GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 723, 13 October 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

{Per Press Agency.') LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, October 12. The amendments proposed by the Governor in the Building Societies' Bill appointing districts under the Act, and making the registrar of joint stock company registrar of building societies, also giving power to appoint a revising barrister, were agreed to. The postponed clauses of the Public Works Bill were considered in committee and agreed to. Some new clauses proposed by Hon Dr Pollen were agreed to without opposition. Hon Mr Bonar moved a new clause referring to tolls, which was agreed to. Clauses 174, 175, and 176, were struck out, and the Bill reported. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. October 11. The House resumed at 7.30. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. On the debate for going into committee of supply, Mr Thomson continued advocating immediate and continuous retrenchment. He contended that Otago would be infinitely worse off under abolition than before, and that the county system was a farce and an absurdity. Mr Lusk thought the resolution of the member for Nelson was an injury rather than an assistance to the Government, and not calculated to shorten the debate and advance the passing of the estimates. He deprecated the House abandoning its functions of criticising the estimates as they came up in detail, and trusting the whole matter to the discretion of the Government, who he felt assured, were not sincerely desirous of making any material retrenchment in the estimates, or lessening the cost of what he considered the most expensive civil service in the whole world. As regarded the cost of the customs of the colony of Victoria and of this colony, he pointed outj that the Vic orian customs cost £48,000, with double our population; the coat of the New Zealand customs was £42,000 per annum. The colony of New South Wales' customs cost only £35,000. It waa the same in all the other departments. He hoped the member for Nelson would withdraw his resolution.

Upon Mr Sharp's amendment being put, Sir G. Grey wished to know what change of Ministry was to be made during the recess, and who were to be the new Government—who were to have the administration of affairs? The House was standing on the brink of a very great precipice. They had been told that the Native Minister, the Minister for Public Works, and the Colonial Secretary, were to go, but they knew not who were to take their places. It was but right that the House should know the nature of the changes to be made, as they were tired of seeing the Ministers constantly appearing in new suits of clothes. He could not depend upon their premises of reduction, for they had these promises made last year. It appeared to him that all they desired was to spend, while they had money to spend, and then slip out of the difficulty like the late Premier. The hon gentleman then went on to criticise the management of the natives as disgraceful, and attributed the widespread disaffection of the natives, to the Native Minister purchasing large tracts of land from the natives at inadequate prices, while Land Purchase Commissioner, and adding that the Native Minister should not be allowed to leave the colony until the disputes now existing be« tween the natives and Europeans in regard to the lands were thoroughly adjusted. They ought not to entrust the welfare and interest of the natives to some unknown person. The Premier said the Government would support the motion of the member for Nelson, and disagreed entirely with the amendment of the hon member for the Thames. With regard to any change that might be made in the Ministry, and as to who were to be his future colleagues, he did not suppose that any one who might be called to the Ministry by him would be satisfactory to the member for the Thames. If it should be definitely settled who were to leave the Ministry, aa a change had to be made, he would inform the House; but if it were otherwise, he hoped the House would repose that confidence in him which it had already reposed. Mr Montgomery'B amerdment was then put and negatived, being lost on the voices Sir G, Grey's amendment was put, that the words " proposed to be added " be so added.

A division was called for, and the amendment lost bv 34 to 17.

Upon the clauses of Mr Sharp's resolutions being put, another division was called for, the result being—Ayes, 30 ; noes, 19. The House then resolved itself into Corn* mittee of Supply. A discussion was raised bv Mr Delatour in relation to an error in Mansard. Mr Ballance mentioned an instance where Sir G. Grey expressed his hope that the Imperial Government would send out a commission to inquire into the finance of the colony. This did not appear in Hansard, though reference to it did appear in the speech of the member for Avon. He was not aware whether this was merely an error) or the result of tampering with Mansard. Sir G. Grey said he was unaware how the omission was caused, as he was not aware that he had excised the passage, as he desired it to appear. Mr Babpp drew attention to other alterations in Mansard that he considered disgraceful. A speech of the member for Selwyn, in which he referred to the Timam Merald, was left out altogether, though that hon gentleman told him he never saw the slips of the speech. Mr Wakefield, who thought some imputation wan cast upon him, explained that

since he was a member of the House he never looked at the proofs of his speech, and did not intend to do so.

Mr Fitzroy said he supposed his speech wi" nmUted by accident. He never saw it.

The House went into committee. Executive Department—£23,Bßß. A long discussion ensued upon the Colonial Secretary's Office. Sir G. Grey, Mr Rees, and others, objected to the proposed increases.

Mr Brandon thought the best way to do, if they wanted to make reductions, would be to appoint a Commission to enquire into the several Departments, and see what reductions could be made.

Mr Rolleston deprecated reducing £SO here, filOO there, in small salaries. They should economise in luxuries, such as mail services. Mr Lusk proposed that the vote be reduced by £2OOO. The increase upon the whole vote of last year was £SOO The Premier explained that an unusual quantity of work would be entailed upon the Department in consequence of abolition, and though they would do their best to keep within the reduced vote, the work would have to be done, even if it had to be paid for ont of unauthorised expenditure. A division was taken upon Mr Lußk's amendment, which was lost by 30 against 16. Mr MURRAY-AYNSLEY then moved that it be reduced by £SOO, This was accepted by the Premier, and agreed to. The reduced vote was then agreed to. Printing department, £12,423 ; and store department, £llsO, were passed as printed. Geological department, £3335. A discussion took place on this vote, Mr Barpp leading the Opposition, on theTground that it was waste of money, and the department was presided over by a gentleman who, as actual results had shown, knew nothing of his business.

Hon Major Atkinson said if the vote were passed this session, the Government would look into the matter before next year.. Mr Sheehan defended Dr Hector, and said he had done good service so far as general results went, although he might, like other men, have made a mistake. Mr W. Wood took a similar view, but urged that the department be removed to Dunedin.

The item was passed. Electoral department, £4895, and Crown lands department, £7172, were agreed to. Inspector Machinery, £2OOO, and department of justice. £1175, were passed. Crown law office, £2262. Sir G. Grey wished to know whether the Bill draughtsmen were legal gentlemen. The Premier answered most of them were.

Hon W. H. Reynolds urged that the office of parliamentary draughtsman be filled up. Hon C. C. BOWEN said it would be filled np as soon as the Government could select a suitable person. The vote was agreed to. Supreme Court, £8232. Agreed to. At one o'clock Mr Bees said he was tired and would go no further with the estimates. He repeatedly ;moved that progress be reported and said the Government were trying to make up the time they had wasted by keeping members up to unreasonable hours. Mr WASON cried "shame," but was called to order by the chairman. He then went on to refer to the insult cast upon th* House and country by Mr Bees and others talking against time for twenty-four hours, and accused him, and those who acted with him, of bringing their party to an insignificant position by their obstructive tactics, and that they might have done good to the country if they had not wasted time systematically. Mr Bees and Mr Sheehan followed with flharp rejoinders upon the remarks of Mr Wason. The latter saying that some of his reflections were calculated to lead to a breach of the peace. After this episode the House went on passing the item District Courts £5720, and adjourned at 2.20. Thursday. October 12. The House met at 2.30. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. A fortnight's leave of absence was granted to Mr J. B. Brown. PARIS EXHIBITION. Mr Sharp asked if the Government intended to make any provision for the due representation of New Zealand at the Grand Exhibition at Pariß in 1878. The Premier said the matter was under the consideration of the Government, and in a few days they would let the House know what they decided. INSURANCE. In reply to Mr Hursthouse, the Premier said the Government were considering the advisability of establishing insurance offices at the various railway stations in the colony. They were fully alive to the importance of the question. THE ZEALANDIA. In reply to Mr Murray, Hon F. Whitaker said that an arrageraent bad been made in regard to the ship Zealandia, by which she was to be allowed £2O per day for demurrage for a certain number of days, and £3O and £4O per day for other periods. The demurrage began on the 9th, the ship having arrived eight or nine days sooner than was expected. The agent, who is at Sydney,he said, would be down here in a week. He should inform the House that a question was pending as to whether the ship was entitled to demurrage at all. As to the new cable, that would be laid quite irrespective of the old one, and on as good a line as it was possible to get, GOLDFIELDS ACT AMENDMENT. The Goldfields Act, 1876, Amendment Bill, was read a first time. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. Conaiderale time was occupied in a discussion raised by a motion by Mr Stafford to place Bir G- Grey's name on the public accounts committee. An amendment to put Mr Bees' name on the committee, though the Premier supported it, the SPEAKER said could not be done, unless by rescinding a former resolution excluding Mr Bees's name. Notice was given to move, to*morrow, for the rescinding of the resolution excluding Mr Bees's name. TELEGRAMS TO NEWSPAPERS. On a motion of Hon F. WHITAKER, a Select Committee was appointed, to report to the House what facility can be given to newspapers for the use of the telegraph, consistent with a due regard for its use by the public. INSPECTOR OP PRISONS; Mr BURNS moved—" That a cable telegram be sent at once to Great Britain, cancelling the appointment or promise of the

appointment of any person to the office of Inspector of Prisons." Mr Bowen pointed out that, although tho House this session decided not to proceed with the erection of a central prison, it was all the more reason why they should have the present prisons rearranged and the prisoners classified ; and the best way to do that would be to place the work under the supervision of a Ekilled inspector, whose duty it would be to see the regulations carried out. Very great improvement in the classification of prisoners and the management of gaols in England had been made of late years, and it must be remembered that there were not yet in New Zealand persons thoroughly acquainted with these improvements. So far as he was aware, there was not in New Zealand one person in the control of a gaol who, to his mind, poßses«pd the necessary qualifications for the office. For two years pressure had been put upon him in regard to this matter in favor of a particular officer in Dunedin. This was a question that should be dealt with apart from all local or party feeling. Mr Curtis hoped the House would not interfere with the action of the Government in the matter. He believed the gentleman referred to was an excellent gaoler, but he once had occasion to send some prisoners to Dunedin; not long after he received an account for the support of these prisoners. He replied that he was given to understand that Dunedin gaol was self-supporting and more than self-supporting, and that consequently he expected there wou'.d be a small sum coming to him. Of course he received a reply not at all satisfactory, except in so far as it convinced him, that notwithstanding what they heard as to the gaol being self-supporting, there were certain expenses attending the charge of prisoners.

Hon W. H Reynolds Baid that now that the whole press of Dunedin took up this man's case, and as pressure of other kinds was brought to bear, he thought it would establish a bad precedent for the Government to allow itself to be influenced in any particular direction. Mr Mtikbat and Mr Bishop deprecated going outside of the colony for officers who could be obtained in the colony, and warmly supported the claims of Mr (Jaldwell to be appointed inspector. In reference to the remarks of Mr Curtis, Mr Hislop said he knew the case of those Nelson prisoners, and could say that one of them was a very dangerous criminal, who could not be sent out with the other prisoners, and part of the time had two surgeons attending him. No doubt this somewhat increased the bill. Mr Delatour said Nelson was trying a little sharp practice, in endeavoring to get her worst prisoners kept free of cost. Sir G. Grey said he knew several persons in the colony who would establish a great reputation in such a position. He did not know where this practice of sending home for men waß to end. Why did they not send home for a Speaker ? Mr Sheehan deprecated sending home for an officer when they could get him in the colony. He regretted that Mr Caldwell's name had been dragged into the debate. Though an excellent man, and well adapted for office, he thought the present system of visiting justices sufficient for the wants of the colony for the present. Mr HARPER took an opposite view, holding that serious loss and mischief must result to the colony from the mistaken economy of saving £6OO a year, the salary of the proposed inspector. Mr Hunter said the whole thing ought to be left in the hands of the Government. Now that the prisonß came under their control, it would be absolutely necessary that some such officer should be appointed. Mr Henry only objected to the smallness of the salary. It was impossible New Zealand could get as good a man as she wanted for £6OO.

Mr Lumsden expressed his belief that Mr Caldwell would give every satisfaction in the way of classification if appointed, but he denied that the office was wanted at all. Mr Swanson suggested that whoever got most work out of his prisoners should be appointed. Indeed, he would prefer prisoners to be sentenced to so much work instead oE so many years. Tell the priseners, there is your pile of stones, and work your way out as soon as you like. He opposed going to this expense. Mr Fisher supported the resolution. He objected to colonists \ being shoved on one side in favor of importations that experience had shown them had been injurious to them. Mr Burns gave further facts in relation to the Nelson prisoners, to show that their control entailed considerable extra cost. A division was then taken, and the motion lost by 25 against 24. The Speaker left the chair. LAST NIGHT'S SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. MR PHILLIPS. In committee on the proposed appropriation of £3OO to Mr Coleman Phillips, The Premier opposed granting the money. He said it was carried in committee by one vote. He was quite prepared to grant £l5O. He believed the committee were unanimously of opinion that £l5O was reasonable compensation. Mr Sheehan strongly supported the £3OO. MrLusK considered the £3OO a pitiable compensation, when the whole circumstances of the case were considered. Mr Brandon and Mr Murray-Aynsley considered Mr Coleman Phillips had no claim beyond his expenses from Auckland to Wellington, and during his stay in the latter place. After a protracted discussion, the speakers for and against being pretty equally balanced an amendment was put that £l5O be inserted instead of £3OO, when Mr Andrew moved that sixpence be inserted, which Was lost on the voices. The sum of £l5O was then put, and carried by 30 against 27, and the resolution agreed to. BILLS ADVANCED. Protection of Animals'Act, Auckland Provincial Council Library Bill, Auckland Public Building Bill read a second time, also Cattle Importation Restriction Bill. HARBOR BOARD BILLS. The remainder of the sitting was occupied in passing the Harbor Board Bills, all being committed together, all of which passed through committee, the House sitting till three o'clock.