GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1820, 20 December 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Fbidat, Dbcbmbeb 19. The House met at one o'clock. PUBLIC WOBKB BILL. The Government explained amendments made by the Council in the Public Works Bill, and moved that they be agreed to. Mr Moss protested against suoh a national work as the Waikato-Now Plymouth line being struck out. Mr Gisbobnb asked if the Council had power to alter a measure of this kind, a measure having for its objects the expenditure of public money. The Speak eb said that without having carefully considered the point, he would say his impression was that the Council had the power. Mr Gisbobnb said he was of a different opinion. The line in question was one of those an engagement to go on with which had been entered into long bines. The determination not to go on with it was a serious matter, and ono which would tend to estrange the Natives. He concluded by moving—- " That the House disagree with the amendment of the Council." Mr Bbtce said he would not believe the previous speaker had any good reason for the statement he made in reference to the estrangement of the Natives. Major Atkinson said the Government regretted the action taken by the Council; still he did no'; think it was serious enough to warrant this House in disagreeing with the amendment. JNo practical difficulty would be occasioned however, and the Government would recommend the House to agree with the amendmont. There could be no real doubt but this line at a through line would eventually be oarried out, and the Government would use every endeavor to have the line surveyed and explored during the recess. Mr Moss contended that he had just cause for alarm. They were spending the last of their loans. He would remind the Government of the extent to which it was indebted to support given by Auckland members, and thought the Government should have shown more solicitude for the interests of that province under the circumstances. It would be a very great disappointment to the people of Auckland—in fact it would, practically speaking, be a serious bar to their hopes, that this all important work should not be carried out. Mr Macandbew thought they would be wrong in acquiescing in the amendment by the Council, and it ought to be resisted. Mr Shbimski supported the amendment, and contended that they had passed a number of votes which there was no real intention of carrying out. Col. Tbimble entered his protest against the amendment. It was unfair to the Ministry who originally framed the proposal, as well ns to this House, by whom it was passed. It was was too late in the session to hope that they would be able to make anything like an effective resistance. Mr McLean, said be hoped the Government would see its way to send the Bill back and get the line replaced. It would make no real difference, as it could not possibly bo gone on with this year, and Auckland members on the stump would thereby be deprived of making political capital out of the matter.

Mr DeLat/iotte said tho lino might just as well be off the schedule as on it, as nothing could possibly be done towards carrying it on this year. Mr Olives assured the House that the Government would keep this work steadily in view, with a view to having it eventually carried out. All inquiry would be made during the recess, with the view of collecting what information they could as to the best route to be adopted. The question was then put, "That the House agree to the amendment." The ayes were 19 and the noes 15. The division list was : Ayes—l 9. Messrs Andrews Messrs Montgomery Barrou Rolleston Beetham Saunders Bunny Shephard Driver Shrimski Gibbs (teller) Hall Tainni Ireland Turnbull Levin Willi* Mason Wright Noes—ls. Messrs Atkinson Messrs Macandrew Bryce McLean De Lautour Moss Fiaher, J. T. Oliver Gisborne Beid Hursthouse Sheaban Kelly Tumble London Mr Hail said although he voted with the ayes, it was not that he agreed with the striking out of tho Hue, but simply because he believed it would lead to no good reault to stand out against the amendment at this stago of tho session. The lino, however, was one which the Government would keep steadily in view with the object of getting it eventually carried into execution. The motion that tho amendment be agreed to was then put and carried. On the motion that tho Housn agree with the amendment to strike out the East and Weßt Coast Railway, Mr Gisboene moved as an amendment that the House diaagreo with it. Mr Hall said no practical opportunity would be lost for getting the interests of the line promoted. Under the circumstances he trusted tho amendment would not bo pressed. Tho motion to agree with tho amendment was then put and carried on the voices. The Bill was then adopted as amended. PROROGATION. At three o'clock the members of the House were summoned to attend the Commissioners in the Legislative Council Chamber. The Commissioners appointed were—Sir W. Fitzherbert, the Hon. F. Whitaker, and the Hon. John Johnston, but Mr Whitaker was not present. The commission being read, Sir W. FitzRBXBBBT declared Parliament prorogued to Thursday, the 6th of February.