GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1056, 15 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [pee press agency.] HOUSE OF BEPBESENTATIYES. Wednesday, November 14. The House met at 2.30 p.m. In reply to Mr Hislop, Mr Larnach said they would cause enquiries to be made regarding the expenses incurred by local bodies in surveying the Oamaru and Nnsoby railway line to see whether the Government should contribute. In reply to Mr Stafford’s question whether there is any foundation for the statement circulated in the colonial press on the authority of “Our own correspondent,” to the effect, that officers of the Civil Service of New Zealand were placing difficulties in the way of the present Government obtaining information as to the public affairs of the colony, Sir G. Grey replied that the reports in question had not been published by authority of the Government. THE PINANCIAL STATEMENT. In reply to Mr Stafford, Mr Larnach said he proposed to make his financial statement on Monday evening next, but this was contingent on his being given fair play, and not being interrupted by the action of the Opposition. new bills. Financial Arrangements Act Amendment Bill (Sheehan), Public Works Act Amendment Bill (Larnach), Native Lands Act Amendment Bill (Sheehan). Mr Sheehan stated that in moving the second reading of this latter Bill to-morrow, he would make his statement on Native affairs.

Sir B. Douglas moved that the House will to-morrow resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, to consider an address to His Excellency, praying that he will cause to be placed on the Supplementary Estimates the following sums for works set opposite to them respectively: —Boad from Mangaturoto to Waikakei, £1000; for opening road at Buautangata, £300; wharf at Whangarei Heads, £6OO ; road at Maungakaramea, £800; tramway at Kamo, £2OOO ; Mangapai wharf, say, £BO0 —total, £5500. In doing so, he pointed out the claims and necessities of the works.

Mr Dxgnan seconded and supported the motion.

After some discussion, in which Mr Whitaker and Mr Lusk supported, and Mr J. C. Brown opposed the motion, Mr Sheehan said he -was glad to see at last a disposition to do justice to North Auckland. He had for a long time fought the battle, and had been opposed by the late Government. He thought these works were fairly provincial liabilities. So, indeed, were many other works in the district north of Auckland. On going into committee the Government would take such action as the financial condition of the country permitted. After the financial statement the House would know what funds were available, and, if the finances permitted it, more justice would be done to North Auckland than was contemplated on the present estimates. The district was a valuable one, which required opening up, and the Government had every disposition to do all they fairly could for it with the funds available. Mr Rees pointed out the very low amount of the Auckland provincial liabilities as compared with those of other provincial districts, The motion only asked for a very small instalment of justice. The people there were heavily taxed to pay interest on money spent in public works elsewhere. Out of some £BOO,OOO provincial liabilities and supplementary estimates to be provided for this year by the colony, Auckland was only to get some £20,000, although in area the largest, and in population and contribution to the revenue the second provincial district in the colony. Mr Gisboene thought the late Superintendent of Auckland had not been as wise in his generation as the other Superintendents, who, as children of the light, had been able to make all sorts of appropriations in conjunction simply with the Colonial Treasurer under the Provincial Appropriations Extension Act, which enabled this to be done. Taranaki and Marlborough had absolutely committed the colony each to a larger extent than Auckland. These!i abilities were imposed by consent between the Superintendents and the Government of the day and the House should do justice now as far ns possible to those provincial districts which had not been thus favored.

Mr Reynolds said the land revenues in Otago and Canterbury would ultimately cover their liabilities. He contended and could prove that within the last twenty years the expenditure in proportion to contribution to revenue was greater in than ir. either Canterbury or Otago. Within the last shreo years no province had received anything like so much as Taranaki.

Mr Kv.hr y and Major A.TKTNSOK declared this statement to be totally fallacious.

Mr Macandeew pointed out that the provincial liabilities of Otago were nearly a” contracts, extending over some years, and not arrangements between the Superintendent and Colonial Government.

Mr Hunter made a similar explanation in regard to Wellington. The assets would meet the whole liabilities. The motion was agreed to. NATIVE LAND BILL. The Native Land Act Amendment Bill (Rees) was ordered to be committed this day three months. ENDOWMENTS. Mr Murray moved— (l). “That each county in New Zealand should have a permanent inalienable endowment of Crown lands in proportion to the area of such county, and the endowment, where possible, to be within the county.” (2). “That each municipality in New Zealand should have a permanent inalienable endowment of public lands in proportion to population, and the endowment where available to be within the municipality.”

Mr 6’Rorke drew attention to the manner in which advantage was being taken of the law allowing municipalities to acquire endowments of land. Municipalities in Canterbury were getting 20,000 acres each outside their boundaries, and without the House being consulted, while he actually could not without the assent of the House and the Governor obtain a small endowment for Onehunga, although the land was within the borough. He would move an amendment by way of addition to the effect that no more endowments outside municipal boundaries under the Municipal Corporation Act 1876 should be made and new grants be issued before the close of next session, so as to enable the House then to consider the question of endowing municipalities on a uniform system. Mr Burns objected that it would be very unfair to thus suspend the operation of the law.

Mr Montgomery proposed to exercise the words “in proportion to the area of such county” in the first resolution. He thought Mr O’Rorke’s proposal most unfair. The whole subject of endowments would no doubt have to be considered at an early period, and in connection with the subject of subsidies. Mr Stevens supported the motion, as it indicated a proper direction, although no practical effect might immediately follow. He could not support Mr O’Rorke’s proposal. The time was rapidly coming, if it had not come, when subsidies from the colony to local bodies must cease. The only thing then to be done was to give them endowment from the public estate. Mr Macandrew thought Mr O’Eorke’s proposal would be very unfair, especially as several applications for endowment were pending. After further’discussion,

Mr Whitaker supported Mr O’Eorke’s proposal. The boroughs throughout the colony should be dealt with on some uniform system. Sir G-. Grey said the Government would most carefully consider the subject of endowments during the recess, and endeavour to devise a measure to give practical effect to Mr Murray’s proposal. They felt bound to try and make the institutions they found existing as effective and useful as possible, and endowments such as those proposed were one means towards this end.

Mr Moorhouse pointed out how very unfairly Christchurch had been treated in the matter of endowments, and the 20,000 acres now granted was ridiculous compensation for the reserves, of which, for the good of_ the colony, the city had years ago been deprived. He should continue to agitate for adequate justice being done. Mr Bowen thought it would be most unjust to prevent the endowments already applied for by boroughs being granted as proposed by Mr'O’Eorke. Each case should be dealt with on its merits. Mr Burns opposed Mr O’Rorke’s proposal as a most unfair one. The debate was interrupted.