THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3880, 31 July 1875, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[Bt Telegbaph.] Wellington, July 30. In the House to-day, the Speaker took the chair at half-past two. Mr O’Neill gave notice to ask why the Bay of Islands Kail way Lad not been constructs! ; also, as to the cost of water-races on goldfields, Mr Steward gave notice that he would ask leave to introduce a Bill legalising marriage with a deceased wife’s sister.

Sir George Grey presented a petition from the early settlers of the Colony, praying the House that it may cause an investigation to be made as to their claims for compensation on the Colony, at such time and place os the House may direct. A number of papers and returns were laid on the table of receipts from the Manawatu district by the Provincial Council. Mr Bunny then asked leave to lay another paper on the table, showing the amount expended on Manawatu by the Provincial Council, which showed that against L 126,000 received from Manawatu. the Council will have actually expended 1 -136,000 when two bridges now in hand are completed.

Mr Fitzherbert also defended the Provincial Government from the statement that proceeds from the district might as well be given to the Emperor of China as put into the Provincial chest for all the good it did to ;he people of Manawatu, He characterised it as a trick to propitiate constituents on the eve of another election, but utterly disgraceful to any member having proper respect for himself.

The honorable member was called to order by the Speakf’r, and substituted the word “ discreditable” for disgraceful. The honorable member then proceeded to administer a severe reproof to the member for Manawatu for asking for a return of money received from his district, without also asking for a return of expenditure. Mr Johnston quoted ‘Hansard’ to show that what he did say was not from his own knowledge, but what was alleged by his constituents.

Mr Pyke gave notice to introduce a Bill to validate Provincial Ordinances, and for the construction of the Outram and Greytown Railway. Mr Steward explained l in reference to an accusation made some days ago by Mr Fit» herbert, that improper liberties had been taken with ‘ Hansard ’ reports. The fact of the case was that a few copies had been raisbound, two pages having been left out accidentally. The error bad to do with the • Hansard’ reporters. Regarding another complaint made by the hon. member, he was informed by the chief reporter that the said member was quite inaudible in the gallery, owing to the defective acoustic properties of the hall. Hon. members with weak voices should speak up in order to be reported. In reply to Mr J. C. Brown as to when the Great Northern Railway would be opened to Amberley, Mr Richardson said at the rate work was now progressing, he expected it to be open by the end of September. One cause alone delayed the work— namely, the almost utter impossibility of procuring sleepers. They were obtained from all directions, but all efforts had been unavailing in getting them fast enough ; all the rest of the necessary material was on the ground.

A message from the Governor was received, bringing down the Abolition of the Provinces Bill, which required the vote of the House. The Local Government Bill was tabled at the same time. It was asked that the Bill be read a first time, and go to a second reading on Friday. Sir George Grey asked that a Bill of such vital importance to the whole Colony should be delayed ten days. He accused the Government of acting with indecent precipitancy in the matter, and asked for the support of the House against the Government proposal. Mr O’Connor coincided with the last speaker, and hoped his valuable suggestion would bo acted upon. Major Atkinson said that though'they were anxious to pass the measure this session, they did not wish to hurry it unduly or offer any obstacle to the fullest discussion. On Friday, the Government would explain the objects and principles of the Bill, and it would then be for the House to propose an adjournment. By resuming the discussion on the following Tuesday ample time for consideration of the Bill would be afforded.

Mr George M'Loan considered Friday an excellent day. They would have the Government Bill and its explanation on Friday, and then they would have till Tuesday to consider it. Mr Reid regretted that the Government had not seen fit to make some exposition of so important a measure when asking leave to introduce it. Still, it was Satisfactory to have the explanation on Tuesday, but he trusted the Government would postpone its further consideration for three weeks.—(Oh, oh !) He wanted time to enable people to express some opinion upon the Bill. No one had been able to form any opinion as yet, as the Ministers had carefully secreted it for fear anybody should discover a flaw in it.

Mr Sheehan and others expressed themselves perfectly satisfied with the Government arrangement regarding the discussion of the Bill.

Mr Bowen explained the arrangements the Government had made for having the Bill telegraphed throughout the Colony this evening, so that the Bill would be sure to be well discussed by the country before the second reading. They had not left the Abolition Bill to the mercy of any precis writer, but had telegraphed every word of it. When the Ministerial explanation of the Bill was given, no doubt the discussion would occupy a long time—probably the whole seventy-eight members of the House would speak upon it.

Mr Fitzherbert wanted to know whether the House would be furnished with the opinions of the barrister of Colonial reputation to whom was to be entrusted the preparation of the Bill. Mr Reid made a point of noting that it was a most significant fact that the measure for abolition required an appropriation at the very onset. How would that be relished ? In reply to Mr Fitzherbert, Sir D. M'Lean said there were only two Bills—the Abolition Bill and the Local Government Bill. There was no mystery or scheme of Bills, as inquired for by the hon. member. The Bill was read a first lime, and ordered to be read a second time on Friday next.

On moving the House into Committee of Supply to pass the Imprest Supply Bill fer L 250,000, Mr Wood wished to know whether the Traasurer would favor them with his statement before asking foran Imprest Supply Bill for such a sum. It was with great pain and apprehension that he saw from the loan correspondence that it was necessary to raise nearly the whole amount of the loan to meet the engagements of the country. It wa a clear the country had been deceived, and it was time they took stock, and saw exactly how they stood. Major Atkinson was surprised at the action of the last speaker, considering his experience in finance. He knew perfectly well that whoever were upon the Government benches were obliged to carry on the business of the country, and it was not to be expected he could accept the proposal of the honorable gentleman, and compel every civil servant and every laborer in the employ of the Government to wait while the honorable gentleman conducted his inquiry into the state of the Government finances. He hoped to-night to lay the state of the finances clearly before the country. If the honorable member wished to move a vote of want of confidence in the Government, why nob do so in a Constitutional way. Mr Fitzherbert defended the course pursued by Mr Wood, and thanked him for the plain and truthful language used, though lie did not suppose the House would refuse the vote asked for. For his own part, he would boldly assert that the country had been systematically deceived in its finance by the late Colonial Treasurer, and it would never be found out until another set of men occupied the Government benches He said this out of no personal hostility, for he believed the present Ministry were innocent of the finances of the country. He maintained that the credit of the country had been ruined, and that to-mor-row they could not borrow in the London market.

tSir George Grey called attention to the presence of a member of the Upper House in the House, contrary to the rules.

The Chairman of Committees ruled that it was perfectly in order. The person alluded to was a member of the Government.

Mr Wood referred to statements made by Sir Julius Vogel last session, that the country was in no immediate want of meney, and contrasted that with what they had seen since. The Imprest Sui ply Bill for L 250,000, for carrying on the service of the present year, was passed through all its stages. The House rose at 5.30.