GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1468, 31 October 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[SPECIAL WIRE FROM PRESS AGENCY.J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, October 30. In the Council to-day an effort was made to have the lines in the schedule to the Kail way Bill considered seriatim This was resisted by the Colonial Secretary, and the schedule passed as a whole by 20 to 9. The Bill was then reported. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was committed, amended, and reported The Public Works Amendment Bill was under consideration in committee at the adjournment hour. . .1-1 At the evening sitting the Council considered the amendments of the House of Bepresentatives in the Municipal Corporations Bill. Some were agreed to, others not, and the Bill was sent The same course was pursued with the Bating Bill. The Railway Construction Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council went into committee on the Public Works Amendment Bill, which was amended and reported. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, October 30. The House met at 2.30. CONCESSION TO WAGON COMPANIES, In reply to Mr Rolleston, Mr Macandeew t-aid the Government were prepared to grant a Christchurch Wagon Company the same concessions aa those given to the Otago Wagon Company. POLICE PAY. In reply to Mr Pyke as to whether sergeantmajors of police would participate in the general increase of pay, ~,.,, „. ~ Mr Ballance replied in the affirmative. THE SPECIAL WIRE ARRANGEMENT. On the motion for going into committee of Bupp'y, Mr Fox proceeded to move—" That the arrangement entered into with " Otago Daily Times," " Lyttelton Times." and Auckland " Herald " aha 1 be suspended till the machinery of the Telegraph D partment in a condition to grant equal privileges if required to all journals and Press agencies in the colony. Mr Fox referred iin detail to what took place in the previous debate on the question of special wireb, pointingout that it had been shown the machinery of the department was unequal to the task of fulfilling the contnets which the Government had agreed to cairy out. He wanted any arrangements of this kind established on a proper basis, so that even-handed justice might be meted out to all journals or ' ress agencies. The Ppkmier said the member for Mongonui called the arrangement a "na-ty " one. but such a term might be be more fittingly applied to the speeches of the hon. member. A misapprehension existed on the matter. After receiving the memo, of the general manager, and examining that gentleman, and questioning him tfosely they found that the general manager had been mistaken in his calculations, and consequently they had granted the application made to them on behalf of the eight papers. 1 here was no monopoly intended. The sole object ot the Government was solely to dc-troy an existing monopoly and secure for the Press of the colony the liberty of printing. When they came into office they found a monopoly existing, and the lion, member for Waikouaiti v/as the person who arranged that monopoly. (The Premier then read certain correspondence between the Presu A"ency and Government with regard to "collect" mes ages between New Zealand and Australia to explain the nature of the monopoly.) The object of the correspondence was to enable cable messages to be transmitted v/ithout prepaym nt. 1 he allegations made agai; st the Government with regard to establishing monopoly were perfectly untrue. !'e went on to explain the mode of dealing with special wires adopted in the old or untry to show that the Ministry acted perfeectly fau-ly, and, in the customary way in the untter. He mi the Government cool * not entortuin the motion of tbehon. member for Wargatiui. Major Atkinson sml the point of the case lad been missed altogether. He explained the monopoly which tlw Premier referred to, una read correspondence about it. Tt was really not a monopoly, nor had it any beam? upon the nre eut 'case inasmuch as it was only a convenience, and it was found in no way injurious to the public service. Me ridiculed the idea ot 4he onestion being one of free printing, as claimed by the Premier. The hon. gentleman went on to Bhow that there bact not been any »onop?!y in tin strict sense of the word granted

to the Press Agency or that the business itself was a m mopoly, and in general t> rnis condemned the action of tne Government with regard to its dealings respecting a special wire to certain papers. Mr Stou r expressed surprise at the speech of the list speaker. It was only after the resigna tion of the late Government that the concession to the Press Ag ney was discovered. He charged the late Government with making a con tract with regard to some further arrangement. He charged the Press Agency with political partisanship, and referred to the "Australasian." The Press Agency was afraid it could not exist without a monop ly. Mr GrsnoKNE condemned the special arrangements of the Government. He would move as an amendment —•'That no telegraphic concessions should be made to any newspaper except when previously published in the " Gazette." Mr Fisher said he was led into granting this monopoly to prevent complaints between evening and morning papers, but without intending to grant any improper advantage. Mr Joyce said the Press Agency from beginning had had a bad origin, having been estabFished by fcir J. Vogel. He spoke at Borne length to show that the Press Agency had too much power, and though he would not go so far as to say that the Press Agency's Parliamentary telegrams were falsified, yet there was a way of putting things so that one side of the House gained and the other side suffered. Tho monopoly was injurious, and the Government deserved credit for attempting to break it down. Mr BowEN considered the last gentleman's arguments very damaging to Government, becuse ic was an admission that tt.c m chinery of Government and money of the country were to be used to crush a monopoly obnoxious to the Government. He would leave it to the pipers before the House, to the statements of Dr. Lemon, to of the Minister for Telegraphs, to show that there had been no intention to grant to anyone else a like concession to that which had been granted, and that that granted subsequently to the Press Agency had not been contemplated. Mr Saunders said, however gross the job, it was one entered into, and he would not assist to upset it. There could be only cne opinion as to the nature of the arrangement made and that it was not a defensible one, otherwise they would not have had the spectacle of each Minister getting up and g ving a different version of the affair. Ihere was no doubt that an arr.igement had been made by which the people of the colony would lose £3OOO per annual. After some furtner remarks, the amendment of Mr Fox was negatived by 37 to 23.

MR BARLON AND THE JUDGES. Before going into Committee of Supply, Mr Barton roopentd the question of his grievance against the Judges. Be said that the statement ho recently made in the House was correi tly reported, and he was prepared to substantiate by evidence the charges therein nuda. Be read a letter of the Government informing him they could not take action until he particularised his charges. Be said that he considered that reply most unsatisfactory, as he maintained that tae allegations made re Spence, and Pearson, and Gillon, and MeDonajd were such as ought to be inquired into. There were ab nit ten other charges which he would proceed to particularise. Mr Bowen raised a point of order to the effe t that such charges ought to be made in writing. After some discussion and careful consideration by the Speaker, he cited " Todd" to show that in any statement impugning the position of the Judges the Government themselves should h.ve investigated the compliints before orderi <g Parliament to interfere. When similar charges had been mide the Government did n-t feel justified in ordering the interference of Parliament, and as the charges now made were only in a new form, he did not think the hoi. gentleman should continue makingthose charges. After some further discussion, ' Mr Bakton Baid he would that evening move —"That in the opinion of this House the changes made by the member of Wellington against the Ch ef Justice and his Honor Justice Richmond ought to be inquired into without delay." Koferriug to the remarks of the Speaker that in defending himself, he should not act on the aggressive, Mr Barton said he really only a-ting ou the defensive. He believed that if he had not ceased to practice in the Supreme Court, attempts would have been made to have him struck off, so that he might be unable to practice his profession for the miiir trance of his family. Never since the indignity of the month's imprisonment—an indignity which neither he nor his were ever likely to forget—had those who puui-hed him condescended to inform him of the nature of the offence for which he had been commit.ud. SUPPLY. The House then went into Committeeupon the additional supplementary estimates, and the following items were p : ssed : —Law and justice, £200; Marine—ln aid Sailors' Home, J yt.telton, .£500; Hail way—Head office, £l2 *>; Kaij-ara, Auckland, Napier, Wanganui, i>.ew Plymouth, and Christchureh sections, total Miscellaneous, special, and temporary, ,£4872 10s ; roads through reserves in Canterbury, ,£10,000; public buildings, Court-houses Balcluchi, I icton, and Invercargill, £2650. These resolutions were read a second time, and, on the motion of the Treasurer, it was agreed that the House should go into Committee of Ways and Means at 7.30. Mr Siieehan stated that the Wanaka would be detained till twelve to-night. EVENING SITTING. DIRECT STEAM SERVICE WITH ENGLAND. On resaming at 7.30, by permission of the House, Mr Macandrew moved the following resolution : , " That the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the following resolutions." Jsesolved—"That a direct monthly steam service between New Zealand and the mother country would be highly advantageous to both countnos, and that th i Government be authorised to enter into arrangements for establishing such service, subje-.t to the following general conditions :—(I.) The vessels to be of such draught of water as will enable them to enter the principal ports in the colony. (2.) The contract ttme between the final port of departure and the final port of arrival notto exceed days. (3.) The Government to guarantee to ship 800 statute adults by each monthly steamer inwards, during a period of five years from the commencement of the service, also to pay by way of subsidy a sum not exceeding £— annually during the like period." Mr Macandrew said he did not want to force the motion, but to see whether it was acceptable to the House, because he had received a good deal of encouragement to bring it forward from both sides of the House. If the House received the resolution favorably, a good deal of time would, be saved by dealing with the matter at once. Be argued that the scheme could not fail to prove of immense advantage to the colony in \ romoting trade and imm gration, especially female immigration, which was soinuen. desired, and to the satisfactory carrying out of which so many obstacles had preseatcd themselves in connection with the prestnt m.thod of importation. Mr Murray-Aynsley said a great deal had been omitted t at ought to have been, said in moving a motion of that kind : as for instance how the estimate of passage money was arrived at. He thought the best plan would be to collect the completest imformation possible on the matter before bringing the question before Parliament, so that they migtt be enable to deal with the whole question satisfactorily. If they went into these proposals now, as asVed, they must make up their minds to an expenditure of £150,000 per annum more than they were now paying for immigration, and that f«r live years. Mr Gisborne took several objections to the proposals. He fav red an arra gemeut with a Steam Company for I%ew Zealand, but it ought to be exclusive of an immigrition urrangement. 1 He thought the oilier ( hamber ought not to ! be ignored in an important question like this. Sir R. Dou a las moved the previous question. ', Mr Brandon expressed utmost astonishou:r:t at such a resolution being brought do,vu at that ' period of the session. _ Mr i'.OLLESTON thought the way in wbicn ' tliis question was brought down showed a want of practical knowledge regarding immigration ' arrangements, and ridiculed the idea of landing 600 statute adults in tuo colony every i.,onth. He also wanted a definite proposal and statis. tical information laid before the Houso. Sir K. Douglas' amendment was negatived on the voices, and the Bouse went into committee onthorecolutiou. The House went formally into committee, when ~.,., ,„ • Mr Macandrew moved that the Chairman report progress, and expressed the hope that next session he would be able to bring down such proposals as would commend themselves to the House.

Progress was reported. CBKISTCBURCH city reserves. The amendmimfai mad.; by the Legislative Council in the Christchurch City Bcservcs Bill were agreed to. A Mr >tout thought the; other House acted very ungracefully in the matter. WAYS AND MEANS. Tin. House passed from Committee of Supply into Committee 4 Ways and Means, and the Treasurer a d ttotaey-Goaeral were instructed to prepare Bills to give effect to the resolution just passed.

ELECTORAL BILL. On the Appropriation Bill being brought on for second reading. Mr Johnson asked that the House should be nformed of the intention" of the Government in regard to the Meetoivl Bill before passing the Ap ropr atinn 'ill. Mr Stout said the proper time for that was when the Bill came on for third reading. Major Atkinson also urged the desirability of the Government giving the House more int'or i ation regarding the Electoral Bi I before askng thorn to pass the appropriation Bill. RAILWAY PASSES. Mr Murray-Aynsley here took the opportunity to move his motion for the withdrawal of free railway passes. Mr Macandrew said he h-id no objection if it was the wish of the House. WITHDRAWAL OP THE ELECTORAL BILL. In reply to Mr Rollest m, Ihe Premier said the Government did not intend to proceed further with the Electoral Bill that session, but later on in the evening he would state the fuller intentions of the Government. APPROPRIATION BILL. The Appropriation Bill was read a second time and committed. On the proposal to read the Bill a third tine, Major Atkinson proceeded to review the history of the session, which was to a large extent a recapitulation of his speech on the second reading of the Land Tax Bill. He first referred to the charges made by the Premier gainst the late Ministry, by sajing tint the accounts of the finances of the colony had been cooked. He now rof rred the House to the printed account-now before it, which had been submitted by himself, and which now bore th" signature of iVir Bai'ance. The Premier had aid that a saving of £IOU,UOO per annum could ea.-ily be effected, but the result was that they spent £7(00 more than was estimated by the late Ministry, and now asked tbe House for £39.00/more than the late Ministry. He did I not find fault with this, as he considered the 'estimates reason tble, but what he wished to point out was the utter failure of the Premier to carry out his promises of economy. Then he also told them th.it the taxation of poor me:i should be reduced by £35.0u0 year. The Premier dil not keep that promise. He did not even attempt to do so, because it could not be claimed that the abortions of Bills brought down by the Government dealt with the subject at all The remission upon tea and sugar did not relieve the poor. What was taken off w.tnone hand was put oa with the o her. The hon. gentleman then proceede i to citieise the Land Tax Bill, to show that it failed in all the objects claimed for it, and practically played into the hands of tho wealthy classes, who had their capital invested in various ways but not in land, and who were represented by the Premier. The effect of tbe Bill was to discourage bona fide settlement of land and to protect the n oney lender. He referred to the announcement of the Trea surer early in the sessioa, that their policy mu>t be taken as a whole, and yet at the first breath of opposition they abandoned their attempt to raise £IO,OOO out of the beer of working men. He believed if the Government Imd any courage they could have carried that Bill. But, being defeated, their most seemly course would have been to resign ; but it seemed that the law of their being was to keep their seats under all circumstances. Touching the Electoral Bill tho hon. gentleman refe red to the statement of the Premier that 70,00 J voternot now on the roll wou d be put on._ The electors wore not in existence. Referring to tho Maori dual vote, lie said th it the Bill was withdrawn, and 70,000 curonems Unjruishing for freedom-4: deprived of the franchise simply because the Maoris were not allowed to swamp Europeans. I hat was the poli -y of the Native Minister, who could send ignorant Natives to the poll in shoals. If tins whs such an important matter in tho eyes of the Government, he asked them to dis olve and ask the op n : on of the o lony as to the merits of that proposal. He did not propose to go into Naive matters, but would merdy s.y in pa=sing, that he thought tho Nat ve Minister bad acted with great wisdom and d scretion, though he had in some instances done a great wrong to tho lite Ministry. He, however, preferred to bear that until next session. The preseut Ministry had done no hing towards putting local self-government unon a satisfactory footing or even d ing anything to amend the defects in tho exisiiug laws. As io the Land Bill, with rega.d to which the Premier acted in such a singular manner last sosion, if half what the Premier i-aid against the Bill at the time was true, it was an eternnl disgrace to tlia Premier for having recommended her > Majesty to assent to the Bill, aud if the Bill was as bad as the Premier told them, how was it that no uioasnre to amend it had been brought down. He hoped tbe rremier would inform the House why he had not brought down a Bill readjusting the representation of tho country. ThcGovirnment had beeu prolific in promises, but inaigciific *nt in performances, and he ventured to say that the country would not put up with another year of unfulfilment of promises like the past ye <r. Major =• tkmson then went on to show in minute detail the expenditure of the late Government on native affairs. In the two previous years, before leaving oilice, they spent £35,0 0 a year for native purposes, and when they left office £3SOO was at the disposal of the pre-ent Government, who chose to devote much to other purposes. Another point was the way in which the Premier denounced the enormity of Orders in Council. Well, he would say that no Government ever in power in the colony had dealt so largely in Orders in Council. The Premier frequently told them the best part of his life had been de otcd to the study of local self-Government, and yet he had done nothing after twelve months' opportunity. The Premier said he reasserted every one of the chaiyes he h'd made ag.un?t the late Mini try, and he said they had all been maintained He asked who had enriched their friends at the expense of the country. After milking several charges of a general nature of the same kind, the Premier i-aid :—" I charge them distinctly again with having, in a great measure, applied public funds to the advantage of their fr ends; with having taken care that public lands as well as Na'ive lands in a great degree (should be admiuiftered '() to the. advantage of their friends, and that large fortunes were realised." Major Atkinson moved that these words be taken down.

After some de'ay the Premier asked that bo might be allowed to go on with his speech, while the matter was fresh in his memory, but the Speaker ruled that nothing could be gone on with until such time as the matter was disposed of. After the words taken down were read over by the SpeaVer. Tim PREMIER said to the best of his belief he would prove those words. The SPEAKER asked the lion, member to state what he proposed to do. The Premier left the chamber.

Major Atkinson went on to say he had long put up with these accusations trusting to his general character, but now that the Premier had been twelve months in office, the m 'iter had assumed a graver aspect, and he would like an investigation. An ioterrnp'ion here occurred on the question of whether Major Atkinson was iii oi-der. Major Atkinson continued, claiming that the House should protect them from such accu Sitions, or else see that they should be substantiated.' If he, as one of the public men of the colony, was believed to be guilty of such high crimes and misdemeanours, then the House deserved reprobation if it did not ascertain the truth of these charges. He therefore moved that matter be referred to a Select Committee lor inquiry. . „ A very long discussion ensued upon points ol ord»r. At length ~,,„. , Mr Shkeuan moved the following ameudment,._«< |'he Hou«9 having considered the words' taken down, i* of opinion that those words do not transgress the rules of debate unnecessarily.' Sir R. Douolas moved that the debate be adjourned for half-an-hour. He protested against an hon. member being interrupted in his speech because he appeared to make a charge against a late Government of corruption. Why, Buch charges were made every day against the present Government, individually and collectively, without ,vny notice boin»< taken. Mr Moss could not, see that the words reflected at all upon the personal honor of the member for Egmont. The House could not believe that for a moment. Speaking from his own expeueuee of Native lauds, ha cou'd say that he knew of Native hinds in Auckland fulling into the hands of opponents of the late Ministry, but he had known of several blocks falling into the hands of the late Government.

Mr Bowen said for three years the Premier had made charges and said lie could prove them, it' he pot into office. He had been in office now, and he said lie could prove the charges — that was the stinix of the matter. Mr Gl-BORNE said lie would vote for the

motion, it' the Premier intended to impute personal corruption, but it was ;, different matter if he used them in a general political sense.

Major Atkinson "aid if the Premier had o'.ly made use of the words in a Parliamentary sense lie would lie satisfied, but a different aspect w is put upon the matter by the subsequent words of ths Premier when he i aid, " I can nyo\u ihi>p\i charges." CVj ol j.wo must be done!

! Mr Barton maintained that Sir G. Grey was ! justified in osiDg Mich words to the late Ministry, or there would be an end to all freedom of debate. The House, and not Sir George Grey, should decide what meaning was to he attached to the Premier'' words, and by carrying Mr Sieehau'B amendment th y would express the opinion that ti y were not intended to apply personally to the " late ministers." He went so far as to 8 y that a speaker had a right to imp te political (ishonor in its parliamentary sense t. aputv or mini-try. _ Mr Montgomkby spoke in a eimi'ar strain. Ho did not understand the Premier to impute pergonal dishorn v to Major Atkinson, or he would vote for tin latter's motion * r Richaed.son said it was inexplicable why Sir G. Grey or his friends did not say so if Sir G. Grey nid not intend to impute personal dishonor to the late Ministry. Mr MoorhoubE considered the Premier's language overs t- pped the one hounds of debate. Mr Turnbuu., repeated Mr Montgomery's sentiments, expressing high personal regard for Major Atkinson. A division resulted in Major Atkinson's amendment being negatived by 29 to 13. Mr McMinn explained that he voted against the amendment because he had paired with Mr Wakefield, but g{ t locked in. Major Atkinson said he could not help feeling much hurt at the decision of the House. He was bound to believe what hon. members said, but the chorges had been distinctly made and repeated, and the Premier had said he could prove thorn, and Sir George Grey had refused to say he did not mean the words to apply personally. During the remainder of the session ho cc tainly should not stop in the House while the Premier was speaking. Major Atktn.on called for a division on Mr Sheehau's amendment, when it was carried by 28 to 14. As Sir G. Grey entered the House and bowed to the Speaker, Major Atkinson retired. Upon Sir G. Grky resuming, he re r erred to the words of Major Atkinson, Messrs Fox, and McLean against members of the Ministry personal y in connection with i pedal wire arrangements as charges of corruption of a most gross kind which were allowed to pass unnoticed but he would state that he did not for a moment intend to impute personal dishoner to Major Atkinson, though lie believed the late Premier had used Ins office to protect those who should have been punished. No committee w.'S needed to investigate the charges. They were proved by the speeches of the late Ministry themselves. Sir J. Vogel s admission that a million and a half h id been spent in obtaining support for the Public Works policy, Piako Swamp, and Auckland Goldfields transactions, sufficiently proved the second statement. Every one knew, in reference to the third charge, that Native officers and their friends had mad) large fortunes by the use of their position and pub ic money to get land from the Na'ives. He then proceded to reply to Major Atkinson's speech, saving he had the misfortune, while in office as Governor, to offend the t.'olonial offiie by refusing to appoint a relation of the Earl of Derby to an office in this colony. He had also the misfortune to have a Government of the colony and a Legislative Council against him. He then referred to the injury inflicted upon the colony by the member for Egmont in resisting the loan proposed by him (the Premier). He maintained tiat the term "abortion" applied to t'-e land Tax Bill was undeserved Mid uncalled for. The advantages conferred upon the people by the Bill were such 'hat tli3 people would never give them up, and he further would say the Bill had brought upon himse'f and those who followed him the hatred of the 1 egislative Council. He instanced th* language useel by v ir D. Bell in a speech which he said lie forgot, but which had caused him and his friends the very greatest pi in and regret. He denied that ho had ever said th j re were serfs in New Zealand. He hid said, however, that the poor of England were kept down, and that the pressure of the struggle for existence was so great thatthey had neither hope nor prospect, and he held that the member for Egmont and those who worked w th him were on the road to place the people of th s colony in tin same po-ition as the oppressed people of Great Britain. He denounced at some length the injustice done to the Maori race by the action of the other House in regard to the M ori vote, when all instances of chimlry and good fe-ling should incite them to dn justice to a weak race. The hon. member for Egmont asked them to go to the country. He wish dtodo so once, and was refused. He began the session with trembling knees, under great fear that he would not be able to secure for the peoDle the rights and liberties they ought to have. But he felt strong now. He thought they had more power, and next session th<>y wouid bring down a measure that would make the people say, " Go on and get us rights. We are with you." He might say they had tasted blood, and next year they would take the taxes off the necessaries of life. La-t ye.r he told the member for Epinont that a new party would arise; but that hon. gentleman thought tlnre would not. But that party had arisen. He pointed out th it the other branch of the Legislature had incited a weak minority in that House to obstruct and impede He had been taunted with not fulfilling his promises ; but that was due to exceptional circumstances. But now the conduct of the member for Egmont had nerved him to talk, and he hoped that by next session he would have measures prepared which the hon. gentleman dreaded to see. Then as to Orders in Council, the system was not one that ho was responsible for. It was a detestable system, and he hoped to get rid of it; but that could not be done for two or three years. The hon. member for Egmont, last year, predicted that the new Mini-try would meet the House with a deficit; but they had met it with a surplus. Then he slighted their loan operations, saying they could not raise it. He told the hon. gentleman nothing was more damaging than the raising of sir all loans, but he was deaf and would not listen. He was only anxious that the disaster he predicted would overtake the colony under the admini t ation of hiii self and friends; but his unpatriotic desire had not been gratified. Tin Premier then proceeded to descant upon the excellencies of the provincial form of goter:'.ment, whi°h hid been destroyed by the party of destruction. It was a system pe mliarly adapted to develop the varied genius of a people, while now they were to be kept ground down to one uniform level. Those men had done great harm to New Zealand. According to the constitution of the colony, until the Tories interfered there was to have been an elective Upper House. And what were the results of this h Why, they saw it in the way their lilectoral Bill wai treated, in the dim' -ulties to be seen in Victoria. It was a cruel thing to impose constitutions upon people that they were never consulted about. The party opposed to him followed in the steps of the home country by trying to reduce the population to two classes. one wealthy to rule the other, which whs to lapse into poverty, by sut porting plural voting and other ways of perpetuating the evil, which he was striving to reform, by placing the expenditure of money given to comities in the hands of the wealthy classes to spend as they liked. What was this but to create a cla s_ with money and a class of serfs. Those who did this were enemies of the country, and he for one would alwavs battle against sueh injustice, The hon. g-ntleinan sat down amidst applause. Sir It. Bouou.asj continued the debate by sayin* he agreed with very many of the remarks of the Premier. The thing he object dto was that he never followed them out. The Premier was very eloquent and impassioned, and if all he said of those opposed to him was true, then those people were very shocking people indeed. But notwithstanding all that, the Premier was no more in the eyes of the pe pic of New Zealand than any other person. It was not a question as to what he said was right, Twfc what he did. 'I he Api-ropiiatim Bill was then passed.