GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1993, 14 July 1880, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PEH PBESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WIEE.J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, July IS. In the Legislative Council, The Hon. J. T. Peacock raised a question of privilege. A notice of motion which he had given for Wednesday proposing that Councillors this year should not take the honorarium had been telegraphed to the Northern and Southern newspapers by tho Press Association in suoh a form as to convey a meaning the exact opposite of his own. In consequence he had been subjected to some severe comments by the Press. Ho was glad to say, however, that the reporters had been good enough, in a letter, to explain the cause of the error, but ho thought it necessary to make this statement to the Council.

The Spbakeb (Sir W. Fitzherbert) said he regretted the error, which was no doubt due to an inadvertence, as ho had noticed that the reports in general been extremely accurate. The eubject then dropped. In answer to the Hon. Mr Taioroa, Tho Hon. F. Whitakbb said the whole policy of tho Government re Native prisoners would be disclosed by Mr Bryce in a day or two. They were not told before because it was thought inexpedient. If any of them died while waiting trial Government would be sorry, but could not hold themselves responsible. In moving for a return the Hon. G. M. Watebhousb alluded to the great charge upon tho colony for education, and said the children of the country were being educated above their station, and were all bent upon getting miserable olerkshipe, &e., in preference to becoming useful settlers. The Hons. Col. Whitmobb and W. H. Reynolds reiterated Mr Waterhouse’s remarks, and said the teachers were far too highly paid, and were not to be subjected to the same reduction as the civil service. Teachers of too high attainments were also employed to teach infants rudiments. The motion for a return of all employed (with ages and salaries) under the Education Act was carried. The Wellington Racing Club Bill was read a third time, and the Elections Petitions Bill a second time. The Rabbit Nuisance Bill and Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill were again considered in Committee and passed through with amendments. The Hon. Mr Taiaeoa’S motion that the draining of Lake Ellesmere should not be proceeded with unless the Natives were compensated for loss of fishing rights, was negatived by 13 votes to 7. The Council rose at 4 55 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 13. The House met at 2 30 p.m. BKPOBT. The Hon. J. Beycb laid on he table the report of tho Commission upon Native Reserves. QUESTIONS. Replying to Major Harris, The Hon. J, Bbyoe said Government had made no provision for the maintenance of the wives and children and infirm relatives of the Native prisoners, nor did he believe these persons were destitute. He believed that Te Whiti had provided for them. Replying to Mr Andrews, The Hon. W. Rollkbton said Government would take steps, if possible, to recover from the Westport Colliery Company the expense to which the colony in consequence of the said company, through their general manager, Mr Arthur J. Burns, refusing to find employment for miners brought out to the colony at the request of Mr Burns ; one item alone of which expenses, viz., rations, amounted to £239 7s. Replying to Mr McDonald, The Hon. W. Rolleston said that steps would ho taken for making tho road to the Te Puke block, near Tauranga.

Replying to Mr Murray, The Hon. J. Hall said that the 10 per cent, reductions would be made to apply to salaries under the permanent account and pensions, but that no distinction would be made between pensions drawn by absentees and those drawn by residents. The reduction, however, would not be made to apply to judges, whoso salaries were fixed by law, and were unalterable during their tenure of office. Mr Akdbews asked if Government will inform the House if the removal of the Commissioner of Railways for the Middle Island from Christchurch to Dunedin may now be looked on as permanent, and whether the offices in Dunedin are to be for the future the permanent headquarters of the Commissioner. The Hon. R. Oliteb replied that the Commissioner or the General Manager, as the case might be, would be located in the place whore ho had the most important duties to discharge and in the interests of the Department generally. At the present time it appeared that Dunedin required his attention in that way. Replying to the Hon. E. Richardson. The Hon. R. Olives said that Government had no intention of removing the passenger station at Timaru from its present site between Strathallan and George streets. Replying to Mr Wright, The Hon. R. Olivbb said the erection of the Rakaia Gorge bridge would be put in hand at once. KB BALLAHCE IN EXPLANATION. On the motion for going into Committee for Supply Mr BallahOE drew attention to a paper laid on the table purporting to show that the late Government expended the sum of £11,239.527 during their two years of office. Ho took exception to that statement. When the statement came to bo analysed it was very different from what it was represented to be by the Colonial Treasurer. He (Mr Ballanos) then proceeded to analyse the statement at some length and referred to the different items in detail. The total expenditure of the late Government during the given period was, he contended, only £3,072,969. In considering the question as to whether or not that was an extravagant expenditure, he had to remind them of the fact that their predecessors in office had spent during a similar period as much as £4,464,831. Again, it was said that the Grey Government had loft liabilities to the extent of three and a half millions, but the fact was that these extended over a very long period. Then, again, ho did not find their liabilities at all equal to those of the preceding Government. They found that in 1875 that Government stated their liabilities at four millions. If their accounts were properly looked into it would be found that their expenditure was much more economical than that of their predecessors. It had also to be borne in mind that before the land revenue was delocalised Government collected it, and paid it over to the localities. Then again they were entitled to deduct expenditure made under permanent Acta, interest on loans, and other expenditure, which was absolutely beyond the control of any administration. If they added those charges they would find that a total of £4,322,457 had to be deducted. Rooking at tho amount Government bad placed on their estimates this year, it would be found that if they deducted permanent charges they proposed to expend £1,940,000 against an expenditure of £1,700,000. Mr Moss complained that tho present electoral system in excluding leaseholders from tho franchise was doing a gross injustice. In cities it not unfrequently happened that leaseholds were more valuable than freehold rights. He wanted to know if Government intended bringing down any amendment this session. Mr Montoomkby objected to one piece of property carrying two votes. He trusted there would be no alteration in the law as it stood. . , The Hon. J. Hall said if the member for Parnell thought this was such a grievance, ho

ought to have brought down a distinct resolution, and not have confined himself simply to asking questions on the subject. Government did not intend to make any alterations in the electoral law, but if the hon. member thought it right, Government would afford him every facility to bring down a proposition on tho point. Ho concluded by expressing an opinion that all that was aimed at was to put the Government in a false position, and he twitted the Opposition with having no cohesion, as had just been shown in connection with this matter. Mr Speight contended that tho member for Parnell was perfectly sincere, and denied that his object was, as had been alleged, simply to put the Government in a false position. Mr Whitaker said that the member for Parnell had objected last session to property having a vote at all, inasmuch as he considered it sufficiently represented in the amount of influence it was enabled to exercise over members of that House. That position was altogether in opposition to the ground he now took up, which would give property a double vote. Mr Swanson was glad to find that the subject was attracting notice and the electoral rights of leaseholders were beginning to bo recognised in the House. Mr Macandrew said they wore indebted to Mr Ballance for having cleared away the misapprehensions created by the Treasurer as to tho amounts spent by the late Government. He hoped Mr Ballance’s speech would got prominence, and would counteract to some extent the unfounded statements circulated by the Treasurer. The Hon. Major Atkinson said that the charge he had made against tho late Public Works Minister was that he spent money without knowing anything about it. The speech just made would prove that all he had stated was correct. They attempted to justify their conduct by drawing a comparison between themselves and tho late Government. Now, they had held that Government up as corrupt and demoralised, and yet they attempted to justify their own conduct by comparisons with that corrupt Government. That was a very poor attempt at justification indeed. What he wanted to bring homo to the people of New Zealand was that they had spent the sum of £11,000,000. It did not matter what it was spent for. It had passed through tho Treasury, and that amount of the people’s money was spent. He was bound to assume that hon. members knew what the money was spent on; at all events, that portion of it which was spent under law or the permanent Act. Mr Ballance contended that so many things should bo excluded. If ho only gone very little further he would have been able to satisfy himself that they had spent nothing at all. It was the broad principle that he wanted to bring home, and that broad principle was that £11,000,000 of the people’s money had been spent. What he most reprobated was that the late Government left them liabilities of a very serious amount, and that they allowed the colony to drift into a most critical condition, with liabilities becoming due in England, and no arrangement made to provide for them. The motion for going into Committee of Supply was then put and carried. committee op supply. Vote—Electoral Department, £3680. Mr Turnbull moved the reduction of £IOOO. The amendment was put and negatived. Mr Turnbull moved, as a further amendment, that the vote be reduced £4OO. In reply to a question put, it was explained that the proposed reduction was over and above the 10 per cent, reduction. The House divided—Ayes, 29; noes, 29. The Acting Speaker gave his costing vote with the noes. A further amendment was moved that the sum be reduced £240. This was put and agreed to, and tho House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30, COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. In Committee of Supply on tho vote — Audit Office, £8450, The Hon. T. Dick proposed that this vote be sent for consideration to the Public Accounts Committee. Government did not wish to control this department in any way, but would be prepared to give effect to the decision of the Committee. Mr Reader Wood said that the business of this department was conducted in the most perfunctory manner. It did not appear to matter very much whose name was appended to the account, it was passed by the department. He intended to have moved a substantial reduction but would prefer adopting the suggestion of referring it to the Accounts Committee. The vote was withdrawn on the understanding that it would be brought up at some future time. Vote —Government Statistics Department, £13,910. The Hon. T. Dick moved that it be reduced to £6600. The sum of £BOOO for taking the census would not bo required this year, and he proposed that the sum should be reduced to £IOOO. Mr Adams moved that the items Registrar* of Marriages for several registrars’ districts, £3650, be struck out, and the duties in future be delegated to Resident Magistrates. They had thirty-three Resident Magistrates to _ a population of 138,000 adults. The Magistrates were already well paid, and their duties must of necessity be light. Mr Hubsthousb pointed out that Registrars had to perform other duties besides matrimonial. They had to register births and deaths, and as Resident Magistrates were not at all times accessible, it might lead to serious inconvenience.

The Hon. T. Dick replied that these appointments were a great convenience, and it would be foolish for the House to interfere with them. Mr Adams’ amendment was negatived. Vote—Geological and Meteorological Department, £3565. The Hon. T. Dick said they proposed to abolish the expense of weather reports and storm signals, £IO7O, and combine it with this department. Mr Reader Wood said that with the exception of the meteorological reports all the rest was dilletante scientific nonsense. Ho instanced the fact that the very dry summer which had taken place in Auckland was accounted for on the authority of this department by the flowing of the gulf stream. Now they had both hot summers in Auckland, and still the gulf stream continued to flow as usual. He proposed the reduction of the vote by £IOOO. The Hon. W. Eoddeston looked on the vote as small compared with the advantages it secured. Sir G. Gbey spoke in favor of the vote. Ho mentioned the skill of the draughtsman in connection with the book on New Zealand grasses, which had excited general admiration throughout the scientific world. Then again the safety of coal mines to a certain extent was looked after by the researches of this department. Altogether ho believed that the department was starved, and hoped that no reduction would be made. Mr Swanson contended that the reports of this department had proved practically valueless. It was simply playing at science, and the money was merely wasted. Mr Wood said it might be a very nice thing to have well engraved books at the public expense, but what did the taxpayers say now that they were called on to face taxation. It was not merely engraved books that would satisfy them. He still adhered to his proposal to reduce the vote £IOOO. The Hon. J. Hadd said it was of the utmost importance that they should have correct information regarding the natural resources ot the country. This proposal for reduction was not a well considered proposition. Mr Macandbew admitted the importance of the department, but the fact was they could not afford it. In the face of property and other modes of taxation such expenditure could not be continued. Dr. Wadlis contended that all parts of the colony should be on an equal footing os regards science. Now the fact was that in Otago and Canterbury these pursuits were largely engaged in and well endowed. Such being the case, ho strongly objected to a reduction of the small sum spent in the North. The Hon. E. Richabdson would support the vote as printed. Mr Huest supported the vote. The House divided on Mr Wood’s amendment—Ayes, 21 ; noes, 35. The vote as printed, was agreed to. Vote —New Zealand Institute, £SOO. The Hon. T. Dick said the vote was provided for under clause 14 of the New Zealand Institutes Act 1876. Messrs Swanson and Montgomery contended that it was put on the estimates for the purpose of seeing whether or not they would vote it.

Mr Macandbbw moved that it be struck out.

Mr Wood opposed the vote, and Mr Mosa supported it. Mr J, T. Fish eh was astonished to find Government refusing the aid of the House to carry out its professed desire for retrenchment.

Tho amendment for striking out the vote was carried on a division by 30 to 23. Vote—Agent-General, £4OOO. The Hon. T. Dick asked leave to withdraw this vote until the House had had an opportunity of discussing the inscription of stock. Mr Wood said they had gone far enough with the inscription of stock. He desired that the consideration of the vote should be gone on with. The Hon. Major Atkinson said the two subjects were so mixed up together that it would necessitate the discussion being taken over again. He hoped they would agree to tho postponement. It would save time to do so. The vote was withdrawn. Vote—Charitable, £25,000. The vote was put and carried. Vote—Lunatic Asylums, £36,547 15s. Tho Hon. J. Dick proposed its reduction by £1741. Mr Hutchison suggested that steps should be taken for better inspection than at present existed. He would not oppose the proposed reduction, but would remind them that a superior class of officers was required. Any redaction that would impair their effioisnoy would be false economy indeed. Sir W. Fox advised them to strike at the root of the evil rather than try to lop off its branches. If they would suppress the liquor traffic the necessity for votes of this kind would be in a great measure superseded. Dr. Wallis denied that a large proportion of insanity arose from drink ; it was insanity in many instances that produced the passion for strong drink. Mr Speight moved that the item be reduced by £221. Ho wanted to have the item for wines and beer struck out altogether, Mr Andrews moved that the item inspection of lunatic asylums £BOO be struck out. The Hon. T. Dick said that tho inspector’s services had been of immense advantage to the department. They had evidence that he had saved the colony a sum of money in the way of economical management far in excess of tho salary paid to him. He was at present laid up with sickness, otherwise his report would have been before them, Tho vote as proposed to be reduced by the Hon. T. Diok was then put and carried. Mr Speight pressed his amendment for striking off £221, being tho sum set down for wine, &o. If they were necessary for medical purposes they should be put down under that head. The amendment was lost on the voices, and the vote as reduced passed. Vote—Printing and Stationery, £24,552 10s. The Hon. T. Dick stated that it was proposed to appoint three experts to enquire into the whole question of printing.’!) The vote was reduced by £2300, and Vote—Sheep and Cattle, £13,000. Mr Sbddon moved a reduction of £IOOO. The vote as printed was passed. Vote—Miscellaneous Services, £30,670 10s lid. The Hon. T, Dick moved that it be reduced £2500. The Hon. W. Gisborne moved that the item General Contingencies be reduced from £IO,OOO to £SOOO, On this the House divided, and the amendment was lost by 25 to 29. Mr Turnbull moved that the vote be reduced by £4OOO. This was lost on the voices, and the item was passed, Tho item, Introduction of Salmon and White Fish Ova —£800, was omitted. [The House was still sitting when the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m.3