THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3255, 26 July 1873, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.] Wellington, July 25. In the House Mr O’Conor gave notice of a motion for the reconstruction of the constituencies. In reply to Mr Murray, Mr Vogel said that Government had no intention to introduce a Lands Improvement Bill, or a Bill enabling Road Boards to borrow money, Mr Webster asked what authority the Crown Lands Commissioners were subject to in their official capacity ? Were the Provincial Authorities justified in interfering with the action of the Commissioners m administering Land Acts ? He said the position of the Commissioners was unsatisfactory ; they were more or less independent, being subject to no control whatever, and owed no allegiance either to the General or Provincial Governments. It was necessary to prevent local influences being brought to bear upon them. —Mr O’Rorke replied that the Com missioners were appointed by the Governor, subject to the direction of the Secretary for Crown Lands. Their duties were comprised in the Land Act of 1862, and the Provincial Land Laws Commissioners were ex officio members of Land Hoards, and sometimes chairmen. The Provincial authorities had no power to interfere with the action of the Boards, or with the Commissioners, without local authority. —Mr Webster then inquired whether the Provincial authorities were justified in using their influence to compel the Commissioners to wrest the Land Laws to Provincial purposes. Mr O’Rorke replied : Not unless the Provincial authorit es were supported by law. In some Provinces, Auckland for instance, the Commissioner was entirely a Provincial officer. An Imprest Supply Bill, of a quarter of a million, was passed through all its stages. Mr Vogel moved the second reading of the Telegraphic Cables Subsidy Agreement Ratification Bill. He said delay would be inexpedient : there was no probability of the Imperial Government immediately acting on the resolution adopted by the Intercolonial Conference. The Imperial Government had made strong representations to the Colonies against granting monopolies to companies for a number of years : they could risk such by the present grant. The existing communications between England and Australia was subject to frequent interruption. The tariff' in existence was also very high. The Home Government and those of Queensland, New South Wales, and New Zealand were anxious for the establishment of an alternative line. The Indo-European Companies were largely interested in the new line. The Indian Government were willing to extend their line so as to meet the new line. Concessions had been secured from the King of Assam. Queensland, New South Wales, and New Zealand proposed to be equally responsible for a guarantee of five per cent on L 1,000,0-0. The cost of the cable was estimated at L 200,000. All revenue over L 12.000 would go towards the reduction of the guarantee. The proposed tariff was very favorable. New Zealand’s annual liability was limited to onethird of L 50,000, only, being paid while the line was working. The Queensland Parliament had approved of the proposal; and the Sydney Government also approved of it, and would shortly submit a proposal to Parliament. The receipts of New Zealand, in the first instance, might not be over expenses, but this would alter in a short time. New Zealand could not afford to be left out. Steamers from Australia were uncertain. Great commercial inconvenience occurred here in consequence of large financial transactions going on constantly between London and Australia by cable. —Mr Pearce asked whether there was any fixed time for laying the cable.—Mr Vogel replied that it would be completed as expeditiously as possible. He was prepared to modify the Bill, and make the period distinct. —Mr J. E. Brown asked when the shore end would be laid in the Colony ?—Mr Vogel said that the Government had undertaken to pay L6OO towards the cost of the surveys, and Queensland ana New South Wales wore each to pay an equal amount. A vessel was being prepared in Australia for the survey. The French Government were anxious to pay a share of the guarantee, if the line were carried to Norfolk Island and New Caledonia. The Government, however, had declined the proposal. The New Zealand Government proposed that the shore end should be at the south end'of Cook’s Straits, as the business oh that side was the largest. The exact point of the shore end would be about Cape Farewell, in Nelson.—Mr Shepherd proposed to postpone the second reading until after the financial statement —Messrs Ramsay and White supported the second reading.—Mr Vogel, in reply to a question, said. New Zealand would be responsible for her share of the guarantee, if the cable to Australia should be interrupted. The other Qolouic? would be in the same position with Tigard to the Singapore end.—The second pending was agreed to. —The Bill will be pojnm tted on Thursday. Mr Vogei moved the second reading of the Provincial Council Powers Bill. He said the Bill was intended by the Government to give the Councils the power to constitute Courts of Judicature and prescribe procedure, having the power to deal with scab disease, the sale of liquors, the sale of cattle and impounding. thistles, making and repairing highways, levying and recovering rates, and regulating boundary fences. The operation of°the Bill will be similar to that of the new Education Bill, in not being applicable to the whole Colony, but leaving it optional with Provincial Councils to bring the Act into operation. The Bill is not meant to extend the power of Councils, nor to increase theii permanency. It simply confers certain necessary powers.—Mr Tunny referred to the 9th section of the Constitution Act, which dtfines the subjects on which Provincial Councils have no power to legislate Therefore, he might asspme that Councils were empowered to deal with subjects not ipepified, There was much dihiculty and

doubt experienced by Provincial Councils, and caused by the tinkering of the General Government. Why should the legislative functions of Councils be limited to 1.300? The Act should have specified matters on which the Councils were empowered to legislate. It would be better to deprive Councils of their legislative power, or not to interfere with many subjects which Councils were already empowered to legislate upon, not mentioned in the Bill. It would be much better to leave minor matter to Councils, giving them full powers.—Dr Webster considered the Bill retrospective, and also indicative of a change in the policy of the Premier, who was formerly a Centralist. Mr Shepherd : The power to impose penalties to LSOO was dangerous, and there was a general feeling throughout the country against extending the powers of Councils. - Mr Seymour thought there was a middle course open. He advocated a permissive system. Certain Bills having been declared to be ultra vires, rendered a defining Act necessary.—Mr Cuthhertson supported the Bill, but advocated that the power of imposing penalties up to LSOO should be reduced. Pie referred to the doubts regarding the validity of certain Provincial Acts, and the necessity for valididating the powers of Councils. The subjects mentioned in the Act might be extended, —Mr Fox said the Act did not grant new powers to Councils which had already power to enforce Provincial Ordinances and impose penalties.—Mr Gillies approved of the objects of the Bill, but it did not go far enough—the subjects included were already legislated upon by Councils. The Bill greatly increased the powers of Councils in some respects, but in others curtailed them. At present there were only doubts regarding the powers of Councils. The question was not yet decided. The Bill did not settle doubts ; in fact, it converted doubts into realities. The Bill should have declared what powers are provided. The Councils Powers Bill of IS6G created inabilities. This Bill did the same. The second clause conferred powers actually prohibited by the Constitution. The Councils had no powers to create Courts. After a further discussion, the Bill passed the second reading. In reply to Air Bradshaw’s questions with regard to t( c telegraph line to Tapanui and Switzers, and the report of the Lawrence Mining Conference, Mr Vogel said that he could not at present give a distinct answer as to the construction of the line, but would consider the matter. The line would cost L 4,130. The report of the Conference would he shortly laid on the table. In the Upper House, the Government, on the motion of Mr Sewell, promised tno production of such papers connected with Sullivan’s murder as would not interfere with matters pending. The Assaults on Constables Bill, the Insolvency Bill, and the Waterworks Bill were read a second time.

July 26 Mr Reynolds moved the second reading of the Marine Surveyors Bill, which was carried without discussion. Mr Kolleston moved the second reading of the Canterbury Width of Tires Bill, and suggested its being made applicable to the whole Colony.—The Minister of Public Works suggested it should only apply to parts with metalled roads. Mr Cuthhertson thought the House should enable the Provinces to legislate on such a matter.—Mr Reynolds supported Mr Cnthbertson’s proposal.—Mr •Allies explained that, a Hill providing for penalties was out of tbo power of Provinces. —Mr Bunny said if the Bill were applied to the Colony it should be permissive, and brought into operation by a Provincial proclamation. The Bill was read a second time. In Committee. Mr Thomson obtained leave to introduce a Bill for raising money for public works to be constructed in the Clutha district, and postponed bis remarks on the Bill till its second reading. The Bill was read a first time.

The Canterbury Cathedral Square Bill parsed through Committee. Mr Wakefield made his annual motion for the return of sales and leases of land by Natives to Europeans. He spoke for one hour, and emptied the House, —Mr A. J. Richmond then drew the attention of the Speaker to the state of the Mouse ; but there being a bare quorum present, Mr Wakefield resumed his speech quite refreshed.—Parata opposed the return, which the Native Minister refused to supply. He said the House had no right to call for returns of private transactions, and offered returns of Government dealings.—Mr Murray supported the motion, which was lost on a division to 27. Mr Wakefield’s motion for a nominal return of the officers in the Defence Department and Constabulary was carried.

Mr Reader Wood’s motion for further correspondence in re Mr Russell’s complaint against Mr Beetham, was carried. Mr Rolleston moved an address to his Excellency for all unpublished despatches from the late Governor and Acting-Governor to the Secretary of State re ministerial changes, and Earl Kimberley’s replies. Ministers promised them as soon as his Excellency had assented to the proposition. Mr Carrington gave notice of a motion for the desirability of provision being made for the construction of roads and bridges in the 97,800 acres confiscated land given to military settlers in Taranaki, between the White Cliffs and the Patea district, Mr Johnston gave notice of motion asking for a return of the travelling allowance of Ministers ; also, in detail, all allowances to the Governor during the rive years ending March 31st last. Mr Harrison gave notice of a motion that the Goldfields Committee consider the report upon water supply to the Goldfields. Mr Murray has given notice of motion for returns of particulars in connection with the purchase of the Port Chalmers Railway, Engineer’s report of the value and actual cost of the railway, the terms on which the Provincial Government works the railway, the list of shares and bond-holders of the Railway Company, showing the number of shares held by each.