HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4032, 24 June 1884, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Monday

The House resumed at 2.30 p.m. KUMARA SLUDGE CHANNEL,

Mr Seddon moved that a certain alteration should be made in the regulations of the Kumara sludge channel. He complained that a variety of hardships and inconveniences were imposed upon minors who used tho channel.

Messrs Fitzgerald and Munro spoke in support of the motion. Mr Rolleston said that the regulations could not be altered, but promised that the hardships and complaints would as far as possible be remedied. The motion was negatived. GUM-FIELDS LEASES.

Sir George Grey resumed the adjourned debate on the question of the gum-field leases. He said he had been charged by the Government with having, while acting as Superintendent of Auckland, been a party to the granting of a lease over a large area of gum fields country. He had that day received from Auckland the papers, which showed that ho had not, as had been alleged, been a party to the transaction. The whole negotiation took place between the Commissioner of Crown Lands and tho Govcrnor-iii-Council. These documents showed that he had been unjustly blamed by Ministers. He had that day received a lettor signed by sixteen diggers asking him to do all in his power to prevent the issue of large leases in these fields. He complained of the conduct of the Minister of Public Works hi threatening that, in consequence of the action taken in this and other matters against the Government, he would have his revenge by unseating at least three members who had voted with him (Sir George). As a matter of fact, Mr Mitch elson took his seat upon the Land Board, the very body which had to judge as to the illegality of this transaction. On his part such conduct ■was most reprehensible. It was notorious that over and over again persons of this sort who had wrongfully acquired wealth had found their way on to the Government benches.

: Mr Dargaville also complained of unfair dealing in the administration of the gumfields on the part of the Waste Lauds Board of Auckland.

Mr Rolleston said that when these large leases were provided for, the whole administration of the waste lands of Auckland Avas vested in the Superintendent and the Waste Lands Commissioner. It did not proceed from the central Government, but was purely the result of a concert between the Superintendent and Commissioner. In these cirenmstances it was absurd to say that this ■was not the action of the Superintendent.

The motion for the production of papers connected with the gumfields was agreed to. The House then went into . COMMITTEE OE supply.

The resolution for £43,000 out of the consolidated reserve as honorarium was put. Mr Holmes moved that the amount be reduced to £21,000. Ho argued that it would bo unfair to vote the full amount of the honorarium, seeing that tho session had not exceeded eleven sitting days. The average duration of a session was three months, and tho proposed reduction was only fair under tho circumstances. Mr Peacock seconded and supported the amendment. He argued that the honorarium should not be looked upon as pay for services, but simply as a refund for necessary outlay. The House had not exceeded one-fourth of the normal period of an ordinary session. The amendment was negatived on the voices. Mr Hurst moved that the amount be reduced SO as to make the honorarium £100.

Mr Seddon paid that this proposal for a reduction came from wealthy men. Ho had never known these men leave the surplus amount in the hands of the Treasurer, or even give it to charitable institutions. It was a contract made with members that they should bo paid £210 per session, and the full amount should be paid. Ho cautioned the supporters of the reduction that they would not catch five votes more by this sham proposal of theirs. Colonel Trimble spoke in support of the amendment. He was in favor of payment of members, but under tho circumstances he thjught £100 sufficient. JUr Fiflh advocated that the payment of

members was fixed by statute. He deprecated any reduction, and thought members had fully earned the full amount by turning out'the Government. Mr Moss supported the full amount, and pointed out the danger of allowing only rich men in the House. Members were under various disadvantages, being unable to do business with the Government, or take pay as Commissioners. Major Atkinson thought £150 sufficient to cover all reasonable expenses, and that members should not be paid for their services iv proportion to the ordinary length of the session. One hundred pounds should suffice this year. ~ Sir George Grey supported the full amount, as lie considered there was an implied contract that the honorarium should be £210. They should not shut poor men out of Parliament. Mr O'Callaghan and Major Harris supported the full amount, and Mr Stevens urged a reduction to £100. Mr Swanson supported the reduction, but thought a special tax should be made to provide the honorarium. The motion for reduction was put and lost ou a division. Ayes, 25. A tkinson Locke Bcetham Milchelson Bryce Newman Buchanan, W. C. Peacock Cadman Pearson _ Pick Postlethwaitc Driver Rolleston Fulton Shepherd Hobbs Stevens Holmes Swanson Hursthouse White, W. Johnston, W. Wilson Lovestam Noes, 35. Bathgate McKcnzic, W. Bracken McKenzie, J. Brown, J. E. Montgomery Daniel Moss DeLautour Munro Dodson O'Callaghan Feldwick Petrio Fish Pyke Fitzgerald Seddon George Shaw Green, J. Sheehan Grey Steward Harris Tawhai Hutchison Thompson, H. Joyce Thompson, J. W. Kelly Turnbull Larnach Watt Macandrew Pairs. Ayes. Noes. Tole Tomoana Trimble Taiaroa Richardson Ivess Sutton McMillan Williams Duncan Mason Green, M. W. Hurst Morris Conolly.-:. Brown, J. C. Wakefield Pilliet The remaining votes in supply were then put, agreed to, and reported. On the motion for going into Committee of Ways and Means, Mr Munro moved an amendi-ient calling for immediate action towards improving the harbors of Grcymouth and Wcstport, so as to assist in the development of tho coal trade. Mr Petrio seconded. Major Atkinson recognised the colonial importance of the work, and said the Government would prosecute it as fast as it coidd with the means at its disposal. Mr Hursthouse urged that Collingwood should also be included.

"Ultimately the amendment was negatived on the voices.

In committee the Public Revenues Bill was considered, and after considerable discussion on various points was reported. In passing its third reading Major Atkinson said it was intended to prorogue to-morrow, and dissolve if possible on Wednesday, but it might be Saturday, as tho polling places had to be fixed. The writs would name the 22nd July as tho day for the general election, so the nominations would probubly take place about the 16th. The new Parliament would be called together on tho 7th August. With regard to appointments to tho Legislative Council they would make none unless ho had to call some one there to represent the Government. As to the Agent-Generalship the Government had, the mail before last, written to Sir Dillon Bell expressing satisfaction at the way he performed his duties, and asking him to retain office for two years from the Ist January next. No answer had yet been received.

Mr Fish, Mr J. C. Brown, Mr Seddon, and Sir George Grey wished to bmd the Government to more specific promises as to appointments, especially political ones, but Mr Montgomery expressed himself satisfied. Major Atkinson said he fully recognised the right of any Government to remove the Agent-General. After a long discussion the bill was passed, and a motion was carried to have private and local bills brought up at their present stages next session. The Houso rose at 1.25 a.m. till 12.30 p.m. This day. In the Legislative Council the Publio Revenues Bill was passed, and both Houses havo adjourned until 2 o'clock. Both Houses of Parliament were prorogued shortly after 2 p.m. to-day by commission, the Commissioners being Sir W. Fitzhcrbert (Speaker of the Legislative Council), Sir G. Whitmorc, and the Hons. R. Oliver and Dr Grace. The formal prorogation was until July 24. The Northern members leave by the Hincmoa to-night.