examination Act was being enforced, and there was no reason to believo that adulterated tea was imported; tenders for leasing West Coast native lands would be opened in public—in every caao tho highest offer had been accepted ; the Government would, if the work was found suitable, publish at tho Government Printing Office the text book for school on New Zealand botany prepared by Mr Thompson, of tho Dunedin High School; it was not intended to amend the Licensing Act by reverting to nominated committees; a limited number of single women would bo sent out as free immigrants in addition to those nominated; if railway rolling stock could be manufactured in the colony nearly as cheap as it could be imported the Government would have it done.

FIRST HEADINGS, &G.

The following bills were read a first time :—Law of Evidence (Hutchison), Hokitika High School (Fitzgerald), St. Peter's Church, Caversham (Barron), Timaru Racecourse (Sutter), Massey Frauds, Dunedin Southern Market Amendment, and Taraniiki Ironworks Land Act Amendment, (Fisli), Murimotu Native Reserves Grants, and Taurautu Native Commonage (Brycc), Gold Duties Abolition (Seddon), Libel (Tole), Mining Companies Act Amendment (Rolleston), Shopkeepers' Closing (Green). Mr Seddon withdrew his motion to introduce a Payment of Members of the House of Representatives Bill, as the Government had intimated an intention to introduce a Payment of Members of the General Assembly Bill. The Affirmation and Declarations Bill (Rolleston) was read a first time, after Sir George Grey and others had complained that it was an unworthy attempt to deprive Mr Grey of the credit of carrying a bill he had agitated for several sessions. Major Atkinson pointed out that the Government introduced the bill last session, and that, being satisfied of its necessity, it was their clear duty not to leavo legislation on the subject in the hands of private members. EETURNS. Several unopposed returns were ordered. HOURS OF SITTING. Mr Macandrew moved that the House should meet at 11 a.m., and not sit after 5 daily. Major Atkinson moved that the motion be referred to the Standing Orders Committee. This was agreed to. The House adjourned at 5.30, and resumed at 7.30. ADDRESS IN REPLY.

Mr Soddoii resumed the debate on the Address in Reply. He characterised the speech as a sham and fraud, of which the perpetrator should bo punished. It was by tho bribery of members with grants to their districts, and improper interference in elections, as at Inangahua, that Ministers obtained a majority. Ho strongly condemned the general administration of the Government, and commented on the omissions in the speech, notably thei'e being , no reference to tho Middle Island East and West Coast railways. Mr Levee tain pointed out that the Government had no money for .such a lino, ns £180,000 was specifically appointed to another line, and could not be diverted without a gross breach of faith. He defended the Nelson members from tho charge of being , bribed. Mr Sutter denied the existancc of industrial depression, as stated by Mr Bathgate, arid quoted the Savings Bank returns in disproof. Mr Hutchison, having been resident in Wanganui at tho timo alluded to by Mr Rusden in his charges against Mr Bryco, and having had full apportunity to know the facts, desired emphatically to declare his utter disbelief in Mr Rusden's charges. He did this the more readily as he was no admirer of the Native Minister's policy. He especially condemned the amnesty to To Kooti, and adversely criticised the general policy of the Government. Mr Watt repelled the insinuation about the Wanganui bridge vote. The constituents naturally looked to members to get works and votes as well as to support a policy. Mr J. McKenzie strongly condemned tho Government administration of property assessments, railways, and lands during the recess. They were especially negligent in enforcing the provisions of the Rabbit Nuisance Act.

Mr Bracken thought the deaths of Mr Seaton and Mr Rutherford, late members of the House, should have been alluded to in the speech.

Mr Holmes recapitulated the accusations made against Ministers of corruption and maladministration, and was astonished to find they made no effort to refute them. They should be hurled from their seats covered with eternal infamy. He condemned Major Atkinson's tone towards Mr Montgomery, and the recent appointments to the Council as adding another unnecessary burden to an already over-taxed people. On this account he would support making the Council elective, although he did not much like the principle. Mr Pearson pointed out that Mr Holmes, who now so virtuously condemned influencing members by votes for works, when addressing his constituents stated that, if the Opposition had not control of the public purse, they would soon have made their minority a majority. He did not approve of all the Government had done by any means, but he preferred them to the Opppsitipn. Ho warmly supported the "West Coast railway. Mr M. W. Green desired to disassociate himself from the charges of national corruplion launched from that side of the Houso against Ministers. He entirely disapproved of them, nnd did not think Pthose who made them really believed what they

said. If the Government did right he was prepared to support them. To divert the £100,000 authorised last session to a West Coast lino would be to treat further with public creditors. He would rather support a new loan for the purpose. The Address in Reply was then agreed to. MINISTEKIAL STATEMENTS. Major Atkinson promised on Friday to state when the Financial and Public Works Statements would be made, and also to make a general statement as to Government business. A question having been raised during the debate as to the legal position of Road Boards, owing to the delays in the elections, Major Atkinson, for public information, stated that the Crown Law Officers had carefully considered this point, and were quite convinced that the Road Boards were not in any difficulty whatever. Tho House rose at 12.55.