GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1779, 3 November 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In consequence of the break-down in the Cooks Strait cable the reports of proceedings in Parliament last week could not be transmitted. The following extracts from the reports of Wellington contemporaries, so far as they are to hand, will do something to remedy the deficiency:— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUBSDAY, OCTOBBB 28. Mr Fulton brought up the report of the Christchurch Election Committee, and moved that it be printed. Mr Tole raised the question whether the committee had complied with the law in disqualifying Sir George Grey, and appointing the Hon. Mr Richardson to the Christchurch seat. Several members having expressed their opinions, Mr Hislop moved an amendment to the effect—" That as the proceedings of the committee were irregular, and the evidence was not taken on oath, and further, that there was nothing to show that Mr Richardson was an elector, the House declines to ratify the report of the committee, and orders the petition to be withdrawn." The Speaker ruled that no amendment was admissible. Sir George Grey contended that he had complied with the liw as laid down by the highest Legislature in the land. He pointed out that the law did not say that the decision of the committee should be final. The question was then put—" That the report of the committee be entered on the journals." A division was called for, and the bell rang, but subsequently it was agreed to take the decision of the Houbo on the voices, and the Speaker declared the motion to be carried. The Premier then laid on the table a memorandum from the Under-Secretary, in which that officer stated that no official correspondence had taken place between the Government and any of the Auckland members. Mr Hamlin moved m resolution to the effect

that a Seleot Committee should be appointed to consider all {correspondence between the Government and some of the Auckland members, and to call for persons and papers and take evidence on oath. He named the committee, but the Speaker declined to allow the names to be stated, on the ground that the Premier should first have been consulted, with the object of ascertaining whether or not the Government approved of them. The hon. gentleman, however, might give notice of his motion if he thought proper to do so. The Premier expressed the opinion that the motion was out of order. He thought that if the papers referred to were produced, all correspondence, both public and private, which had passed between members of the House also should be laid on the table. He held that no correspondence should be produced. A conversational discussion ensued, in the course of which Mr Swanaon expressed his willingness to read any correspondence that had taken place between himself and the Government with reference to his vote. He was not ashamed of anything he had said or done. Jn conclusion he stated that no official correspondence on the subject had taken place. Mr Moss agreed that there might be no "official" correspondence, but, at the same time, there might be some private letters. Mr Hurst also thought it was not right to lay any oorrespondence'such as that asked for on the table. Mr J. C. Brown said that he knew that certain corrospondence had taken place, and he invited the Government to produco it. A number of members spoke in the «ame Btrain, and several others took an opposite view of the case. Mr Swanson denied most emphatically that he and tho other members had made any bargain with the Government. The discussion was continued until half-past five o'clock, when the adjournment for dinner took place. The House met again at halfpast seven o'clock, when the Speaker put tho question, "That I do now leave tho chair, in order that the House may go into Committee of Supply." Mr Macandrew then rose and complained that on the eve of a great battle he and his party had been deserted by some of their followers, and he thought the time had come 'when the business of the country should"' be proceeded with. As far as he was concerned, he would like the " no-confidenco " motion to be called on and discharged, as ho had no desire to press it any further. He considered that they would only be wasting time by going on with the motion at present, and therefore he would be willing to withdraw it and assist the Government to pass the Liberal measures which they proposed to introduce. The Premior said the Government were very anxious to proceed with tho business of the country, and therefore they had no objection lo meet the leader of the Opposition. The motion for going into Committee of Supply was then agreed to, and the House went into committee accordingly, and passed Deficiency Bills to the amount of £200,000. Mr Macandrew was then called upon to move his " no-confidenco" motion, but as he did not make any response, the motion lapsed. The Hon. Mr Rolleston then moved the second reading of the Land Bill. He explained that the Bill belonged to the late Government, and he had not yet had time to give it much consideration, but he hoped by the time it was committed to be better acquainted with it. He explained the provisions of the measure, which were principally that rural land shall be sold for not less than 30i"per acre, and that suburban land be sold for not less than 90s per acre. Mr Macandrew said he would support the Bill, though he did not agree with the proposal of the Government to make this Bill and the Tillage Settlements Bill one measure. He deprecated the system of spending so much money on public works and so little on the settlement of the land. Mr Hutchison considered that the measure should cover all kinds of settlements—special, village, and everything else. Mr Hursthouse counselled the Government to give greater inducements and facilities to the poor man to settle on the land. Several members spoke, with the object of showing that it would be advisable to delay the Bill until members had had an opportunity of carefully studying its provisions. Mr Pyke, in a very forcible speech, pointed out that the prices proposed to be charged for the (land were too high. He knew of some land which would be dear at five shillings an acre, and to ask thirty shillings for it was simply monstrous. Mr Pyke picked the Bill to pieces, and urged tha> Government to consider the advisability of abolishing all Waste Land Boards in the colony. Mr Lundon and Mr Fisher objected to the high prices, the last-named gentleman suggesting that the minimum price should be 10s per acre. Several members spoke, with the object of showing that the Government should recall the Bill and reconsider the question of the price of land before bringing it in again. Mr Ormond considered that the Bill was a most important one, and he hoped the Government would reconsider the question of price. He believed in selling the land cheap, and in forming special [settlements. After some further remarks from Messrs Speight, Ireland, end Gisborne, the Bill was read a second time. The following Bills were then read a first time ; —A Bill to provide for the Registration of Persons Qualified to Vote at Elections of Members for the House of Representatives; a Bill to provide for the representation of the Maori people in the House of Representatives ; aßill to make provision for the regulation and conduct of elections of members of the House of Representatives ; a Bill for the Prevention of Corrupt Practices at Elections of members of the House of Representatives, and to make provision for for the trial of election petitions. Some formal business having been transacted, the House adjourned until next day.

Wbdnebday, Octobeb 29. The House met at the usual hour and got through a good deal of formal business. Amongst the Bills introduced was one by Mr Hutohison, the object of which is to amend "The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876." The debate on the question—That the correspondence (if any), that had taken place between the Government and certain Auckland members with reference to their votes should be laid on the table—was resumed by Mr Lundon. Several other members having spoken, the motion was carried, an amendment which had been proposed on the previous day by Mr Hamlin, to the effect that a Select Committee should be appointed to inquire into the matter and take evidence on oath, being rejected on a division by 38 to 25. The interrupted debate on tho question " That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report upon the petition of Daniel Climie, C.E., and John Gwynneth, 0.E,," was resumed. The petitioners claimed compensation for having discovered the best route for the West Coast Bailway, and practically accused the Public Works Department of having " sucked their brains." Several members spoke on the question, some expressing the opinion that a special committee should be appointed, and others holding that the ordinary public petitions committee should deal with the matter. Ultimately the debate was adjourned until next day. The interrupted debate on the petition of Sydney Taiwhanga against the return of Mohi Tawhai for the Northern Maori district, was then proceeded with, but after a few speeches had been made it wai further adjourned for a week. Then Mr McLean was called upon to move the following motion : —" That on account of the hardening effect the exemption from all taxation has had on the human mind, the Island of Kawau be included within the boundaries of the county of Bodney." Mr McLean, however, was not present, and consequently the motion lapsed. Sir George Grey then rose and said that the motion was a cruel one, and that Mr McLean should have been in his place to move it. He explained that Kawau was in exactly the same position as other islands that were excluded from the county Bystem. It had been inhabited for twenty years, and not a penny of public money had been spent on it. Sir George then proceeded to attack Mr Whitakor, whom he accused of having, in conjunction with others, endeavored to obtain a block of land in the Waikato comprising 230,000 acres. Thoso lands, he said, were being dealt with by the Government, when suddenly Mr Whitaker and others called on Mr Sheehan, and requested him to remove any difficulties that existed in the way of their acquiring the land. When Sir Georgo had finished, Mr Whitaker rose, and denied most emphatically that the assertion of the ex-Premier was correct. Sir George Grey then said that Mr McLean had informed tho House that the Government were going to ransack every pigeon holo in the buildings, and he (Sir George) could inform them that if they did so they would find all the telegrams that had ever passed on public business while the late Government were in office. In regard to the land at Waikato he had only to say, that it had been surveyed by stealth by Mr Whitaker or his friends, who had sent in a oliim for £soo,ooo in conneotion with it. Sir George was proceeding to speak further when the Speaker intimated that as it was half-past five o'clock the House must adjourn. On meeting again at half-past seven o'clock, a

I large number of Bills were formally read a 1 second time, amongst them being the Sites for Working Men's Clubs Bill; the Dramatic Works Copyright Bill; and the Native lawsuits Bill. The Masterton and Gfreytown Lands Management Bill was read a third time and pas;ed. The adjourned debate- on the second reading of the Licensing Bill was resumed by Mr Andrews, who objected to it. He hoped it would be withdrawn, and that the Government wo»ld fully consider the matter before bringing it forward again. Mr Pyke held similar viewa, and thought the House would act wisely in throwing the Licensing Bill out. Both these speakers considered that the measure was a very incomplete one. Mr Dick held that it was the duty of the House to pass the Bill, because it was patent to all that the present Licensing Laws required amendment. The Hon. Mr Oliver agreed with the last speaker, and pointed out that if the provisions of the new Bill were not satisfactory they could be altered in committee. Mr Speight did not object to any of the provisions, except the compensation clauses. A number of other members spoke, but they adduced nothing in the shape of new arguments. The Bill was read a second time. Some unimportant business having been done, the House [adjourned until next day.

Thubsday, Ootobee 30. Mr Hislop asked the Premier upon what principle the Government intend to base the adjustment of the expenditure of public money in the provincial district of Auckland and the remainder of New Zealand, in pursuance of their agreement with some of the Auckland members of the House, and upon what works they intend to expend any money due to Auckland in pursuance of such adjustment ; also, the amount which they estimate will be due to Auckland ? In answering the question, the Hon. John Hall said the hon. gentleman had done only justice to the Government when he stated that they would give tho fullest possible information, and they would do bo on the present occasion. Their principle was this, that they wished to adjust the public expenditure throughout the whole of New Zealand as far as was practicable. He could not say more than that. The answer to the other part of the question would be given when the Public Works Statement was brought down. [Laughter and applause.J Mr Hislop asked the Government whether it had yet been decided to have the office of the Commissioner of Railways, Middle Island, removed to Dunedin, or permanently placed in Christchurch; also whether the report of the commissioner on the subject will be laid before this House ? The Hon. Mr Oliver said the Government had arrived at no decision, and with regard to the second part of the question he had to state that it had been laid upon the table nearly a month ago. In answer to a question by Mr Gißborne, whether the Government will introduce this session a Bill to regulate the immigration of Chinese into this colony ?—The Hon. John Hall replied in the affirmative. In answer to a question by Mr Gisborne, whether the Government will introduce this session, a Bill prepared by the late Government, and intituled a Bill authorising governors of high schools to realise on their reserves and endowments, and to provide for the investment of the proceeds thereof ?—the Hon. Mr Rolleston did not think it desirable to introduce such a Bill until the report of the commissieners had been reoeived. In answer to a question by Mr Andrews, if there is any standing offer as a money bonus for the discovery of gold or diamonds in the Canterbury provincial district; also, if the Government are prepared to recommend some kind of bonus to encourage further prospecting, and the exploration of the waste lands of Canterbury, the Hon. Mr Oliver replied that there was already a sum of money standing on the estimates both for the North and the South Island. In answer to Mr Beetham, if they intend io take any steps to promote the establishment of a manufactory for phosphorus in the colony, for rabbit-destroying, the Hon. John Hall replied that the Government would tase the matter into consideration. In answer to tho Hon. Mr. Gisborne, whether he can lay before this House a return showing, approximately, the number of times beyond once, that the names of the same persons appear on the electoral rolls of the colony, the Hon. John Hall replied that the preparation asked for would be very tedious and expensive, and they did not think they should be justified in causing such a return to be made. Mr Pitt asked the Colonial Secretary —Whether the Government will take such action as may be necessary for removing doubts which exist as the sufficiency or otherwise of the scale of money contributions_of the members of many of the friendly societies in this colony, in order that such societies may obtain the full benefits of registration under the Friendly Societies Act, 1878 ? The Hon. John Hall considered the question was of great importance, and that the Government would take the necessary action. Mr Moss moved—" That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the honorarium to members of the Legislature should be settled by Btatute." In moving this resolution, Mr Mobs said he thought it would be very desirable that this matter should be settled once for all what the honorarium was to be, so as to get rid of the subject. The motion was seconded by Mr Tole, who said the next question would be what the amount should be. He hoped they would pass the motion, and that a Bill would be introduced on the subject by the Government. The Hon. John Hall would remind the House that the Government had stated the other day that they did not intend to bring forward such a Bill. He should, however, support the motion. Mr Vincent Pyke supported the motion, and gave it as his opinion that there was a good deal of sham patriotism on the subject. Mr J. T. Fisher supported the motion. Mr Sheehan said they mußt feel year after year that it was derogatory to the House to be bringing this question up in the way they did. Mr J. O. Brown believed In the payment of members, which would meet with his support. Mr Moss hopfd if the Government did bring down a Bill they would define whether the honorarium was to to be aspirated or not. [Laughter, j The motion was then put and agreed to. Mr Sutton moved—" That it is desirable that the system of local self-government at present in existence should be so|extended as to provide

maintenance of all public works (excepting railway and harbor works), all hospitals and charitable institutions. (2) That in order to enable local bodies to carry out their duty, it is necessary that their revenues should be increased (a) by the payment monthly of all duties collected in each as stamp duties upon land, or succession duties ; (b) by increasing the maximum of general rates in the ease of counties. (3) That steps should be taken to prevent tho counties and Koad Boards clashing, and to more distinctly define the powers and duties of each of these bcdies. (4) That the Government be requested, as early as possible, to introduce a Bill for the purpose of carrying these resolutions into effect. The mover did not think they could be going on much longer in the way they had been doing. Things wanted simplifying. In many instances they went three or four times over the same ground, and the sooner that kind of thing was done away with the better. All duties charged upon land were, it seemed to him, local. The local system had not been a success. The looal bodies of the North Island were all in debt. The revenue of the local bodies should absolutely be beyond the control of the Government of the country. Mr Sutton proceeded to speak at length of the different views as set forth in his resolution. The Hon. J. Hall said the question was one of very great importance, and it was not reasonable to expect the Government to agree to all the proposals contained in the resolution.' He admitted that Boad Boards and County Councils clashed, and that amended legislation wa9 necessary. The bodies in question ought to harmonise and work side by aide. As a rule the Road Boards had done their work well. Ho was favorable to the general principles contained in the resolution, but at tho same time i£ the mover forced it on the House, ho should move the adjournment of the debate. Mr Kelly suggested that the Native lands should also be subjected to taxation where there were roads made, and they were proved to be benefited thereby. Mr Shephard moved that in the second paragraph certain words should be omitted so that the paragraph would finish at the word "increased." He spoke generally in favor of the resolution. Mr Andrews was not satisfied with the resolution as it stood. Mr Lundon supported the resolution. Mr Seddon spoke to the motion, and advocated a simplification of governing powers, pointing out that they had twenty-ona of such bodies on the West Coast, in the radius of one 'hundred miles. He suggested that the Bating Act should bo amended, and that the Government should next year bring down a

comprehensive measure on the subject. Col. Trimble referred to the necessity that existed for a more equitable mod,' of taxation than that which existed at the present time. He hoped the Government would take some steps to improve the state of the law. The amendment was then withdrawn. The debate was adjourned for a month. On the motion of Mr J. T. Fisher, the Heathcote Bridges Bill was read a seoond time without discussion. The Houße went into Committee on the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill. Mr Shriwski thought the Bill was one which ought to have been introduced by the Government. It seemed to him that the Bill, if carried into law, would increase litigation. Considerable discussion took place on the Bill, which was considered clause by clause, and ultimately the Bill was reported and leave given to sit again. The District Courts Act, 1858, Amendment Bill was read a second time. On the motion of Mr Levin, the House went into Committee to consider the Wellington Harbor Board Bill, and afterwards reported it, with amendments, to the House and asked leave to sit again. The House adjournod at twenty minutes past one o'clock.