GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 346, 22 July 1875, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

{From a correspondent of the Press,}

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, July 21, The House sat at 2.30 p.m. FRIENDLY socibtys’ act.

Mr Eolleston, in asking whether the Government intended this session to introduce a Bill to amend the Friendly Societies’ Act, said in some respects the Act required immediate amendment. He referred to the labors of the English commission, and asked if the Government proposed to revise the Act with a view of introducing the amendment proposed by that commission. The principal points requiring amendment were as follows Under the 16th clause the appointment of a registrar is provided for, who should not revise and register the rules of any society unless the table and contributions to the general funds shall have been certified by some actuary appointed by the registrar. It would be - better, seeing Government was engaged in the insurance business, if those rules and regula-

tions were not wholly dependent on any individual. The rules and regulations should beembodied in an Act. So far as the Registrar furnishing certain returns to Government was concerned, the Act was practically a dead letter, because the returns were never forthcoming. They should adopt the recommendation of the English commission for periodical reports of the property and estimated financial operations of the societies, so that members might have the. security that they were financially sound. There was a strong feeling among the societies in the colony that the immediate attention of the Government should be directed to these matters Refening to the case of James, the defaulting secretary of the Christchurch lodge of Oddfellows, he asked if the remarks of Judge Williams as to the defective state of the law had been brought under the notice of the Government,

The. Hon C. 0. Bowen replied that the Government had under its consideration the whole question. With regard to the latter part of the question—the James’ case was under especial consideration, because it was just possible, although not immediately advisable to legislate upon the whole subject, that provision might be made for meeting such cases in view of the Judicial decision that the treasurers of friendly societies could not be held to be servants of the society, therefore they could not be guilty of embezzlement. It was under consideration whether it was not advisable to introduce a short Act for making such officers servants of the societies. However, the whole subject would be carefully considered. WRIT FOR WALLACE. . The Speaker intimated that yesterday he had issued the, writ for Wallace, CHAIRMAN OP COMMITTEES. Sir Donald McLean, in proposing Mr O’Rorke as chairman of committees, bore testimony to his ability and zeal. No member of the House could more efficiently or ably discharge the duties; Sir George Grey expressed satisfaction of the highest kind that the first words he addressed to the House should be upon matters so acceptable to both sides of the House. After a few congratulatory words from the chair, the resolution was put and carried nem eon. Mr O’Rorkb, in thanking the House, said the honor was enhanced by the fact that the office was unsolicited by him. In undertaking the duties he was not attaching himself to any party, and had made no compromise with the opinions he held. He would discharge his duties with the strictest impartiality. COMMITTEES. The various sessional committees were appointed as moved by the Government. Mr Stafford, at his own request, being omitted from the Lands committee. Messrs White and O’CONOR complained of the absence of the Westland members, but without effect. ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr Ingles, in moving the reply, comme.n l ?P d ue b T>r6 l to a oY ; the presented, it being the first instance of the kind in the history of the empire of an exGovernor assisting Parliament with his advice as one of its members. + Refe ™"f;. t ° iub nuestion, he said the invitation in the address toconsuiei tv>o extension of the proposition to the whole island, was gratifying to himself, as ope of a large majority who had voted for the resolutions of last session, and doubly gratifying to the greater portion of the minority on that occasion. His knowledge of what went in the lobbies led him to say that a good many of the minority of last session wanted abolition whole or none. Last year he would have voted for the resolution with much warmer spirit if it had embraced the whole colony. [Mr Stafford —Hear, hear.]. But half a loaf was better than no bread, and half the loaf was accepted, feeling sure that in a few days they would revel in the whole loaf. When he arrived at the seat of Government this session, he did not believe the Government would bring in a Bill dealing with provincial institutions in the whole colony. They showed very great courage in so doing. In admiration of that courage, and because he approved of the proposal, though, with the exception of the resolution last year, he had not in a single instance voted with the Yogel Government during the time he had held his seat, he was now prepared distinctly to give in his adhesion to the Government in this matter of abolition. [Ministerial cheers.] Owing to Mr Ballance’s absence, Mr May seconded the address. He said he was in the minority last session only because the resolutions did not go far enough. With his constituents, he believed abolition should be entire. He recommended the Government to continue subsidising the Road Boards, but to insist on its expenditure on feeder lines in the outlying districts, and also urged doing away with miners’ representation, and advocated increased representation of the Maoris in the North Island.

Mr Swanson urged the circulation of the Government measures, and the reference of the matter to the people, before the House dealt with it. He concluded by moving as an amendment, the postponement of the debate.

Mr Murray seconded the amendment. Sir Donald M‘Lean opposed the adjournment on the ground that this was not a proper time or place to discuss the matter. The House was not pledged by adopting the address, as it would have ample time to go into the matter when the measures were brought down, which would be without delay. There was no intention to take the House by surprise. Mr Wakefield supported the adjournment Mr Stafford suggested the reasonableness of the adjournment, but admitted that doing so would not advance the matter one jot ; the only effect would be to delay the introduction of the Government measures. The Government could not withdraw them except at the loss of self respect, and it would be in defiance of all precedent to bring down the measures while the address was not replied to. and undisposed of. Alluding to, Mr Wakefield’s direct invitation to h ; m to spe?| K he said, “ I have no hesitation nor do I see any good in delaying stating exactly the attitude I desire to hold towards the Government during the session. I consider there are times in the history of countries when they had to consider what was for the good of the country without reference to the men In New Zealand that time has now come not only with regard to this large question’ but with regard to other questions in which the people were deeply interested. When we have to consider by whom and in wha' way the interests of the country with refe rence to these questions can be subserved, I have come to the conclusion, in reference to

the carrying out of the views I entertain, with reference to these large questions, that there is no hope, as the House is now constituted, of getting a Government constituted in a way more likely to give effect to my views than the present one. So long as those views, in reference to questions which, in my humble judgment, are of a most fundamental character, are held by the Government, I am prepared to give a cordial support to the Government on all questions on which Ministers’ existence is staked during the present session, believing that in doing so, whether I may compromise my opinions or not in reference to some of questions, on the whole I am likely to achieve what I conscientiously believed is for the greatest good of the country. T shall therefore feel bound on all occasions to give a cordial and loyal support to the Government.” ■ ("Loud cheers from the Ministerial side.J Major Atkinson said there was another reason why the Government opposed the adjournment, that was because supplies were urgently required. No disrespect was intended. It would be wiser to postpone the real discussion till - the measures were brought down by the Government. There was no intention to shirk the question, as they had very decided views upon it, and staked their positions on the issue. Sir George Grey, who was loudly cheered on rising,said the highest possible interests and principles were involved. For example, the Governor recommended a course which he (Sir George Grey) believed to be positively unlawful, which he wanted time to consider. The Government was trying to force things wholesale, and he asked for time to allow of the arrival of experienced members, whose advice was much wanted. They were asked to join in congratulations -that the railways were paying, when the fact was that there was only one line in the North completed, and for that, instead of its paying, 15s per head was imposed on every man, woman, and child in Auckland. That,' was too much to swallow. They were being asked to give up representative institutions. [Hear, and loud cries of “No.”] That was the truth. Look at the Central Government as now constituted. Was that really a representative] institution ? He said no. He contended that the address pledged the House to certain principles, and he earnestly implored Ministers, in fairness and justice, to give time. His side were determined on what course they would pursue, and asked for a three days’ delay. To refuse that would be an unjust and arbitrary proceeding. |"Opposition cheers.] Sir Cracroft Wilson opposed the adjournment, because neither the country nor parliament would benefit. , : Mr Luckie, by saying that the absent should have been in their places, excited thb ire of Mr.FITZHERpERT, wjio said no Government was wise, however powerful in votes, which did not treat even a small minority with courteous consideration,, The Government was very unwise, on the first day of the session, to produce an irritation which was exceedingly difficult to allay hereafter. He save Ministers he them his undivided-ui uu^uaua.,..,, 6 .. He listened to Mr' Stafford’s remarks with greater pain than surprise. Mr ROI.X.ESTON complained of the attempt to make the address in reply more than a matter of form. As to the abolition of the provinces question, he thought it would be best at an early stage of the session to decide upon the course of procedure, but he thought its determination should be delegated to the country rather than that the question should be mixed up. in every discussion.’ --- <•'

Mr Bunny rose to speak at 5.30. He said if the Government pressed the matter, as they must do, they will carry it by a large maionty. The address was couched in ordinary language, and on the abolition question it merely says it will give its earnest and careful consideration to the Gorernmeut Bill and proposals. On the resumption of the debate, Mr Pykb urged its postponement. He was afraid they would be committing themselves to things they did not approve, if they adopted the reply. Personally, he was not satisfied with the progress of public works, with the proposed Californian service, and had grave doubts about the loan being successfully negotiated. He intimated his intention of moving the adjournment of the debate till to morrow. Hon E. Richardson said the Government, seeing the great desire for adjournment, would agree to it. There were loud cries of “ Friday,” and the debate was adjourned till Friday, as there will be no sitting to-morrow night, owing to the ball at Government House. PROTECTION OP ANIMALS BILL. The Protection of Animals Amendment Bill was read a second time, POLLUTION OF RIVERS. Mr Shepherd introduced a “ Pollution of Rivers Bill.” - ■; Mr Holloway has been appointed emigration agent for Oxford by Dr Featherston. Further despatches from Sir Julius Yogel complaining of Dr Featherston’s action will be presented in a couple of days. Mr Shepherd abandons the Pollution of Rivers Bill because of the hostility of the Otago members.