GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1021, 3 October 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [pee press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, October 2. hawke's hay land trans actions. The Speak eh road a letter from the Hon. Henry Russell, slating that, having had an opportunity of perusing the letters in Mr Locke's possession which were quoted by Mr Ormond in the Hawke's Bay Land Transactions Committee debate, he had no objection to the whole, thirteen in number, being laid on the table of the House. The letters were enclosed. Mr Stout read a long statement from Mr Henry Russell, detailing all that took place between hiuiself, Mr Cox, and Sir George Grey, in reference to the Tanpo land transaction. He moved that this statement and letters should be printed. This wa3 agreed to. Sir George GrßEYthen, as a matter of privilege, moved that the proof's of the " Hansard " report of the debate on the Hawke's Bay laud transaction be laid on the table. He had reason to believe that they differed considerably from the report in "Hansard." The Speaker said he had the proofs in the sealed packet before him. Major Atkinson said he thought the matter was a very grave one. What was proposed was to take the reporters' notes, instead of, according to Parliamentary practice, having the words taken down at the time they were used. What was proposed was really a dangerous invasion of the privileges of the House, if the character of members were to be affected in such a way he would not oppose proofs being laid on the table on this occasion, but he did not see what value could be attached to, or what use would be made of, them. He thought that Sir G-eorge Grey should be called on to say what use he proposed to make of them. The Speaker said that no innovation on the ordinary practice of taking down words was intended or contemplated. "Mr Eolleston did not think that "proofs" should be laid on the table, but if Sir George Grey thought the report as published in " Hansard " did not fairly represent tlw do*

b'Bte, he certainly was entitled to see the " proofs." He could then go before the Reporting Debates Committee, and point out what he complained of, and the committee could then report to the House. Mr Fox, while testifying to the general excellence of " Hansard " reporting, said that the reports were frequently and entirely wrong in proof. A member should not be called upon to justify his corrections, or have his character placed at stake on what the reporter might have written. The corrections made should be confidential between the member reported and the reporter. Mr Rees pointed out that the only words which could be taken down in the House were those which transgressed the rules of parliamentary debates. Grave charges affecting the character of members might be made without this, and yet members might strike those charges out of the report, and so escape all responsibility for them.

After considerable further discussion, in which Messrs Barff, Gisborne, Douglas, Evans Brown, Russell, Macandrew, Morris, Bowen, Stafford, Bunny, Hodgkinson, Sutton, Reid, and Sheehan took part. Sir George Grey consented to withdraw his motion in favor of the amendment by Mr Harper, proposing that the proofs should be referred to the Reporting Debates Committee, and to report as to the alterations made. This was agreed to. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr Evans Brown, the Peemier promised a return of the costs of the " Waka Maori "from December to July, and when and by whom the said cost was paid. In reply to Mr Sutton, the Premier said the Government did not propose to introduce any general measure dealing with Road Boards this session. DISTRICT RAILWAYS BILL. On the third reading of the District Railways Bill, Mr Rolleston pointed out that the Bill would probably impose heavy charges on the Consolidated Fund a few years hence. He would like to hear the Treasurer's views as to how far it was likely to affect the financial position of the country. Mr Tbavers thought that the Bill, especially the clauses guaranteeing 2 per cent., would lead to the construction of a number of lines which might lead to such an inci'ease of revenue as would well enable the Consolidated Revenue to bear the burden. He did not think that many railways would be made under the local rating clauses, or by counties. He would like to have seen the Government guarantee increased beyond 2 per cent. Major Atkinson said he was quite satisfied to trust to the wisdom of the people of the colony, only to construct railways where they would pay ; and that the increase of the general prosperity resulting from their construction would enable the revenue to bear demand for interest. Dr. Hodgkinson doubted the wisdom of over-loading the Consolidated Revenue with guarantees of interest. Mr Pyke thought the rating clauses were of very little value, but those enabling counties to construct lines were most valuable. The Bill was read a third time and passed.