GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 646, 14 July 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From, a correspondent of the Press.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, July 12. new zealand fisheries. In reply to the Hon Mr Chamberlain as to whether it was the intention of the Government during the present session to bring in any Bill for the better preservation of the New Zealand fisheries, Hon Dr Pollen replied that the matter was now under the consideration of the Government, and he should in a few days be in a position to declare what the Government proposed to do. LOTTERIES BILL. The Lotteries and Art Unions Bill passed through committee. Hon Dr Pollen proposed to add words to the clause 4, by which it would be in the power of justices to exempt bazaars for charitable and religious purposes from the operation of the Act, but the majority of the Council were averse to the motion, Col Brett leading the Opposition. He considered that bazaars, as at present conducted, were swindling under the cloak of charity or religion as much as any other kind, The additional clause was rejected by thirteen against seven. SAVINGS' BANKS. Some discussion arose on the motion of the Hon J. Hall—" That having regard to the large aggregate amount of deposits in the Post office Savings' Banks, it is in the opinion of the Council highly expedient that the terms upon which repayment of these deposits may be demanded by the depositors Bhould be considered by the Colonial Goyernment." In putting forward the motion the hon gentleman pointed out that the total deposits in the savings' banks of the colony amounted to nearly three quarters of a million pounds, and the system which the Government work upon was to invest this money in New Zealand securities held in New Zealand. In these circumstances he thought that under certain conditions, such as the demand for repayment to a very large amount, the Government might be put not only to great inconvenience, but might find it impossible to meet the demand at once. By way of applying greater force to his remarks, he referred to the crisis in connection with the savings banks of France in the year 1848, and afterwards directed attention to the improved system introduced by the Austrian Government, suggesting that the Government of New Zealand should effect an alteration in the ruleß applying to savings banks, and decide that the whole of the deposits should not be repayable on demand. Hon Dr Pollen replied, to the effect that the subject had been previously obtruded on the attention of the Government. He thotght the action proposed by Mr Hall would not have a beneficial effect, but that to make a eudden alteration such as that suggested would be to expose a feeling of insecurity, and thus destroy confidence in the savings banks. No such contingency as was feared by the hon member was likely to occur. The motion was agreed to. DISQUALIFICATION ACT. The Council appointed a committee to answer the provisions of the Disqualification Act. CONSOLIDATION OF LEGISLATION. < The Council agreed to Mr Waterbouse's motion that an address be presented to the Governor, requesting that he will cause a Royal Commission to be issued, with a view to the consolidation of the existing legis lation of the colony, and to provide for the incorporation of amending enactments, as they are passed with the consolidated law. CENSUS ACT. The Census Amendment x\ct was passed, which provides for the taking of the census in 1881. CASE OF SMYTHIES The petition committee brought up a report on the petition of Henry Smythies, who complains of the retrospective action of the Law Practitioners Act of 1868. His petition was supported by nineteen members of the profession in Dunedin, and the committee recommended that the Government should during the session bring in a Bill to remove the inability the petitioner suffers under. On Tuesday Colonel Brett is to move accordingly. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, July 13. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30. QUESTIONS. The following questions were asked : 1. Mr TAIABOA—If the Government will, during the present session of Parliament, introduce a Bill to provide greater facilities for ascertaining the succession to intestate natives being grantees of lands granted nnder the different laws of the colony. (2) Mr D. Reid—lf there is a clause in the contract for the conveyance of immigrants making it imperative that the vessels Bhould be fitted with Mr Clifford's boat lowering apparatus, and, if so, to ask if he will be prepared to alter the conditions iu future, so that vessels fitted with the boat lowering apparatus, known as " Douglas' Patent," may be used to carry immigrants under the Government contract. (3) Mr Reynolds—Whether the Government intend instituting an official inquiry as to the allegations stated to have been made by the captain of the City of Ban Francisco, that the steamer touched the ground on entering and leaving the port of Oiago. To which replies were given as follows : (1) That the Government have the matter under consideration. (2) The Government had power under these contracts to . have immigrant ves- . fitted with any apparatus they liked. By the charter party it was stipulated that Clifford's should be used, and through that having been approved by the Immigration Commissioners in England, some difficulty might arise; but the Government would undertake to make inquiries to Bee what can be done towards fitting up the ships with Douglas' patent. (3) The Commissioner of Customs would obtain a report from the local authorities. He did not believe himself that the vessel had touched, and the Surveyor-General, who was a passenger on the occasion, stated positively that she did not touch. FIRST READINGS, The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Counties Bill, Bluff Harbor Board'Bill. The second reading of the former was fixed for Tuesday. MOTIONS AGREED TO. The following motions were agreed to Without debate IM-

Mr Tesohemaker —"That all correspondence between the Superintendent and Executive of Canterbury, and the General Government relative to the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the administration of the Waste Lands and Survey Department of that province be laid before the table of the House and printed." Mr Williams—" For a return of the quantity of land that has been purchased by the Government from the natives in Mangonui, Hokianga, and Bay of Islands districts under the Immigration and Public Works Acts. Also a quantity of land under negotiation, and a statement showing the general quality of the land purchased as far as can be ascertained from reports of surveyors." BROWN COAL COMMITTEE. The names of Messrs Rowe, Burns, and Kennedy were added to the committee on brown coal. NATIVE LANDS ACTS. The motion of Mr Lusk that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon the working of the Native Lands Acts now in force in this colony, and the best method of promoting the individualizing of the title to native lands, and the acquisition by Europeans of such lands as are not required for the use of the native owners, such committee to consist of ten members —viz, Mr Curtis, Sir G. Grey, Hon fair D. McLean, Mr McFarlane, Mr Montgomery, Mr Moorhouse, Hon Mr Stafford, Mr Stevens, Mr Wakefield, and the mover, five to be a quorum, aod the committee to have power to call for persons and papers, has been postponed for a fortnight, the Native Minister stating that the Government measure dealing with native lands would be brought down within that time. WANGANUI HARBOR BOARD. The second reading of the Wanganui Harbor Board Bill was postponed till Friday week. REGULATION OP ELECTORS. In committee on the Regulation of Elections Bill, Mr Whitaker moved that in clause 3, second line, the following words be added, "or on the written request of at least two-thirds of the members of the local body of any district," which was agreed to. Clause 9 was amended by the substitution of fourteen for twelve in the first line, five for three in the fourth line, and ten for seven in the same line. Clause 84 was amended by the addition of a provision giving to the Returning Officer in case of two candidates polling an equal number of votes a casting vote, but he is not otherwise to vote at any election. The Bill was then reported, read a third time, and passed. NASEBY WATERWORKS. The Naseby Water Works Empowering Bill was also passed. (Per Press Agency) Upon the House resuming at 7.30 the debate on the Local Option Bill was continued, Mr Lusk making a very eloquent speech in defence of the Bill. The debate was interrupted by the announcent of Dr Featherston's death, and the House adjourned.

POLITICAL INTELLIGEROE.

(From a corespondent of the Press .) Wellington, July 13.

The Canterbury caucus yesterday was attended by all the members of that province in both Houses, Ministers excepted. Nothing was done beyond the appointment of a committee to consider the proposal of the Olago committee, which consists of Messrs Macandrew, Larnach, Bastings, Reid, and Hodgkinson, re financial separation. The names of the committee are not divulged. The Hon John Hall, who brought the matter before the meeting, oljecting to their publication. This committee is also empowered to treat with similar committees from other provinces The Times this morning statea that Mr Stafford stated plainly at the meeting that he could be no party to any conference on a provincial basis. So far as I can learn the details of the scheme are proving less easy of management than the Otago managers supposed. The bare outline at present sketched, and all that is decided on, is one province in each Island, Wellington being the seat of the Federal Government. It ia stated that the negociation originated with a section of of the Canterbury members, was taken up by Auckland, and Mr Macandrew took the initiative with the result already known. The decision of Sir G. Grey to sit for the Thames was arrived at only during the ! dinner hour yesterday. In the morning he professed to adhere to his original determination of resigning that scat; that would have been his choice on the first day of the session if Mr Mackay's petition had no% utood in the way of him electing at once, and his present indecision has resulted from the uncertainty of his party accepting the candidature of Mr J. M. Clark for Auckland West in their interest. The latter has gained credit for thorough independence, and true to it he has declined to be fettered in any way in hie line of action if returned to the House, He is an opponent of separation, but on all other points is at all fours with Sir G. Grey's party. The writ for Auckland West having been transmitted by telegraph, a 9 provided by the Act of last session, Colonel Balneavis, the returning officer, will to-morrow notify the nomination and the election days, so that no time will be lost in giving to Aucklnnd City her second representative. If it be true that Sir George and Mr Clark have come to an understanding re separation, which in no ways interferes with the latter's independence of position, he being at liberty to oppose it if it is not showu to his satisfaction to be to the advantage of Auckland,which is meeting him with uuusual generosity, I should not be surprised to find Mr Clark returned unopposed, and if he meets with opposition, it will be of the lamest kind. It is admitted on all sides that he will prove a very useful member, and his business qualifications and thorough knowledge of finance will cause him to occupy a prominent position among the members of that province. Last night Sir George Grey told the House that at a large meeting of his constituents of Auckland West, the proposal was made to him that if he desired to stand for another district they would elect another member to assist him in advocating the views he held, and to which the constituency were so warmly attached, and that the Thames constituency had pressed him to retain his seat for that district. In the interests of this party he has acted well, for they gain a vote, as had he elected to sit for Auckland West, the Thames would for a certainty have returned as Mr Kowe'a colleague the mayor of the borough, Mr Macdonald, who is an abolitionist cf advanced typa, and likely to give Government a general support.

Mr Wason has given notice of a Bill to establish a Land Board for Canterbury to deal with the runs on the expiration of the present leases. The following is a sketch of its main provisions Not less than one year before the expiration of the present arrangements for leasing or licensing waste lands between the Provincial Government of Canterbury and the runholders, the runs shall be put up to public auction, and the highest bidder shall be deemed the purchaser : Provided always that before any bid at auction shall be received, the bidder shall provide such security as may be deemed necessary for the carrying out of any contract he nny enter into : provided always that the Superintendent shall fix the upset price of such lands which in no case shall be less than the present rental. Preemptive rights must either be purchased before the 30th April, 1880, or they shall revert to the Crown, provided always that any purchaser of any run not being the present holder shall take over at a valuation any improvements, buildings, fencing, and stock that may be thereon, and shall pay for the same before he shall be entitled to receive legal possession. The Canterbury Education Reserves Sale and Leasing Bill, introduced by Mr Rolleston, declares that the reserves made by the Provincial Council a 3 an endowment for technical science schools, and the promotion of superior education shall be open for sale on the same terms and conditions as ordinary lands in the provinces; and provides for the leasing of the same. It consists of eleven clauses.

The Times this morning says the proposals of the Government as to the future disposal of native lands will be before the House shortly. It is not proposed to use any pressure to induce natives to sell their lands, but when so disposed the Government will undertake to survey and sell the land in the same way in which the waste lands of the Grown are disposed of by Waste Lands Boards, and give the native owners a direct interest iu the result by alloting to them a fair proportion cf the price realised. The Counties will not, as generally supposed, be identified with the educational districts, but be larger than proposed by Mr Stafford in 1869. The Government intimate their willingness to alter the boundaries, if the desirability of doing so is established. It is calculated that the session has already cost £12,900. The land revenue of the North Island in 1875 was £64,601, and of the South Island £"06,557. The charges on the North revenue for 1876-7 for education only, amount to £43,583; there will be charged also for interest oniloans, railways, and works in progress, probably £200,000, the balance of which will have to be paid out of the consolidated revenue.

The Argus says Mr Stafford disclaims all sympathy with the Canterbury and Otago movement.

1 hear that Mr Pyke if to be the second magistrate for Dunedin.