GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 650, 19 July 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From a corespondent of the Press .)

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 18. FIRST READING. The Thames Harbor Board Bill was read a first time. QUESTIONS, 1. Mr Swanson —If a return showing the cost of the establishment of the photo lithographic department, and the amount of work done since its commencement, stating what gain, if any, there has been to the colony, will be laid before the Hons?. 2. Mr Wakefield— Whether the Government have any information as to the whereabouts or movements of the murderer Sullivan, and if there is any probability of his returning to New Zealand. To which replies were given ; (1) That the paper asked for would be laid on the table. The cost of the department has been £2509, and the Engincer-in-Chief estimated thst a saving had been effected in the drafting in the Public Works Department of at least £2OOO a year. (2) The Government had no information whatever of Sullivan’s whereabouts, or the probability of hia returning to the colony. THE FEATHBESTON GRANT. A message was received from the Governor recommending the House to vote £3OOO to the unmarried members of the family of the late Dr Peatherston, in recognition of “ his eminent services to the colony during a long series of years.” The Premier, in moving that the House should at once go into committee of supply to consider hia Excellency’s message, rapidly sketched the career of Dr Featherston, and referring to his management of the AgentGeneralship said, under our Democratic form of government he had been placed in a position which created differences of opinion between him and the Government; but hon gentlemen who had studied the debates in the House would bear in mind that whenever any question affecting the Agent-General had been introduced the Government always upheld the AgentGeneral, stated that they had confidence in him, and defended him against any accusations brought against him, when those differences of opinion were forgotten. It would, in his opinion, be remembered by some of the hundred thousand persons who had been introduced into the colony that it was under his regime and arrangement such emigration took place. Of the personal character of Dr Featherston it was not for him to speak. He believed hon members were fully aware of the universal esteem in which Dr Featherston was held; his high mindedness, and character as a chivalrous gentleman. As to his public character, as a statesman, he had never heard attributed to Dr Featherston anything other than unselfish motives ; and he stood prominently forward amongst our public men as one who was universally regarded as a most unselfish statesman. [Hear, hear.] He was sure it would be a gratification to the colony to think that the House on the earnest possible opportunity had in some small measure shown its appreciation of him who could no longer be among us. The provision the Government proposed was not large, but it was not out of ordinary course. Under the Civil Service Act it was competent to vote equal to two years’ salary to the widow of any deceased officer. In this case there was no widow, but there were unmarried children, and he was sure it would have been gratifying to Dr Featherston before ho left this life had he known that such provision had been made for the children he was leaving behind him. The grant proposed would be very much enhanced in value if it I were unanimously acceded to. Therefore he hoped there would be an universal desire to go into committee at once, and that the vote would pass with the entire concurrence of all the members of both Houses. [Hear.] Sir G, Grey remarked that it was with particular propriety that it fell to him to second the motion. His acquaintance with the late Dr Featherston ranged over a period of thirty years, during the whole of which time he had taken a leading part ia public affairs. Never in his life had he known a man who had more unselfishly devoted himself to the public service. He was quite unprepared for this motion. If he had been he should have liked to have done so in language worthy of the man. The House could do nothing wiser to recognise absolute unselfishness in its public men. [Cheers.] They could do nothing more beneficent to the people of the country than to show it is always prepared to recognise services in the interests of .the public, especially to recognise these services when the individual who has performed them has in no respect sought his own end, nor attempted in any way to obtain large salaries, emoluments, or any great personal advantages over the people, Dr Featherston had not only for many years worked earnestly in many capacities, often under great personal privations, but always with a desire to promote the welfare of his fellow-colouists and to set in public affairs an example of high-mindedness, and how a man should serve his fellow men with an earnest desire to promote the public good rather than their own advantage. [Cheers,] Mr Fitzherbert, who was inaudible in the gallery, said he had lost a friend and the colony a great man. He himself thought Dr Featherston’s services should have received higher recognition. [Hear.] He might have enriched himself much, but among the able public men who had helped to make this country great he had died poor. After a few remarks by Mr Bees, Mr Stafford concurred in the desire expressed, that there should bo a larger recognition of the services of Dr Featherston than was proposed. He vas not going to add anything to what had had been so eloquently said by previous speakers, beyond paying his tribute to the energy, clear sightedness and amiable will, and above all the single-mindedness, of Dr

They knew, unfortunately, how some individuals were affected by being brought within the reach of temptation. Temptation had been held out to Dr Featherston, but he unswervingly put it aside. The Speaker had said that one of the greatest tributes to be paid to Dr Featherston’a memory was that though he had been in a position where he might have made himself wealthy, he had died poor. He did not think the country had come to that that it had become a special subject of praise to its leading men that they had resisted temptation. The fact was well known to them that there had been gentlemen who had been in the highest situations and had had equal temptations offered them, but who had not preserved the integrity of their ways as Dr Featherston had done. He trusted Parliament would support members who like himself desired to see some further recognition of Dr Featherston’s services than had been made.

The vote was agreed to. FINANCIAL DEBATE

On the orders of the day being reached, Sir J. Vogel said it had been brought under the notice of the Government that the members supporting the Government and those opposing them desired further time should elapse before discussing the financial statement; and in order to accede to that wish, the Government were willing to postpone the first, second, and third orders of the day till Friday, when he hoped members would be in a position to take up the discussion; but if reason were then shown for further postponement, the Government, being desirous to consult the convenience of members, would not oppose it. As the Government had not had time to consider the proposition of the members for Waikato and Geraldine, it would be convenient to themselves if this course were adopted. There was plenty of work before the House to fill up the intervening time, and he hoped members would assist the Government in pushing their business on. Mr Macandbew hoped before the financial discussion was commenced, the tables usually attached to the statement would be brought down and the public works statement delivered.

Mr Whitaker feared Friday next would be too early. The feelings of the Auckland members were that these returns and the works statement should be down first, and so save more than one debate. Sir J. Vogel was afraid if these tables were required before any discussion could take place, there would be no use in bringing down the financial statement so early in future. He did not think the tables could be prepared for ten days at the least. The question was whether the Government were strong enough to go on with the ordinary business and leave over for such a long period dealing with questions of this kind. It such a long delay was pressed for, he was not pro pared to say whether it would be convenient for the House, or agreeable to the Government, to proceed with business under such circumstances.

Hon E. Bichardson said he would be prepared to deliver his works statement on Tuesday, but the tables would only be approximate. He saw no reason for departing from the usual course, which was to wait till the Treasury accounts for the year were closed before bringing down the works statement.

Mr Wakefield, while agreeing that it would be better to have all the tables down first, expressed his willingness to take the discussion of his proposals on Friday. Sir J. Vogel repeated, if it was intended to press for a delay for ten days, which was a very unusual course, it would be better to adjourn for a fortnight. [Opposition cheers.] If Mr Wakefield was prepared to take the discussion on his resolutions on Friday, they would at once accede to his request, but if it was intended that both sets of resolutions should continue on the paper for a fortnight, the Government meanwhile to go on with the ordinary business, he was not prepared to say that the Government were willing to adopt that course.

Mr Stafford recognised that the Government was in a position to consider how far they would undertake the ordinary course of business with notices of such importance as had been brought down. It should not be for the member for Geraldine or Waikato, but the House itself, to determine the particular time and the mode matters of such essential importance should be discussed. He suggested that the Government should take till to-morrow to consider wha course of action they would take in regard to the resolutions, which were tantamount to financial revolution.

Mr Eolleston said the proposals of the member for Waikato should be discussed in the same manner as those of the member for Geraldine —viz, in committee of supply. Sir J. Vogel replied that the member for Timaru had just conveyed to the House a similar expression to what he had intended to convey—viz, that he was not then prepared to say what course the Government would take, Thsy were willing to go through the order paper this evening, but would consider whether it would be convenient to go on with the ordinary business for a fortnight uiril these resolutions were moved. The first three orders of the day were then postponed till BTiday. BILLS ADVANCED. Before the House rose at 5.30 the followBills were read a second time, and their committals fixed for Tuesday ; —Debtors and Creditors, Building Societies, and Fraudulent Creditors Bills. On the former Messrs Stout, Button, and Sharp spoke, condemnatory of the length of the measure. Messrs Stout and Button advocated the introduction of a measure remedying the defects of the Act of last session, and appointing official assignees. Mr Button urged that while creditors should be allowed to do what they pleased with estates, they should not have their present powers over the person and property of the debtor. He condemned the practice of allowing uncertifieated bankrupts to go about the country.

(Per Press Agency.') After the House resuming Jast night, the Hawkes Bay River Bill passed. The House then wentinto committee upon the Bating Bill, and a number of clauses were passed without material alteration. The Premier accepted Mr Whitaker’s suggestion that the travelling allowances to Judges should be done away with, and the Resident Magistrates be made Judges of Assessment Courts, with power to say where and when the Courts shall be held.

The Bill then forced itselt slowly through committee, as far as clause 36. Amendment after amendment had been discussed, and about one o’clock the Premier asked that progress bo reported, and the House ad' journed.