GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1695, 26 July 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Friday, July 25.

Mr Waterhouse called attention to the illegality committed by the Government in making Treasury Bills payable in London when the law prescribed that they could not be paid out of Australasia. . , . . Colonel Whitmore promised to give Mr Waterhouse such informadon as would cause him to modify his views. On the motion of Sir F. D. Bell, re payments for land to Natives on the West Coast, Colonel Whitmore strongly condemned the mover for pressing for information which, if made public, would cause more trouble among the Natives themselves. Sir F. D. Bell withdrew the motion. An Imprest Supply Bill was passed through all stages. Sir Jb’. D. Bell blamed Colonel Whitmore for using papers on the Native question in his speech which had not been laid on the table. Colonel Whitmore said he only availed himself of his privileges as a Minister. The District Law Societies Bill was read a first time. , __.. , . Sir F. D. Bell asked Colonel Whitmore his reason for denying' on the previous day the Premier was to attend the public meeting ? Colonel Whitmore said he deni d it through a mistake.

On the Address in Rsply, Mr Chamberlin condemned the whole Government policy. The Ministry had got into office on the strength of many promises, of which not one had been kept. Captain Fraser blamed some part of the Native administration, and hoped the Native office would be done away with. The debate concluded, and the address was some unimportant business, the Council adjourned at -1.30. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, July 25. The House met at 2.30. NEW MEMBER. The member for the Southern Maori district, Tainui, took the oath and his teat. miscellaneous. Mr Barer gave rotico to ask the Native Minister for maps showing the result of the purchase of Waimate Plains, and the lands set aside for settlement. Mr Stevens asked if Mr Larnach had received any salary since he left the House and the amount. Captain Morris presented a petition re Katikati settlement No. 2. Mr J. C. Brown asked the Government, without notice, for papers re Tapanui Railway, Kopua, &<•. The Premier said the papers would be supplied. Mr Barfp said a few days since he put a question on the paper asking the Minister of mines ro water to the Chinese miners in his district, and he found a reply in “Hansard” contrary to the fact. He telegraphed to his constituents the answer received, and it would place him ia a false position when “ Hansard” went forth. His object in mentioning this was to show that if “ Hansard” was not accurate, it might as well be dispensed with, and he deprecated the mutilation o! last session. Mr Gisborne thought the hon. member might have spoken to him, when he would have found that the mistake was rectified by him. Mr Murray gave notice that the financial year should terminate on 31st March instead of 30th June.

Mr Pykk asked the Postmasto.-General whether it is the intention of tho Government to extend tho telegraph to Albert town or Pembroke, and when. Mr Fisher said the line was being proceeded with now.

Mr Macandbew in reply to a question from Mr Pyke as to whether it was intended to continue and complete the survey of the central railway from Clyde to Lake Wanaka, said the survey would be completed in two months, and the work gone on with after that. Mr Macandrew, in reply to a question by Mr Joyce, as to when the survey of the Kings-town-Cromwell railway will be proceeded with, said not for some time.

Mr Gisborne, in reply to a question by Mr Shrimski as to the aotion of the gol • fields committee upon the memorial of land owners at Maerowhenna re river pollution and land exchanges, and if Warden Robinson’s report would be laid before them, said tho papers would be laid on the table.

Mr Swanson asked if saddling and other leather goods for the Armed Constabulary and Native contingent were supplied by public tender, and by whom supplied. Mr Sheehan said the goods were obtained from England for some time, but arrangements would be made to produce the same in the colony. Mr Sheehan, in reply to Sir B. Douglas as to whether the Government have taken steps to satisfy P. E. Hamlin’s claim for services rendered, said there was a dispute as to the amount, but steps had been taken in accordance with promises made by the Government to satisfy the claims. Leave was given to introduce the following Bills :—Mr Pyko: Bill to amend the Waste Lands Act, 1877, and Crown Lands Sale Act, 1877. Mr Thomson : Church of England in New Zealand Incorporation Bill. LAND TAX RETURNS. The Premier said he wished to acquaint the House with certain figures prepared in reply to a question put by Mr George. The total number of properties in New Zealand was 87,105, and some persons owned 100 properties. There were 67,000 properties under .£SOO in valus. The revenue to be derived from the land tax would amount to ,£IOO,OOO, notwithstanding the depreciation in the value of property, and if delay had not taken place in valuation, it would have yielded £9 per cent. more. The department now had a valuation of every property in the colony, and if any alteration was made in the exemption, it would not bo necessary to make a new valuation of properties liable to tbe tax. The total estimated value of property was £99,566 679. and tbe amount of mortgages was £21,764,292, which included large sums lent on the security of live stock. It was believed £10,123,584 may he estimated as the foreign capital, and £11,650,712 as colonial capital. The total interest was £1,845,676, or 8b per cent. This was only an estimate, but was made on the best data. The expenditure of the Department to the 30th June was £17,073, and the liabilities to tbe same date, due principally to valuers, was £6021 ; total, £23,094. It was estimated that the expenditure for the current year would he £BSOO. NATIVE PRISONERS. Mr Sheehan informed the House that a few days ago ho announced that twenty-fivo Maori prisoners had been taken on the West Coast, and ho had now to state that twenty-seven more have been captnred for ploughing lands purchased twenty years ago. CiREYMOUTH HARBOR. Mr Beeves gave notice to ask if any report had been received from Sir John Goode relative to the Grey Harbor. SUPPLY. The Premier said he wished to ask for an adjournment of the House for half an hour, to enable them to prepare an Imprest Supply Bill to satisfy all liabilities on account of salaries np to the 30th of June. He understood the leader of the Opposition assented to this course, and ho wished an adjournment to enable the papers to be prepared. Sir W. Pox said the statement was quite correct, and he had no objection at any time to such a course. Major Atkinson sod the offer was made ten days ago to Mr Macaudrew, but not accepted. Mr Macandrew said it was understood at that time that it was not possible that the Governor would assent to it. Mr Moss said the blame of delay rested entirely with the Opposition, who strove to get their unconstitutional amendment through without discussion. Mr Swanson thought hon. members should throw oil on the troubled waters instead of wrangling over the matter. The House then adjourned for half-an-hour, to enable an Imprest Supply Bill for £300,000 to he prepared. The Premier then submitted the recommendation of his Excellency for passing of a Bill for payment of salaries to 30th June, and tho House went into Committee of Supply on the same, when a sum not excesding £3OO 000 was granted, and a Bill to that effect introduced by the Premier passed thronghall its stages. LAND TAX OBJECTIONS. In reply to a question by Mr J. E. Brown, as to whether agents would bo allowed to appear for objectors under tho Land Tax Act in tbe Courts about to be held. The Premier said ths Deputy Commi - sioners would be informed to that effect at once. ADDRESS IN REPLY Mr J. S. Macfarlane, who moved the adjournment on the previous evening, said he would give a few reasons why he supported tho amendment. They kna.- that the Premier undertook to save £IOO,OOO in departmental expenses, and had_ failed to do so. He also undertook to part with the Ministerial residences and tho Hinenoa, but had not dono so. He also made more appointments to the Upper House than had been made within tho past four years. Tho Native land purchase had corrupted the Department over which tho Native Minister presided, and tho Minister himself bad fallen from tho position of tho most popular man in New Zealand, and was regarded ns the prince of broken promises and tho author of much mischief.

Mr Carrington said —Having heard all opinions, ho had made np his mind that he would not desert his party at present. [A Voice—“ Which party?’’] The Government party. It was due that he should say a,, w a few words in defence of the Taranaki settlers. He visited that coast early in 18-tO, whan there were only fifty or sixty inhabitants in the whole district. Bo commenced his surveys of land for settlement, and the chiefs down and claimed payment for Waikato and received the same. He mentioned this to show that the Taranaki Natives had never been paid for their lands, and had some grounds tor discontent. , , ~, . Mr McMinn said he rose to defend Major Jackson from the charge made against nun by the Government. He and Major Mair had actually assisted many negotiations in the interest of the public. He said he came to the Bouse to support the Government, but irorn what he had seen and heard, he felt he could no longer do so conscientiously, and would not, therefore, do so at all. Mr Tole said he was aware members of the Opposition were ready for division, having made up their lists several times, but he thought they would have to make them up again. He was disappointed with Mr Macfarlane’s speech, because he expected to hear something from a commercial point of view damaging to the Government, after he had moved the adjournment of the debate._ The Opposition had every opportunity of delivering themselves, but they had not substantiated the charges they thought proper to make, or distinguish themselves iu any of their remarks. The only claim Sir W. Fox had for the Premiership, so far as the past two years’ experience went, was his connection with a small Bill called the Local Option Bill, which had given the House more trouble than a little, and had now been relegated t) a junior member in hopes of its advance a stage. He could not say much of the Native department, because he had not made it a speciality as some hon. members had. If the Government had been attacked on any point of policy, he could have understood all this opposition, but he had merely heard shreds of attack. The 5 30 adjournment here followed. EVENING SITTING. address in reply. Mr Tole continued —He would not take np more time, but content himself with saying that the country had entire confidence in the gentlemen who occupied the Government benches, and when opinion was canvassed this would be found to be the case. If they were deposed it would be a disaster to the country, and due to the want of assistance from many who shou’d support them. Mr Barton said ho wished to say a few words, not that he wished to speak to the electors, because he had already taken leave of the Courts of this colony, and should take leave of that House. He wished to say a few words to the country on the position into which they were rapidly drifting. Sir W. Fox had tffd them they did not speak of measures but attacked the men, and the hon. member for Gerahune only referred to one, reducing hia opposition to the present Premier. They wished to wield power and could not do so if Sir George Grey was in the Ministry. What policy was to succeed Sir G. Grey’s ? The hon. member, the true leader of the Opposition, when it was able to assume one, had shown no policy, nor had the member for f grout. Taxation on the shoulders of the poor, and the land divided amongst the rich, was the policy of those who now composed the Opposition, and this _ was notoriously the case in that sink of political iniquity, NewPlyu onth. He wasaskedby a merchant in town to get the jury system abolished, but his reply was that if he could hood wink the people to that extent ho did not think they should have much trouble in the House, but the time had not arrived for that. He referred to his own case, and accused the Judges of the Courts of the colony of the vilest misconduct and incapacity. They had persecuted him, and he ought not to be allowed to occupy a place in that House or the judges were unfit to occupy the benches on which they sat. He proceeded to defend the Premier from the attacks he had been subjected to by various speakers, and accused the Opposition of seeking their selfaggrandisement at the expense of the colony of Now Zeal nd. He defended the Native Minister from the sharp attack upon him by the Opposition, who did not shrink from assailing even his private character. Mr Tamoana rose to express his feelings and to greet the House. Be was a Government man, and the Government met with the approval of his people. They wanted to bs relieved from fraudulent sales of land, and so went in to support Sir G. Grey, according to what he said about his children, Maoris and pakehas. This was the third session they had bean in Parliament, and where were the good things he promised them, the Maoris ? They thought the Government should not have gone to Waikato, but have conducted affairs from Wellington. Ho felt sad to see the Maoris in prison. Europeans did not assist the Maoris, hut the Maoris did assist the Europeans. He did not support the Opposition, because if they got into power they would do the same. His people were in trouble because of the treatment of Karaitiana, against whom a bailiff had been sent, where no such officer had gone before. He would mpport the Opposition for that reason, [laughter] and hoped they would decide this matter at once.

Mr Maunders addressed the House at length under strong excitement, but omitted to say which way he would vote. Mr Taindi, who said he was a new member, referred to West Coast affairs in support of the Natives, and advised the Government to he careful what promises they made to the Natives, for if the southern Natives had been troublesome as well as the northern, they would have something to do. Whatever arrangements Government had made he hoped would be carried out, even if the hon. member for Wanganui became Premier. He hoped he would remember this. He wished hon. members for the South Island to assist him, and said there should also bo another member for Waikato. Pet haps it was because of this the trouble had arisen, for they did not consider themselves well enough represented. He would say, before ho sat down, that wlen the division took place he would vote for whichever side ho thought proper. [Laughter.] Mr Hamlin said it was not wise to give a silent vote, and he need not say that he entirely concurred in the policy shadowed forth in the speech before the House. They found measures which the country wanted indicated in the speech, and had heard nothing urged against them, or against those who supported them, worthy of consideration. They were backed by public opinion, and he challenged the Opposition to go to the country, when many of them would never return within those walls. Those who were now condemning the Government were doing so from a desire to get into power, and to create a largo war expenditure. He re din Maori and English a telegram he had received from Rewi, of Waikato, that evening urging that the Government should have time to work out their policy with the Maori people. Mr Feldwick rose to support the Government. He concluded by moving that the debate be adjourned until Tuesday next to enable the fullest scope to be given to discussion on the amendment before the House. The Speaker said the motion should be in the form of a simple motion of adjournment. Mr J. C. Brown said ho rose to support the Government, although he claimed to have a profound respect for the leader of the Opposition, and would have supported him if he could. He then went on to condemn the arguments used by Sir W. Fox in moving his amendment, and pointed out that the hon. member had formerly said he could not again seek office of any kind in any Ministry. He concluded by moving an adjournment of the debate. The Speaker said he was out of order in doing so. Mr Henry rose to move the adjournment of the debate.

Sir W. Fox objected to the adjournment unless some good reason was shown for it. A week had elapsed since he moved the amend, ment. At this stage ho said he had just been informed that by agreement on both sides the question was to be adjourned until Tuesday next, and he would therefore consent to the arrangement. The House adjourned at midnight till 2.30 on Tuesday.