GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1703, 5 August 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE of eepeesentatiyes. Monday, August 4, The House met at 2.30 p.m. miscellaneous. 'A number of petitions were presented, including one by Captain Kenny, praying that the import duty on timber be reimposed, the abrogation of the same last session having ■crippled the timber trade of the colony. Several petitions praying for Bible reading in schools were presented. Sir Q-. Obey gave notice to move on .Friday next, that the Committee of Supply , should, in future, sit as soon after the adoption of the Address in Eeply as possible each session. Mr Macandbew laid on the table the reports on the proposed railway to the northern part of the Middle Island. Mr Mubbay gave notice to ask the leader of the Opposition if he is in favor of the pissing of the Drainage Act introduced by the questioner. Mr Bbandon asked the Minister for Public Works when Government proposed to bring the railway from Wellington to Foxton or ’Palmerston, by way of Porirua ? Mr Macandbew said the survey hsd been made of certain sections of the line, but it rested with the Opposition when the contract should be let. The line would cost about -•£15.000. Mr Siewabt asked the Government whether they have entered into any agreement with Dr Buller in reference to the defence of the Maori prisoners, and if so, the .nature thereof.

The reply was in the negative. Mr Stewabt asked tho Government what proportion of tho purchase money of the Supreme Court site has been paid ; whether the time for the payment of the balance of the purchase money or any part thereof has expired, and whether the whole of such balance is bearing interest, and the rate thereof ? Mr Sheehan said the reply was given in 41 Hansard,” page 47, but if not satisfactory he would make further inquiries if the hon. gentleman desired it. Mr Eolleston asked the Premier whether a telegram, dated “Kihikihi, July 30th, 1879,” and purporting to be from Eewi to Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, and the reply thereto, which appeared in the “ New ;Zealander” of July 31st, are genuine, and whether they were published by his direction or with his consent. (These telegrams wore published throughout the colony.) The Pebmibe stated that ho had written a reply to one from Eewi, and was not ashamed of any sentiment in the reply. He pitied the state of mind of any gentlemen who could call in question anything contained in that reply. Leave was given to Mr Tolo to introduce a Bill to Amend the Slaughterhouse Act, 1877. Mr Macfaelanb gave notice of a Bill to purge the Bay of Islands Electoral 8011, tho Bill to be brought up next sitting day. Mr Feldwick asked leave to introduce tho High School Eeservo Bill. Mr McLean objected to the numbering of the order paper and printing off Bills at the present time as a waste of money, Mr Feldwick said his Bill was in type, so that tho objection would not hold good regarding it. Leave was refused on the voices.

Mr Bees said that in the Taranaki papers Major Atkinson was reported to have sent telegrams to Hawera, to the effect that he (Mr Eeos) said tho people of Hawera approved of tho policy of the Government, which he denied having put in such a light to the House. He had said they approved of the action of the Government.

Major Atkinson said he took down the words at the time, and ho did not think he was mistaken. SUPPLY. The Committee of Supply then brought up their report recommending that a supply bo granted to her Majesty. Tho Peemibb said that tho Government proposed to ask the House to go into Supply at 730, when the Loan Bill would be introduced for the second reading, and it that was granted, they proposed to introduce an Appropriation Act on Wednesday. Mr McLean hoped they would give Mr Barton an opportunity to introduce his grievance, as he was prepared to keep them some hours or somo days.

The Pbemibe said ho had no wish to interfere with Mr Barton's privilege to introduce any question. Himself ho would not stand in the way of the Loan Bill coming on that evening. Mr Sheehan said before the motion for adjournment was put, ho would ask tho House to consent to receive tho Loan, Public Works, and Appropriation Bills at 7.30. Tho Opposition expressed dissatisfaction, and tho adjournment was then put and carried.

EYENING SITTING, The House resumed at 7.30. THE LOAN DILI,.

The Pbemibb said he had to state to the House that his Excellency the Governor had been pleased to assent, on behalf of her Majesty, to tho Loan Bill, and he asked leave to introduce a Bill entitled the New Zealand Loan Bill. Sir W. Fox said he did not wish to oppose the Bill, but merely to say he understood the hon. gentleman was about to avail himself of the opportunity of making a statement as to tho forthcoming elections, their probable date, and tho period of their return to tho House.

He would suggest that it would be as well to make the statement before the introduction of the Loan Bill.

The Pbemiee said he thought tho proper time to make reference to that was the second reading of the Bill. The Bill was read a first time. On the second reading of the Loan Bill being proposed. The Pkbmieb said that the writs for the elections would be issued with the least possible delay, and tho elections would follow as soon as possible afterwards. The rest was out of the hands of tho Government, but the new House would be summoned, ho might say, with the least possible delay. How soon this this could bo done it was indeed out of his

power to say. Ministers might die or he might die, and it was difficult to say. He could only pledge the Government that not an hour’s delay should take place iu the matter.

Mr Wakefield was sorry tho hen. member had not been explicit in answering the interrogations put to him, instead of trifling with business they were met to carry on, and with bon. members themselves. They were losing the confidence of people, and such a state of uncertainty and delay was not creditable to them.

Sir W. Eox said they had been told that no unnecessary delay should arise, but he thought that the time for most elections might be fixed for the first few days in September, and they might reassemble about the middle of the month. They did not wish to lose time in getting tho elections over, and returning to tho House. Ho should say that supplies would bo dependent upon oil this being fixed. Mr MooßirotrSß thought that notice shov’d be given that tho House meet within a coitain period after the date of the return of the writs. He found there was nothing to prevent all members from returning within one month after the date of tho elections had been fixed upon. Ho did not know that He should return to that House, but ho would ask them on their return to that House to conduct business in a more straightforward way than they had seen it conducted for some time past, since the present occupants of the Government benches took office. He had only to refer to tho circumstances under which they sat upon those benches to show what he meant. He hoped the House would lose no time in proceeding to business. Dr Wallis was sorry there was an appear ance of unnecessary delay in the conduct of business. Although he did not approve of the existing Loan Bill, he could not oppose it. He looked upon borrowing as a mistake, but under the circumstances they could not help doing so now. Some five years ago they commenced the system, and the evil lay at tho doors of those who were now a majority in that House. This borrowing necessitated taxation, and for years they had spent two millions annually. They knew the indebtedness of the colony, and ought to proceed more cautiously. They were like tho ostrich, hiding its head in the sand while the rider was galloping on horseback madly behind them. They labored under the delusion that to prosper was to go heavily into debt, that they could enrich themselves individually by going into debt collectively. Hence they had now a burden of £21,000,000 hanging over them. Their indebtedness at the present time was £SO per head, and with this Bill as law they would increase it to £62 per head. He thought it would be as well to go to the country first and ascertain the opinion of the people on the further borrowing policy. Tho people in the North were everywhere dissatisfied with the unequal division of these loans on public works. But as this was possibly the last time he would have an opportunity of addressing that House, he would protest against the system of reckless borrowing which had been initiated by gentlemen who now sought to assume the Government of the country.

Mr Mubbay said it was useless to go to the country as to whether they should raise a loan. The necessities of the case demanded borrowing of money to conclude works already pledged. Mr Ekes said they had heard several valedictory addresses that evening. He might have no opportunity of addressing them before they separated. He might be classed with those who had no hope of returning to the House after dissolution. He then proceeded to advocate the division of the banking account of the colony amongst several Banks, instead of confining the same to one institution. Such arrangements should be made for the distribution of the money amongst the several banks as would avoid any such calamity as the possibility of one institution failing, and bringing with it such disasters as had only lately been caused by reliance upon one such bank. If he had, in addressing that House at any time, trodden upon any one’s toes, he begged their pardon, and hoped they would part the best of friends. He was compelled to follow his friend the hon. member for Grey Valley, into political retirement for a time. Mr Saundees hoped the loan would be spent judiciously and economically. The Pkbmieb said he had been asked to state when the Housj would dissolve, and when meet again, but it was impossible to eay. They had agreed that the elections should take place under the new rolls, which came into operation in September, and the writs must be issued with reference to that point. He would only say that not an hour’s delay would be allowed to interfere with the date, always bearing in mind that the election would come on as soon as possible after the Ist September. He was trying to do the best he could for New Zealand as a whole. He was a dying man, and could not say what might take place within the next few days, and he felt constrained to take every precaution for the future. Ho hoped the elections which wore about to take place would go in favor of his party, and must take the precaution with that view. If it should prove otherwise, indeed they might never meet in that House again. He, therefore, gave time to others to prepare their policy. All that they could do would be to make such arrangements as would secure these things, but they could not give a specific date for anything at present, and be might tell them that the Government would see that no unnecessary delay ensued on these matters. It was their duty to see that the beat interests of tho colony were served. During all these contingencies these should be calculated, and then they would be found to have done their duty. He was sorry to hear that evening a doubt raised as to tho necessity for tho loan. He then referred to the advisability of carrying out the policy of borrowing. There was no analogy between the National Debt of Great Britain and that of this colony. But in reply to questions as to when there would bo an end to this borrowing policy, ho would only say that he hoped the time would neyer arrive, because it was necessary for railways and other public works, which were not in Great Britain undertaken by the Government as in this colony, he therefore saw no objection to a proper system of borrowing being pursued, although it was necessary that a watchful eye should be kept upon the expenditure. Ho agreed with the member of City West that the North Island had not had its share of loan. The war expenditure of three millions ought not to have been thrown entirely upon tho north, because they wore not thojeause of that war. They did not wish to rush the Bill through the House, as a proof of which they had given sufficient notice of thoir intention to introduce it. They wanted money to complete works in progress, and the purchase of land under negotiation, and it was yfor them to say whether it should be passed. Ho only proposed to ask tho House to agree to tho second reading of the Bill that evening, and to proceed with the third reading next evening. He would introduce tho Appropriation Bill for tho first reading. After some remarks from Major Atkinson, the House passed the second reading of the Bill, and then adjourned till 2 30 next day.