GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1687, 17 July 1879, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, July 16. Dr. Pollen gave notice to ask for the official report of late Native meetings. Colonel Wiiitjioeb gave notice to introduce a Bill for the control and care of drunkards. In reply to Mr Scotland, Colonel WnrrirouE said the Government knew nothing officially of vigilance committees on tho West Coast. They could not prevent such organisations unless they were for illegal purposes. Mr Baillio was appointed Chairman of Committees, Mr Richmond declining re-ap-pointment. Colonel WniTirouE, Mr Hall, Sir F. D. Bell, and Messrs Watebhouse and Geacg spoke in the highest terms of Mr Richmond's services, and the Courxil passed a vote of thanks to him.

On the appointment of the House Committee,

Mr WATBBHorsB said some members went away without settling their accounts at Bellamy's. The Council expressed a strong opinion that such practices should be stopped. Tho Council adjourned at 4 30.

ferred to the Private Grievance Committee ; also that Btepß bo taken by the House Committee to provide better accommodation for reporters of the Press in the House. He also .gave notice that he will move an amendment to the Mining Company's Act. Mr Sutton announced his intention to ask for the schedule of lands for tho railway between Napier and Kopua. Mr Osmond will ask for the list expenditure at the Native meetings and for Native •purposes ; alao for a list of agents employed on Native services during tho first half of the year, their manner of employment and the amount of remuneration paid for the same. Mr Mt/jbbay will ask for a Government inquiry into tho working and management of coal mines throughout the colony. Sir W. Fox will ask that reports be laid on the table of the interviews with To Whiti at Parihaka by the Native Minister; also, reports of tho Kopua meeting; aUs, for copies of telegrams between officers of the Native Department at Taranaki and tho Native Department. The Pbemieb promised to table correspondence between himaelf and tho Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subjoct of honors conferred on her Majesty's subjects in the . colonies. Mr Bowen said ho hopad the correspondence had gono through tho ordinary channel of his Excellency. Mr Mobeis will esk if;"tho Government approved of the handing over of arms to all "Volunteers on the West Coast. TBEASUBY AND DEFICIENCY BILLS. Mr Johnston asked the Colonial Treasurer ■what is the amount of Treasury Bills issued during the .last financial year, when they fall due, and under what authority they have been made pay able in London at the office of Crown agents ; also whether any deficiency Bills were issued during tho last financial year, and if bo to what amount. The Pbemieb replied that £443,000 Treasury Bills fulling dua on varicu3 dates and payable at the Colonial Treasury had been issued. Deficiency bills to the amount of -£184,000 had become payable and were renewed. WELLINGTON MAIN BOAD. Mr Jackson asked the Minister for Public Works whether, if not already provided, tho •G-overnment intend placing a Bum of £12,000 on the estimates for the purpose of completing the main read lino from Mungaroa to Waikanae, on the partial formation of which a large gum of money has been already expended by the late Provincial Government of "Wellington prior to the date of abolition of ■provinces. Mr Macandbew said that a Bum of £3OOO, held as a provincial liability, had boon expended on tho road. A sum had been placed on the estimates to open up that district, and a portion would be available for the road works in queßtion. DBAINAGE bill. Mr Mtjbeay asked the Premier when the Drainage Bill, promised by the Government last session to bo distributed before the meeting of Parliament, will bo introduced. The Pbemieb said it was not advisable financially to carry out drainage works at present in the face of other pressing liabilities. SYDNEY EXHIBITION. Mr Mt/bbay asked the Premier if, in view of the Sydney Exhibition, the Government will make arrangements for tho issue of travellers' and excursion tickets available for the Government Railways of the colony. The Pbemieb said if necessity arose to in.crease the facilities, arrangements would be .made to comply with the request. AUCKLAND PUBLIC LIBBABY. Mr Whitakbb moved for leave to intro--duce a Bill to veßt the Auckland Provincial Council Library and the Mechanics' Institute in the Mayor, Councillors, and citizens of Auckland. Tho Bill was read a first lime, and ordered 'to be read a Bccond time on Wednesday next. BBBBB3BNTATION AND PLUBAL TOTING BILL. Sir Geo. Obey moved for leave to intro■duce a Bill to make provision for the Representation of the people in the General Assembly, alao a Bill to suspend plurality of Toting in certain cases. The Bills were read -a first time, and the second readings fix:d for Friday and Tuesday ■week. CHAIBMAN OF COMMITTEES. Sir W. Fox moved—" That Mr Seymour be appointed Chairman of Committees of the whole House." In doing so he said that the •practice of the Imperial Parliament was to allow the Government to propose a candidate to this office, but it was not binding to carry out such a practice. Major Atkinson had 'informed him that the Government had no objeotion to the gentleman he had the pleasure of proposing, and he was convinced of his qualification for the office. He (Mr Seymour) had always taken an attentive interest in the business of tho House, and was perfectly acquainted with the regulations of the House, whilst he would, he felt satisfied, •claim the support of a large majority of members of the House. Tho Pbemieb seconded the nomination, and Baid he had great pleasure.in doing so, from Mr Seymour's merits and suitability for the office to which he had been proposed. [Cheers.] Mr Sbxmoue thanked the House for his election to an office which ho only relinquished •to undertake a trip to England. -He would endeavor to do hia duty with fairness and impartiality. THE LOAN BILL. The Pbemieb at this stage unexpectedly ■proposed to move that the debate on the address be taken at 7.30, as the Governor declined to assent to tho Loan Bill, or ask for •supply until acme reply to the address had been arrived at and roported to him. Sir W. Fox thought this a change of front. The Hcuso wished to know the reasons for suspension of Standing Orders at such an early stage, ana the cause of tho pressure for an immediate Imprest Bill, and a loan of £5,000,000. They were told there were •£400,000 of deficiency Bills, and an expenditure of £200,000 over revenue; but they were not told the reason for such a step as the sotting aside of the numerous safeguards for the protection of the finances, which such unseemly haßte displayed. If they wore in such sad straits, there was no reason why the House should not have been called together earlier, instead of now setting aside the rules of the House to introduce such a measure. They wished to know why such extraordinary action wqb •taken in tho absenco of tho quarterly returns •of the heads of rovenue, and some information as to the necessity for such haste. They ■did not wish to throw any_ obstacles in the ■way of granting such supplies—[bear, hear] —but they did want the matter made clear, that they might not be going on in darkness and obscurity. The fact was this obscurity was carried too fur, ord applied to all the business of the Ministry. He trusted the information sought would .bo furnished without reservation. [Oheers.] Major Atkinson said that notice of motion having been given it could not bo withdrawn •without the consent oE the Hou3o. Ho wished the Premier to unburden himself before such a request was preferred, in order that the necessities of the colony, and our real state and •condition might bo known. The Pbemieb, in reply, said he had given all the information in his power. He only knew that the necessities of tho country demanded that the money should be obtained. He had told tho House that thoy would have difficulty in obtaining a loan at tho end of the year, and it was for the House to consider whether they would risk the raising ef the Joan and the delay in pushing forward Public Works, which would be prejudicial to the interests of the colony. He had been asked to make a clean breast of it, but, as he had before said, he had nothing to give. Tho reason for making tho request was satisfactory to himself and hia colleagues. As to the Imprest Supply Bill, that was the usual course adopted to provide funds for carrying on the functions of Government until Bupplios wero granted. _ It was certain that if the loan was not raised •until the now year there would bo considerable distress in the colony through want of funds for carrying on necessary works. He regretted that the address in reply had not beon taken, as ho thought it should have been among tho first business of the session, instead of being delayed until Friday. Ho was sorry indeed that such a mistake had been made, but ho trustod it would not prevent the Loon Bill from going home at once. He trusted that tho hon. member for Wanganui would allow the course he asked to be taken in tho interests of the colony. Xhe motion was rejected on the voices. The Committee of Supply was not moved, and nothing further can bo done until the address has boon dealt with. goveenmbnt advebtisino. Mr Macandeew moved—" That a Select Committee, consisting of eleven members, bo

appointed to consider and report as to the principle which shall regulate the distribution if Government advertisements among the various newspapers throughout the colony, the committee to consist of Messrs Feldwick, Stevens, Ballance, Wakefield, Sir W. Fox, Messrs Moss, Cutten, McLean, Joyce, Kenny, and the mover, five to be a quorum, to report in three weeks." Mr Maeandrew spoke of the difficulty experienced in adjusting this matter to the satisfaction of newspapers. Mr McLean eaid this resolution reminded him of the old couplet that " when the devil was sick, tho devil a saint would be; but when the devil was sick " [loud laughter, in which the correction was drowned.] Last year the Government was well, and took no notice of this matter, but now jit was tho reverse. There had been great maladministration in this matter of distribution of Got eminent favors. The Press had beon bribed to an enormous extent by Ministers in the matter of advertisements, and they now came to the House and asked hon. members to take the matter in hand. He contended that the Government were answerable for this work, and if they had adopted the course followed by their predecessors, they would have experienced no difficulty. It would be romembcred that the lato Government disposed of tbia matter by calling for tenders for same, which were duly gazetted. Ho was impressed with the importance of discussing thiß mattor at a later stage, and would therefore move the adjournment of the debate, to givo members an opportunity to think it over. He felt strongly on the subject, because sections of the Press wero prevented from criticising the actions of the Government for fear of losing advertisements. Mr JoiOß seconded the adjournment of the debate, although he would rather that his name did not remain on tho committee, for he held that the proposition would not accomplish what tho mover claimed for it. Thore should bo an equal distribution between the newspapers of the colony at a fixed rate. He thought the question'should be dealt with by the House. He had been taunted that he was insincere last session when he spoke of the corruption that would arise through giving advertisements indiscriminately instead of generally at a fixed rate. Mr Macandbew did not object to the adjournment of the debate, but he was n'jt aware that advertisements were tendered for. The debate was then adjourned until Wednesday. DIBECT STEAM SERVICE. Mr 'Macandbbw moved—" That a Select Committee bo appointed to consider and report as to the best means of establishing a direct steam passenger and mail service between New Zealand and tho Mother Country, tho said committee to consist of Sir W. Fox, Messrs Montgomery, Whitaker, Cutten, Kenny, Moorhouee, McLean, Ballance, Swanson, Carrington, Reeves, Captain Russell, and the mover; the report to be brought up in fourteen days, five to be a quorum." He spoke at length in favor of the motion. Mr Wakbfield opposed. Mr Bisks spoke in favor. Mr McLean vigorously opposed, and said he would decline to serve on the committee. He resented a reference to the Stad Haarlem grounding at Port Chalmers, and hoped to see a line of Bteamers running to Otago. He hoped the House would agree to an adjournment of the debate, or he should oppose the motion. Mr Wooxcock thoucbt it was a proper step to take. Mr Rolleston thought they should take up this matter as a great expense was being incurred in doing this work. He pointed out there had been perfectly ridiculous administration during the recess. The Stad Haarlem would have to be discussed, but the House need not anticipate. Mr Satjndebs thought the matter would commit them to a piece of extravagant luxury which was undesirable in the face of the alarm which the loan proposals brought down and the haste to carry the same would cause in the colony and among their creditors. He thought such a matter should be delayed until the loan proposals were considered. The question of adjournment of the motion being put, a division was called for with the following result:—Ayes, 38; Noes, 28. The following is the division list:— Ayes. Noes. Messrs Adams Messrs Ballance Atkinson Barton Baigent Brown, F. C. Barff Carrington Beetham De Lautour Bowen Feldwick Bryce Fisher Curtis George Sir R. Douglas Gisborne Mr Fitzroy Goldie Sir W. Fox Sir G. Grey Messrs Gibbs Messrs Hamlin Hart Jackson Henry Joyce Hunter Maeandrew Hursthouse Manders Johnston McMinn Macfarlane Montgomery (Teller) Moss (Teller) Mclean Nahe Morri* Eees (Teller) MurrayAynsley Reaves Oliver Shanks Ormond Shriinski Richardson Swanson Richmond Thomson Rollestou Tole Russell Wallis Saunders Seymour Sheehan Stevens Studholme Sutton Tawhaite Wakefield (Teller) Whitaker Williama Woo'.cocb SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. A number of sessional committees were then formed. DEFECTIVE ELECTOBAL BOLLS. Mr Woolcooe moved that tho Government take steps to remedy the defects in the present electoral rolls. He knew of instances, and Buch had occurred in his own district, where numbers were likely to be disfranchised through the neglect of clerks to County Councils to send in their returns. Dr. Henby supported the motion for the same reason. The Pbemieb Baid the Government had no objection to tho motion, as they intended to carry out the spirit of tho motion by means of a Bill now being prepared. NEWSPAPBE TELEGEAM3. Mr McFaelanb moved—" That a Select Committee be appointed to inquir9 into and report to this House what facilities can be given to newspapers for the use of the_ tele- ' graph consistently with a due regard to its use by the public, and without entailing an undue loss on the revenue, such committee to consist of Messrs Ballance, Barff, Joyce, De Lautour, Montgomery, Stevens, Swanson, Wakefield, Whitaker, and the mover, with power to call for persons and papers, five to be a quorum, to report within thirty days." He said his only intention was to afford increased facilities and promote the efficiency of the servico from a business point of view. Mr Swanbon seconded the motion, which wai carried. The House then adjourned.