GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3561, 22 July 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.]

Wellington, July 21. In the House, Mr Pyka asked the Premier whether the Government were advised of the disallowance of the Otago Gold Duty Repayment Ordinance, and, if so, whether he had any objection to lay upon the table a statement of the grounds upon which the disallowance had been advised?— The Premier said that the reason the Otago Gold Duty Repayment Ordinance was disallowed was because it contained no provision for preventing the gold produced in other Provinces from being exported through Otago. Mr M'Glashan asked the Minister of Jus", tice if the Government had taken into consideration the punishment awarded to continued inebriates in the various Magistrstes’ Courts in sending such persons to gaol, in so far as such punishment does not meet the evil by effecting a cure ; and if the Government will propose such an alteration in the law as will provide that such persons may be treated as lunatics insted of being sent to gaol ?—Mr O’Rorke could not see that the General Government had anything to do with the matter, and their attention had not been called to it. The question of lunatics was one exclusively dealt with by the Provinces ; still, as the Government had had its attention called to the matter, it would give it some consideration.

The Premier laid on the table a large batch of papers regarding the Polynesian Islands, In doing so, he said they would naturally suggest to hon. members to ask what court* the Government proposed to take upon the

abject. Hon. members would find the papers exceedingly interesting. They were v compilation of repors from official sources > i Uu: South Sea Islands. Some of them had been published before, but they wen iow collected together. There was also a useful map, and various Ministerial memo randa regarding the islands. be«ides a variet\ of other matter relating to the subject -altogether being the most valuable information obtainable upon the subject. As he said before, the question that would suggest itself to hon. numbers minus would be as to what course the Government proposed to take in retoreuce to the papers, which would be f n( ? V 1) ue ® ook > upon the question of establishing, or encouraging, by way of a subsidy, the establishment of a commercial company, to trade between New Zealand and the rolyne iaa Islands. Whether or not the Government would proceed with the question this session he did not know, but he ' . IC * n °k hesitate to express an opinion that it was a question of very great importance to Zealand, and one which deserved the consideration aud attention of members. He was quite aware that any propasal of this kind was open to objection, and fears were sometimes entertained of the Government eu g a g‘ n g hi things wh.ch private persons could carry out. There was also the theoretical objection that trade could not be controlled j but, for his part, he considered that the maxim was oue which everyday experience contradicted. There was nothing in the proposals shadowed forth in the papers which the Government were ashamed of, and they were quite prepared to leave toe question to stand upon its own merits before the House. He believed that the question, if rightly dealt with, was one hardly second in importance in its effects to the Public Works and Immigration scheme, upon which the Co.ony bad embarked. It was necessary to avoid the mistake of only giving to the . olony one kind of occupation. They must provide means for the energies of those whose inclinations directed them to commercial pursuits, and give them scope to carry them out. All were not content to till the soil, or these beautiful islands would not have been discovered. In these islands they had means to open to the young men of New Zealand to carry out commercial operations which could not fail to have a beneficial effect upon its commerce. He did not hesitate to say that the day was not far distant when New Zealand would become the centre of Polynesia, aud when the Governor of New Zealand would also be the Governor-General of the Polynesian Islands. Ibis question was not one of parties, and whether the Government proceeded with it or not this session would entirely depend upon what opinion members would term upon the subject. The risk they would run in entering upon any scheme of the kind would be trifling as compared with the results which must arise by making New Zealand a great and pro ductive country, in respect not only to its interior, but to its outward resources.— (Applause.) Mr Pyke gave notice of bis intention to ask whether the Government intead to take anv steps to remove restrictions upon the importation of timber made by the Southland uands Hoard.

A3r Reynolds gave notice of his intention to. move as to whether the motion for increasing excise duties was a breach of faith, or whether it was desirable to abolish distillation.

The following Hills were introduced and read a first time : -Bid to amend Goldfields Act, 18fifi (by Curtis), Waterworks Loan Bill for Nelson (Curtis), Bill to amend Licensing Act, 1873 (Vogel). The Civil Service Act Amendment Bill and Government Insurance Annuities Biiil were reported with amendments.

in the Council, Dr Menzies asked the Government whether they intended to introduce a Bill to provide for the revision and correction of the Provincial Electoral dolls. He said the Provincial Rolls were full of mistakes and very liable to errors. The Colonial fcv cretary said the Government hud no intention of bringing in a Bill, but would give their best attention to the subject. i he Hon. R. Campbell moved that a Surveyor General should be appointed to inspect the surveys of the whole Colony. In doing so, he said the need for such an officer was very great, and that, if a Surveyor-General with a good staff were appointed to go round the Colon}' and inspect survey*, every necessary reform could be effected —The Hon. Colonel Brett said it would be a very great expense, and entirely new surveys would have to be made.—The Hon. Mr Waterhouse said a complete trigonometrical survey would be necessary, far reformation of surveys. He thought the whole question should be referred to a select committee, whose evidence would be overpowering. The Hon. Dr Menzies approved of the plan, bub thought it r. quired considerable amendment,—The lion. Dr Polhn thought the Council and public were indebted to the action of Mr Campbell. The Government last session had endeavored to pass a vote of C 5.000 for surveys, but it was negatived. The Government would gladly see the spirit of the motion agreed to, reserving to themselves the right of not adhering strictly to its terms.—The Hon. Mr Campbell, in reply, thought there would be no conflicts between the v-tneral and Provincial Survey Departments. He had not intended awaiting affirmative by his motion, but only to indicate to the Government a course it was allowable to pursue. —The motion was agreed to without dissent.

The second reading of the Westland Loan Act was postponed till Thursday, and the third reading of the Inspection ol Machinery Bill tixed for Friday. The Supreme Court Judges Bill and Postoffice Savings Bank Bill were read a first time. The Council adjourned at 3.30 p.m.