GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 3593, 28 August 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, August 27. In the House of Representatives, Mr Fox asked whether the Government intended to give effect to the recommendatum contained in the interim report of the Ward-Chapman Committee, for an mterchangmg Judicial Circuit,—The Premier thought it a desirable thing to do, and had aftOT°thi8 that the changeß W9llld b e made asked whether, during the recess, the Government would cause inquiry to be made regarding the working of the Koval Mint in Melbourne, and report at the commencement of next session.— The Premier proposed to endeavor to procijro all information on the subject, calculated to be useful to x\ew Zealand. He bad no doubt the Victonan Government would readily furnish all information asked for. Mr Murray asked if the Government would do anything to obtain cheapness, simplicity, and uniformity in the patent laws throughout the Colonies.—The Premier did not think New Zealand could have much influence in determiuing what was an Imperial qm stion. Mr Murray asked the Government what course they proposed to take to induce the imperial Government to take measures to protect and encourage British commerce in Polynesia, or, without involving any pecuniary liability on theimperial Government, to permit JN ew Zealand alone, or in conjunction with one or more of the Australian Colonies, u kj Wlt h the question. the New Zealand Government had done all that rested with her at present. He did not think the other Australian Colonies looked upon the Polynesian trade with the same interest as New Zealand. He would assure the non. member that the Government would continue carefully to watch the question in future, so as to be prepared to act in conjucfcion with the Australian Colonies or otherwise.

Inrepl; to Mr Reader Wood, the Premier suid he did nob know whether the prorogation would take place on Saturday or Monday- Even if postponed till Monday there would he sufficient members to form a House • he Appropriation Act had passed through all its tf ages. * made a statement regarding the Railways Bill, Jt was objected to be

cause the Bill included the purchase of the ■ Provincial lines in Canterbury and Otago. He regretted exceedingly that the Bill had been thrown out in the Upper House. He regretted that Otago would have to go away from the Assembly almost the only Province which had not been recognised specially by the Assemb'y. While regretting that any* thing should be done to prevent the purchase of these lines, and the construction of branch lines, he could not see any legitimate course by which to remedy the matter this session All he could say was that the Government were prepared to proceed with the valuation of railways to be purchased at a given date, and submit similar proposals to the Assembly next session. They proposed to leave out objectionable clauses, so as not to prejudice the Bill, as they understood there would be no objection to the Bill if these clauses were left out. The other portions of the Bill were of very great importance.—Mr Reid was sorry to hear what the Premier had said. He thought the Government ought to be prepared to go a little further in order to enable • 'tago to carry out her branch railways. It was absolutely necessary, for the success of a great policy, that Otago should be afforded some opportunity of proceeding with these works during the present year. If they chose to sell their lands at a sacrifice, they could easily construct, but in the interest of the Colony they were adverse to such a course. He proposed to move a n solution in effect the same as the clauses in the Railways Bill referring to the purchase of railways in Canterbury and Otago, so as to enable the Government to proceed as if the Bill had been passed, and the House pledging itself to indemnify the Government for any action taken in the matter during the recess. Mr Macandrew entirely concurred with what fell from the previous speaker. He regretted exceedingly that the Government would not stand or fall by the Bill as a whole, aud throw upon the shoulders of the Council the responsibility of throwing out such an important measure. Nothing could be more unfair or unjust than the way in which the South Island was beia» treated in this matter. There could not bo a greater damper upon the efforts of Otago and Canterbury in tbe carrying out of the public works policy, —Mr Richardson said if there had been the faintest hope of getting the Bill passed in its present shape they would have used every effort to do so. JUe knew if tbs Bill went up again in the same shape a still larger majority would be against it.—Mr Bradshaw said that Otago was placed in such a difficulty by this Bill being thrown out that her only way out ef it was by selling a large block of land at a sacrifice.—Mr Montgomery, also, greatly regretted that the Government could not sea their way to send the Bill back. Should the resolution of the hon. member for Taieri not be carried, he would move, “That, the House believing that the policy of purchasing Provincial lines of railway belonging at present to Otago and Canterbury, as stated in the Treasurer’s statement, is sound in principle, and should bo carried out, the Government is therefore requested to negotiate for the purchase of those lines during the recess, and to bring the matter before Parliament next session." —Mr J. L. Gillies hoped the Government would reconsider their decision, as they were about to drive Otago into selling, as she could, land which it was desirable to settle people upon, —On the recommendation ®f the Speaker, the Bill, as amended by the Government, was passed through committee.— Mr Reid then proceeded to put his motion. —Mr Richardson thought tlie resolution of the member for Akaroa much preferable. Messrs Macandrew and Creighton again urged the Government to adhere to the engagement they had made with Otago.—The Premier said the Government could not accept the resolution. If they did so they might as welt do away with the other House altogether. However inconvenient it might be to have the purchasing clause in the Railways Biiljthrown out, to act upon the resolution would be a most unconstitutional proceeding.—Mr MiC -ndrew said, if anything could justify the insinuations thrown ont as to the bonafidesoi Government in the matter, it was the course now proposed.— The Premier treated all such insinuations with the most supreme contempt. He had gone out of his way to secure the passing of this Bill ; and he did not conside* this an opportunity to rend the other branch of the Legislature a lesson. Ho would endeavour to carry the Bill through next session in some more legitimate manner. He hgd no objection to act upon the resolution of the member for Akaroa.—Mr Reid did not like to remind the Premier of the very different tone he had assumed last year when Speaking of the other House. Etiquette between the Houses was very good, but the importance of this matter to Otago was of infinitely more importance.—The Premier pointed out that if the Government acted upon the resolution it would make the members of the Government personally liable. They were willing enough to give to the other House an opportunity of reconsidering their decision, but they could not tend that Bill up again. It was perfectly impossible that the Government could assent to any proposal to spend money in an illegitimate manner.—Mr Creighton asked if it would not be possible for the Government to make some advances to Otago, as they had done to Nelson and Auckland; otherwise Otago must inflict a publie calamity upon the whole Colony by being obliged to sell her best lands, in order to keep faith with contractors she had employed.—The Premier said in order to test the matter again, he was prepared to bring down a Bill at the evening sitting proposing to give authority to pay Lb9,OUO on account of the purchase c£ the railways iu question.—Mr Curtis wanted the Premier to include in the Bill the .Nelson Loan Bill, which was also thrown out. This raised another sharp discussion,— The Premier deprecated the request, but promised to bring down a separate Bill for the purpose.

Ou Mr Mantell'a motion, the Ward-Chap-man correspondence was remitted to the custody of the Speaker, the Government to nave access to it if they think necessary, un tho Wellington Land Payment Bill Ur. Pollen carried the clause that parties lars of all transactions under the Act should be published in the ‘Gazette’ before the Crown grant issue. Thrown out on second reading, both Mr Shepherd a Goldfields Amsndmenta Bill, aud Clyde Waterworks Borrowing Bill. BiUs passed ; Canterbury Bill, Marriage Bdl, New Zealand Extradition Bill, Excise liutiea Bill, Native Lands Amendment Bill volunteer Act Amendment Bill, Wellington • and Payments Bill, Walsh aud other Pensioners Bill, Wilson Gray Pension Bill, Inveroaigill Gas Loan Bill, Harbor Board Ao* Amendment Bill, Taranaki Waste Band Bid Angus Kiver Foreshore Bill, Poverty BayLand Titles Bill, Outlying Districts Bill Sales of Spirits Bill, Lewis .Retiring Allow’auce Bill

Mr Murray proceeded to move “That, in the opinion of the House, the nomination of tenants of the Grown to seats ip the Legislative Council is highly objeotional and inoon. Bisteub with the independence of Parliament.” L * supported the principle of the motion, though awkwardly drawn up. Out of forty-five members m the other House there were fourteen tenants of the Grown who were consistent opponents of all liberal land laws. He was confident the policy of the country could never be a success until the land was allowed to bo settled by the people.—Mr J. L. Gillies hoped the motion would be pressed to a division, as he agree*

with all that fallen f om the two preceding Otago members Nine men ont of tea in Otago would hail any each proposal. Mf Kbeeban said be thought he would rote for tho motion He deprecated the ruling of the Speaker, which would, in fact, burke discussion in the Douse upon questions of than nature. Still ha hoped the hon. member would withdraw his motion. The question would very fitly bo discussed nett session, with other considerable changes,—Mr Mervyn and Mr Tribe hoped the motion would be withdrawn.—Mr O’Connor thought the motion had a good intention, but was misleading, though he sympathised greatly with tho object in view ; but he must oppose the motion. Ihe question was so important that the country would insist on its ventilation soon. —Mr Thomson proposed that the debate be adjourned —At the request of hon. members, the motion was withdrawn.