GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 705, 22 September 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

♦ {Per Press Agency ) HOUSE OF REPKESENIATIVES. Thursday, September 21. The House met at 2 30 NOTICES. Sir G. Grey gave notice to to introduce a Bill providing for the continuance for three years of every House of Representatives in New Zealand. Sir G. Grey also gave notice to move—“ That the original draft of the Polynesian scheme be laid upon the table.” PLANS OF TOWNS. On the motion of Mr Thomson, it was ordered that a return of all towns laid off under the Plans of Towns Regulations Act, be laid upon the table. FREE PASSES Mr Bastings moved—“ That free passes on the railways be issued to members of both Houses of Parliament,” He thought every member of that House ought to become acquainted with the natural features of as much of New Zealand as possible, and even if they used these passes in travelling upon their private business, he did not see that there was much objection in that. The practice obtained in other colonies, and ought to do so here. The Premier hoped the House would pause before agreeing to this. It appeared to him the natural result of this would be to enable hon members to live out of town and come into their business every day. He did not think the amount of information members would obtain in that way would be of any great value. The principal lines used under these passes would be the local lines, Mr J. E. Brown said the hon member had a good salary allowed him, besides travelling expenses and free passes. It appeared to him as if the hon member begrudged any privilege to others that he enjoyed himself. In this matter the Government were behind the Provincial Governments. From personal experience he was aware that this plan of free passes would have a salutary effect upon the management of our railways. In Canterbury the railway officials were always on the gui rive to know whether a M.H.R. or M. P.C. was on the line. Mr Stafford did not think the motion went far enough, and he begged to move that members of both Houses be allowed free passes by steamers and coaches, and also free hotel and lodging accommodation 1 Mr Lumsden thought the granting of free passes would encourage and promote travelling by railway, and that the railways would in the end really gain by the arrangement. Hon W. H, Reynolds was sorry the Government chose to oppose this motion. The practice prevailed in the other colonies, and in the province of Otago, and was found to

work admirably. Every member of parliament should be enabled to travel free over the whole of the colonial railways. Ho hoped the Government would agree to the proposal. Mr BURNS expressed extreme regret that the member for Timaru should have acted so unbecomingly in this matter Mr Rees thought the amendment eminently characteristic of the hon memo r, who had never originated anything, and who this Parliament did nothing but abuse people. The hon member cast ridicule upon this reasonable proposal, yet the honorarium was something in the same nature, and he presumed the hon member did not ridicule that, or refuse to take it. He thought the proposal a most reasonable one. Mr Murray-Aynsley opposed the motion. Mr Murray thought that instead of refusing the Government ought to give a premium to members to use the railways. Mr W. Wood supported. Mr Wakefield opposed the resolution and the amendment, the latter of which he considered a fit sequel to the other. Mr Swanson considered the principle bad, and would oppose it. He doubted the practical use of these passes. The amendment was rejected on the voices, and the House divided on the resolution, the result being that it was carried by 38 against 14. RABBIT NUISANCE, A discussion arose on the motion that the House concurs in the recommendation in the report of the rabbit nuisance committee. Mr W. Wood said the report was altogether one-sided, and should not be endorsed. The motion was agreed to on the voices. The report recommended that a Bill should be introduced to establish an inexpensive machinery to keep rabbits in check. LATE COLONEL ST. JOHN. Mr Henry moved— • That in consideration of the services of the late Colonel St John, a gratuity of two years’ salary be granted to his widow.” Mr O’Borke and Mr Carrington supported this. The Premier pointed out that they had already gone out of their way in granting one year’s salary. Besides, there were a great many gallant officers and men in the colony who would have as good a claim upon the Government. Mr Macandrew sympathised with the Premier in the invidious position he was in, but that in the financial position of the colony it was absolutely necessary to make a stand in these matters. Mr Hamlin and Mr Morris warmly supported the motion. Hon W. H* Reynolds and Mr Swanson strongly opposed it. Motion agreed to on voices. GRATUITIES, On motion of Mr O’Rorke it was agreed to appropriate £llO on the petition of Mr John Fahey ; and it was also agreed to appropriate £139 to meet the report of the committee in the case of Mr Farnell. ENDOWMENT TO CORPORATE BODIES Mr Kennedy moved —“ That a return be laid before the House showing, under convenient heads, the total area of lands reserved in each province of the colony by way of endowment for corporate or other public bodies, road district, where situate, whether town, suburban, or rural lands, date, authority, and the several purposes for which such reserves have been made ; also to include separately reserves proposed to be so made prior to the Ist of October of the present year.” This was agreed to, though the Hon C. C. Bowen said the information could not bo obtained this session, REFUND, On the motion of Mr Stout, the House ordered that George Henry Barnes be reimbursed all money proved to have been collected by him after office hours on the 29th May, 1875. LOAN CORRESPONDENCE. The Premier promised to lay on the table all correspondence relating to the £1.250,000 debentures recently sold in London. REPORTS TO BE PRINTED. On the motion of Mr Stout, it was ordered that all reports of select committees be printed, except those relating to the business of other committees. ROADS AND WORKS NORTH OF AUCKLAND. On the interrupted debate on the question—- “ That this House considers that the provision proposed to be made for roads and works in the districts North of Auckland is entirely inadequate to meet the requirements and necessities of those districts, and very much smaller than the share to which those districts are fairly entitled, regard being had to the area population of it,” without debate the House went to a division, and the motion was carried by 23 against 19. The House rose at 5,30. The House resumed at 7.30, and went into committee on the Municipal Corporations Act, and considered a number of fresh amendments. Further amendments will be introduced when the Bill is recommitted. The House agreed to the amendments made in the Indemnity Bill by the Legislative Council. Mr Whitaker moved the second reading of the Post-office Acts Amendment Bill, the object of which was to authorise the issue of postal cards. The Bill was read a second time without any debate. The House then went into committee on the additional sum to be put on the estimates for expenses of members in connection with their Parliamentary duties this session. The Premier announced, that as there was a general desire there should be something extra granted for the extra labor, and the protracted nature of the session, Government were prepared to agree that two hundred guineas should be granted this session. Mr Bbid said the resolution should be emended so as to include both Houses. He hoped to see the day when the the Upper Chamber would represent all shades and Ola 138. Mr Stout agreed with Mr Reid. Mr Brandon thought that Legislative Councillors might well forego any honorarium on account of the position bestowed on tinm. , ... Mr Reynolds thought that those residing in the City of Wellington should not receive any honorarium, but those who came from a distance should. Mr Brown (Ashley) thought the Wellington City members should not be paid, nor should any of the Legislative councillors. Mr Wason wanted to adopt a system of so much per day. Mr Montgomery objected to anything in the shape of paymmt of members. Nothing should be giren more than the ordinary expenses.

Mr BTEVENS thought it absurd to adopt any fixed sum whatever, but give a certain rate per day. Mr Howe said that although lie was quite independent of the honorarium, he was aware that the present honorarium did not cover the expenses of some members, Speakiug for himself, it cost him as much as Din a day for telegrams. Further discussion was put off until going into Committee of Supply; On the question of going into committee on the Law Practitioner’s Act Amendment Bill,being put, Mr Reynolds asked that the committal of the Bill be postponed until Messrs Haggitt and Macassey’s affidavits in connection with Mr Smythies' case were distributed. Mr Burns proposed—“ That the House go into committee that day six months,” and on a division being taken the motion was negatived Jby 32 against 18, The House went into committee. Mr Reynolds proceeded to read the affidavits, but a great deal of discussion ensued as to whether the hon gentleman was in order in reading the documents at length. Mr Reynolds moved that progress be reported, to enable the affidavits to be printed in the meantime, but it was negatived by 23 to 20. A very long discussion ensued upon clause 4 (no evidence to be given except to substantiate facts of which notice shall have been given). Messrs Stout and Wakbpibld strongly opposed the clause, and a division w is taken, the result being that the clause was struck out by 23 against 21. The Bill was then reported. The Premier gave notice that he would to-morrow ask for a further imprest supply. The following Bills were passed;—Roman Catholic Church Lands Bill ; Canterbury New Brighton Bridge Bill; Thames Domestic Water Supply Bill; Roxburgh Recreation Reserve Bill; and the Moa Flat School Reserve Bill. The House then adjourned 1.20.