THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3890, 12 August 1875, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph ]

Wellington, August 11. In the House of Representatives at 2.30 to-day, • The Dunedin Waterworks Bill was read a first time.

Mr W. Kelly presented a petition from iauranga against the law of allowing Maoris to vote for Europeans, and not allowing Europeans to vote for Maoris.

bir George Grey gave notice to ask for a return giving the names of Europeans to whom C °^ ormtion was P a 'd for lands out of the Hi 00,000 set apart for purchasing Native lands He also presented a pedtion from certain Natives at Hauraki. complaining of restriction as to the sale of Native lands, and that the Maoris are not allowed to serve upon juries. Mr Wood gave notic to move for a return of the estimated amount of land fund received from each Provincial district from November, 1875, to June, 1876. Mr Montgomery asked how much of the L 127,520, for which credit has been taken, is in the Estimates of Ways and Means, under the heau of Contributions from Land Fund for Interest on Railways. Major Atkinson said the return would piobably be prepared this afternoon. Mr Von der Heyde asked why the railway wharf, costing L 25.000, should be built for Wellington out of Colonial funds, whilst the Auckland Harbor Board had to provide their own wharf accommodation out of money rai ed under the Harbor Board account. Mr Richardson said if the General Government had not found funds directly for the Auckland Harbor Board, they had at least found the endowments for that body. There was no Harbor Board here.

The following Bills were introduced and read a^ first time :—Christchurch I dstrict Drainage Bill, Incorporation of Wellington Athenaeum Bill, Uamaru Waterworks Borrowing Bill, Bills for Election of Mayor of Blenheim, and electing Mayor of Auckland, by ratepayers.

Mr Rolleston moved that it is desirable the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act, 1867, which require action on the part of ihe I'olouial Government, and which hitherto remained to a large extent inoperative, should receive the immediate attention of Government; that provision is required to enable several societies more effectively to manage their own affairs, especially in respect of registration, regulation of tables of contribution, periodical valuati n of liabilities, efficient system of audit, and securing the proper responsibility of their officers, in respect of funds or property entrusted to them. To show the importance of friendly societies, he need o: ly say that in the United Kingdom there are two thousand friendly societies, enrolling four millions of paying members—from which they might fairly conclude eight millions of English people were interested in their good working. The amount of funds in the bauds of those societies is about, eleven millions, and it was found that they relieved the poor rates of the country some two millions. From what he had seen and learned in other ways, Le considered no organisations were more powerful for exciting and keeping in play the best sympathies of the people. It had been found that the growth of these societies had been too rapid for their financial arrangements, and therefore required the aid of legislation in order to regulate their administration, so as to secure their solvency. Ihe question was of great importance if taken in connection with the system of Government In surance. What the societies want is the power of governing themselves, and Government should give them every assistance in the [(reparation of any tables required by societies. Mr hhephard said there was a general feeling throughout the Colony similar to the feelings given expression to by the bon. member for Avon. 'I ho good these societies did the country was incalculable, and it was mo.-t desirous such valuable societ es should be placed on as sound a basis as possi le.

. Mr Bowen sdd the Government would be pleased to accede to the motion. The question was one of immense importance to societies generally, as their effect was on all hands admitted to he beneficial, and was a striking example of the business qualities of the Englitsh race ; but btill the question was a delicate one, inasmuch as it raised the question of how far the Government should go in these matters. There w«s no question, however, that the importance of the societies fully justified them in expecting any assistance the Government could render to place them upon a secure basis. The Government intended to consider the pro piioty of taking action in the direction indited by the resolution, but it might not be advisable to introduce any measures next session, as there was a Bill now before the Imperial Parliament, and as it was a question whether the Bill would become law be fore next session of Parliament. Considering the very large amount of experience of the Imperial Parliament, he doubted the propriety of our going in advance of them. It seemed ibo be better to take advantage of their experience. The Government, however, were prepared to bring clown a short measure to meet the immediate necessities of the case.

Mr Beeves moved for a return showing in detail lands disposed of under the New Zealand {settlements Acts, and regulations itsued thereunder, shewing in each case the date and terms of disposal, the names of purchasers, consideration given, extent and locality of land disposed of, and date of authority or regulations under which the disposal was made • also showing the public reserves made out of yuch lands, and the objects for which such reserves were made. In the Financial Statement ho found the statement that “ The time has arrived, I believe, when the Committee will agree with me that confiscated lands should bo regulated by ordinary land laws,” The system «hich it was stated necessary to change had been in existence eight years, but the public were utterly ignorant of what had taken place under the laws regulating confiscated lands When some thirteen or fourteen years ago some millions of money were raised for war purposes and the settlement of confiscated lauds, it was thought then that the whole or the greater part of the sum raised would be sooner or later repaid out of the proceeds of the sale of these confiscated lands, and that moreover, these lands would be settled on terms advantageous to the Colony at lame 'I li.‘.. ......ll- f..1l L _l* v • < . . o'-*

I Ins result was fully believed in by the Middle Isl’oid people, but not the slightest information oa the subject wa- obtainable. From what ho hud learnt, however, he believ.-tl estates out of these Jam is had been disposed of contrary to the powers enln sted m the hands , “e Government. Then.- was one case he had information of, which deserved the atten tion of the House. There is a large swam,, in qo AOA ntlti ° f t i le Waikato distiiet of about 60,000 acres of most valu.ble land. This was, in contravention of the law, disposed of to a company of capitalists at 2s Gd a a acre instead of ss. The company was i hotnaa Russell and Co. *1 his was a grave charge against Government, in whos. it mils this land had been placed for seven oreight !?;•» Why should Government dispose of this land for a mere song when peace Lud been secured, and wheu it was known a railway was to run through it or go close to it? Why ever could not Government improve this land if they were bo anxious to Bottle people upon it? Why, he also asked, could not loads have been made through this swamp out of the funds stort d for public works in the North Island ? Why not employ our demilitarized constabulary in their formation ? i hei e was no earthly reason why the public estate should have been dissipated the way this bad been, for at

least half a million of money had beefe Ihi own into the hands of the gentlemen oompril* havl W?°? pany ’ Suclx an actaß i-hi* could not f f d ° ne Provincial Council, They < k th i la ?' 1 l awß in accordance with for an® °* 4 vT d *. w °Md b® impossible , capitalist m some hack parlor to make such a bargain. Had any Provincial n V k ; ed Ba nctiou sucli a thing, it would Im called a gigantic job. and the perpo-br-itore would have been ousted from office itnmeumtely. It was said iu ‘ Hansard’ that In ~ f"! I*' 1 *' Bfe * ltlc .” l . en fading the Government ~iV‘k V\ thl " c , la, 8® Wi!R inaudible in the gallery. Perhaps that was the way to treat the House. At any ra e it was an instance of bad. very bad, admmistration, to say the least of it, on tn© part of the Govern meat. Sir Donald M'Lean said the return would be prepared and laid upon the table. He could inform honorable members that it was their intention to place confiscat'd lands under tho ordinary land laws of the Colony. He was f.ee to admit the original expectations regard* mg these lands had not been realised, and tho three m ll.ons had never been p.tid to tlid Colonial Treasury, as was first expected. xth reference to tho particulai transaction instanced, he might sta'e frankly the cirotimstances of the case, and wMi full knowledge of these, be was prepared to say the transaction hid been completed upon the grounds of a good sound public policy. The application was made on behalf of a public company by Thomas Russell to purchHse the Imd. He insisted upon the upset oriccMf 5s per acre being paid. There were other lands in the Waikato district, for which they could get no application whatever, und at riiat time these lands were n -t considered worth 5s an acre, and after the purchase a very large outlay was required to make the laud available. I’he land was sold n>on the condition that 6s per acre was to be spent in making roads through the swamp, and it was the general opinion of the people in that district that tho making of that roal and the expenditure of the company ha:l been of much more benefit to the settlers than to the company. If a railway "'as to be made it was to be made by the company themselves. The company had made a road through this swamp, and they subsequently converted that into a tramway, and all their experience had shown that the offer of Tbom .s Russell was tho best that could be got at the time. l he motion was agreed to. Mr Cieighton moved —l. For a return showing the area of land within the confiscated boundary in each Province, and the a)'proximate number of Europeans located thereon. 2. the area of confiscated land granted to military settlers and others. 3. The area of confiscated land sold and the amount in cash and scrip and scrip received for the same. 4. The atea of confiscated land now available for settlement in each Province respectively. Ho held that tho three million loan had not been entirely reproductive, that taking all the circumstances into consideration, he thought the confiscated lands were returning at least five per cent, on tho amount of money invested in them.

tdr Donald M‘Lean said the return would be prepared and laid upon the table. Sir George Grey asked whether the sale of confiscated land referred to bad been by the sanction of any law, or without any’ legal pow- r.

ir Donald M'Lenn replied that in making tae sale the overmneut had acted under the power conferred by the Confiscated Lands Act, but there were certain Maori claims still to be settled in connection with the block, and tho necessary Cider in Council had not yet been gazetted.

The Goldfields Act Amendment Hill No. 2 was read a second time.

Mr White’s name was added to the Public Works and Immigration Committees. Sir Cracroft Wilson moved that all papers and evidence connected with the amendment of the late Colonial Treasurer, dated 27th August, 1874, to the effect; ‘ That the evidence of the Ward- bi.pman case bo referred to the Government to take such action as they may consider desirable therein,” be laid on the table of the House.

Mr Rolleston asked what was the meaning of a letter he had seen which stated it Was the express wish of the Government the judges should be removed.

Mr Rowe>. said the Government had not I been abl©, up to the present time, to obtain any further information, or any trace of such timber information, and had therefore not thought it advisable to open any further in* qniry.

Mr Holies ton asked that the Commissioner of Customs should afford the information asked for.

Mr. Reid hoped the Government would adhere to the decision they had come to, and decline to stir up any further this disagreeable matter, giving food for scand 1-mongers. The matter had created sufficient ill-feeling. Mr Reynolds said he had nothing to explain. If the bon. member wanted some particular in* formation not called for in the motion under discussion, he should move for it in the ordinary way.

Mr Bowen, replying to the remark about punishments, wail then* had been certain irre* gularities, and these had been punished. The Speaker announced that the writ for Gaversbam was ma 'e returnable in seven davs from currency of the writ. The Registration Officer had been instructed by telegram to lose no time. Uu the mot'on for the second reading of the ISew River Harbor Board Land Bill, considerable discussi n ensu’d, Mr Murray taking gr< at objection to making any distinction between two Bills of precisely the same nature, namely, the Bill under discussion, and the Glutha River Bill,

Mi Reid also complained of the action in the matter, and attributed it to the fact that the Government supporters were always more successful in getting through their measures than Opposition members. Mr George M'Lean pointed out that there was a serious difference between both Bills TneNew river Bill related to a few sections al°n£ the banka of the river as endowuments to the Harbor Board, while the 'lutha Bill referred to the endowment of 60,000 acres, and he maintained that all such grants of land should be amenable to the waste land laws of the Colony. Major Atkinson also explained that the Bills were widely different, and -could not be dealt with similarly. The Invercargill Gas Loan Amendment Bill and the Taranaki Warty Lands Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. The House rose at 5.30 p.m., and on resummg at 7.30, Mr Luckie coutinued

THK ABOLITION DEBATE. The hon. member addressed the House at considerable ength. He ridiculed the puerile attempts of the Provincial Councils to unitate Parliaments, but at the same time admitted that they have pei formed suine good work. He referred to the second •: arnnxki war, and naid a tribute of praise to the policy ,of Sir George Grey (then Governor) who advocated the very best policy regarding dealings with the Natives —VIE , that of temporising. Reverting to Provincial Governments, he raid the first blow was

the now Provinces Act; the second, the cons loans; the third, and greatest of of ail the public works policy. He considered the o,d Parliament more competent to deal with the abolition question than a new one I how who objsctc ‘ appeared to him like asking ftdiihitoTenor.n the duties of a man He was mi|i|...rte.i by the opinions of Disraeli, GliJs one. 1 >dd. and Olh in uii Ibis point lit vuc«l.-md I r' Vince, n .\as turn the Proviucid Wo. ernini'Ui h.*d .Iwcharged its liabili ies and h..d a balance to ts ere it, but it Whs at the expense of stepping all public works, and merely p.ymg uepartmm.ti.l expenses. He deprecated de-ay in p.,s-ing the Government Bn s, cous.denng nothing could be gained bv it f taxation was i 4 12a per h- a.l, therefore a laborer with a wife and four chihuen paid L 27 per annum taxation This was perfectly demsive, for though L 4 12s might be the average, the poor laborer dli not Sv who OierK many'o? he nr r ' fi e aa f * h ° sSaf hi? n^ ent . Dlumbcr8 ’ now sneer at his own creation. He was also sur. fhr8 d uPDo^d GOOrBe rt bad taßte witb He haePt^'i- l '^ rttmme of the Opposition, ile uftu uo objection to & property tax, upg

dally wharo it affects absentees. Mr Luckie concluded by saying that, from his twelve years’ Colonial experien re he had come to the oonalusion that it would bo impossible to carry out their great policy to n successful issue if it wns subject to all the antagonism of Provincial Governments.

Mr Montgomery eonsidered the Bill an imperfect measure, though it contained may good provisions. He doubted the possibility of the general revenue yielding pound for pound to weal boards, and asked if the land fund has to pay interest on loans, how would it be with the Provinces having no land fund ? About this they had not sufficient information, and hejdid not think the municipalities would have been so enthusiastic in favor of the Government proposals if such large inducements had not b« en held out to them. The policy of the Government looked like a supping of the Provinces ; it was an attempt on their land fund. He then gave calculations tending to show that the Bill was not one to meet the requirements of outlyins districts, and instanced Banks’s Peninsula', which last year received L 9,252 from the Provincial Government, but uncior th# provisions of the Bill would only have received L 2,000. Other boards would be treated similarly. He concluded by saying that while fully convinced that some constitutions;! change was necessary, he thought a Bill of this importance should be relegated to the decision of the people. He would vote against the second reading, and in Committee would endeavor to effect amendments on it.

Mr Tribe had somewhat changed his views since last session, but not, in the same way as Mr Reader Wood bad. Last session he said he thought; it sufficient for the Government to bring the Abolition Bill to its second reading, and then to let it go to the country ; but since tb>en, and from what he knew and had hoard of the feeling of the country generally, he was convinced the Government would be absolutely criminal if they did not during the present session push on to comp'etion their several measures. The country is ripe for thorn, and great injury would accrue to it from any longer delay. Mr Gibbs would vote for the second reading, sbu reserved the right to vote as he might deem right. Abolition would be a boon to the Colony, for the Provincial Governments had fulfilled their destiny. From his remarks, apparently, this speaker does not approve of all the provisions c*f the Bill, but hopes it will be amended in coni mittee.

The debate wus then adjourned, to be resumed on Friday, at 2.30 p.m. In the House of Representatives to day Sir George Grey gave notice that he would move that all orders in tbe Council under the Confiscated Land Regulations, which have been or mav he issued since 20th July last, shall be null and void.

The report of the Goldfields’ Committee was brought up and road, bat Messrs O’Connor and Mervyn pointed out that anfficient evidence had not been taken, and that the report was therefore worthless.