GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1749, 27 September 1879, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, September 26.

The Legislative Council only sat 'twenty minutes, and the business was merely formal, the appointment of committees, &3. On the motion of Colonel Whitmoeb, seconded by Mr Richmond, Mr Baillie was re-appointed Chairman of Committees. In reply to Sir F. D. Bell, Colonel Whitmoee said a printed return of the education reserves will be laid on the table next week. The Colonial Sbcebtaey gave notice to introduce the Cure of Drunkards Bill on Tuesday. Sir F. D. Bell complained that the Lower House reporting debates committee had after the close of last session, interdicted members from correcting proofs of “ Hansard.” Sir W. Fitzhebbbbt said the committee had exceeded its powers, and he would see it should not occur again. The Council adjourned at 2.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Feidat, Sbptbmbeb 26. The House met at 2 39. PETITIONS. Several petitions were presented including one from the united fire brigades of New Zealand,(praying for consideration; the licensed victuallers of Nelson petitioning for a reduction of fees ; the hopgrowers asking for the imposition of a duty on imported hops ; the Otago country districts praying for the introduction of the Lord’s prayer reading in public schools ; a Maori district praying for additional representation; Mr J. Barton of Waikato praying for compensation for loss during the war. NEW BILLS. Mr Tole gave notice of a Bill to Amendment the Slaughter House Act, and a Bill to provide for uniformity of salaries in the gaols of the colony. Mr Hamlin gave notice to introduce the Waikato Reserve Bill. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Adams gave notice to ask for an amendment in the Licensing Act, making the fees uniform, also to' ask that all parliamentary papers, “ Gazettes,” and " Hansards” bo supplied to all libraries throughout the colony. Mr Whitakbb will ask the Government why the Ngaruawahia lands have not been offered for sale. Tainui asked that Commissioner Young’s report on land purchases on the West Coast of the Middle Island be laid on the table and printed. Mr Sutton gave notice to ask for a return of all moneys paid to persons on account of land purchases other than those salaries voted by the House. Mr Thomson gave notice of a Bill to amend the Land Act, 1867. Mr Fulton gave notice of a Bill to make provision for the establishment of a Deaf and Dumb Asylum far the colony. Mr Button called attention to a question of privilege in respect to a return laid on the table is response to a request made by him. The return laid on the table contained nothing but irrelevant matter, and was labelled cost £3 3e. He would like to give notice that the paper be referred back for amendment, with a view to getting more information. Mr Moss asked for a return showing the expenditure on the Colonial Museum, its endowments from | the Crown lands and revenue from the same.

The Premies said the return would be furnished as far as possible, but he doubted if all could be supplied. Mr Moss asked for a return of the expenditure of the Auckland Improvement Commissioners on streets, roads, footpaths, recreation reserves, &c., the amount due by the Commissioners, and their revenue and expenditure, with a plan showing the endowment, sections leased, and how leased. The Pubmieb] said this request would be complied with. Mr Moss asked what steps the Government propose to take in reference to a petition reported on last session from residents of the borough of Parnell. Mr Thomson said the question was important, as seven municipalities were in the same fix as to endowments. The Government said they would shortly state their determination on the matter. THB INQLKB TBLEOBAM. Mr Saundbbs asked the Postmaster-General whether a telegram, sent by the Colonial Secretary to Mr Henry Ingles, a Justice of the Peace at Kaikoura, and which Mr Ingles reported in a letter to the Canterbury Pbess to be in substance—“ Will you stand on policy as defined in Governor’s speech P If you will you]sh»UlhßTo.tho entire support of the party.

Even if defeated you will have claim to consideration,” but which a Government organ claims to have been sent in exactly the following words—"l9th August. Will you stand on policy of Governor’s speech in opposition to Saunders' party? Will support you as far as possible, and consider you to have a claim upon it even if unsuccessful.” Was franked by Colonel Whitmore as a telegram on public service, or was paid for as a private telegram ? He did not think it necessary to apologise for the question, as it was a sample of others to follow.

The Premier called attention to the words “Government organ,” which he considered wrong.

The Speaker asked the hon. gentleman if ho could not substitute the name of the paper, but was informed that he did not know it, and that the words were a quotation from another paper. Under these circumstances he thought it competent to allow the words to pass. The Postmaster-General said on seeing the notice in the papers he had inquired into the matter and found it was a mistake, that it should have been sent as a private message and charged for in the usual way. He also saw Colonel Whitmore, and ho corroborated this statement, and said of course the messagewould be paid for. [Laughter.] IMMORAL THEATRICAL REPRESENTATIONS. Mr Dick asked the Government if they have been requested to take any action to prevent theatrical representations of an immoral tendency in the city of Dunedin, and what steps, if any, they propose to take in the matter, Mr Macandeew said the police had been instructed to keep a watch over the immoral tendency complained of, and to enforce the provisions of an old statute made and provided to meet such a case. TOLLING PLACES IN BRUCE DISTRICT. Mr Murray asked if three additional polling places could be proclaimed for Bruce, at Wangaloa," Level Elat, and Stirling, and was informed that the whole question of representation would be dealt with during the session, when the complaint would remedy itself. GRAIN AND TIMBER DUTIES. Mr Murray asked if the Government intended to reimpose the duties on grain, flour, and timber this session. The Premier stated that the answer would be contained in the financial statement, if the hon, gentleman would wait for it to be brought down. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Mr Murray asked to be informed if the Hon. the Premier would state when the financial statement was likely to he brought down. The Premier said it was not reasonable to expect an answer at such an early period of the session. FIRST READINGS. Leave was given to introduce the following Bills :—Mr Hurst, a Bill to authorise the Corporation of the City of Auckland to consolidate certain loans ; Mr Hurst, a Bill to enable the Auckland Harbor Board to dispose of certain lands reclaimed from the foreshore in the harbor of Auckland ; Mr Hurst, a Bill to transfer the powers of the Auckland Improvement Commissioners to the City Council of Auckland ; Mr Hurst, a Bill to vest the Auckland Provincial Council Library and the Auckland Mechanios’lnstituto in the Mayor, Councillors, and citizens of the city of Auckland. Sir G. Grey, a Bill to suspend plurality of voting in certain cases. Sir G. Grey, a Bill to make provision for the Representation of the people in the General Assembly. Sir O. Grey, The Triennial Parliaments Bill. Sir G. Grey, The Alienation of Maori Lands Bill. Mr Murray, The Raitangata and Wangaloa Atherneuma Reserves Bill, The above Bills were all read a first time. EDEN ELECTORAL DISTRICT. Mr Brandon moved for a return showing the population and number of electors on the electoral roll of Eden district, and the number polled in Eden at last election, which was promised by the Government to be laid on the table. CHAIRMAN OB COMMITTEES. Sir G. Grey moved that Mr Seymour be appointed Chairman of Committees of the whole House, and in doing so paid a compliment to the hon. gentleman. Mr Hall seconded, also complimenting Mr Seymour. The proposal was carried unanimouily. Mr Seymour acknowledged the compliment which had for the third time been paid to him in his election as Chairman c f Committees. COMMITTERS APPOINTED, A number of sessional committees were then formed. ADDRESS IN- REPLY. Sir George Grey moved the adjournment of the House until Tuesday. Mr Hall said such a motion involved the postponement of the motion for the addressin reply, which the Government had been courteous enough to inform him it was their intention to move ; but he would like to know when the Government intended to go on with it, as he had an amendment to propose to it which his party were prepared to go on with at once, and to take a division upon it at once it necessary. In order that the Government need not be taken by surprise when the address was moved he would read an amendment which he intended to bring forward when the address was proposed. It was as follows :—“Whilst, however, wo are prepared to give effect to the Liberal measures desired by the country, we feel bound to submit to your Excellency that your Excellency’s Government, as at present constituted, does not possess the confidence of the country.”' [Cheers from the Opposition side.] The House then rose.