GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(Per Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph Agency.) Wellington, Aug. G. In the House of Representatives to-day, The Select Committees appointed to enquire into the Ward-Chapman telegram have been appointed a joint committee, and Mr Luckie and Mr Gillies arc to give evidence before, it. It is understood that the breach of privilege case will end in smoke, a 3 it is said Mr Luckie informed the committee he heard the members of it repeating the whole circumstances in the lobby while he was writing the telegram, and he took it down as spoken. He was rather outspoken before the committee, and twitted them with the impolicy of the whole proceeding. The Premier laid a letter upon the table from Mr Russell on the Webb penalties, and said the Government have concluded not to risk the expense of taking legal proceedings against Mr Webb for the recovery of the penalties. Mr VoGEL obtained leave to make a statement as to the course the Government proposes to adopt in regard to the question referred to in the debate on the State Forests Bill, namely, the question of abolishing all the provinces in the North Island. At an

early period of the session, when the financial statement was made, he would not disguise it was the desire of the Government to assist the provinces in the North Island to continue the discharge of their functions, and he proposed fresh assistance should be given in some cases, in others by loan. The question was materially changed by the debate on Forests Bill. It then appeared that some of the provinces, notably Wellington, looked upon the Forests Bill as aimed at provincial institutions generally and Wellington in particular. One speech was of such a nature as to direct attention of Government to the whole question of provincialism, in the North Island especially. The result was the ascertaining of figures which showed beyond an extent he never dreamed of, or members generally supposed, the enormous proportion of revenue and means expended on this island, that was indirectly supplied by the machinery of the colony and the Assembly. He could not say what impression these figures conveyed to the minds of members, but they made a strong one upon himself. Since his speech made the evening before last, the Government had received assurances from all sides which leave no doubt in the minds of Ministers that the majority of members were anxious to see the provinces abolished. Some of the conditions referred to the then seat of Government, and the compact of 1856 should be recognised by the Act. He believed the large majority of members are prepared to assent to such a proposition, and see it given effect to with as little delay a.? possible. Therefore, it would be idle to denythat the Government had taken into consideration whether it would be opportune to bring down a proposal to that effect during the present session after what he said the other evening was a question, but there could be no doubt as to his own opinion. But question was whether the action should be taken this session, and the Government had come to the conclusion not to ask for effect to be given to this proposal during the present session. fHear.] They did this because there had been a sort of understanding that the session should not be unnecessarilyprolonged, and that beyond subjects indicated in his Excellency's speech in opening Parliament no important legislation should be proposed. Although Government could demand that consideration be given to all matters of urgency, it would be always well to adhere to such understandings. But the chief reason which weighed most with the Government in coming to their decision was, that although a majority of the House held the opinions he described, and that although he believed the opinion of the people throughout the North and Middle Islands would ratify such a scheme, which was exceedinglyjpopular, yet there would be a general feeling that it would be dangerous to indulge in large legislation of this kind in a hurried mannef and without due notice, even those most favorable might say, " after a surprise of this kind may we not have a surprise we could not welcome." There would naturally be a feeling of insecurity if while parliament was sitting large organic measures should be passed without ordinary notice, so as to afford the constitutional means to the people to express their opinions by petitions. The warmest supporters might dread the surprise of legislation in the shape of a coup d'etat. He did not wish to assert any right to prevent the House expressing its opinion upon the matter. Many members might think the necessity of the country would justify extreme action, but the Government did not approve of such a course. They thought such a measure would be more acceptable if it came from the country while Parliament was not sitting. He was not, however, prepared to say there would or would not be brought down resolutions on the subject. They had not come to a decision yet.

Wellington, August 7. In the House of Representatives last night, The following Bills were read a second time:—The Employment of Females Act Amendment Bill ; The Wanganui Mayor's Bill ; The Hawke's Bay Waste Lands Bill ; The Grass and Forests Fires Prevention Bill; The Protection of Animals Act, 1873, Amendment Bill ; The Westland Waste Lands Amendment Bill ; The Invercargill Gas Works Bill ; and The Taranaki Waste Lands Act Amendment Bill.

The following Bills were introduced : A.n Act to Amend Public Revenues Act; and an Act to Authorise Raising Money for Immigration and the Construction of Public Works.

Bills passed:—The Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Bill ; The Napier Harbor Board Endowment Bill ; The New Plymouth Harbor Board Endowment Bill ; The Hokitika Election of Mayor's Bill ; The Wellington Volunteer Laud Scrip Act Extension Bill ; The Oromwell Waterworks Loan Bill ; and The Bankruptcy Act Amendment Bill. The House adjourned at 8.20 p.m.