HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4141, 30 October 1884, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday.

The House mot at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions put it was stated— 1. That'the. Government would place a sum on the estimates for the furtherance of the proposals of Professor Black, a.id for utilising the services of Professor Ulrich. 2. That it was impossible to alter the Customs tariff this year by placing an import ad valorem duty on all imported honey. 3. That if on enquiry it were found that most of the wool traftis that used to be done by the railway from Hastings to Napier is now done by horse drays, steps would be taken, if it be not to the detriment of the revenue, to regulate the railway tariff so as to meet the case.

4. That the Government had already received a large amount of information as to the working of the Contagious Diseases Act in those countries where it was in force.

On the motion with reference to the purchase of district railways being called nn, Sir Julius Vogel said he was glad to be able to inform the House that the Government had agreed to alter his resolution in such a manner as he thought would provoke little

opposition. Mr Brycc asked if the Treasurer intended to discuss the motion at once. Sir Julius Vogel replied that he would simply move it, and take the discussion on it next day in committee. After a lengthy debate, during which it was contended by Mr Bryce and Mr Rolleston that according to Parliamentary practice it would not be competent iov the Treasurer to move a motion which had practically been already rejected by the action of the Upper House in throwing out the District Railways Bill, the Speaker ruled that it was competent for the House to debate a resolution on a subject which had been previously rejected as a bill. Sir Julius Vogel, in replying, said he would simply move at present that the House go into committee on the followiug day to consider the resolution as follows : — "That the difficulties surrounding the railways constructed under the District Railways Act, and the hardships to which the ratepayers are subjected in connection therewith are such that this House considers fho Government, should scire a favorable opportunity to enter into an agreement to acquire the said lines by lease and purchase. Such agreement to be subject to the ratification of Parliament, and to contain a provision that until Parliament has had an opportunity of giving such ratification all proceedings against ratepayers shall be stopped." The motion for going into committee on the following day was agreed to. The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill, the Road Boards Act Amendment Bill, and the Land Act 1873 Amendment Bill were reported, and read a third time and passed. The Life Assurance Policies Bill was further considered in committee, reported, and read a third time and passed. The River Boards Bill, the Wellington College Reserves Confirmation Bill, and the Timber Floating Bill were road a second time. The Codliii Moth Bill was committed and passed with a new clause moved by Mr Stout, giving power to prohibit the importation of affected fruit or trees. The bill was then reported and read a third time and passed. The ITousfc adjourned at 5.30.

The House resinned at 7.30

The Electric Lines Bill was passed through committee, and was reported find read a third time aud passed. The Impounding Bill was committed, and after some discussion progress was reported to enable the Premier to insert a clanxc to make, the measure apply to all parts of the colony. On the motion for the second reading of the Beetroot Sugar Bill, the Colonial Treasurer referred to the importance of tho industry of the production of beet sugar. He also alluded to tho benefit of keeping in tho colony the amount now sent out of the colony for sugar, and he quoted authorities to show that as food for dairy stock, &c, the vegetable was invaluable. He mentioned the great success attendant upon the industry in Europe, and entered at some length into the experiments which had been made in New Zealand. He also spoke of sorghum as a profitable production, and read a report from Dr Hector on the subject, according to which report an experiment carried on in Auckland had resulted in the production of a percentage of sugar equal to 14821b per acre. In advocating the adoption of the measure by the House, Sir Julius Vogel pointed out that if the industry proved a failure no harm would result, but he believed it would be the means of encouraging a vast industry. In conclusion he referred to the fact that the colony must not depend entirely on its wheat growing, and that industries of this sort should by all means be encouraged. Colonel Trimble spoke against the bill.

Mr J. 0. Brown supported the measure. Mr Gillies advocated the adoption of the measure. The Avheat industry was, he thought, near its end, and something would have to take* its place. Mr Grigg regretted being unable to support the bill. He considered it was likely to induce the misapplication of labor and capital. The second reading was carried on the voices.

The House then rose.