GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1796, 22 November 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

liECHSLATIYE COUNCIL. Friday, November 21. The Oamaru Harbor Board B’ll and New River Pilot Station Rivers Bills were read a third time. Speaking on a motion by IVTr Wilson, Mr Whitaker said the Government had received a letter from Colonel Scratchley stating that ho would come to Now Zeiland in January, After that officer had reported, the Government would be prepared to state what course they proposed to take re harbor defence. Mr Whitaker moved the second reading of the Qualification of Electors Bill, and the remainder of the afternoon was occupied in the debate. At the adjournment, fifteen members had spoken, all very briefly, and generally in support of the Bill. At 5 the Council adjourned to 7.30. EVENING SITTING. The Qualification of Electors Bill was read a second time. The Miners’ Bights Fees Reduction Bill was thrown out by 24 to 10. The Council adjourned at 10 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Pbidat, November 21. The House met at 7 30, having adjourned till then at rising this morning. petitions, notices, &o. Tainui presented a Maori petition, praying for a continuance of the dual vote. Mr Hamlin gave notice to introduce an Act to indemnify G. B. Worgan from the consequences of any criminating evidence he may give in the case before the Special Committee of the House. Mr Pskb gave notice to ask what amount has been paid to Dr Bullor during the year, for what services, and if his services are still retained by the Government. The petitions of B. Hunt and others, B. Atkinson, and J. G. Wyneth were ordered to be referred to the Government for consideration. An extension of ten days waa granted to the election telegram inquiry committee to bring up their report. PAPERS. Major Atkinson laid on the table the figures in detail of his financial statement. The Peemieb laid on the table a statement of the cost to Government of the last general election and last session of Parliament, which were ordered to be printed. Mr Oliver tabled a return of the expenditure on public works and engagements connected therewith. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. Mr Macandrbw asked when the Public Works Statement would bo delivered. Major Atkinson said it was not intended to bring it down for a few days. He had ascertained that in order to carry on works necessary, something like a million and a half would be required over and above what had been stated as required for the completion of worts. Ho submitted that the House was in full possession of all information necessary to proceed with the financial policy of the Government and discuss the same. They wanted to get on with business, and hon. gentlemen were quite as able to go on with the discussion of the finances now ns they would be at another lime. It the Opposition preferred, they would take the Order of the Day first, in order to enable them to arrange for the discussion of the financial policy on Tuesday, or at any time they thought proper. MISCELLANEOUS. Leave was given to introduce the following Bid —Sir G. Grey, Bill to amend Thames Harbor Board Act, which was read a first time. An amendment made by the Legislative Council in the Oamaru Harbor Board Act wag agreed to. REGISTRATION OP ELECTORS. The report of the committee on the Registration of Electors Bill was agreed to, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Maoandhbw moved that the return tabled by the Minister for Public Works be printed, when it would be found that he had committed the colony to £666,000, instead of to two and a half millions, as had been stated by Major Atkinson. Major Atkinson said the paper was not complete, and he should move that the complete returns be furnished.

It was ordered that the roturn laid on the (able bo printed. SUBSIDIES. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Pykb said it was stated that the Government intended to make no provision for local bodies when they were deprived of the subsidies. He wanted the Government to give an assurance that these subsidies would not bo stopped until other provision was made in lieu thereof. The county with which ho was connected had engagements amounting to about £30,000, which they could not meet if these subsidies which were to be continued for five years, were thus taken away from them. The announcement of Ministers to take away these subsidies came with bad grace from one who was the father of the county system, and who had placed so much reliance upon the system. There were counties and municipalities which had engagements to meet on the faith of the continuance of the subsidies. He trusted the Government would not leave these bodies in such a state of doubt and uncertainty. They should remember they were not intended merely to pay salaries, but to look to the interests of these bodies. He quite agreed that the land fund should bo made a separate fund, and not mixed with consolidated revenue ; but it should bo devoted towards the maintenance of local works by the respective local, bodies. Ho did not mention tho matter out of any factiousness, but he wished the Government to give an assurance that tho hon. the Treasurer was not about to commit infanticide by destroying the life of his own child. The amount set down in the schedule to tho financial statement for local bodies was only £230,000, and the land fund was only drawn upon to tho cxeut of one-fifth for local works, and improving the general public property. If the Government added the land fund to the general revenue instead of to the improvement of local property they committed a grievous mistake. Mr Pyko then moved as an amendment to the motion for going into Committee of Supply—“ That the proposal of tho Colonial Treasurer be not assented to re the removal of subsidies to local bodies until an assurance has been given that provision will be made for an equivalent to tho subsidies proposed to be taken away.” The PiiBMiEB said the alternative was one of increased taxation in an already largely overtaxed country. There were many districts which ought to be able to stand on their own resources, as they had been supported long enough already. He might say however, that the proposal was only in embryo, and required to bo worked out fairly and equitably. As to telling the local bodies at once what they intended to do, he though sufficient had been laid before tho House and the country in tho financial statement. He was Chairman of a county and a Road Board, and tho hon. gentleman might rest assured justice would bo done to these local bodies by any Government with which he was connected. [Hear, hear.J Mr Shephard said he hoped the Government would see their way before the close of tho session to say what provision would be made for local bodies next year. Mr GisbObne said the principle of subsidies to rates acted hardly in mining districts where property was not rateable, but where rates were paid in duty and miners’ rights. Ho hoped, when the Government considered the general system of subsidies and their equivalent, they would take those matters into consideration. Those requiring most for local works should get moat in any arrangements which Government might make. Sir Q. Gbey considered that an attack had been made on the late Government in the statement of the hon. Premier. He would like the Premier to rise above the opinions of a country gentleman to those of a statesman. Suppose the hon. gentleman made away with his estate year by year, he would be left with nothing. But in the case of the colony it was different. When she parted with her land she had a fund to be expended in tho development of the country and in meeting her necessities. A certain part should be spent in improving the estate of the country. If they could afford it, it would pay them to give away their land, bnt it was quite right to appropriate part of our funds towards improving the estate of the colony, and towards public works in tho localities from which the fund was obtainable. The House would affirm that tho land fund had been mod in meeting tho necessities of the colony in the manner best suited to its requirements. Mr Macandebw supported the amendment of Mr Pyke re adequate provision being necessary to meet the wants of local bodies before the subsidies were removed. Tho motion to go into Committee of Supply was then negatived, and the amendment of the hon. member for Dunstan was affirmed. EEDISTEIBUTION OP SEATS. Mr Sxewaet proposed another amendment to question of going into Committee of Supply, to tho effect, “ That this House, considering the circumstances under which the Government took office, refuses to grant supplies until tho Government give a distinct pledge that they will during the present session bring down a Redistribution of Seats Bill.” He considered the Government were not entitled to remain in office unless they gave a distinct pledge to bring down this Bill. He argued that the Regulation of Elections Bill, passed by the House, placed them at a disadvantage unless a Redistribution of Seats Bill was also brought down and passed. Mr Shephaed said it would bo much better to place the finances of the colony on a sound basis than interrupt such work by the introduction of a motion of this kind. The country did not expect this at their hands. It would take considerable time to prepare a Bill, and he hoped tho party ho had been connected with would not adhere to such a course.

Mr Shbijxski said he was not surprised at the hon. gentleman’s argument, because he came from a district already largely overrepresented in the House. The amendment was then put and a division called for, but when the doors had been locked, on the question being again put, it was decided that it was carried on the voices. suppi/t. The motion for going into Committee of Supply was then carried, and the estimates were p -oceeded with. Class <1 -Postmaster-General and Commissioner of Telegraphs, £4030. The Peemiee said the amount last year was £3665, but the progress of the colony necessitated an increase in the Department under his control. Mr Montqombey said he did not think the estimates should be gone on with until the queetion of finance was settled, and hoped the hon. gentleman would take this item and then ask that progress be reported in order to allow the question of finance to be first disposed of. He did not throw out the suggestion in an unfriendly spirit, but with a desire to see the business progress in a satisfactory manner. Mr Shephabd hoped the item would bo proceeded with, but preferred to see the old scale of salaries adhered to rather than any increase. He moved that the item “ accountant, money order, and savings bank, £475,” be reduced by £25, making it tha same as last year. The Pbbmibp. said the hon. member for Akaroa was really seeking to reject one of the best opportunities he had over had of maintaining something like control over expenditure, because in former sessions the estimates had been left till the last moment, when little or no attention was over paid to them. They had not revised the estimates of their predecessors item by item. The department under consideration really regulated an increase. _ Mr Fishee said ho hoped no alteration would be made in this department. The figures were those of the late Government, and were put down after careful consideration, and in order to meet the salaries of officers very much under paid and overworked. Mr Baixancb condemned the course pursued by the Government in asking the House to take these figures in consideration in the absence of the Land and Property Tax Bill, whioh was promised, and which was necessary to give them an insight to the policy and finances of the Government. The department under consideration really showed an increase on the estimate of £36,000 expenditure over the previous year’s figures, and there was not sufficient to warrant such au increase. Mr TBBNBtrx.li said he should feel it to bo his duty to oppose the increase in salaries, and to ask for reductions in every instance, in order to bring down the excess over former years. Under the circumstances of the colony he would propose that they should submit to a reduction of the amounts paid to themselves in order to assist the condition of the colony. Ho reviewed the items on the estimates which he considered excessive, and hoped the Government would consent to progress being reported, in order that they might have time to reconsider them with tt

view to making reductions therein, and in order to bring down the Land and Property Tai Bill.

Mr Lukdon would oppose the reduction of any salary below £3OO. He wanted roads and bridges, not Government officials, and, to got this £50,000 for that purpose, he would kneck off £130,000 as the estimates came before them. He would commence with the gentlemen occupying theGovernmer.tbenches. Ho would ask the Government to take back tho estimates and make a reduction of 25 per cent on all salaries above £3OO.

Several members opposed any increase in salaries over £2OO a year, except where special circumstances were shown.

Mr Swanson thought the Opposition should have made a feature of these reductions, because there would have been no difficulty in getting £50,000 off them, but he assured young members that when tho items got into Committee they would not be able to accomplish this, because they would be sure to put their finger on the wrong item. The Pekmieb said it was impossible for Ministers to go through the estimates, and make deductions with justice, whilst they were in session. The Government would be quite willing to take the sense of the committee as to the suggestion to allow no increase on salaries above £2OO a year, and to abide by tho result. He would reduce the extravagant accommodation which had been made in many eases, but would not starve the public servants.

A long discussion ensued on the question of reporting progress, which was continued until the hour for closing the telegraph office.