GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1754, 3 October 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thttksday, Ociobeb 3. The Houao met at 2 30. MISCEMANEOUS. Mr McLean gave notice to ask for a return of the Customs revenue for the quarter ending September, 1879. Air Bowen gave notice to ask for a return of all appointments made by the Government since last session and the nature of the same. Mr Thomson laid on the table a return of lands sold for cash and on deferred payments. Mr Moss brought up an interim report of the Petitions Classification Committee.

The Ministbb tob Lands, in reply to a •question by Mr Whitaker as to why the Government had not _ yet offered for sale suburban allotments in the vicinity of the township of Ngaruawahia, said the Government were taking steps to have the land opened up for sale, and hoped it would be ready before long. The Pbbmibk, in reply to Mr Seymour, said the Government would take steps to compel hotel and lodging-house keepers to provide and maintain facilities for escape from the upper rooms in case of Are, and open up the whole subject with the view of compelling,if desirable, private houses to make some provision. The Pbbmihb in reply to Mr 'Seymour, ■aid a return would be laid before the House in a few days shewing the value of all properties in New Zealand under the Land Tax Aot, the amount of each borough and county to be kept separate, and the value with and

Mr Gisbobnb, in reply to Mr Bsetham, laid that provision for the protection of prospectors for gold in district* that hare not besn proclaimed goldfields would be made, and it wss now under consideration of the Government.

The Minibtbb bob Public Woekb, in reply to Mr Wright, said enquiries had been made as to the necessity for tbe erection of a goods shed at Dromore in time for next grain season, and it was not thought necessary, but further enquiries would be made. In reply to Mr Swanson as to what action had been taken in the matter of the petition of Samuel Phillips, presented and reported upon during last session of the Assembly by the Petitions Committee, Mr Thomson said no action had been taken. It would be referred back to the Private Petitions Committee to be reported on. In reply to Mr Pyko as to whether the Government would cause the survey of the Otago central railway to be completed from Clyde to Lake Wanaka, The Minibtbb pob Public Wobkb said the survey was about to be resumed at once. In reply to Mr Stevens, The Postmabteb-Genebal said it was proposed that operators and others in the Telegraph Department should not receive payment for overtime. In addition to their morning duty on Sundays, they were expected to work from six to seven o’clock p.m. without payment for that duty. The Minibtbb op Lands, in reply to Mr Stevens, said that the title to a piece of land in Sydenham, known as the Cattle Market reserve, would not in the meantime be completed in favor of that borough. It was bought for Christchurch borough, which had control in the meantime.

In reply to Mr Finn, The Pbemibb said provision for an audit by public officers of the accounts of municipalities and other public bodies would be made, and provision for a similar audit of Benefit and Building Societies would be taken into consideration.

The Minister or Lands, in reply to Mr Johnston, said the amount of land revenue for the quarter ended September 30th was not yet obtainable. The Minister foe Wobks, in reply to Mr Bowen as to whether the Department would make good the damage done by the railway works to the protective embankments formed by Kaiapoi borough, said several reports had been msde on the subject, but further inquiries would be necessary to ascertain the amount to be paid. The Minister fob Public Works, in reply to Mr Seddon, said the survey of the country between Terenaakau and Arahura, with the view of making a detour and causing the railway to pass through Kumara, Golds - borough, and Stafford, would be made, although the cost of the detour would amount to some £25,000. Mr Seddon said the amount was only estimated at £3OOO. Major Habbis asked for correspondence between the Government and 'the Manukau County Council relative to the abolition of toll-bars, and receipts and expenditure of same, also receipts and expenditure of tolls collected at Tamaki Bridge for the year. The Premier said the information would be laid on the table.

The Premier, in reply to Mr Bowen, said a copy of the Boyal instructions, together with his Excellency’s commission, would be laid on the table if the Governor, when applied to, consented to the same. In reply to Mr Saunders, The Government said it was their intention to introduce a Bribery Bill this session. The Bill was already printed. In reply to Mr Wakefield, as to whether the Government had received any communication from the unemployed at Timaru, and whether they will be able toon to employ such on public works. The Ministrb fob Public Wobks said no application had been received. When received it would be dealt with.

The “Minister fob Public Wobks, in reply to Mr Dick, promised to lay before the House copies of correspondence and reports relative to the permanent location of the Commissioner of Bailways for the Middle Island.

In reply to Mr Whitaker, The Minibtsb fob Public Wobks said the amount required for the construction of the railway bridge over the Waikato river at Hamilton was not included in the sum voted by the House in the session of 1878 for the •onstruotion of the Thames-Waikato railway to Omaha, part of which vote had been expended between the Thames river and Qrahamstown, because only a sum of £30,000 was voted, and that had been expanded on the line in question. The sum voted was not £168,000, as stated in the question. Mr Whitaker gave notice to ask fop all correspondence between the Government and Borough of the Thames relative to a grant of 2000 acres as an endowment to that municipality. The Speaker said he had received a letter and petition from a Maori against the election of Tainui, the member for the Southern Maori district, which ho would lay before the Petition Committee.

Leave was given to introduce the following Bills ;—Mr Levin, Bill to constitute Harbor Board for the Port of Wellington; Mr McDonald, Bill providing for the Determination of Native law suits in the Supreme Court; Mr A. Adams, Licensing further Amendment Bill, Nos. 1 and 2. The Pbbmibb brought up a return showing showing the population of the electoral districts, the number enrolled, Ac. PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Mr Hall called the attention of the House to a question of privilege. He had read in the morning paper a letter signed by a person calling himself J. O. Brown, in which some reference of a personal character was made to himself. He was charged with sending a steamer when in the Ministry to carry gentlemen for political purposes, whilst the fact was the steamer went down with the mail, bnt carried the gentlemen referred to on her return. He was also charged with offering J, O. Brown anything he liked to ask for his vote, and os this statement was made in a public newspaper he should characterise it in plain English. The late Sir D. McLean, Sir W. Fox, Sir J. Yogel, Messrs Ormond, Gisborne, and others could testify to the untruthfuluess of the statement, and he had taken steps to obtain the testimony of gentlemen who were in the colony to show that the statement by this person was an absolute unblushing, unmitigated falsehood. Mr J. O. Brown, speaking to a point of order, claimed to have a Select Committee to whom the matter should be referred, and thought such language should not be used.

Mr Hall said the name of J. O. Brown was never mentioned by the Government at the time referred to. He would ask Mr Gisborne, who was in the Government at the time, if he remembered any such thing.

Mr Gisbornb said he had no recollection, and wonld not have continued a member of any Government guilty of such a thing, f Cheer*.] Mr J. C. Brown said Mr Hall was Minister without portfolio at that time, and if a committee was called for ho would undertake to prove what he had written, or consent to remain branded as he deserved if ho did not prove it. Mr Hall was a member of that Government, and had always been a kind of “ Johnny all sorts ” to various Governments.

The Spkakbb called the member to order. Mr Bowkn said he would like to know why the member spoke of the Hall Ministry, when he had admitted Mr Hall did not hold a portfolio at the time. The subject then dropped. ADDBBSS IN BBFIIY. The adjourned debate on the Address in Reply was then called on. . Mr J. T. Fishbb, who had moved the adjournment on the previous evening, said the Opposition had become very liberal all at once, although they had never brought down a liberal measure. He always felt great interest in his friend the member for Selwyn, but ho failed to see what his claims to the liberal leadership were, and considered that his attack on the Government was one of the most wishy-washy he had ever heard. Ho then proceeded briefly to notice some of the charges preferred against the Government by the Opposition, and to characterise them as weak and trifling. Mr MubbAT spoke in opposition to the Ministry, and charged them with extravagance in various matters. He said the granting of a dissolution, under the circumstances, was ■ot called for, and put the country to the expense of £IOO,OOO, simply because half the House had no confideaco in the Premier. Ho regretted that all the Ministers should be judged by the company they kept. It was not a question of policy that was before the country, but of the trustworthiness of members of the Ministry. He charged the Government with extravagance and

the Premier with exciting a class feeling, not creditable to one of his position and antecedents. He considered that a Government which squandered public money in the way the Premier had, on railway works in the Thames district, was unworthy the confidence of the House. He was bound to vote against the Ministry in this case, however painful it was to vote against his friends. He should not on this occasion walk out, but would vote against Ministers. Mr Baebon said ho disclaimed when returned any intention of voting according to dictation in opposition to his own judgment, but he might say at once that he considered it would be a pity to spoil n good Opposition by putting them on the Government Benches, which they were unfitted to occupy. He wont over the list of members of last Parliament to show that eighteen members of the Opposition had been rejected, and very few real supporters of the Government, from which he argued that the latter had scored an immense victory. He considered that Messrs M'Oaughan and Masters were returned to support the Government, and from what he heard of their intention to vote on the other side, he thought they would have to answer to their constituencies for such a course of conduct. He contended that if they were to pass the Readjustment of Representation Bill and go to the country, the result would be different to what it was when the country was recently appealed to. They would then have no necessity to shepherd one vote or to allow hon. members to nibble at the carrots to keep them quiet, Mr Mastbbs said he would give the moat unqualified denial to the statement that he was returned to support the present Government. He did not lead his constituents to believe that he would support any man or any body of men, because he considered it beneath the dignity of any man to be returned pledged to support any man. He had a leaning, he confessed, toward the Government, but he thought much more of his independence of action than to be returned bound to any man. Ho had said ho should weigh matters and vote conscientiously, and since he came to Wellington he had done so. He found in the Opposition men whom ho could trust as members of the Government, and in whom ha had full confidence. He was alone responsible for his vote to his constituents.

At this time (5.15), Mr Seddon moved the adjournment of the House. Mr Hall objected to the adjournment. Mr Beadbb Wood proceeded to argue the point at length to pass the time until 5.30, when

Mr Hall said, amidst laughter, that he withdrew his objection. Mr Mubbay then objected. Mr Hamlin next alluded to the length and weariness of Mr Murray’s speech. Time was then called, and the House adjourned at 5.30 till 7.30.

EVENING SITTING. SUPPLY. The debate on address in reply was adjourned until 7.50 by request of the Premier, when he moved the House into Committee of Supply to authorise a supply of £IBO,OOO on deficiency bills, in order to facilitate the transfer of the hanking business. The authority was given under an order in Council dated April last. Mr Hall said that if it was merely to facilitate the transfer of an account ho would offer no opposition. Mr McLean asked why the account was being changed ? What reason the Bank of New Zealand had for giving notice of the termination of the agreement with the colony. The Premier said that this request had nothing to do with the notice given by the Bank of New Zealand. The Bank of New South Wales had offered to assist the Government by tendering for the account at six per cent., with half per cent commission, and this reqnsst was made In consequence. Mr McLean said he would not detain the Committee of Supply, but when the Imprest Bill came before them, he should go fully into the treatment of the Bank of New Zealand by the Government. The Fbbkibb said that he thought he would be relieving the Bank of New Zealand from pressure by releasing these bills. There was no request from the bank concerning them. The resolution for supply then passed the first and second reading.

ADDRBSS IK REPLY. Mr Sbddon said he spoke reluctantly ae a new member, but as the representatire o£ an important mining constituency he could not allow the opportunity to pass without giving his views on the situation. The voice of the people was shown to be with Ministers, because their measures showed they were fit and proper persons to be entrusted with these great principles. Ho proceeded at some length to deal with West Coast local affaire, and to show the intention of the Opposition, who sought to gain the Government benches chiefly to serve their own ends. He objected to allow Otago and Canterbury to rule the colony, and thought those who voted with them did not do so from right convictions. He regretted that one member for Grey Yalley (Mr Masters) could adopt such a course as would virtually disfranchise a large and important constituency, who were decidedly in favor of the Grey Government. He endeavored to show from his election speech that the bon. gentleman was a believer in the Grey Government and the Liberal policy, although ho now intimated that ho should oppose them. Had the hon. gentleman any reason to mistrust the Government ? He had received an intimation that his district would receive the same attention it had hitherto received, and therefore the hon. member ought not to go contrary to the wishes of his constituents. He would ask the members of the Opposition to release him from the pledge they had extracted from him, and to enable him (Mr Masters) to act as an honest man should. Nothing had been advanced by the Opposition which would lead him to desert the party in power. He believed the Premier possessed the confidence of the colony, and he should support him. Mr Whitaker said he would not take up the time of the House on what he took to bo a foregone conclusion, but, at the same time, he felt called upon to say why he supported the Opposition. Ho was not going to admit that the gentlemen on the Government side were the sole patron saints of those great Liberal principles referred to. He failed to recognise a real Liberal programme in the Governor’s speech, or any indication of a fresh policy requisite to meet the requirements of the country. There was also a shirking of Native matters in the speech, instead of a statement of the real position of affairs, which had been of a troublesome character for years past. A proper system of true self-government was the foundation of all Liberalism, and yet nothing was said on this point in his Excellency’s speech. There was no mention of the Northern Railway, and ho was therefore surprised to find the hon. member for Mars'! en supporting the Government, which held out no inducement in the matter of a railway ho was most anxious to see gone on with. He next referred to the conduct of the Government in neglecting to proceed with the Waikato Railway from the Hamilton end, whilst the Thames was favored with a large expenditure. He also referred to an endowment of 2000 acres for the Thames municipality, which he considered favoritism, so long as Hamilton and other boroughs were not so favored. He spoke of the Ohinemuri affair, and attributed the shooting to a dispute between the Government and the Ngatihako people, and defended the Native Minister from the attacks made upon him on various grounds. He charged the Premier with being a plagiarist of Carlyle’s writings, and appropriating them to himself, using them on all occasions in public. He claimed to have been a supporter of Liberal doctrines for years, and knew others who had done so for many years, who wore now on the Opposition benches. Therefore it was folly to say that the Premier was the only exponent of Liberal ideas.

Tb Whbobo said he wished to say a few words, although he would have liked to hear the Native Minister first. From what he saw of the proceedings it was simply Europeans v. Europeans fighting for the Benches. He wished to say he came there to look after Maori interests, and should support those who did their best for the Native people. Mr Hb Lahtottb said hit experience went to show that the leaders from Canterbury were principally favorable to ideas vicious in themselves and entirely adverse to all true liberty. Ho for one could not conceive of true followers of those principles supporting such men. He could not expect all Liberals to come across from one side to the other all at once, but not one of those who hod taken part in the past struggles should be found on the other side of the House. When ha saw the leading politicians of Canterbury allied with the leader from Otago (the member for Boslyn), ho viewed with alarm r-q.vilf should they pain nossession of the

Government benches. He did not view with regret the appearance of the hon, member for Selwyn in that House, where he had a constituency to answer to, but he did not approve of the reason which induced him to join that House. Ho appeared to think that he had no right to be under laws which ho had not the fullest power to frame, and therefore he came to that House and hoped to gain the Premier’* position. But he did not think he would be successful in his demands. The speaker went on to quote from the speeches of Mr Hall to show that he held views contrary to the Liberal principles which should characterise a leader of any Government. Ho referred to the gridironing process in Canterbury, and said the hon. member for Selwyn could tell them all about it if ho chose. It was absurd to say that only some 2000 acres were thus taken up. The fact was that throe parallel lines locked up some thirty miles of country in Canterbury, although only a few hundred acres of that land had been legitimately taken up. An area of some four miles could be taken out of competition and kept from the selector with an occupation of only four or five hundred acres. Free selectors had no chance in the Canterbury district, and the chairman of the Selwyn County knew that very well. He pointed out that the leader of the Opposition was a bitter opponent of the secular system of education, and went so far as to send a protest to the British Government against the Act, which was, of course, not respected. He would not object to a season of Opposition, because ho thought it would impress the young men on the Government side with the importance of earnestness, and give cohesion to the party of the followers of great Liberal principles, which must triumph in this colony, Mr Bowen moved the adjournment of the debate at 12.30.