THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3926, 24 September 1875, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph ]

Wellington, September 24. In the Legislative Council yesterday, the reports of the committees on the Waste Lands Bill and Chubbin Land Bill were presented. The Masterton and Greytown Public Cemetery and Parks Reserves Bill was read a first time. The Electric Telegraph Bill was read a third time.

The Highway Board Empowering Act was re-committed, and a clause introduced providing for thd recovery of rates in the Resident Magistrate's Court. The third reading was appointod for to-morrow. The Chrutchuroh Drainage Bill Wc>b postponed. The Council adjourned at 3.20. In the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening, Mr I- itsherbert, referring to the acceptance by the Government of Mr J. E. Brown's amendment, whereby the residue of the land revenue arising within a Provincial distri t shall bo applied by the local Government bodies to the construction and maintenance of public works within such district, said that the Government had abandoned the fundamental portion of their programme—namely, that the land revenne should be applied to pnblic works -and bringing the people on to the land. He thought this change of policy a great mistake, and that it would prevent the Government from carrying out a great colonising policy. He thought it was a retrograde movement, and was entirely at variance with what was said in the Financial Statement, for it now appeared that the Government intended to devote one portion of laud revenue to immigration; nor was it to be subject to appropriation by the House. The hon. gentleman thought it would injure the credit of the Colony when this should b« known, and that in fairness to the public creditor this change should bo rrmdo as iiublio as was the enunciation of policy in the Financial Statement.

The Ireasurer replied, saying that he had no objection to letting it appear as part of the Financial Statemeat, that for this year the land revenue should not be charged with immigration.

After further discussion, Mr M&eandrew'a amendment was made to apply to the whole Colony in the place of to Otago only, and a division being taken as to whether the same should be added to the Bill, resulted—Ayes, 14 ; noes, 31. The amondment was lost.

Clause 18, as previously amended, pas-ed,

Clause 19.—Mr May opposed the distribution of money as provided by this clause, and if carried would oppose the thL'd reading. All provisoes were struck out, and an amendment,, memd by Mr Curtis, that "No annual payment to exceed Is in the £ on an annual value to let, and Is in the £ on the value to sell, of rateable property within such road district," was agreed to, and the clause passed as amended.

Clause 20.—Mr Curtis moved a similar amendment-, viz ,- hat the proviso bo struck out, with a view to insert as above, with the addition of ' • and municipalities." Mr Oibbs strongly opposed subsidising municipalities to the exttnt proposed, which he was sure that they did not require. whUe the outlying districts seriously wanted it. K rM r k- Shepherd moved an amendment—lhat the endowment should be 10s in the £ to Municipalities and £ for £ to Koad Boards." He considered that Municipalities were too largely subsidised. The time would come when Government could not afford it, and the outlying districts would suffer accordingly. He did not thiuk the towns wished it, for they know that their prosperity depends on that of the country. It the towDs were subsidised to the extent proposed, the result would be Bimply that they would do away with their rates. Mr Sheehan agreed with the last speaker, and insbauced the town of Auckland, which had valuable reserves ; and if it received £ for £, it would certainly be benefited at the expense of out-districts. Mr lieynol.ls supported Mr Curtis's amendment.

Mr Eeid would vote against the clause, because he thought the people in nmnkipalititß and road districts i-hould not be endowed out of the consolidated revenue. Mr Wood supported the clause. Mr Harrison moved that 3s in the £ should be given to road boards and nothing to municipalities.

Mr Stewart would vote for the clause. He would much rather see the clause struck out altcgether than there should be any difference in endowment between municipalities and road boards.

Mr Swanson warned the Government that they should fulfil their promises to the people. Mr Shepherd's amendment was negatived on the %'oices.

On a division, Mr Harrison's amendment was negatived by a majority of 18. Ayes 24 • noes, C. j i ,

Mr Curtis's amendment wag carried on tho voices, and the clause, as amended, passed. .Clause 21.—An amendment was moved bv Mr bheehan, that "30th April" be replaced bv during the last part of the financial year of suoh road districts or municipalities." The clause, as amended, was passed. Clause 22 was htruck out. Progress was reported, with leave to sit again. The House adjourned at 1.15 i> m

T , he House meb at 2,3 ° yesterday. ™ *l* V arce ». in aßk ing a Government question re the discontinuance of the use of the Wellincton Cemetery, observed that he knew as a fact many bodies were not mora than two feet under ground.

Ihe Minister replied that the matter would ne taksn into consideration during the recess. In reply to Mr Raid, Ihe Treasurer Baid when he, as Secretary of Crown Lands, had received necessary and accurate information respecting certain new Hundreds in Otago Province, he would advise the Governor to proclaim the said Hundreds. On tho motion of Mr Macandtew, correspondence on the above would be laid on the table. Mr T. L. Shepherd and Sir George Grey were severally given leave to introduce a Gold Duty Abolition Bill, Nos. 1 and 2, which were read a first time, 'ihe second reading is fixed for Wedneiday,

The Matter Grant Bill and Immigration and Public Works Bill were also read a fiist time. The Imprest Supply Bill, granting LIBO.OOO, was passed through all its stages at the present sitting.

{From our own Correspondent.)

The House went into committee on THE ABOLI i'TON BILL.

On clause 23, Mr Ballance moved that "hospital and charitable institutions" thould be struck out. The cost of the<e ius itutious should not be borne upon the consolidated revenue ; to be efficiently conducted they should bo voluntarily sustained. There was no body so incapable of efficiently conducting charitable institutions as a Central Government, whether General or 'Provincial.

Mr Sheehan said if the consolidated fund did not, for some time at least, support hospitals, many of them—especially those in central towns—must be shut up. The lion. Treasurer agreed with the member for Rangitikei so far that the management of chaiitable institutions and hospitals should be thoroughly local, but it was the dulv of the Gov. rnment to see that proper provision should be mad.) for those purpos* s. So far as his experience, went the ji hole of those institutions would fall through as would the industrial schools, if they were not continued in operation by subsidies granted for those objects by the Piovincial Governments. The Government reserved to themselves the right to say how much should be locally contributed. He would never be a party to the Colony's undertaking the management of tbesa institutions, which shouM be administered as locally as possible. Messrs Pyke, Nolleston, and Stafford opposed the amendment, which was negatived on the voices.

Afi;er tho wo>d " odncition" in page 8. Mr Macandrew moved the insertion .of "museums which was supported by Messrs Montgomery. Roid, and others. Mr Bowen considered that "education" included museums und things r.f that kind. The House would never allow valuable muspums to g > t-> ruin, as was asserted by some members. The House would from time to time vote moneys for educational purposes, in which museums must certainly be classed. Mr l-'itz'ierbert protected against the vicious priueiple of the whole clause, which'was placing on the consolidated revenue burdens of an absolutely municipal character. It would be doing an injury to the manhood and charitableness of the people. Mr Carringt'tn said t>o clause r,s framed would exactly suit his little Province. Mr Reid assured the member for New Plymouth that the Hill was framed with especial regard to Taranaki, and w-.uld be ture to pass in that shape.—(Laughter.) Mr Kitzherbert said that the great objectio was the fixity of the proposal to contribute their -piota towards the c >st of these special services, and it would be better if the clause were abandoned, and the Tteaeurer came down and asked amicably for a vote for charitable purposes, which hewassiio the House would readily and cheerfully grant. Mr Keid continued in the same strain, urging that the people should plainly undeistaisd that their voluntary subscriptions would be subsidised.

Sir G. Grey moved the excision of the clause proposing to give to the Government absolute power to deal with this matter.

Major Atkinson said the Government could not accept the kindness of the member fer Auckland City West. He could not see that any harm would come from the public recognition that the Colony must absolutely maintain its poor and sick.

Sir George Grey sii-l he was only doing hi* duty to Auckland, in cat.e the Bill should come into operation, to insist upon that Province being placed in an equal position to that of the rich Provinces in respect; to institution which, through poverty, the Province was unable to provide for. It wat the duty of the Government to provide her with museums and publie libraries, &c, like Otago and Oauteibury. He expressed his intention of dividing the Committee on each clause.

On a division, the word "museum" wan added, by 31 against 25. Sir George Grey then moved the addition of the words " public libraries " after " museum." • < £L r M . acandrew Baitl it was necessary to add hbraries,' a< in Otago they were at present subsidised by the Province. Major Atkinson said it had already been intimated that "education" included such purposes; but, to make the meaning dear, thev would accept the addition, which was agreed to

(Per Press Agency.)

At the evening sitting, Clause 23. as amended, passed. On clause 24. apniopriation of land revenue not to affect public securities n<u- permanent charges on such revenues, Mr J. ■• Brown moved the proviso- «l'rov d»d always that on and after the Act's coming into operation the endowment of one quarter of the land revenue to the Timaru and Gla Istone Board shall cease. He saw not why one district should be excepted from the capacity of the Colonial Treasurer.

*I his led to a lively discussion as to whether limaru and Gladstone would not be better off than the rest of ihe Colony. Mr Reeves, in anßwer to an allusion made to him by the member for 1 imam, said he believed this clau e or us two last lines, resulted from the compact between the General Government and that non. member, and it was a disgiaceful compact bir Ueorge Grey said ;. most unjust, moßt unbecoming moat imp.oper attempt was made to keep for 8.000 people in Timaru 400,000 acres ot land, if the Colony was to be united there should be one common revenue, and he should do all that lay in his p„wer to obtain equal rights for the whole of New Zealand, and to combat any such attempt as was made in the 24th cleuse.

Mr btafford said no compact had been made with the Oovorna ent with iegard to the 24th clause. He bad never asked them for anything nor had they ever asked him. The Government were unaware before he came to the House what were his intentions with regard to the abolition question. I he clause was carried as emended. On Major Atkinon suggesting a slight verbal amendment in clause 25, > Mr lleid wanted to know if tho Government intended to abandon the Local Government Bill.

Major Atkinson said, "No''-it vests with the House. To further question* of the same kuul, he siud Government intended to pass the Kill, but as much time had been wasted on the Abolition Bill they thought it might not be possible.

Tiie clause was passed. Clauses 2S and 27 were struck out. Tbf> Mr Macandrew s»id he was utterly aghast of tyrlS UP ° n ifc """ "*

Mr Rolleston supported that idea. bir Goorge Grey thought if Provincial Counoiis were to be dispersed like a mob,.the Riot Act should be read in their presence. What u"? i Pfovinc » !ll < 'ouncils done that they should not he allowed to meet during the recess ? He hoped the clause would be withdrawn, and with it the inßult that was offered to every Provincial Counoil in the Colony. Messrs Brandon and Carrington opposed the clause.

Sir F. D.Bell supported the clause. Tie would deprecate Provincial Councils entering into stroutr political dihcussions.

Mr I'rtzherbert asked why they should fag Froviucial Council? Persons committed to death were allowed a few moments for prayer yet that scant privilege was denied by the House. Nothing but great fear could actuate those who made the proposal. What would be tlie pains and penalties, supposing Provincial Councils met despite the passing of the clause? ihe Government did not go far enough-they might have a lot of irregular meetings throughout the country, backed up by precedent and perhaps with the sanction of tho people, and the Government would he p'aced in a very ridiculous position. He would suggest a way out of the difficulty, naoiely, by substituting for the present words thiße: "That, noUilhsUniing the provisions ot section 17 of tho Constitution Act, it shall not be iLcumbeut on Supeiintendento to convene i rovindal Councils, unless they see necessity to do so."

Mr Bowen replied that the Government were perfeot'y well eatUfiod that they were doing the right thin;?, and were treating Provincial Councils with far move respect than if they told Provineia Councils they might mot as muni, but that thi-ir deliberations would be of no effect, because for all piactical purposes they would he abolished. Ito thought, -i oreovcr, that it would !■<■ impolitic to meet, aud appear in the eyes of the people to ; avc a power which in reality they did not possess. Mtcr further diccussion, a division y,ns taken, and the new clause carried by oi against 16.

The remaining clauses were passed and the Bill reported, with amendments. The third reading is to be taken on Tuesday. To-day is to be given up to private business.