PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 800, 17 August 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

—o— Wellington, August 7. Messrs Macandrew, Stout, Brown, and a number of other Otago members to-day held au interview with the Hon. Mr Bowen in regard to Otago Education Reserves. They wanted the purposes of those definitely settled and appointed. They asked 100,000 acres in 'Otago, and 25,000 acres in Southland to he set apart as an endowment for primary education. Mr Bowen promised to consider the matter, and seemed favorable to the views of the deputation. There have been no caucuses of a political ■motive yet, and all the negotiations going on are bdtween small coteries. It was rather amusing to-day to witness the diplomatic way in which Mr TaWiti answered Mr Takamoanawhen the latter tried, to draw him out 'in regard to the Native Land Bill, or, as he said, to find whether ho was really a Minister or not. Sir George Grey’s Ti iennial Parliaments, Bill is printed. It merely provides that Whereas the Parliaments have hitherto been of five years’ duration, they shall in future be only of three years’ duration, unless the Assembly be sooner dissolved. The District Railways Bill will be brought down to-morrow. 'The hill has not yet been circulated. The Attorney-General introduced the Native Lands Bill this afternoon, and reviewed the history and bearing of the Waste Lands Bill since the foundation of the Colony. He said it was by no means a new policy, but simply-an elucidation of the previous A-cts, with such amendments as increased experience suggested. Dr Wallis spoke strongly against the measure. Mr Kara'itisna spoke violently against the billHe gesticulated frantically, and denounced it in unmeasured terms. Ho said everyone he had spoken to condemned the bill, and hoped it would be thrown out by Parliament, and that some Government would be put in who would legislate fairly for the natives. If the bill passed he would at once leave the House. August Bth. The debate on the Native Lauds Bill last night was a very ’damaging one to the Government. Messrs Ballance, Travers, and the Maori members all made very telling speeches against the bill, and no one was found on the Government side to defend it, until at last Mr Reid rose and made a very poor-hearted speech. The general remark when he sat down was that if a Minister had no more to say in defence-of a measure so strongly ’attacked it must be a very'bad one. A change of Ministry before the session ends is now regarded as almost a certainty. A long debate -ensued upon Mr Macandrew’s motion re Otago railways. He spoke a!b!y in support of the motion. There was, Ue said, a considerable portion of the land which, if the railway were run through, would realise from L 3 to L 5 per acre ; but setting it down at L2 per acre it would realise over two millions of money. The lines proposed would pass over 330 miles of territory, seven-eighths of which was level plains, and on those plains the cost of construction would not exceed L 2500 per mile, including rolling-stock. It would not be too much to expect, by the carrying out of the lines, an -addition of 5000 families employed in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, each occupying from 50 to 100 acres. The speaker then went on to' show the amount of lands fit for agricultural and pastoral purposes which each section of the line would open up, and stated that the lines at present constructed would never pay unless fed by branch lines such as proposed. The 330 miles of railway could he constructed without coating the country a single farthing, by simply parting with a portion of the Crown land, which, without the lines, was comparatively worthless. The lines would increase the public estate by five of six millions, besides adding to the sum of human happiness by settling and making prosperous hundreds of families. He trusted the House would unanimously agree to the proposals, and he called uptfn the members who have been the moans of abolishing the Provinces to show by their vote that what Otago would undoubtedly have done herself had she been left alone, would not bo left undone in consequence ’of the political milennium which they had brought in. The Hon. Mr Ormond objected to the proposal on various grounds. Half a million was to he spent 'on railways in Otago during the year, and ho hoped the House would not pass more. He did not doubt the railways would cost little, but it would not he advisable at present to throw so much land into the market. Several amendments to the motion were proposed so as to include districts in variou s Counties having extended railway communication-. Those amendments Mr Stout strongly objected to, as he thought every measure should he judged upon its own meats. August 9. In the House this afternoon the adjourned debate on Mr Maoandrew’s resolutions was taken. Mr Bastings thought it would he a good thing to refer the whole matter to a select committee, for them to devise some plan whereby these lines cottM bo constructed. As the Government had announced their intention to bring down a hill to enable branch railways to he constructed, he would move the adjournment of the debate. Mr Reader Wood, whilo concurring in all that had been urged by the proposer of the resolutions, said there were fatal objections to the plan. Them was no money, and if the money were raised out of the land there was still no local body who could carry out the work, Mr Macandrew had no objection to the adjournment, as he was most anxious to see

the bill the Government had for- the construction of branch railways. Debate adjourned till Thursday next. Mr Gisborne moved—“ That the Goldfields 'Committee bo instructed to report what rewards should bo authorised by the House to bo offered in the North and South Islands, and on what terms, for the discovery of payable goldfields, and what steps should be taken for the encouragement of prospecting for gold anti other precious minerals. The question that leave he given to Mr De Lautour to introduce the Central Otago! and South Canterbury Railways Bill was postponed for a week. It is sard to be quite on the cards that Fitzhcrbert will become Premier should the present Government be ousted. The Hon. Mr Bowen said Mr Rees might know a great deal on very'many subjects, but he scarcely thought the hon. gentleman knew the head from the tail of a cow. August 10. Mr Sheehan has just (8 p.m.) made a slashing speech. He said the Opposition were now prepared to withdraw the question of adjournment, in order that the Public Works Statement might be made, after which ho hoped the Government would consent to an adjournment. The question of adjournment was then put and negatived. Mr Ormond is now on his feet making the Public Works Statement. Mr Fox spoke an hour and a quarter last night in moving the Local Option Bill. His speech was more temperate than usual, But contained nothing new. The Government will, it is understood, make a stand in opposition to Mr Woolcock’s motion about the incidence of taxation, and if defeated, Ministers will appeal to the country. Defeat is almost certain, and if they wish to commit political suicide, they could not do more in the direction of killing themselves than they are doing. It is very evident they are not a happy family, as they are always contradicting each other, and seem entirely without any common feeling or understanding. Their position to-day was an extraoi dinary one. Yesterday and to-day they have been button-holing Mr Ballancc to withdraw his amendment, which he absolutely refuses, and their supporters generally, but without effect. ‘On the other hand, a number of their supporters urge them on. They at one time proposed to move that the onler for the second reading be discharged, but they found the Opposition would not consent to this. The adjournment of the debate was agreed to with very’little opposition ; hut as soon as it was settled, cries of “ Adjourn, adjourn,” rose from all sides of the chamber, and Mr Evans Brown, who had supported the Government in their demand for an adjournment of the debate, rose and moved the adjournment of the House Until Tuesday. On this, a very lively debate—■whidh has lasted all the afternoon, and has not yet nearly finished—arose. Mr Stout maintained that if the Native Lands Bill was a Ministerial one, they had no right to ask for an adjournment to consider the amendment, and that really the request meant an adjournment for the Government to consider its position. The Government maintained that this was not the case at all. Augustl,'!. After the delivery of the Public Works Statement last night, Mr Jones spoke very strongly regarding the omission of all mention of the Riverton-Orepuki line, which was commenced by the Provincial Government. He dwelt at length on the hardship of the position of the Orepuki people, and the necessity for the line. Mr Macandrew backed him up. Mr Barff spoke bitterly of the non-provision for a line to connect Greymouth and Hokitika. Ministers did not reply to either. To-day a great deal of lobbying has been going on. but Ministers see it is hopeless to expect to Carry the Native Lauds Bill. It is considered certain it Will be abandoned, and that, if “ defeated on Incidence of Taxation question, they will appeal to the country.” If they remain in office, the Hon. Dr Pollen is to retire at the end of the session, and Mr John Hall will succeed him. Mr Hall is lobbying lor them now. August I.'!. Things are very quiet. Ministers have held several cabinets and it is said, intend to abandon the Native Latidt Bill if the Opposition will accept a promise that they will introduce a short Bill to prevent all speculation in Native Lands until next session, hut excluding all present vested interests. Something has also been hinted about drawing a distinction between Native Lands fit for pastoral and agricultural purposes. The Government proposals will not, however, bo accepted by Mr Ballanoe, or the Opposition. Gn Mr Woolcock’s motion, the Government will have to encounter a hostile majority, the feeling in favor of a property tax being very strong in the Lower House. The Goldfields Committee is sitting daily on the Goldfields Bill, and has already agreed to amendments providing that District Judges shall rehear cases from the Wardens’ Courts, and has also considerably reduced the costs of cases before Wardens and other Courts.