GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 75, 27 August 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

♦ (Per Anglo-Australian Press Telegragh Agency.) Wellington, August 26. In the Legislative Council, The Select Committee of the Council reported in favor of its officers being placed on the same footing as the House officials. On the second reading of the Advances to Provinces Act, The Hon Mr Campbell moved an amendment that it be read that day six months, basing his opposition on the ground that the advances were made on no established principle, and on account of the action of the other House re the abolition of the provinces. The Hon Mr Waterhouse replied that there was no good ground for throwing out the Bill, unless it was to precipitate the abolition of the provinces, and he could be no party to such a course. The Hon Mr White was prepared to vote for the abolition when the question came before the Council ; but it would be acting disloyally towards them if they now threw out the Bill, thereby causing great inconvenience. The Hon Dr Pollen took the same view. The second reading was carried on the voices. The Council is now debating the Hon Mr Campbell’s amendment to the Railway Bill, that it be read this day six months. The Auckland Waste Land Bill has passed the third reading. In the House of Representatives, Mr Reeves called the attention of the House to the extraordinary delays occurring in tne transmission of telegrams, in some instances as much as 24 hours more than the usual mail time being occupied between Wellington and Christchurch. Himself, as well as many of his friends, had telegrams delayed to that extent. Mr M'Lean said the Government would consider the matter carefully. The adjourned debate on the Real Estate Descent Bill, second reading, was resumed by Mr Thomson, who regretted that the Bill did not apply to females as well as males. Mr G. P. Parker did not approve of the Bill. He had always considered that primogeniture did more for colonising enterprise than anything else, by sending out younger sons to shift for themselves. Mt Stafford approved of the Bill, as preventing cases of great hardship, which had occurred in this country for want of such a measure. When in office the question had occupied his attention a great deal. The House went into committee on the Bill, which was read a third time and passed. Sir Donald McLean moved the second reading of the Burial Grounds Closing Bill. Sir Cracroft Wilson was sorry that there was any reference or distinction between denominations. In Mauritius he saw the remains, of all creeds and countries, interred side by side, in one of the most beautiful cemeteries he ever saw. Why could we not do the same ? Mr Stafford welcomed the Bill as a step in the right direction, but regretted that the measure was only permissive. The Bill was reported, with slight amendments, and passed. The following Bills were passed:—Auckland Improvements Act Amendment Bill, Clyde Waterworks Bill, Canterbury Water Supply Bill. Upon bringing up the report of the Colonial Industries Committee, the Government demurred to taking action on the resolution of the committee regarding the establishment of the manufacture of iron in the Colhngwood district, and the resolution was then amended to this effect “ That the Government be asked to consider during the recess the proposals made by Mr Anderson on behalf of the Para Para Iron Works.” This was agreed to. Wellington, August 27. In the House of Representatives yesterday, at the evening sitting, Mr Murray proceeded to move that in the opinion of this House, the nomination of tenants of the Crown to seats in the Legislative Council is highly objectionable, and inconsistent with the independence of Parliament, and was reflecting seriously upon the motives actuating members of that branch of the Legislature, when he was interrupted by the Speaker. Mr Atkinson asked was the motion proper, and in order? The Speaker said he would have struck the motion off the order paper, had not his brother Speaker said he had no objection to see the motion discussed, if the House wished. He considered the motion exceedingly im-

pertinent on the part of any member of tha* House to pretend to limit, by a motion, the prerogative of the Crown. But he left it to the Government to express its wishes in regard to the motion. Mr McLean considered the motion in very bad taste, and, if the hon mover had reflected for a moment, he would not have acted so as to bring about an altercation between two branches of the Legislature in forcing his arguments, by attributing personal motives ; he trusted the hon member would withdraw the motion, which ought never to have been put upon the notice paper. Mr Murray defended the resolution, and only regretted that it did not emanate from the Government ; he was afraid their leanings were too much towards tenants of the Crown; he declined to withdraw the motion.

Mr Reid supported the motion warmly, as one upon which the House, should express an opinion. Mr Fox said there were other ways of dealing with all these constitutional questions, without being guilty of a piece of foolish impertinence, and unnecessary insult to the other House. If there was an objection to| any particular class of members of the other House, why not bring down a Bill disqualifying them. Mr T. L. Shepherd suppoited the principle of the motion, but thought it was awkwardly drawn up ; out of 45 members in the other House, there were 14 tenants of the Crown who were consistent opponents of all liberal land laws ; he was confident that the policy of the country could never be successful, until the land was allowed to be settled by the people. Mr J. L, Gillies hoped that the motion would be pressed to a division, as he agreed with all that had fallen from the preceding Otago members; nine men out of ten in Otago would hail any such proposal with delight. Mr Sheehan though he would not vote for tho motion, deprecated the ruling of the Speaker, which would in fact burke discussion in the House upon any question of that nature ; still, he hoped the hon member would withdraw the motion —tne question would !very fitly {be discussed next session, with other considerable changes. Messrs Mervyn and Tribe hoped that the motion would be withdrawn. Mr O’Connor thought the motion had a good intention, but was misltading, though he sympathised greatly with the object in view ; but he must oppose the motion, as the question was so important, that the country would insist upon its ventilation soon. Mr Thompson proposed that the debate be adjourned. At the request of members the motion was withdrawn.