NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 279, 30 August 1867, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

» HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. i r - Tuesday, 13th Auc. In answer to a question from Mr. Hanghton whether the Commissions appointed to inquire into chargos alleged against certain Goldfields Offlcera had reported, and, if_so, to what effect. Mr. Stratford replied tliat tlio Commission had sent in tlicir report, which it was proposed to lay on the talile. He was happy to say that the report completely exonerated the officials. The only matter in doubt was a sum of twentyfive shillings, vouchers for which the officers were refused access. GOLDFIELDS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr. Stafford said thai the Bill did not require much explanation. Its object was to enable the Governor, in addition to the powers t>f -delegation which he possessed, to delegate to the Executive »f a Province, or ether persons, the powers which his Excellency possessed with respect to the Goldfields. The Bill provided that the expenses of the judicial establishments on the goldfields should he a first charge on the revenues of the goldfields in the districts where Warden's Courts were held. The measure should have a general effect, whether the delegation was made to a Superintendent, an Executive, or otherwise. He moved the second reading of the Bill. Mr. Vogel -said be consider the clause not so trifling as Mr. Stafford would lead the House to suppose. He looked upon the clause as an insult to the Executive of Otago and to the Provincial Council. He considered that the Executive of Otago could not accept a delegation different from that of any other province. The clause means to give the Governor the power to fix the salaries, and takes away from Provincial Councils a power which is much cherished by them—the power of controlling the expenditure.

He (Mr. Yogel) believed that no Executive in Otago will be found willing to 'undertake a delegation to which it cannot do justice, and would toll the House that, if it offers the Executive an impossible delegation, they will stop all expenditure of the goldiields revenue for carrying 'on public works and supporting educational institution, and also put a stop to all contracts in course of progress. It was impossible for the goldfields to be governed by a nominee of the General Government. If they shut out their representatives from Provincial Councils, and prevent them having a voice in the expenditure of the revenue, in all fairness they must provide some other form of government. He would not oppose the seeonc 1 reading of the Bill, but at the proper time would propose that the latter part of the fifth clause he struck out. Mr. Dillon Bell entreated the House to do one of two things—either to let the administration of the goldfields go on in the usual way, or make ample provision necessary for the interests of a population which may be left without any government at all. The question was no longer a party one, but involved in it was the welfare, peace, order, and good government of a large part of New Zealand. The House must deter mine the matter with a just regard, not to the position of anyone individual, but to the reasonable claims and wishes of the people. Mr. Macandrew said the only reason that could be advanced for the Bill was that the Provincial Government of Otago could not be trusted to do justice to those officers who declared against them. He repudiated any such intention. The expenditure en the goldfields must he reduced. Tho number of officials was now as great as when there were thirty thousand miners. He trusted that the Provincial Government would bo able to make a considerable reduction in the expenditure on the goldfields. He would support the second reading, in the firm hope that the objectionable clause would he expunged. The Bill ultimately passed a second reading. Mr. Hall moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Bill. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Tnursday next. The House went into Committee on the Medical Practitioners' Bill. The Introduction of Convicts Prevention Bill war; road a third time and ordered to be transmitted to the Council. Wednesday, 14th Aug. The Otago Southern Trunk Railway Bill war; ordered to he prepared and brought in by Mr. Macandrew and Mr. Dillon Bell. The Dunedin Princes, street Unserve Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on the following Wednesday, OOLDFIELDs' ACT AMENDMENT ACT. in committee, on clause 5, Mr. Stafford moved, That the words "as herein provided" he omitted, and that the words "or to Supcri intendent of any province, or to any other per- • son or persons," be inserted, and that the folj lowing wir.ls be added :—" But .the salaries of ] any such judicial officers shall not ho altered except with the assent of the Provincial Govern- | incut of the Province in which the duties are ! performed in respect of which such salaries are paid."' The amendment was carried by a majority of seventeen. The Bill was reported, with amendments, and ! to be taken into consideration on the following I Friday.