GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2023, 18 August 1880, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Augubt 17. In the Legislative Council, A report of the Disqualification Committee on Mr Tairoa'a disqualification, affirming it, was ordered to be considered on Thursday. The Hon. Captain Fbasbb gave notioe for a return of the total number, cost, and work, of the Otago gold-fields wardens and Resident Magistrates. The Hon. J. T. Peacock gave notioe to move that Education Boards having balances in hand at the end of. the year should refund the same to the Government. The Hon. Mr Ohambebiain gave notice to move that in the opinion of the Council the Government should state whether it is going in for a policy of free trade or protection. He also asked whether Government intended to bring in a Local Industries Bill; andwas the Local Industries Commission to continue its work or another of less free trade tendencies to be appointed. The Hon. F. Whitakbb said that the report of the Commission was now under consideration ; also whether the Commission shall continue its labors, but whatever decision was come to no new Commission would be appointed. The Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, Jackson's Bay Settlement Bill, New Zealand University Reserves Bill, Canterbury Rivers Act Amendment Bill, Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, and High School Reserves Bill (oil from the Lower Hou9e), were read a first time. The Hon. G. M. Wateehottse moved that the New Plymouth Harbor Board should refund its illegal expenditure from the land fund, and failing a refund the members should be proceeded against individually. He thought this course was necessary to stop the growing habit of nearly all local bodies to apend money contrary to law. The Hon. E. Whitaeer said that if all local bodies who acted illegally were to be proceeded against Government would want half-a-dozen Attorney-Generals. The remedy at law laid with the ratepayers who suffered by the illegality. The Hon. N. Wirsosr said that the Government would not proeecuto the Board, because it was in the favoured distriot of New Plymouth. After- a short debate the motion was carried. The Otago Road Board Rates Validity Bill and the Debtors and Creditors Bill were read a third time and passed. The Joist Stock Companies Act Amendment and Counties Act Amendment Bills were read a second tin: e. The Council adjourned at 5.30. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, August 17. The House met at 2 30 p.m. questions. Keplying to Mr Reeveß, as to whether or not it was true that some brewers in the colony refused to pay the beer duty, and that Government could not compel them to do so, The Hon. Major Atkihbon said that there was no power to recover at law simply on a resolution passed in Committee of Supply, and as this tax still rested on such a resolution, at present it could not be enforced. If the Bill passed, however, it bocame_ retrospective, covering the dato from the time the resolution was passed in Committee of Supply. So soon as the Bill wub passed the tax would be enforced, and brewers refusing to pay jußt ■now would have the penalties enforced against them, so that by refusing they did so at their own peril. Replying to Mr Bowen, Tho Hot. T. Dick said that Government would place on the supplementary estimates one-third of the amount last year voted for the maintenance of public domains. Replying to Mr Reeves, The Hon. R. Onvsß said that a large sum of money had been placed on the estimates for opening tracks on the West Coast, and the Government recognised the importance of constructing a road through Cannibal Gorge to connect Maruia Plains and Hanmer Plains, so as to give easy access to Amuri and Christchurch from Inangahua, but they could not undertake to place the sum of £7OO on the supplementary estimates for that purpose. Replying to Mr Barron, The Hon. R. Olives said that an opportunity had been afforded to Mr Armstrong, locomotive engineer of Southern Railways, to rebut the charges brought against him by the Civil Service Conunuiioners.

He (Mr Armstrong) bad got notice that his servioes would be dispensed with. The principle reason waa that be bad not been a trained engineer, but a carpenter. > It was on that account that he had got notice of dismissal. Replying to Mr Lundon, The Hon. W. BollbSton said that boroughs unendowed under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, that have declined to take the endowments offered to them, but for whiob they did not apply, are considered by the Government to have no other claim under the Act.

Replying to Mr Maoandrew, The Hon. Mr Bbycb said that Government had under consideration what was to be done with the 7 ton 64 pounder gnn at present on the reclaimed land at Port Chalmers.

The Hon. Major Atkinson, in reply to a question put by Mr Johnston under what authority liabilities were contracted on the Foxton to New Plymouth railway to the amount 'of £3300 in excess of the_ amount appropriated by Parliament, Baid that in reality only £BOOO had been expended in Taranaki, and the balance in the Wellington Provincial district. Government had been careful notto i xpend a single sixpence which had not been authorised, unless in such cases as when the work already done would suffer in consequence of further labor not being expended. Replying to Mr Pitt, The Hon. W. Rollbston said that Government had already leased certain sections of reolaimed land in Nelson, and when the railway was completed they would be able to say what was to be done with the remainder. Mr AllwbiGht asked by whose authority families, in indigent circumstances, were removed from Taranaki to Lyttelton by the Government steamer Hinemoa. Such families having become a burden on the municipality, will the Government contribute to their support or take them baok whence they came. The Bon. Major Atkinson replied that but for the number of unemployed forwarded from Wellington and Canterbury, there would not have been an indigent person in Taranaki. From what he had learned the case alluded to consisted of one of the public works men and his family, who had been sent away from Taranaki by the paymaster, for what reason he had not ascertained. Their destination was Wellington, but as the steamer called in at Lyttelton they elected to go ashore there. There was no power to prevent them from doing so. Government would so far as it could prevent indigent persons belonging to one part of the colony becoming chargeable on another part. Mr Ebid asked if, in reducing the vote for education, allowance had been made for the four months of the year which have already expired ; also, if any provision had been made for nctice being given by the Boards to the teachers before the reductions in salaries are made.

The Hon. W. Rollebton replied that it was understood that the reductions in the education department would take effect from the first of this month, as in the other branches of the public service, and the Boards have been asked and have consented to co-operate with the Government accordingly. Provision will have to be made on the supplementary estimates to cover the amount already paid to the Boards for four months. No special provision had been made by the Government for keeping up teachers' salaries at the old rate until notice has been given of the reductions. It is presumed that this will take effect as in the case of the Civil Service.

Replying to Mr Stewart, The Hon. W. Rollbston said that the latest advices from the Agent-General reported that an Inspector of Prisons for the colony had not then been appointed. Mr Babrok asked whether the Government have taken or propose to take any steps to give effect to the recommendation of the Civil Service Commissior'ers in tho direction of reducing the present engineering staff of the colony. The Hon. R. Olxveb replied that the staff had been already reduced and that still further reductions would be made. NEW BILL. On the motion of the Hon. R. Oliver, the Public Works Bill was introduced, read a first time, and the second reading ordered for Friday. miscellaneous. The Hon. J. Hall gave notice that he would move that for the remainder of the session Thursday evening sittings be devoted to Government business.

On the motion for reporting the resolutions from Committee of Supply, Sir G. Gbby moved that the matter be postponed until after the revenue bills had been disposed of. His reason was that the depressed state of the country had been in his opinion over-rated, and the consequence of that was to create an unnecessary panic, suspending commercial enterprise, and otherwise operating seriously against the labor market. When the Revenue Bills had been discussed he believed it would be shown that this alarm was altogether unnecessary, and that muoh more money than was supposed would be available for publio works purposes. The Hon. J. Hall said that the motion had taken him by surprise. They had ascertained correotly the amount available for publio works. They had the statement of the Treasurer, and the statement of the Public Works Minister, and if those hon. gentlemen did not know the state of the public works fund it could never be ascertained. The course was unusual, unconstitutional, and would be calculated to obstruct public business. He thought that there was not the slightest possibility of the hon. gentleman being right, therefore he could not *>ive way. Mr Moss denied that the state of the public works fund was made clearly known. For himself he could not say whether the balance available was one or three millions of money. His own impression was that one million was to be made available, and that two millions were being kept back with a view of giving them a surprise on some future occasion.

The motion for reporting the resolutions of committee was then put and carried. On the motion for agreeing to the resolution, Mr Mastebs drow attention to the vote for the Greymouth-Nelson section, with the Greymouth harbor works, £70,500, from which in committee the previous evening a sum of £20,000 had been struck off. Thevote came on at a very late hour, and during his absence. He was given to understand before leaving that tho vote would not come on that night. Had he been present he could have shown that it was abßolutoly necessary that the vote as printed should have been passed. He wished to know what facilities the Government would be prepared to give him for getting the vote reconsidered. The Hon. J. Hai.li said the Government would consider the point, and if they came to the conclusion that the alteration in the vote would endanger the prosecution of the work they would take some steps for having the question reconsidered. Other members also drew attention to votoa passed during their absence, which they desired should be reconsidored. The Houbo adjourned at 5.30.

EVENING- SITTING-. : The House resumed at 7.30. The motion for agreeing to the resolutions of the Committee of Supply was then put and carried. On the motion for going into Oommittee of Supply. Mr Speight drew attention to an item on the estimates, arrears of pensions, £1433. He was led to understand that this was a claim made by the Hon. Dr. Pollen. He understood that this olaim had been under the consideration of the late Government, and that the Attorney-General of that Government had decided against its legality. The SolicitorGeneral, who had in the first instance given an opinion in favor of the claim, afterwards concurred with the AttorneyGeneral in deciding against the claim. Nowafter an interval of nearly three years, it made its appearance on the estimates without a single word of explanation. This gentleman had served the colony in so many capacities that it was hard to get any information as to tho particular service to which the pension attached. The colony was paying an enormous amount for pensions, and he felt called upon to challenge this item. Ho would move —" That the item arrears of pensions claimed by Dr. Pollen bo referred to the Public Accounts Oommittee to report upon, and the circumstances under which the claim is made." So far as he could ascertain, there was no reason why the claim should be made, and a pension in perpetuity granted to this gentleman. The Hon. T. Dick seconded the motion. The Solicitor-General, tho Comptroller, and all the authorities were in favor of the pension. They stated that Dr. Pollen should have drawn his pension from 1873 instead of for the last four years. Government had ») objection whatever to the facta being fully

investigated by the Public Acoounta Committee. The motion was put and carried. On the motion for goiDg into Committee of Supply being again put, Mr Montgomery laid that the other day the Premier mentioned that it was intended to add the Chatham lelanda to his electoral district. There was no mention of it in the Redistribution of Seats Bill, so that it must have been an after-thought. It would be very inconvenient for any constituency to have these islands added to it. He would like to know why his constituency was to have it thrown in their way, as there was no community of interest between Akaroa and these islands. Government should not wait until the Chatham Islanders were represented in the House, but should have conserved their interest before this. The Hon. J. Ham said that Government considered there was some community of interest between the pursuits of the inhabitants of Banks' Peninsula and the Chatham Islands. Then the representative would have to be a good sailor to visit his constituents. This wqb another fit-cess on the part of the member for Akaroa. He showed that the population basis wbb also another matter which pointed to Akaroa as being the most suitable electorate to amalgamate with a modified representation. Mr Geobqb said that the Great Barrier Island in his district was situated like the Chatham Islands. Mr Pyke moved as an amendment on the original question, " That in the opinion of the House the reduction of ton per cent, should not apply to salaries of £2OO per annum and under." On being put this amendment was negatived on division by 41 to 33. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.

I The House then went into Committee of Supply. Vote—Waitaki to Bluff with branches, £356,000. Mr Shbisiski moved that the item Compentiation to the Otago Harbor Board, £25,500, be struck out. The vote as printed was passed. Otago Central Railway, £BB,OOO. In reply to questions put, The Hon. R. Oiiteb said that the vote wrs simply asked to employ a number of men who 'were otherwise unemployed, and until the Government could find other work for them of more pressing importance. To make the line to a point that would make it at all useful for traffic purposes would cost not less than £358,000 —a sum which at present they could not afford to spend. As soon as the session was over, he would go South and arrange to have the men removed to more profitable work. Mr Hubst thought that the item wag a very large amount for the purpose for which it was to be employed. He thought it might be more profitably employed in some other works, viz., the Orepuki line. Mr Bowbn concurred. What the Government asked was to spend £1,000,000 per annum for work that could not be made useful for many years to coino. He moved that £20,000 be struck off. Hon. W. Gisbobnb said that the system of employing their unemployed was becoming something enormous. They were employing those men in the most wasteful manner. If they had the money to spend let them coll for contracts, and by that means provide work for those that were at present unemployed. The Hon. J. Hall said that if men came to them and said that they were starving what could they do. They had to provide for them in some way. The course they followed was to give them just enough to subsist upon without giving them inducements to continue upon that class of labor. Mr Pyke said that the work done by the so-called unemployed had been as cheaply and as well done as it had been by any other kind of labor. The fact was that the Government made the profit that contractors would otherwise make. Under proper supervision the system might be worked to good advantage, and they would hear of fewer contractors making large sums of money out of these works. It was because this line wbb to benefit the public estate, and not private -property, that obstacles were thrown in the way of it being cone on with. It was the only line which would open up the 700,000 acres of land that were locked up at present. He did not say that it was all flat country, but it was all available land. The only accessible route from the West Coast to the east was by this line. Mr MoOaughan moved that fc v .o vote be reduced by £36,700. Mr Baebon said that if the House reduced the vote by a single penny it would be doing a very great wrong. Mr Weight moved as a further amendment that the vote be reduced £30,000. If they retained the vote as it stood the question of the unemployed would settle the question of making this line at once. They would then be told that having spent so much money, it was absolutely necessary that they should go on, otherwise what they had spent would bo money thrown away. Mr Moss, Bpeaking from bis own personal knowledge of the country, said that it would be doing a great injustice to reduce the vote. Mr Lundon said that this vote should be taken for the unemployed, and by that means these men would be scattered over the colony, and they would in that way stand a better chance for getting drifted into other employ, ment. Mr DbLautour spoke »n favour of the vote. Speaking from his own knowledge, he would say that wherever agricultural settlement in the district had been allowed it had been singularly successful. He believed that the purpose was that this land was to be given in fixity of tenure, and then in a few years more, when that had been done, there would bo no lack of advocates for this line, and then they would have to pay thousands of pounds compensation for the land taken. The motion for reducing the vote £20,000 was then put and carried. Invercargill to Kingston, £11,500. Mr Ds Lautoub moved that it be reduced £7500. The motion was lost on a division of 17 to 33. Mr Finn moved that the item Lumsden to Maroro be reduced £7500. The motion wss lost on the voices, and the vote passed as printed. Western Bailways, £64,000. Mr Db Lautoub proposed a reduction of £SOO on the item construction and land for Makarewa to Biverton. The motion was lost on a division of 13 to 35. Mr Pykb moved that progress be reported. He charged the Government with keeping members there until they were exhausted and then attempting to carry their votes. If they did not report progress and adjourn, he could tell them that they might sit there until tomorrow afternoon at four o'clock, and he would take care that they did not carry another vote. The motion was opposed and negatived. Mr Pykb moved the reduction of the item Ofcautau to Nightoaps, £12,000, by £4OOO. The motion was 1 st on a division by 11 to 31.

Mr DbLautotjb moved that the vote Riverton to Orepuki be reduced by £ISOO. Mr Pstek said there was a time -when he had a good opinfoi of some members of the Government, but now he had loßt it on every one of them. He would table before long a direct vote of want of confidence. They wero false to the House, and the constituents who returned them. With large questions they could not grapple, but with small twopenny-half-penny matter, like this they lured their abject followers into the lobby to vote with thorn. The motion was lost on a division by 9 to 35. The vote wis passed aB printed. Surveys of new lines, North Island, £3OOO. Passed. Surveys of now lines, Middle Island, £6550. Progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 2 a.m.