GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1805, 4 December 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, Deoembbb 3. The Imbecile Passengers Act Extension Bill, Electric Telegraph Act Amendment Bill, Land Act Amendment Bill, and Indecent Theatricals Bill were read a first time. The Reprint of Statutes Bill, and Timaru Waterworks Bill were road a third time. Several local Bills wore advanced a stage.

On the motion of Capt. Fbasbb a return was ordered of all mines worked with a single means of egress, and also of the total number worked, and the number which may be considered dangerous. Sir F. D. Bbid had a motion that Sir J. Vogel was justified in believing he had the sanction of the late Government to join the land company, but after a vehement denial byJCol. Whitmore, and an assertion that the present Government instigated their supporters to raise questions damaging to the late Government, the previous question was on the advice of Mr Whitaker, curried by 20 to 9.

Capt. Fbasbb moved—“ That the Government should use on the railways the Westerhouse atmospheric brake.” Mr Whitakee said the Council knew nothing of tho merits of different brakes. The motion was tnen withdrawn. The Council adjourned at 5.30. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, December 3, The House met at 2 30. petitions, &c. Several petitions wore presented and reports brought up. Leave of absence was granted to Mr Whyte for a fortnight, on account of sicknejs. QUESTIONS. Mr Sutton asked the Minister for Native Affairs whether the Government have purchased a block of land known as Fakin', in tho Kaipara district, and if so, what the date was ; whether tho whole of the purchase money has been paid by Government, and if so, what sum ; whether the Government have completed the title, and if not, why. Mr Bbycb said the block was one of 30,000 acres, but they did not complete the purchase. They have not a title, but have asked for a subdivision of the block, in order to get the title completed. Mr Johnston asked the Minister of Justice why tho Government arranged that tho foundation stone of the new Supreme Court should bolaidby a society, and what is themeaningof the inscription on the scroll deposited with the stone, that it was laid in “ The Year of Light, 5853.” Mr Rolihsxon replied that tho Government did not make arrangement*. The ceremony originated with the contractors, and the Government had nothing to do with it. As to the inscription, he didn't think as Minister of Justice he had anything to do with it, Mr Johnston said it was a pity that the volunteers were asked to take part.

Mr Rollbston said the Government were not responsible for that. Mr Reeves said perhaps the year of taxation, though not of light, was meant. Mr Hamlin asked the Government when a Commission will be appointed to report on claims under the Land Claims Act, 1878.

Mr Rollbston said a Commission had been appointed within the last few days. Mr Shanks asked the Government if they will arrange that the rents of deferred payment settlers, duo within the next twelve months, shall remain unpaid during that period, so that the said year’s rent may become payable one year later than the end of the present, that the leases, in other words, should extend to eleven years instead of ten without any additional rent. Mr Rollbston said the Government were anxious that the system should be a success in the colony, and would see that engagements entered into were carried out, so far as they were able. Mr Stewaet asked the Government if they will provide a suitable land office in Dunedin. Mr Rollbston said there was room for improvement, and the Government would endeavour, after inquiry, to see that the necessary provision was made. Mr Seddon asked the Minister of Justice whether he will cause inquiry to be maderethe removal of the late S. Martinue from Hokitika Hospital to Hokitika Asylum ; why the friends of deceased were refused permission to see the body previous to interment; why his friends were not communicated with in time to arrange for the interment; why the authorities arranged for his burial as a pauper, seeing that the personal property of deceased was more than enough to defray the cost of the funeral.

The Pbbmirb eaid the Government knew nothing of the matter, but would cause inquiry to be made. Mr Bowen asked the Commissioner of Customs if the Government will take into consideration the condition of the smaller harbors of the colony, with a view to the encouragement of the coastal trade. Major Atkinson said the Government would endeavor during the recess to deal with the matter, and regretted they were not able to devote more attention and money to the harbors of the colony. EBPOBTING DEBATES. Mr DeLautouh moved that the House do concur in the report from the iloporting Debates Committee, sitting in conjunction with a similar committee of the Legislative Council, that the debates published in “Hansard” shall be condensed next session. The Pebmibb said that the difficulty of making a summary of proceedings was great. They had not a man of sufficient political experience to do the work, and therefore they would not support the suggestion. They quite concurred in the necessity for an earlier issue of the publication. Mr Tolb thought members should be asked to control their remarks ; that would get over the difficulty. Mr EiBBVBS thought the suggestion ho made some time ago was a proper one, that members should pay 10a a column over a certain number of lines. Mr Baekon supported the suggestion of the member for Eden. Mr Bowen approved of ,the suggestion of the committee, and said members could easily revise their remarks as condensed. Mr Reid thought the suggestion should be carried out. He did not agree with the Premier that they could not find the man to do it. Ho would suggest that the committee reporters, as well as “ Hansard ” reporters, should receive a bonus or an increase of salary. Mr Gbobgb said if the reports were condensed they would see, like they sometimes saw in the morning paper, “ Mr George spoke, and Mr Saunders suggested that members should be limited to time, say twenty minutes, and not more than twenty times a day.” He did not approve of curtailing, if it was to be left in any single person’s hands. Mr Hibiop thought the “ Hansard” report was the only corrective of those Jvile reports of some newspaper correspondents. Mr Gisbobnb concurred in the report of the committee.

Mr Seddon opposed on the ground that many newspaper correspondents were members of the House, and ho would bo sorry to leave himself to their tender mercies. Major Atkinson opposed any condensation of the reports. Mr Bbown supported the motion, but would like to see the question left till next session. Mr Lund ON said that but for “ Hansard ’ his constituents would not know of his existence in the House. Young and bashful members had no show in the newspapers. Mr Da Lautouh said the Committee didn’t expect the report would be received with favor, but what they had to offer was the speedy publication of the reports. They saw that a saving of £IOOO could be effected if the suggestion of the Committee was carried out. The question of the adoption of the report was then put, and a division resulted as follows :—Ayes, 29 ; noes, 37. DUTY ON IMPORTED COADfI. Mr Reeves moved —“ That in the opinion of this House, it is desirable to impose a duty on coals imported.” The value of imported coals amounted to £250,000 per annum. He would suggest that the duty should be on a sliding scale for five years, commencing at Is per ton until the impost vanished entirely. They could export 250,000 tons per annum from Greymouth, and in a few months two more mines would be opened. They supplied coal at £1 a ton, whilst Newcastle could not be imported under 30s per ton, so that the imposition of the duty would actually have the effect of reducing the cost to the consumer. Mr Masters said the reports of the colony showed there were in the colony thirty-two pool mines, producing 139,000 tons yearly,

whilst tho total annual consumption was 294,000 tons.

Mr Lundon said the Kawakawa Company would soon be in a position to turn out 1000 tons a day, and he had been requested, in the interest of the company, to support a small tax on imported coal. The company paid a royalty to tho Crown. Mr McLean opposed the motion on the ground that local mines could not produce all that was required. Tho Premier opposed tho motion. He did not agree with the statement that tho imposition of a duty would not raise the price of coal to the consumer. Tho consumption of New Zealand coal was increasing, and every facility was afforded for the conveyance of these coals by Government assisting in the construction of railways for the purpose. But they did not think the imposition of the duty was a proper way to encourage the industry. Mr Stevens said the committee on local industries had dismissed this matter, and could not make tho recommendation sought for. Mr Speight said n duty on coal meant an advance on all coal throughout tho colony. Tho debate was interrupted by 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 30. TIMAHU WATERWORKS. The Timaru Waterworks Bill was reported from the Legislative Council with amendments, and adopted, CLAIM ON TE AEOHA. Mr Shrimbki asked tho Government for information concerning tho alleged claim by Mr Thomas Russell over To Aroha lands about to be thrown open at tho Thames, and stated by the evening paper to have been withdrawn from sale in consequence. Mr Rolleston said tho Government had received no intimation of tho claim referred to. bating act amendment. The Rating Act Amendment Bill was reported from the Legislative Council with amendments, read a third time, and passed. MINING COMPANIES’ ACT. The Mining Companies’ Act 1872 Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. GRANT TO AUCKLAND. The adjourned debate on the question, “ That the House will to-morrow resolve itself into committee of tho whole to consider a respectful address to his Excellency praying that a sum of £200,000 may bo placed on tho estimates as a grant to tho provincial district of Auckland for the formation of roads and bridges,” was called on. Mr Rolleston said ho hoped tho motion would not be pressed, as nothing could come of it. Mr Whitaker, tho mover, supported tho motion. The question was then put, and the motion negatived. LICENSING BILL. The House went into committee on the Licensing Further Amendment Bill, No. 2, In tho absence of the mover, Mr George supported the Bill, and leave was given to ait agaiu. GRANT TO CTAGO. On tho question to go into committee of tho whole to consider an address to his Excellency, praying that ho will canso £500,000 to bo placed on tho estimates as a grant for Otago for roads and bridges. Mr Rolleston said ho hoped the motion would be dealt with in the same manner as the former. Mr Shbimski thought it was a very modest request, seeing that a million and a-half had been promised to four Auckland members for their votes, and he could not see why tho hon, member should wish him to withdraw it.

The question was then put, and the motion negatived. MARRIED WOMEN'S PROPERTY.

Mr Finn moved the second reading of the Married Women’s Property Kill, He said it was similar to a Bill passed by the House of Commons in 1860. Ho said the Bill was meant to provide for tho poorer classes what the rich were able to obtain by means of marriage settlements. The Premier thought the session was too far advanced to do justice to so large a subject, although ho agreed with the mover that sufficient protection was not afforded to the property of married women. Mr Finn said he would press the second reading, and if time did not permit, he would go no further. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to he committed in one week. LICENSING BILL. Mr Acton Adams asked that the Licensing Bill be discharged, as he understood the Government would prepare one themselves next session. Tho Bill was discharged. COPYRIGHT BILL. The amendments of the Legislative Council in the Fine Arts Copyright Act Amendment Bill were agreed to. CONSTITUTION ACT AMENDMENT. Sir G. Grey moved tho second reading of the New Zealand Constitution Act Amendment Bill. He said the Bill was most important, and proceeded to show how he had been talked out of tho Christchurch election as evidence that reform was needed in these matters. They had seen from that evening’s paper how a friend of the present Government turned up and claimed a portion of the public estate just at a time when the land was about to be sold. He had himself presented a petition, signed by 500 colonists, showing that certain members of the House had broken the law and deserved punishment ascordingly. The House would recollect that he introduced a Representation Bill in tho early part of tho session, and it was taken out of his hands by tho present Government, who promised to go on with it. But ho believed they never had any intention to do so. To remedy this ho had brought forward tho present Bill, which ho considered a fair one. It provided that the Constitution Act should have full force given to it. Ho regretted that the Government should have taken the Bill ho referred to without any intention of dealing with it. By this means a piece of tyranny had been perpetrated, and the people’s right kept from them for party purposes. Ho trusted the House would insist that this measure should be made law before they separated. People would then be able to say if they would have the taxation which was sought to be put on them. The Premier regretted the tone of the last speaker, who was satisfied to repeat those old calumnies which people were sick of. He ought to have given some facte and figures, and some idea of the changes which he con. tomplated, instead of taking the course he did. The hon. gentleman told them of the number of his constituency at the Thames, but the fact was that nearly one-half the electors on the roll of the Thames were absentees, or dead, or unknown. Mr Lundon—They vote though. The Premier —If there was one man in the colony more than another responsible for the inequality of representation it was the hon. member for the Thames. Tho course he pursued at the close of last session was an evidence of this. He then stood in the way of this grievance being redressed rather than risk the loss of office. He denied that tho Government pledged themselves to introduce the Bill. They had passed three liberal measures through the House in tho teeth _ of considerable opposition, from a-n Opposition who had only talked about and never tried to pass such measures. They had since devoted themselves to the task of rescuing tho colony from its grave financial difficulties, a»d if they succeeded in doing this, they would have done good work _ and would merit tho approval of their constituents, It was the duty of the House to settle the readjustment of representation, but they could not think of doing it at this stage of the session, and therefore he moved that the Bill of tho hon. gentleman be read a second time that day six months. Mr Shhimski proceeded to point out some irregularities of representation as a ground for supporting the Bill. Mr Sbeioht, referring to tho Premier’s idea of tho Thames roil, said if the Premier kcew the source from which ho confessed lie had received his ideas he would not attach importance to them or believe them. He would rather not say why this was the case. He then proceeded to defend the course adopted by Sir G. Gray, saying that his good works would live after him, when tho proceedings of the Detective Ministry would be forgotten, because they were cot worth remembering. The Liberal measures referred to by tho Premier were a sham, and would bo received as such by the people of the colony, because they were as conservative as they well could be. They wanted to take credit for passing a measure which would never have been dreamt of but for the hon. member for the Thames. Mr Turnbull objected to the statement of the Premier that Ministers were striving to save the country from ruin, Tho fact was no

such state of things was shown by the estimates. The revenue was under estimated, and there was halt a million of mere dummy votes. Ho felt strongly on the subject of these constant reiterations and misrepresentations, which must be injurious to the colony, and he was sorry a member of the late Goment did not think it worth while to refute a charge so easily refuted, and so injurious to the colony.

Mr Qbohgb said when the Premier took office ho mentioned tho Bills the Government intended to bring down, and amongst them them was a Representation Bill, which he made a special reference to. And yet he stood up in his place that evening and informed them that tho Bill was never promised. He intended to support the placing of this Bill on record, and hoped it would be read a second time that evening.

Mr Sheehan said that it was idle to discuss tho question as to how the hon, gentlemen got on and retained their seats on the Ministerial Benches. But there was no denying the fact that tho Bill was promised without any intention of fulfilment. They could find time to bring down eighty-eight measures, with the assistance of their supporters, but could not bring down a measure of the highest importance to tho country. As to tho Bill? which the Premier claimed credit for, they were changed in tho cradle, and had lost their back-bone. If there was such a thing as masonry in politics they should invito that body to lay the foundation of this Bill in the year of Light, 5883, If Ministers wished to prove that they meant their Liberal professions, let them bring down this Bill, and he was euro hon. members would spare tho time necessary to discuss it. Ho had no intention to make a party speech or party fight over the question ; but the hon. member for tho Thames was justified in bringing down this Bill, and ho should support its second reading. Mr Stewart expressed surprise at the statement of the Premier as to the intention of the Government in connection with this Bill. The Premier had distinctly staled they would bring down such a Bill, and even pretended to refute a statement that they did not intend to bring down the Redistribution of Seats Bill. If they opposed it now, they acted exactly contrary to their professions. Mr Andrews charged the Premier with going out of his way in his reply. Ho had promised his constituents to support the Bill, and was surprised to hear the opposition of the Government to a measure of such vast importance. He did not care who introduced the Bill so long as it was required, and could not bo condemned. A week would bo well spent in passing such a Bill. Mr J. T. Fisher said the Premier proraised the Bill, and when he tried to get them the other day to do so he only received an evasive reply. He charged the Government with stealing tho policy of the lato Ministry and then boasting of it as their own. Mr McLean said he trusted tho House would proceed to business and take no notice of the hon. member for the Thames.

Mr Reeves said tho Bills already passed resembled the fifth wheel of a coach so long as the Bill asked for remained untouched.

Major Atkinson said the hon. gentleman only asked for a committee to rearrange the constituencies, and they would bo no further advanced under such a process. He ventured to say that not one-fifth of hon. members wanted an election before this next session, for such a course was unnecessary. He did not think the House had any intention to take the task of introducing such a Bill out of the hands of the Government, and wanted it therefore to refuse to support the hon. member for Thames.

Mr Hislop supported the Bill, and was followed by Mr Montgomery. The latter reproached the Government with neglecting to bring down the Bill, because they feared the consequences. These Bills were considered by the people of Canterbury as of the highest importance, and he was sorry the Premier had forgotten his promisee in this respect. He wouldvoteagainsttheamendmentof the Premier Mr Gisborne said the Government had plenty of time to bring down such a Bill, or at any rate a Bill which would have afforded some relief.

Mr Pvke supported the Bill of the member for the Thames, but regretted that so many Bills were on the order paper as to render its passage impossible this session. Under the circumstances he would move that the debate bo adjourned. Mr Hutchison opposed the adjournment, and charged the Premier with making a melodramatic speech against Sir G. Grey, instead of against the principles of the Bill. He contended that they ought to have this Bill.

Mr Stevens said there was much in the Bill which he admired —redistribution on the basis of population. He should support the adjournment, because he felt sure the Government intended to deal with the question during the recess, and it did not seem to him tho question cou’d be freely and fairly dealt with at the present stage of the session. The Premier affirmed the statement that the Government intended to prepare such a Bill during the recess. Sir O. Grey said the Bill had been promised this session, and he believed the Premier at the time tho promise was made, but he had been deceived, and he did not think Ministers intended such a Bill, even next session. The hon. gentleman was pledged by his word a month ago to introduce such a Bill this session, but it was his belief he never would pass such a Bill in the colony of New Zealand. The hon. member for Egmont said “hear, hear.” Ho reminded him, with the others, of Christy Minstrels reversed. They sat as white minstrels, but the blackness was underneath, Tho hon. tho Premier had told them what was untrue when ho made certain promises in the House. The Premier objected to the use of tho word “untrue,” and Sir George _ Grey substituted the words “ flat contradiction,” Sir G. Grey continued —He did not say a wilful untruth, because there were untruth which were not wilful, but they had been prevented from taking a fair vote on thu question, which tho Government ought to have given. If he could get any members to support him he would resist supplies being granted till such a Bill was brought down. Tho question of the adjournment of_ the debate was then put, and the House divided. The Ayes were 43, and the Noes 29. The following is the division list: — Ayes—43. Messrs Adams Messrs Oliver Atkinson Ormond Bain Pitt Beetham Pyka Bowen Richmond Bryce Richardson Colbeck Rolleston Dick Russell Fulton Saunders Gibbs ' Seymour Hall Shanks Hirst Stewart Hurst Stevens Hursthonse Btudholmc Kelly Sutton Kenny Swanson levin Trimble Masters Wakefield MoCaughan Whitaker McLean Wood Moorhouse Wright Murray Noes— 29. Messrs Andrews Messrs Montgomery Ballanco Moss Barron Reeves Brown Reid DeLatour Sheehan "Fisher, J. B. Shrimski Fisher, J. T. Speight George Shephard Gisborne Tainni < Sir George Grey Tawhai Messrs Harris Te Wheoro Hutchison Tola Ireland Turnbull Lundon Wallis Macaudraw Mr Murray moved that the debate bo adjourned for a fortnight. Mr Saunders contended that tho best time to make the redistribution of seats would be after the next census. Mr Turnbull felt it his duty whenever he heard the finance of the colony deplored, to repeat that this was due to the bogus financial figures of the hon. tho Treasurer, There was at least half a million not accounted for. In tho Railway Department there were no less than £35,000 over estimated. Mr Barron said he should support the Redistribution of Seats Bill by whichever side it might be introduced. Several members spoke on both sides, and at 1 a.m. attention was called to the state of the House, and there being no quorum, after the usual lapse of time, tho House was declared adjourned.