GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 59, 7 August 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From a correspondent of the "Press") Wellington. Friday night was set apart for the consideration of Mr Fox's proposed amendments on the Licensing Bstl, but to the disappointment of some two or three hundred people, who at half-past seven o'clock filled the galleries, Mr Vogel pressed on his Forests' Bill, which occupied the attention of the House from about 3 p.m. till the adjournment of the sitting, at a little after midnight. The debate in the afternoon was exceedingly tame, aud none of the speakers approached the question. Mr Sheehan opened the ball, aud in a well considered speech endeavored to show the House that Auckland was far ahead of Europe in the matter of preparing timber for the market; that Mr Vogel and Dr Hector had grossly exaggerated the rate

at which our forests were being destroyed ; that Dr Hector's figures were altogether unreliable as regarded Auckland, and a fortiori could not correctly represent the condition of the forests in the other provinces ; that it was impossible to preserve native timber, unless sheep and cattle were exterminated ; that £IO,OOO a-year would not be sufficient ] to do; what was proposed by the Bill ; and like a logician wound up with a crushing argument that there was plenty of timber in some parts, and that it was absolutely necessary to clear it in others. For all these reasons, he thought the Premier should be satisfied with having broached the subject ; but for the unuttered one, that every proi vince was not so well off for timber as Auckland, or took such care of its timber as Mr Sheehan declares Auckland does, whence the necessity for some action, the member for Rodney was prepared to support the Bill, if Ministers determined to push it through. Then followed Mr Tribe, whose opinion is that the less the Government has to do with anything the better for everybody. MrCuthbertson, not being able to say what should be done, joined in the chorus for postponement. Mr Thomson, who spoke on all sides of the question. Mr Bryce, who succeeded completely in showing his utter ignorance of the subject he was talking about, and whose only appreciable objection was that on principle he is opposed to the Government undertaking anything beyond administering the laws. Mr O'Neill, who spoke strongly in ' favor of the measure ; Mr Gibbs, who is never understandable, and Mr Carrington, who coni fiDed himself to suggesting as the best means of arriving at information about the forestsin theprovinces would be to send the Bill to the Superintendents of provinces, who should be called upon to furnish to the House the fullest information, together with a map , ■ showiug the existing forests, and to suggest " what forests should be reserved. Mr Wales was the first Otago member to address himself to the question, and he did so in a thoroughly practical manner, pointing out not only the desirability of the colonial Government as against the provincial Governments undertaking this large question, but entered minutely into the consideration of the contingent question of how best to prevent timbers being used for buildipg purposes before they matured. Of course on this latter matter Mr Wales spoke authoritatively, and his remarks were listened to with considerable attention. Then the debate flagged, and at one time appeared as if it were likely to comc t to a suddon termination, when up rose Mr Stafford, and to the surprise of Ministers J as much' of the House, delivered himself of a speech which could not have been eloquerlt or stronger in favor of the measure than if he had himself been thef' JJejijsqfaf itdl introduce it. It was then that" animation took the place of indifference. I k <T|he member.for Timaru succeeded in drawk ing from the Government an avowal that .they, would push the-Bill through this session,'when'the House, from the'hour of the measure being introduced, to that .moment, had been'le'd'to believe'tbat Ministers would be satisfied with the Bill passing its second readi'rig .this year, and receiving'further consideration next session. Putting aside the I • little fey who:help to fill up the gaps, we are brought down to Mr T. B. Gillies, who ~ treated the 5 House/to a speech worthy.of him. * He can never see any merit'in a proposal of his opponents, and proceeded with the ease of a man who has no difficulty in creating imaginary, .objections to dissect the Bill to ihfe' owri gratification "and evident delight. He was as cantankerous as ever, and had & ' congenial itHeme in working hi/catalogue of terrible results that were to flow from " mad brained" piece of legislation. I don't think he admitted the Bill was worthy of being called a piece of legislation, but on the contrary urged that it was a disgrace to its framer. After Mr Gillies came the speech of. the evening, and indeed the speech of the Opposition side, from Mr Fitzherbert. Your readers - must go to " Hansard" for it to appreciate it. None of the Wellington papers gave a bare outline of it; The burden of his song was that Wellington would be :! despoiled] and he did 'hot hesitate to 1 name its despoiler. He was particularly bitter, and much bitterer than ,usual, and didn't spare Mr'Vogel. 'He was particularly happy in sketching the Premier's "dexterity'' in, snatching at money, and in describing by means of hyperbole, the hidden purpose; but ■ '. /turned ! the' 1 laugh 'against himself when he ridiculed the idea of the House being ;a?ked tolegislMtefor thirty years hence, because they would all be dead by that time. The expression of dissent were sufficiently audible to convince the member for the Hutt.. of his mistake, which he adroitly got over by limiting the application of his remark to . those of his pwn 'age ; and thereabouts- It •Was nearly midnight when Mr Fitzherbert sat down, and the Government were anxious 'to push the Bill through, but members were already weary, and Mr Vogel was obliged -fo consent to the adjournment of the debate till Tuesday, when it was resumed, immediately after the formal business was got through. .The, principal speakers yesterday were the -Superintendents of Otago and Canterbury, who opposed the measure on entirely opposite grounds. Mr Macandrew claims that the ■ work of forest conservation should be left .entirely to private enterprise. Mr Bolleston admits the necessity for action in the direction the Bill goes, but says it can be best done by the provinces, I could not help smiling On reading the report of the debate. Mr JRolleston declared the Bill was perni- ;, cious, and would be very deleterious in its effects upon Canterbury ; but Mr Bluett was as strongly of the opposite opinion, and said the province, .through its length and breadth, ! would thank the Premier for his measure. Even-the House laughed atthe ready manner in which Mr Bluett doubted whether Mr Bolleston really represented the voice of Canterbury in this matter. Mr Vogel's reply in the evening is admitted to be one of his finest speeches. He dressed down his opponents in fine style, and was particularly . happy in dealing With Mr Fitzherbert. "Old blue gum " is likely to stick to the member for the ;Hutt f° r the remainder of his life. But the most powerful part of the Premier's speech was that ih which he showed the ex- >. tent t to which Wellington sponged on the colony, and the leech-like proclivities of Mr Fitzherbert and his fidus achates, the member for Wairarapa. I think the figures he used will -have astonished the Southern members a bit. Opinion is divided as the cause and effect of the Premier's receding from'the position he took'up at Mr Stafford's call. Some say that the member for Timaru laid an excellent trap for the Premier, which was only too easily taken ; but I. venture to think that ■Mr Stafford's earnestness is the most complete answer to that assertion. So few members really expressed their views on the . main question that it is impossible to guage

correctly the feeling of the House ; but it is beyond doubt, that the discussion turned wide upon the question whether the provinces or the colony shall undertake the matter, and the fight, if there had been one, would have certainly been reduced solely .to that point. The Provincialists claim the victory, because the Government have abandoned their " Three per Cents," as the proposal to take land was termed, but on the other hand, Mr Vogel is credited with playing a waiting game. There is little doubt from his speech of last night, that he contemplates some' great constitutional changes in the North Island. Kumor hath it that Mr Reader Wood is to be put up to bring down a series of to upset the existing condition of things- in that Island, and to substitute one proviuce for the

four that now exist; Auckland to be the new

Provincial Capital and Wellington the Federal City. Then again, it is said that Mr Wood is acting on his own motion, but' that the Government; "unable 'to bear any longer those old. .men. of. the sea, Messrs Fitzherbert and Bunny, are likely to give the proposal their support if brought down this session. Of course, this is all supposition ; but I think there is good ground—more than thai, excellent reasons—for believing that somesnertstepas Mr Vogel last night sketched out is contemplated by the Government at no very distant date. , It

is only a week since (recollect before the opposition to the State Forests Bill shows itself in the determined form it did during the last few days) that the lobbies were full of rumors to the same effect; and quidnuncs asserted that the Government wasfoeling the pulse of the House. Of course, where there is smoke there is bound to be some fire.; But this is mostly digressive. Those who supported the Forests Bill maintain that the Government could, if they had so pleased, have carried the Bill through. Possibly so, and I am inclined to agree with that opinion, but the risk would have been very great, and the session indefinitely prolonged. In consenting to sacrifice the material part of his Bill Mr Vogel has doubtless endeavoured to : propitiate the large provinces of Otago: and Canterbury. To them he gives the chance of doing what should be done in this matter, and depend upon it Mr Eolleston and astute Macandrew will take the hint. Nelson: and Auckland and Taranaki and Wellington are too dependent on the colony to think of it; and when the time is more favourable Mr Vogel will be prepared to demand his thirds, and I believe he will get it. We are promised a grand field night when the Licensing Bill goes into committee on Friday. Mr Fox has a long stringof amendments, some of which occasion a pretty discussion, snd Mr Steward is; endeaypuirihg ko Second the efforts of the member for Bangitikei in abolishing the barmaid system. The other day Mr Bunny presented to the House a petition in favour of the Government;Bill -signed by gome 1400 residents ofj,the Ernpire City. i Taiaroa is going to push his claims, which there is disposition on the part of the colony and the province of Otago to treat as visionary. But the Maori has strong friends in the House and out of it, who arc not at all disposed to see the matter shelved, as is the evident desire of the Government., ,As your readers know, Taiaroa a couple of millions because the Government have not fulfilled certain promises made to the natives of Otago when that portion of the colony was ceded to the Crown. The Natives Department sent down ,Mr Mackay, one of j its officers, who'rep'orted on the claims, and he is of opinion that Taiaroa is entitled! to £30,000 with reasonable interest, j for thirty years! Taiaroa is modest enough to ask.millions ; .but would I believe be; inclined to a'ceept £30,000 if he can't iget more. But if he gets nothing, or is kicked from:pillar,to.-post in endeavoring.to get a settlement of his claims, which to an extent are admitted to be just, he is likely to cause the-colony some trouble. : He avows his intention of doing all he can to prevent the natives in the North from parting with their land ; and it is just possible the Imperial Parliament may hear something of his claimsj. Apropos of native matters, the return giving the approximate census of the natives is suggestive. On the faith of the generally that- thef colored must disappear before the white man, we bjave been assuming that the Maori race .has been decreasing, when in fact the reverse has been the case. At the last census their number was 43,408, as against 36,000 in 1871.

Colonel Brett ought to bo happy since the Domains Bill has been shelved for another year, at; all events. But the gallant.honorable has been exciting the general mirth by constantly harping "on my daughter ;" and if he continues in his present rmmorons vein the galleries will be always filled, because he would move a hypochondriac to laughter. • When the Dpmain Bill was before the Ooiincil he gravely informed that body that the majority of the young people who would be educated at your College would be from ten to fourteen years of age, and " were some of the most unlicked cubs .in creation. . ■ . '•; For himself, he would say that as the father of four handsome daughters he would not allow them to live near the proposed College. They would be in danger of receiving missives that would be calculated to be offensive to their dignity and sense of propriety from these very uncouth young men." lam sure your readers will at once see the extreme bad taste of any parent obtruding the charms of his children to the public notice, and it would appear this is a habit of the gallant Colonel, for the other evening, on the debate on the Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Bill, he similarly trotted out for public recognition the fact that he possesses a pretty and amiable sister-in-law, in respect of whom his wife under certain conditions might entertain feelings the reverse of sisterly. I merely mention the circumstance, because I think, sir, the gallant hon gentleman has done your boys a most grievous injury—has, in short, libelled; and if he cannot substantiate his assertions, should be. compelled to withdraw them. A couple of days ago Mr Eolleston presented the petition of thirty-two girls employed in factories in Christchurch, praying that the hours in Mr Bradshaw's Bill of last ■session (9 to 6 p.m), should be altered to .8 a.m to 5 p.m. Mr Bradshaw is of opinion that the change is a very desirable one, and will support it. It is worth mentioning here that Mr Bradshaw has induced the Government to consider the advisability of extending the Factory Acts of England to the colony. I have heard it stated on excellent authority, that Mr Reynolds retires from the Lower House at the close of this Parliament, and will in all probability be relegated to the other place, in the calmer atmosphere of which he may be better able to survey the progress of events.

The third time this session the " DailySouthern Cross" in Auckland has got itself into trouble—and this time seriously—by obtaining information in an illegal and disreputable manner. The first time the paragraph it contained in its issue was as to the character of the despatches s< nfhome to the Agent-General by the Minister for Immigration. The second was when the contents of the Polynesian papers were telegraphed to the " Cross" before they were laid on the table of the House. Now before 8 p.m. the gist of these papers were sent to the "Herald" iu Auckland, and the "Times" in Dunedin, but the financial statement took precedence of the messages sent. The " Cross" had Polynesian news printed nearly twelve hours ere the first slips from the telegraph office reached either of the newspapers to which it was'sent.Testcrday morning it published what had' transpired in the Ward-Chapman committee room during the past week, and many details which could only have been obtained in a surreptitious manner. More than one of the members of the House who edit newspapers prostitute their means of obtaining intelligence in the manner above shewn. Thus when the "Guardian," the " Southern Cross," or other similarly represented paper? obtain information which you cannot, your readers will understand the manner in which it is obtained.