GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 639, 6 July 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From a correspondent of the Press.') HOUSE OF EE PRESENT ATI YES. Wednesday, July 5. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. After some formal business had been disposed of, Mr Rees moved “That allegations having been made, and returns and papers having been laid before the House, showing apparently that members of the Legislature during the term of the present Parliament, have been, or are, interested in agreements or transactions with the Executive Government. it is expedient that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon the circumstances under which the same have been entered into, as to whether the provisions of the Disqualification Act have been thereby infringed, such committee to have power to call for persons and papers, and to report within fourteen days.’’ Sir J. Vogel pointed out that the House had distinctly affirmed the principle that no action should be taken unless it was intended to follow it up by giving some redress. He had already given notice of bis intention to move for a committee to select what alterations, if any, it was expedient to make in the Disqualifications Act, and- he thought that committee was very fairly constituted, taking the two extreme cases named by the hon members, viz, the member for Waikato and himself (Sir J. "Vogel). He said if it was shown that Mr Whitaker, by reason of his connection with the Piako Swamp sale came under the operation of the Disqualification Act, it would not be the wish of the House to relieve him of the responsibility he had incurred, because he took his seat with the full knowledge of those responsibilities. For himself, he did not understand the need of such an indemnification, seeing the strong animus shown towards him during the recess, if he had been amenable to any such penalties, there would be found persons adventurous enough and willing to take action in the matter, . On the Premier’s suggestion Mr Rees withdrew the motion. ORDERS IN COUNCIL. Mr Rees’ motion for a return showing the number of Orders in Council issued in each year from 1861 to 1867, inclusive, with the date and place of the issue of each of such Orders in Council and the object thereof, was opposed by the Premier as unnecessary, and was negatived on the voices, THE GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE. On Mr Rees’s motion, which was agreed to, that a respectful address be presented to bis Excellency the Governor, requesting that he will cause to be laid before this House copy of a despatch from the Governor of New iZealand to the right hon the Secretary of State for the Colonies, containing a statement of the number of days (luring

Which the Governor had resided upon his own private property from 1861 to the date thereof, Sir G. Grey made a short explanation, and a short debate followed. THE MAIL SERVICE. Sir J. Vogel, in moving that a Select Committee be appointed to consider and to report to the House what alterations or modifications, if any, it is desirable should be made in the contract for the Californian mail service, such committee to consist of thirteen members—viz, Messrs Carrington, Curtis, Sir G. Grey, Messrs Hunter, Macandrew, Ormond, Beynolds, Seymour, Staf ford, Bolleston, Whitaker, Woodcock, and the mover—pointed out that in reality the amount voted originally for the service, r viz, £40,000, was now reduced by £12,000 a year, received through the Imperial Government, collected on postages. Papers laid on the table also showed that the Californian service, compared with the Suez, had not involved any considerable extra cost to the colony, the excess being about £16,000, which amount was liable to be reduced by the extra cost of carrying the mails from Victoria, and by the additional population in the colony, while the increased use of the Suez route meant increased cost to the colony. Nothing but a consideration of these things prevented the Government from recommending that the service shotld be discontinued. The service had occasioned a great deal of trouble, and the Postmaster-General, in so far as the route of the steamers was concerned, had been converted into a sort of unattached director of the company i The service was now getting into good working order, and it must be admitted that the mails were being carried by magnificent boats, and for this colony it meant a great saving of time on the carriage of letters. This Government had suggested three alternative routes; but the Sydney Government had not yet made any answer. That Government, supported by the Imperial Government,wished thecontinuance of the Fiji route, which was unsafe, unworkable, and unreliable, but the present Government seemed inclined to relax from that position and entertain the question of an alteration in this shape, that instead of the mail steamers doing the coastal service, the Bay of Islands should be made the port of call for this colony, which would save some 200 miles, but no provision was made for the coastal service, This was in accordance with what was known as the 0, Service. The present idea seemed to be to do the poastal service with smaller boats j but the company said polhing about a reduction of the subsidy, Since this desire to do away with the coastal service was expressed, it was a singular coincidence that they heard complaints by the company of the dangers of the coastal service, and entering and leaving Port Chalmers. So the matter stood at present, and Qovernipent thought it better to ask a Select Committee to consider what Changes should be made in the contract, and on what terms. The Government would be guided by the advice of the House in selecting the committee. They had chosen two members from each of the large provinces of Wellington, Auckland, Otago, Canterbury, and one member from the other provinces. Whether or not the House approved of what the Government had done in the past, Government had endeavoured to do the best it could in the interest of the country, and were of opinion, if the service can be kept up, it will be a great advaatage to do so.

The motion was then agreed to. Mr Stevens is to be substituted for Mr Rolleston, Mr Macfarlane for Sir G. Grey, and Mr Macandrew has given notice that he will move an addition to the committee of Mr Joyce's name, representing Southland. ([Per Press Agency .) The House resumed at 7.30Sir G. Grey’s motion—" That the House ask the Governor to cause £SOO to be placed on the estimates for an essay on grasses and forage plants likely to prove useful in New Zealand,” was agreed to without a dissentient voice. The Premier moved the second reading of the Registration of Electors Act, 1875, Repeal Bill, f owing to defects in the Act. Considerable confusion arose as to its interpretation, and a great many ratepayers had been struck off the roll in consequence in several parts of the colony. It was therefore thought better to strike it off the statute book at once.

This led to a long discussion; the majority, while agreeing that the Act contained many imperfections, and. had been mischievous in effect, the principle was still good, and it would be a pity to repeal it unless a more maturedly considered measure was brought down in its place. A number of members agreed to vote for repealing the Bill, if the Government would pledge themselves • to bring in a proper measure, embodying the principles of the present Act, and remedying its defects; if not they would prefer to assist in amending the Act, Other members suggested that some clauses should be introduced into the Repealing Bill, with the object of remedying the defect complained of.

The Premise said they felt bound to take into consideration such a strong expression of opinion, and if the House would take the second reading of the Repealing Bill, he would postpone its further consideration for a fortnight, and promise that during that time the Government would carefully consider all the objections raised, and suggestions offered as to the present Registration Bill, with a view to meet them in some way. The House adjourned at 9.30 p.m.