HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 13, 17 July 1890, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The Church Property Trustees (Canterbury) Indemnity Bill and Eoman Catholio Lauds Extension Bill were read a second time. Mr Macarthur (who began by remarking that this was the first Financial Statement which had been debated for some years, and consequently there was good warrant for the length of the debate) rej plied at length to Mr Hutchison's speech. 1 Referring to Mr Ballance's contention that ! the normal condition of finance was to ■ show a surplus. Mr Macarthur pointed out that the normal condition of the finance of the Governments of whioh Mr Ballance was a member was to show a deficit. Critioising the policy of the Government, he expressed approval of the roading proposals, thinking that with some slight amendment in details they were the best that could be devised. He thought, also, that the subsidy system at present obtaining was a wrong one, and that the subsidies should be applied to settlement purposes only. He ridiculed the idea of a dissolution, whioh the Opposition were trying to force, and asked why the present argument was not applied in 1887, when the number of members was reduced. He could not support the member for Mount Ida in his ideal finance, and while he believed in Freetrade he had to admit that it was impossible to do away at present with the tariff, though the tendency should be in that direction. With respect to borrowing, he deprecated any statement that no further loans would be required. He believed there would have to be another, but he hoped it would not be squandered, and that great care would be taken in expenditure. As to the debate, he held that it had been most instruotiye, and concluded by expressing the opinion that the Government had done well for the colony as a whole. The Hon. Mr Mitchelaon, in closing the debate, complimented Mr Ballance on the conciliatory tone of his remarks, and he only wished that the other members on that side of the House had followed the lead. A dissolution was not required, either now or last year. The Government were just as anxious to go to the country as the Opposition, and he felt convinced that when the elections were over the position of the parties would be much the same as at present. The question that the House go into Committee of Supply was then earned without division. On the vote of £1755 for Colonial Secretary's office being put, Mr Monk moved That the first item be reduced by £1 as an instruction to the Government that this Committee is of opinion that a further reduction in the Estimates of at least .£50,000 can be made without being injurious to the interests of the colony. The Hon. Mr Mitohelson said the Government had determined not to make the amendment as one of no-confidenoe. Mr Ballance asked whether Government proposed to reduce the Estimates at once. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson replied that the Government would ask the House to pass the Estimates as they now stood, but they would undertake to make the reductions, if carried, which would have to oome off the services. Mr Ballance said the position taken up by the Government was most unsatisfactory and unconstitutional. He moved, That the first item be reduced by £5, as an instruction to the Government to reduce the Estimates by the amount of primage duty. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson asked whether the amendment meant that the Government should take back their Estimates. Mr Ballance replied in the affirmative. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson said in that case the Government would accept Mr Ballance's amendment as one of no-confi-dence, as no Government could consent to a proposition of that kind. After 11 p.m. a lengthy debate took place, during whioh a large number of members spoke, but the ground covered was very similar to that traversed during the Financial debate. Mr Ballance's amendment was lost by 84 to 23. After the 2 a.m. the debate on Mr Monk's motion to reduce the vote for the Colonial Secretary's office by £1, was continued, and the motion was carried by 48 to 7. Mr Seddon then wished to move for a reduction of the first item by ten shillings, as indication that supply was only to be granted six months ; but on Captain Russell reminding bim that he would have as good an opportunity later on, he withdrew it, and the vote was agreed to. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 2.30. July 16. The House met at 2.30. Replying to questions, it was stated That the Government would set up a committee to inquire into the desirability of oftering a large bonus for improvement in flax-dressing machinery. — That the Government had instructed that every care should be taken to prevent the introduction of indecent publications into the colony. — That the Government have given instructions to prevent as far as possible the dangerous practice of deckloading in the colony. — That the Government would endeavor to get the Railway Commissioners to restore all the privileges formerly granted to religious bodies and friendly societies when travelling to attend meetings, by allowing them first olass at second olaBS fares, Mr Seddon mored the second reading of the Mining Act Amendment Bill, explaining that one of the principal objects of the measure was to clearly define mining partnerships. The motion for the second reading was agreed to. Sir John Hall called attention to what he considered a breach of privilege of the House, the Evening Press having published a report which was simply a gross misrepresentation of the proceedings of the Select Oomtnittee sitting to investigate Mr Hutchison's charges against the Government. The Speaker suggested that, as no motion had been made, the House should not waste further time over the matter. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Auctioneers' Bill, which provides tLat license and other fees shall be paid to to the local bodies, deducting expenses ; allows live stock to be sold up till 8 p.m. providing the sale began not later than 2 p.m. ; and enacts penalties for misappropriation. It also enables the holder of a lioenee to s4l in any part of the Colony. The Bill was read a second time at 12.45 and the House rose.