GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 71, 22 August 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(Per Anglo-Australian Press Telegragh Agency.) Wellington, August 21. In the House of Representatives to-day Mr Fitzhbbbebt has given notice that, upon the House going in Committee of Supply, he will move that, before giving effect to the resolutions for abolishing the North Island provinces, the wishes of the constituents throughout the colony be ascertained, and that an address be presented to His Excellency, praying him to dissolve the present Parliament. Mr J. B. Brown asked if there was any probability of the land taken for the Rangiora and Kowai railway being paid for soon.

Mr Richardson stated that whatever fences of gardens and property generally, were destroyed in carrying on the railway works, the contractor did it at his own risk, as he ought not to commence the work before the railway fences were erected. With regard to the compensation claims for lands, the local agent for the purchase of lands for that line, had informed him that there Would be au early settlement of all claims where agreements had been entered into. Any outstanding claims in the Ashley district would be also arranged at an early day. The Select Committee declares Mr Yon der Heyde’s election void. The Otago Waste Lands Bill has passed, and the Harbor Works Bill has passed.

Monday afternoon will be given to private business. The evening sitting and the rest of the week (excepting Wednesday) will be devoted to Government business.

The prorogation is expected next week. Mr O’Uorke has made an explanation that his absence from the division last evening was because he had not anticipated that the debate would close so early. Had he been in the House he would have voted for the amendment of the member for Selwyn. Mr White and Mr Harrison also explained that when they arrived at the House they found the doors locked, and intended to vote for the previous question.

Mr WALES also explained that he had not anticipated that the debate would close so soon. He intended to vote for the resolutions of the Premier.

The Pacific Islands Trade Encouragement Bill was discharged from the Order Paper.

The Premier said that the Government deemed it inadvisible to proceed with the measure at this late period of the session. The Premier stated also, that for a like reason the Government did not intend proceeding with the Qualification of Electors Bill. It was evident that the details of the Bill would occupy a great deal of time in discussion.

Mr Wales opposed the Premier’s proposal to withdraw the measure. He hoped the Government would reconsider their decision and proceed with the Bill, which would place upon the electoral roll a large class of young men of judgment and education who did not happen to hold the property qualification. Amongst this class were the miners, and he regretted to say that the principal opponents of the Bill were the goldfields members. He wished the Bill made one of the questions to be submitted to the country, if there was a dissolution.

Mr Trire was also anxious that the Bill should he proceeded with this session, but as it appeared to be inconvenient to go on with the Bill now, he hoped it would be brought on early next session. The Premier stated that the Government approved of the Bill, and had every desire to support it, but owing to the period of the session, and the business still before them, they did not see their way to go on with it. The Bill was then discharged, Mr McLean moved the second reading of the Volunteer Act Amendment Bill, It enables volunteer corps to acquire land for various purposes, and vesting the same in the commanders of the corps and their successors. It also provides that licenses may be granted to volunteer corps for the purposes of rifle or artillery practice. It was read a second time.

The House then went into committee upon the Immigration and Public Works Amendment Bill. A new clause was introduced, providing for the repair or reconstruction of the road between Hokitika and Christchurch out of the Middle Island railway fund, on account of Canterbury and Westland respectively. It was opposed by Mr liolleston and Mr Wilson, but agreed to. The draft of a Bill has been brought down recommending a retiring allowance to Mr Wilson Grey, the District Judge of Otago. ' The Premier spoke in high terms of his services to the country. He said he would be prepared to increase the allowance if the House so desired, as his health was utterly shattered, and ho had again and again refused a higher position than that be occupied .

Mr Macandrew warmly supported it. He said Mr Grey had sacrificed his health in the service of the country night and day, and he would gladly support the proposal to make the amount larger. Mr Fox, Mr O’Neil, Mr McGlashan, each spoke in a like manner. The Premier said Government proposed to give Mr Grey a year’s leave of absence on full salary. Mr O’Rorke took the opportunity of expressing a hope the House would reconsider its decision regarding Sir James Martin’s allowance, which was too small for the first Chief-Justice of the colony. Mr MacLban said it would be a deep reflection upon the colony if it did not regard the services of its first Chief-Justice in no better way than it would do for a chief Wellington, August 22. At the evening sitting yesterday, upon the House resuming, Mr Yooel stated that acting upon the request of the committee, he had brought down a clause to be inserted in the Public Works Advances Bill, providing that £15,000 should be given to the province of Wellington in connection with the Manawatu land claims, but that the money was to be devoted to public works which were to be submitted to the Minister of Works for his approval, and that the interest and sinking fund should be charged against the province. He informed the House that he considered the claim an unjust one, and that the Government would oppose it. Mr Brandon objected to a debate which was closed being reopened by the Government opposing appropriation at every stage. Mr Macandrew said if the colony owed the money to Wellington, let it give the money unfettered, and let them throw it into the sea if they liked. The House had already sanctioned the appropriation by a majority of four.

Mr Fitzherbert said the colony acknowledged that it owed Wellington £15,000 (cries of no, no, and hear, hear, and considerable noise), and the Premier in a vindictive spirit, and in the plentitude of his power, said, we will lend you the money, and charge you interest and sinking fund. That was a new way of paying old debts. Still, although it was hard lines, he would accept the clause, restrictions and all, but would tell the hon gentleman at the head of the Government that if he or any other man treated the House in that way, he would not long have a majority at his back.

The Premier gave a most unqualified denial to the statement that the Speaker’s report admitted that the colony owed Wellington £15,000; it was a gross misstatement. He denied emphatically being actuated by any feeling of vindictiveness against Wellington or its Superintendent. He had done all man could do to promote the prosperity of Wellington, and extricate her from her difficulties. He had experienced more trouble from the Superientendent and Provincial Secretary of Wellington than from all the other provinces put together. Had the Government power to remove the Superintendent be would have done so over the Audit case, and was confident the House would have vindicated him. Mr Fitzherbert reiterated his charge, and accused the Premier of conduct unworthy of the Prime Minister in the Audit case, and of colluding and conspiring with members of the Provincial Council, and threatened the Premier that he would not long wield his present power. Mr Fox defended the Premier, and said that during the four years he was at the head of the Ministry, Wellington could not possibly have had a more anxious, indefatigable, and truer friend than Mr Vogel. He went on to detail the shockingly depressed state of Wellington at that period, and enumerated many specific acts of assistance that the province had received from Government. He strongly protested against this constant whine, like an old blind beggar-man with a dog and dish, crying out, “ Pity the sorrows of a poor old man,” and poor persecuted Wellington. He challenged the hon member to prove a single instance of persecution or injustice; After more discussion, Mr Pearce regretted that the Premier and Superintendent could not argue peaceably. A division was called for, and the clause was defeated by 31 votes to 25. The report of the Ward-Chapman committee was then read; it stated that the Times got the telegrams from Macassey, but did not know how he got them. The evidence showed distinct charges of perjury against some one. The report recommends the appointment of a Royal commission to more thoroughly investigate the case. It was found there had been irregularities at the telegraph office at Oamaru, but that the clerks gave their evidence so frankly and straightforwardly, that the committee recommended their misconduct should be overlooked.

Bills passed—The Goldfields Act No. 2, and the Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill.

On the motion of Mr T. L. Shepherd, Government promised to give a return, as far as possible, of the land sold and alienated since the foundation of the colony, and the amount received for the same.