GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1752, 1 October 1879, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Skitkm:iii:k 30. After formal business, appointing committees, &C, Mr '.Chahbekxain gave notice to ask on Friday whether the Government would introduoe measures to promote local industries. Mr Fkabeb gave notice for the appoint' ment of a Native affairs committee. Mr Mantell brought up a question of privilege in connection with the Kinross case. He said witnesses giving evidence before the committee were privileged, and could not be prosecuted, even if they committed perjury, without the consent of the Council. The prosecutors had been guilty of contempt, likewise in summoning a member and officers of the Council as witnesses. Sir W. FiTzhebbebt said no doubta breach of privilege had been committed. Mr Buokxby said, {if perjury had been committed, no question, no privilege, should interfere with the punishment. The question was referred to the Standing Orders Committee.

The address in reply, which was merely moved by Mr Wood, was seconded by Mr Mabtbx.

Mr Watebiiouse spoke an hour against the Government, chiefly in connection with their oonduot during the elections, in which they had unconstitutionally brought the machinery of Government to work in their favor. The Government policy was a system of organised hypocrisy. CoL Whitmobb spoke an hour in reply to Mr Waterhouse, and the address was carried on the voices. The Habitual Drunkards Bill was read a first time. The Council adjourned at 9 p.m. to 2.30 on Friday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, Septestbbb 30. The House met at 2 30 p.m. MTSOBI",T.ANEOUS. Messrs Stewart, Seddon, Gibbs, and Finn took the oath and their seats. A number of petitions were presented. Mr Baxlance gave notice to ask the Government if they have any objection to produce a letter from the Bank re notice of closing the acoount, also a return of grain, timber, flaur, &e., imported into the colony for the years 1878 79. Mr Saundbbs gave notice to ask for e. Committee of Inquiry into the use of the steamer, railways, and telegraph for election purposes. Mr Stevtabt gave notice of a Bill to amend the Joint Stock Companies Act, 1860. Mr McLean gave notice to ask for a return of all payments by the Government for advertising in the various papers of the ooloey. Mr Wood gave notice to introduce the Auckland College and Grammar School Bill. Sir Geo. Gbey laid on the table copies of the Public Trußt Office Accounts for last year. PETITIONS OF LAST SESSION. Mr Macandbbw moved that all petitions presented last session and not finally reported on at the close, be referred to a Select Committee as if they had been presented this session. The motion was carried. SALARIES OF GAOL OFFICBBS. MrToLB uked if the Government would cause the salaries of officers in gauls throughout the colony to be equalised on the estimates. The Minister of Justice replied that I tke sum of £7OO would be required to oomply 1 with the request, and he intended to ask for.

tho neoeisary powera to enable them to oomply with the request. ABOHITXOT3 IK THB CITIIi BBBTICK.

Mr Stbtbnb asked if there are m the public ■errioe architects allowed private praotiee, and if bo, whether the Government intend to oontinue »uch permission. The Ministbb fob Public WOBKa replied that no architect was allowed to do 80. It waa contrary to the regulations. WAIKATO BAILWAY.

Mr White asked why tho Government has not yet commenced the construction of the portion of the line from Hamilton to Te Aroha. The Ministbb fob Public Wobxs replied that it was not intended to do bo until the bridge over the river is completed. DEFBEBED PAYMENT LANDS IN OANTBB-

BUBY. The Ministbb OJ Lands, in reply to a . question by Mr Johnston, said that landsin the Canterbury district have been set aside for sale on deferred payments UDder the Aot of 1877. He estimated the area of this land was 7393 acres. The lands were set aside -under proclamation issued in 1878, and the area taken up was 320 acres. WAGES OF aOTEBNMENT WOBKMBN. In reply to Mr Swanson, The Goyebnment said there was a clause 'providing for workmen being paid at least every fortnight, and attention would be ■ drawn to it, in order that contractors might be compelled to respect it. DBA? AND DUMB ASYLUM. Mr Fulton asked the Minister of Educa- ■ tion what steps the Government proposed taking towards the establishment of a Deaf and Dumb Institution for the colony, and whether the services of a competent instructor have been secured by the Agent-General ? The Pbkmikk said an appointment had 'been made, and the gentleman was expected to arrive in December. NELSON CBBEK BBIDGB. In reply to Mr Masters, The MINISTBB FOB PUBLIC WOBKS Ba J d the Government would furnish the corre • pond once, petitions and telegrams relating to the construction or alteration of the site of tho proposed bridge over Nelson Greek, on the Greymouth and Beefton road in the Grey Valley, that have passed between the Government and representatives of the Grey Valley, the chairman of the County Council of Grey, and the Mayor of the Borough of Greymouth. DBLITBBT OF ENGLISH HAILS. In reply to Captain Bussell, The Posthastes-Genebal said steps bad been taken to ensure the more punctual delivery of tho San Francisco mail on the East Coast of the North Island, but the Union Company were not prepared to run a special steamer by that coast. Th y were prepared to run one from Wellington at a cost of about £2OOO. BAIL WAT RBSBBVES SALE. Mr Waxbfibld asked for a return showing the allotments offered for sale for cash or on deferred payments, under the Bail way Beserves Bale Act, 1878, the area of such allotments and the price obtained, and indicating which purchasers on deferred payments bave since abandoned their purchases. Mr Thomson said he hoped in a few days to be able to lay all the information before the House. ALLOWANCES TO FIBB BBIGADBS. In reply to Mr Bichmond, The Government said they were prepared to place members of fire brigades in the same position with regard to capitation as the Volunteer forces of the colony. NEW BILLS. Leave was given for the introduction of the following Bills : —Mr Shrimski, the Oamaru Waterworks Loan Bill; Mr Tole, a Bill to amend the Slaughterhouse Act, 1877; Mr Hamlin, the Onehunga Water Beserve Bill ; Mr Hamlin, the Waiuku Becreation Beserve Bill; Mr Wright, the Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bill ; Mr Sutton, a Bill to alter the Terms of Trußt of certain Church Lands at Napier ; Mr Thomson, a Bill to provide for the formation of Special Settlements ; Mr Thomson, a Bill to amend the Land Act, 1877; Mr Pitt, a Bill to amend the Besident Magistrate's Act, 1867 ; Mr Pitt, a Bill to amend the District Courts Act, 1858 ; Captain Bussell, the Napier and Meanee Becreation Ground Bill. -,AD88839 IN BEPLT. Mr 3. P. Andbews rose to move—" That a respectful address be presented to bis Excellency in reply to the speech whioh bis Excellency has been pleased to make to both House." He craved the indulgence of the House as a new member, and said he would deal with the-Bubjects aa they appeared in order in the speech. He believed the House would agree that notwithstanding the ■monetary pressure, the condition of the colony was ■ commercially sound. On the subject of a dissolution, he referred to the important measures which •were made ■to depend upon the changes. In the district he represented every > freeholder, householder, or lodger was able to •xercise the franchise. They would not be • satisfied with anything short of manhood . suffrage. They would not ask for more than the residential clauses of the new Blectoral Bill, which gave full representation to all classes. IHe approved of an alteration in the mode of registration, because the present system was not even equal to the privilege of dog registration. A man landed in the colony, and was not able to qualify until a certain month came round, instead of being able to do so at once. He thought the hours of polling • should be altered. In Ohristchuroh they had some'4soo persons on the roll, but allowing for dead and departed, some 3500 should be able to vote. But the fact was that, owing to the limited hours, only 2500 were able to i record their votes. Men would not ask for a half hour to vote, and the time should be extended from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., in order ■ to enable working men to record their votes. He did not wish to quote Liberalism and «Conservatism, but the fact was, these questions of simplifying registiation and enlarging the hourß of voting were not new, and yet they had not been dealt with by the House. The per- , uonnel of the new House showed that a change was considered necessary, and he trusted their .-action would show that they were an improvement on the old Parliament. A Eedistribution of Seatß Bill, whioh was not based on population, he apprehended would not . give satisfaction, or accord with the constitur • tion under which they were assembled. They •wanted local self-government improved, in order that all districts might work in ■harmony and with economy of administration. On the Bubject of plurality of voting amongst local bodies, he thought a change was necessary. A man of property •might be able to record some forty •Totes at various elections. He knew one man, who lodged at a public house, able ■ to record twenty votes, andaman with wife and three children who had only one vote. On the subject of farms for the working classes, the thought they Bhould provide homes for the people, with constant employment and room for immigrants. In Wellington, for instance, the houses were so situated that I they were only fit for lodgers, instead of men with families. Such provision would cause men to go out into the country, and provide decent houses for their families, and cultivate land. They also wanted nominated immigration to assist the introduction of such a class as would occupy these lands. If they would introduce such persons, they would have no difficulty in finding employment for them. They wanted a trunk railway and other publio works proceeded with. On the subject of Native lands he said that in the South the peoplo called land agents in Maori districts were regarded as evil men, requiring some means of regulation at the hands of the Government, and he trusted something would be done to deal with this class. The policy shadowed forth in his Excellency's address met with tho approval of the people in all parts of the colony, and he had no doubt it would meet with the approval of that House. He should assist to the best of his ability in carrying out those great Liberal principles, and in doing bo would comply with tho wishes of his constituents. He would help to carry out .those Liberal measures, and hoped tho House would assist him to do so.

Mr Hfest rose to second the addreas in reply, and was received with cheers. He confratnlatod the late speaker, whom he had nown in a similar capacity elsewhere. He would refer to the liberal measures before the country, the financial position of the colony, and Native affairs. Ho told the hon. gentleman at the head of the Government that he held pronounced views on the finances of the colony, and was informed that he and those who were with him wanted only what was right, and he felt sure he did. As to the measures before the country, he was convinced that they were desired by the oountry, whatever they were by the gentlemen of the Opposition, who proposed to bring forward an antagonistic motion. If they wanted to oppose the Ministry they should first carry the measures which were before the country, and then let them join issue if they liked, and

oppose the Ministry. They should accept the position and go on with the business before the country. They had the fact that the men who were strongest in opposition to liberal measures were auoh as represented minorities. Four of them only represented some 2186 consti tuents, whilst two members who supported the Government's polioy represented quite as many. He considered the House had been reckless in dealing with the policy of public works, and they should look the matter fairly in the face. If it should happen that they could not get the five million loan they would find themselves in an awkward predicament, and he cist the blame of suoh a situation upon the members of the Opposition. He next referred to the question of Native lands, and expressed satisfaction with the policy which the Native Minister enunciated recently in Auckland. He considered that the Natives should be placed in a position whereby they would be able to look up to the Government with confidence. A man who could afford to buy large of Native lands could afford to fee agents, whilst the po >rer people could not, and should look to Government for assistance in such a matter as the purchase of lands. He would rofer to the recent Native disturbance. The Bay of Islands shooting was a more family quarrel, with which the Government had nothing to do, and could not be blamed. As to the Thames affairs, they were not to blame for that either. The matter arose through a purchase by a former Government, but it had no political significance. They were quarrelling amongst themselves, and the person who was shot was mistaken for a Maori as he was very dark. He thought the Government acted very rightly in referring this matter to the House before doing anything. One of the officers who went up to the district in which the shooting took place said he only wished the Native Minister had given them permission and they would have gone up and shot the whole lot of them. He thought it was well the Native Minister had not given the permission, because they would not be able to tell where the matter would end. The Native Minister had dealt very guardedly in all his dealings in the North. The altered conduct of Kewi showed this, for he had actually started off to assist the Native Minister when he heard of the Thames shooting by the Natives, and unfortunately met with a very serious accident on the road. He would not prolong his remarks, but thanked gentlemen for their courtesy in listening to him. [Cheers.] The address in reply was then read by the Speaker. It was merely the customary echo of the Governor's speech, the language being identical.

Mr Hall then moved the adjournment of the House till 7.30.