THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3884, 5 August 1875, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph ]

Wellington, August 4. In the House of Representatives, at 2.30 to-day, Mr Sheehan gave notice to ask ten days’ jleave of absence for the member for Wakaia. Sir George Grey gave notice to ask for the date at which the Governor was furnished with the Attorney-General’s opinion regarding the power of the Assembly to abolish the Provinces.

Mr header Wood brought up a report of the Committee onJPublic Accounts. The report recommended the House to pass the Indemnity Immigration Expenditure Bill introduced by the Treasurer to legalise certain expenditure on immigration. The Speaker said, in reply to Mr Mervyn, that if members desired extra copies of the Electoral Hills they would be struck off. Mr O’Neill moved —“ That in the opinion of this House the duty on Australian wines should be reducedjto Is per gallon.” He reminded the Commissioner of Customs that last year he promised the matter would receive the early consideration of the Government, The hen. member pointed out that amongst the many articles mentioned in the correspondence regarding reciprocity that was laid before the House, Australian wine was not mentioned. He regretted this, because he held that the importation of pure Australian wines would do more for the sobriety of the country than anything else. The lion, member read extracts from various on the wbolesomeness of Colonial wine, and the beneficial effects in superseding the use of alcoholic liquors and highly fortified wines. ' Mr Reynolds explained that the Government had communicated with the various Australian Colonies, but had not received any satisfactory <*r conclusive reply. The question was a serious one for the Government, as it would have considerable effect upon the revenue of the Colony. There were also difficulties of another kind to be overcome if the motion was agreed to. Mr Wood supported the motion of the honorable member for the Thames, He utterly failed to sec why, if they considered it advisable, they cculd not allow Australian wine to be imported at a shilling a gallon duty. Why not do so without referring to the reciprocity treaties or to any other Colony. Instead of being an advantage'to other Colonies it would be an advantage to this Colony, by enabling our people to get good liquor cheap instead of, as at present, paying dearly for bad liquors. As for any loss to the revenue he believed tho revenue would be increased. The present consumption of Australian wines was so very little here that he did not think it would mate a LlO-note difference in the year. Mr O’Connor opposed the motion, as it would open the way to much deception. Besides, there were many people in New Zealand just now trying their hands at tho manufacture of wines here, and to allow Australian wines to be imported at the duty asked for would be an injustice to a young industry. Mr Murray objected to the motion being agreed to.

Mr J. Shephard moved as an amendment, making the motion apply not alone to Australian wines, but to all light wines. Mr Bowen said, if the Government could see their way to do so, they would gladly follow or take off the duty on Australian wines or any other commodity. There was no justification for any tax except upon the ground of revenue, and that was the only consideration which guided the Government. Mr Bnekland and Sir Cracroft Wilson hoped the motion would bo withdrawn.

Mr O’Neill said, as the Government objected to the motion in its present form, he would accept the amendment of the hon, member for Waimea, and on that would take a division. The amendment was then put. Mr Reid regretted the Government saw fit to oppose the motum, which all seemed to agree would not seriously affect the revenue. He fully believed that the importation ef light wines would be a great boon to the people in furnishing them with a wholesome beverage. Mr Gibbs said it would be better to make reductions in necessaries before they made a reduction upon luxuries. Mr Swanson thought they ought to make a good selection in what they reduced the duty upon. Speaking for his own constituents, he could say that the tax upon corn, flour, and bread pressed very heavily upon them. After what appeared in the Financial Statement, it was perfectly scandalous the taxation on the necessaries of life was not reduced.

Mr Luckie said that it was all very well, but they must not lose sight of the fact that large provision had to be made to meet the cost of their railways, and if they had a full Treasury it would he unwise to begin lessening any particular tax yet a while. He considered the motion inopportune, though he hoped the time would come when we might go in for such things. In the course of his remarks _ Mr Luckie had occasion to refer, by way of illustration, to direct and indirect taxation, and instanced the unpopularity of the income-tax in England, but he was checked by the Speaker as travelling into irrelevant matter. Mr Luckie expostulated upon being brought up in that way when not travelling outside the legitimate bounds of debate, and intimated that the members for Hutt and for Auckland City West were allowed, time after time, to break through the forms of the House regard* ing debate without being checked. Mr Sheehan followed by saying that the Speaker did accord more latitude, and Justly so, to the distinguished members or the House than to small fry.—(Cries of " No, no,” and

"WTiyt”) Mr Sheehan than addressed himself to the question under discussion, and said the people would drink, and if they could not Set good beers and liquors they would drink ad, no matter what tne House said, and he felt that cheap light wines would be a great boon to the people. He hoped a division would be taken.

Major Atkinson would be very sorry for it to go forth to the country that they were in a position to reduce taxation, and that the first item should be a commodity of which persons in their position were the greatest consumers. The question of taxation should not be dealt with piecemeal; they ought to do deal with in a broad and comprehensive form. A division was then called for, being the first during the session. For the motion 12, against 43.

Mr O’Neill moved—“ That it was advisable the Government should exercise some proper supervision over vessels, in accordance with section 31 of the Steam Navigation Act, and section 12 of the Steam Navigation Amendment Act. He had travelled a good deal both here and in Australia, and was sorry to say supervision was sadly wanted in this direction. It was very well known that steamers went to sea with beats in an unseaworthy condition. No punishment was too severs for a captain who perilled the lives in his charge by going to sea with unserviceable boats. He also wished to call the attention of the Government to the inspection of ships and steamers. Mr Reynolds said precautions were taken at the present time, and there were officers thoroughly competent to perform tho duties. Still, he agreed with the honorable member that it would be advisable to have regulations strictly defining the duties. Tbers would be great difficulty in enforcing these regulations upon vessels sailing from other countries. He would, however, do all that could be done with the present law. Mr Hunter, on behalf of the various steam companies in the Colony, enumerated a gre it many losses of steamers on the coast ; in not one of which was there any loss of life. The allegation was not justified by facts. All tho instances he mentioned showed that all duo care was taken as regards having boats in a seaworthy condition.

Mr Sheehan, in sneaking from experience, said over-crowding ■with passengers and overloading with cargo were habitual with the steam companies of the Colony. Mr Geprge M'Lean hoped the Commissioner of Customs would do something in the matter, as there were vessels constantly leaving Port Chalmers which should not be allowed to go to sea at all.

The resolution was agreed to. Mr Ltrekie moved for a-list of ratee charged for passenger and goods traffic, conveyance of live on the various railways now in operation in the Colony. He did so, because considerable dissatisfaction existed where ho came from regarding particular charges on railways there. Mr Richardson agreed that such a return would be found very useful, and be would have it prepared and laid upon the table. Mr Wood moved for a return showing in detail the liabilities referred to iu page 8 of the Financial Statement, amounting in gross to L 3,349,457. Major Atkinson said he had no objection, and would order the return lo be prepared shewing all details regarding the lump sum Stated. Mr Gibbs moved for a return showing the amount of net revenue derived from the issue of licenses or other fees chargeable under the , Arms Act and Amending Acts during the past financial year. These licenses were a great annoyance to the public generally, but especially to miners, He thought now that the Natives were friendly disposed something might be dome to remove the annoyance he complained of. Mr Reynolds said the matter was not one of revenue, but purely as a precaution that powder might not ba too freely scattered about the Colony and become available by the Natives. Mr Pyke hoped the Government would do something to relieve at least the Middle Island of the annoyance so justly complained of. The motion was agreed to. Mr Steward asked the Minister for Immigration whether instructions had been forwarded to the Agent-General to cause a certain proportion of emigrants shipped to Otago to be sent to Oamaru, without being first landed at the port of Dunedin; and, if so, when such instructions were so forwarded. Major Atkinson said, owing to the matter having slipped his memory for some time, he had only sent home instructions for sending immigrants to Oamaru, without being lauded at Dunedin, by the last mail. Mr Murray asked the MiVster of Public Works—(l) Why, with the Quantities and specifications of railway material show niu the returns as having been sent to the Colony, tho prices, from whom procured, and whether by public tender or otherwise, have not also been stated? (2) If Government has taken any other steps than by remonstrance to protect the interests of the Colony from fraud or carelessness in the supply of materials for public works ?

Mr Richardson replied he did not consider it

necessary to* print the information asked for in the first question. He informed the honorable member last year that if he moved for a return regarding any particular transaction, the return would be made out. Everything or nearly everything had, according to their custom, been advertised for. Tire House would be prepared to admit that considering the very large quantity of material imported by the Colony, that en the whole it had turned in ex* cessively well, and was far above the average of stuff imported for other Colonies under a much more expensive supervision. He thought the Government took the best course in making contractors pay for their errors, or compelling them to replace bad material. Mr Murray asked the Colonial Treasurer where the LIOO,OOO worth or thereabouts of outstanding Port Chalmers Railway Co.’s debentures appeared in the statement of liabilities of the Colony. The Colonial Treasurer replied that the question was of no consequence. The debentures were all paid with the exception of LIOO. The House rose at 6.30. On the House resuming at 7.30 the Chamber was fQII of smoke. The galleries were foil of people and the reporters were in their places. The Speaker left toe chair and said he would resume in half an hour. They wanted to ascertain where the smoke was coming from, but there was no cause for anxiety. The hose is now stretched and water laid on. The fire is located below the Speaker’s room, having been caused by some of the heating flues coming in contact with the beard work. August Ik As soon as the place where the fire in the House of Representatives was discovered last night, and deluged with water, the Speaker resumed the chair, and business was proceeded with. As a precaution, however, five firemen were kept on guard on the premises all night. The only business consisted of Orders of the Day { which were mostly private Bills, and the consideration of a number of them was postponed through their not haying been printed earlier.

The second reading of the Plans of Towns Regulation Bill was moved by Mr O’Neill, and created considerable debate. The hon. gentleman pointed out at considerable length the many benefits—alike of a pecuniary and sanitary character—which such a measure would confer upon the country, and covcluded by saying that the time was not far distant when the country would find to its cost the error it had made in not having passed such a Bill sooner. As the railways oxtended north and south, towns would spring into existence along every line ; and without some measure to regulate the building and laying out of towns, the Government would one day find that it would have to expend as much money rectifying past errors in laying them out as had been spent upon the railways themselves. The non. member referred to the widening of Princes street matter as an illustration of what would be constantly taking place. Several members spoke to the Bill; but while agreeing entirely with its principle and supporting the second reading, they said it was a very imperfect measure, and would require a great deal of amendment.

The Minister of Public Works said be did not wish to oproie its second reading, as he agreed in a great measure with the principle of

the Bill, but he could assure the hon. member ■who introduced the Bill, that in ita present form it was not worth the paper it was printed on, it was so unworkable and impracticable in many of its provisions. Ho trusted the Bill would not at present be pressed beyond a second reading. Mr O’Neill expressed his willingness to avail himself of the assistance of hon, members to amend the Bill, and put it into workable shape while m Committee. The Bill was then read a second time. The House adjourned at 10 p.m.

rrr, „ AllgUSt 3. The House met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Ten days’ leave of absence was granted to Mr Bradshaw 7 .

At the request of the Treasurer-the second reading of the Abolition Bill was made an order of the day for to-morrow, to come on at halfpast seven o’clock.

Mr Buckland asked whether the Government would this year extend tho telegraph lino from Hikutara to Mackaytown. , Mr Reynolds said he would answer the question as soon as he had a reply to his telegram regarding the matter sent to the telegraph officer in charge at Auckland. In reply to Mr RoPeston Mr Bowen said “®. report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies was in course of preparation, and would be laid upon the table. Mr Cuthberteen, in asking leave to introduce a Bui to incorporate the Campbelltown Athenaum, eaid, aa a great many of these Jmlls would be introduced, he would like to know If the Government would introduce some general measure to grant such bodies the benefit of incorporation. There wa* no response from the Government, and the Bill was read a first time.