GENERAL ASSEMBALY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 980, 16 August 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBALY.

[By Telegraph.] [per press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, August 15. The House met at 2.30 p.m. WAIRAU HEADS LIGHTHOUSE. Replying to Mr Murray-Aynsley, Mr McLean said the Goyernmeut intended to put a lighthouse at Wairau Heads, which would suit vessels seeking shelter in Port Underwood. CHRISTCHURCH EIRE BRIGADE STATION. Replying to Mr Richardson, Government said they did intend that the' Christchurch Government Buildings and railway station should be connected with the fire brigade station by telegraph. THE WAKATIP RUNS. Replying to Mr Burns, Mr Reid said he had no further information thau what appeared in the Otago papers as to steps being taken to enforce the payment of overdue rents from present holders of the Wakatipu runs. He was aware of large arrears being due. The commission had power to enforce payment, and. would be instructed to protect the revenue. FIRE BRIGADES. Replying to Mr Reynolds, Major Atkinson said the Government were not yet prepared to say if they would grant all fire brigades a donation according to the estimated value of government buildings in the district, OTAGO DRY DOCK. Major Atkinson said that the Government intended to provide facilities in the Otago dry dock for removing steamer boilers for repairs. LAND GRANTS. Replying to Mr Lusk, Major Atkinson promised to lay on the table papers relative to claims by the Auckland defence force to land grants for the services in 1863-1864. KARAMEA. Replying to Dr Henry, Mr McLean said the Government would take care to maintain postal communication between Westport and Karamea. RAILWAY CARRIAGE MANUFACTURE. Mr Ormond promised Mr Macandrew a statement showing the relative cost of railway carnages delivered in the colony from England, as compared with the amount paid by the Provincial Government of Otago to Findlay and Co., of Dunedin, for such carriages manufactured by them. OTAGO MUSEUM. Major Atkinson told Mr Macandrew that the Government had given no authority for opening the Dunedin Museum on Sunday. CANTERBURY ROAD BOARDS ORDINANCE. Replying to Mr Wakefield, Mr Wuitakek said the omission of imprint.to Canterbury Road Boards Ordinance in no way invalidated it, as the original could be provided. interest on loans. Numerous questions by Mr Rees as to interest on Loans and Treasury Bills were categorically replied to by Major Atkinson, new BILLS. Bills introduced—St. Andrew’s Clmrch Trustees Incorporation Bill (Travers), Works of Art Copyright Bill (Travers), Bill to enable the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute to raise funds to defray liabilities (Stafford), New Zealand Law Secretaries Act Amendment Harper) PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS. On Mr Reynolds’s motion, a committee was appointed to consider the question of thecustody and control of the Parliament Buildings. DR. BAYNTON. . Mr Sheehan’s motion, for correspondence relating to.the claim of Dr F. J. Baynton for professional services, rendered at the request of the police, in relation to the murder of Dennis Shanaghan, near Auckland, was withdrawn, as Mr Bowen said the amount allowed by law had been tendered, but this case was one of hardship, and a reasonable allowance would be made to Dr Baynton for his services. • POPULARLY ELECTED GOVERNORS. Mr Stout moved —“ That in the opinion of the House the Governor of the colony should bo elected by the people of the colony.” It woidd probably be urged as one objection that such a proposal was unconstitutional, but this objection reminded him of the objections raised in the Japanese Parliament to the abolition of Hari Kari. It would also be urged that the motion would destroy the dependence on and sympathy of the colony with the mother country. Mr Sewell, when Minister of Justice, in 1870, speaking from the Government Benches, had, however, gone much beyond what was now ,proposed, and said this was a question which must one day be solved. Mr Waterhouse also had gone almost to the extent of urging New Zealand should become independent. All he now asked was'the right of electing an Executive officer. He did not think this increase of a political power would at all affect the loyalty of people or the relation between the colony and Empire. The Governor being appointed by, and responsible to no outside authority, was destructive to national life. The colony should regard itself in all things. As to the objection that an elected Governor woidd be a partisan, the question of election made little difference. Elected superintendents had been quite as independent and impartial as a nominated Governor. He did not wish to prescribe any particular mode of election, but simply have it laid down that the people are the source of all political power. This would tend to create what was the great need by the colony, viz., political opinion. The present state of parties in the House showed the want of this. In other colonies a feeling was growing up in a similar direction. Mr Tole seconded the motion. Ho did got think a nominated Governor could com*

mand the confidence of the people to the extent that was desirable. The present system was merely a fashion which could be well changed. Governorship should be an object open to the laudable ambition of every colonist. A nominated Governor had already forced abolition on the colony against the will of the people, and this fact justified the colony in setting aside any previous understanding with the Imperial Government. As to the appointment of Governor, when one party broke faith, all compact was at an end. Mr Bowen said,Mr Stout evidently thought the subject one for a debating society, and so he would not discuss it at length. The proposal really was to take from Parliament a large portion of its power. Parliamentshould have full power, and no one outside should be able to say he more fully represented the whole people. That would be the inevitable result of. the motion. The colony should steer clear of what the Americans termed one-man-power. History showed that tyranny and anarchy were the inevitable result of an- elected head, except.in America, where it was on its trial, and that country had been plunged into war through the election of a president. Responsible government, as we understand it, could not be carried on fairly or properly if the head of the State was merely head of a party. Such a subject should not even be lightly raised. The experience of Provincial Governments, as they grew larger, showed how impossible it was to graft on a. system of parliamentary government such a totally different system as having an elected executive head. The House should not waste time discussing such motions. Dr. Hodgkinson believed that responsible or party government had been the curse of the colony. Old. American colonies used to elect their governors with the most satisfactory results. In the course of his speech he alluded to the Governor as a partisan. . Major Atkinson rose to order. The Speaker ruled the remark out of order. Dr. Hodgkinson said it would not be held so in the House of Commons. Mr Stout and Mr Rees supported him. Sir G. Grey moved that the words be taken down. Tins was negatived on the voices, and Dr, Hodgkinson proceeded speaking at considerable length in support of the motion. Mr Reid warmly defended himself from accusations made - by Dr. Hodgkinson that he had deserted the principles he advocated in 1875 and 1876. His conduct throughout had been consistent in 1875. He had opposed »ay compromise about abolition without a reference to the constituencies, but their leaders had agreed to terms which yielded up the victory. Then, seeing it hopeless to repeal abolition, he abandoned an obstructive opposition, and accepted the verdict of the country. This was the proper constitutional position. The provinces being abolished, lie declined to bind himself longer to a party with whose other principles he was not in unison. He saw no'reason why, because he had differed with the Government on a question which had passed away, he should always remain in opposition to them. It was not contemptible ambition or personal benefits that led him to join the Government, but the higher motives that he could do good to the part of the colony he represented hj doing so. In every respect he challenged investigation into his conduct. The debate was interrupted by the dinner hour.