GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2031, 27 August 1880, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WIEB.J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, August 25. In the Legislative Council, The Conference report on the Election Petitions Bill was agreed to. The Jackson’s Bay Settlement Bill and Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a third time. The Caversham Borough Incorporation Bill and the Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee. The Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bill, Nelson Gas and Water Works Bill were read a third time. The Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Bill and Mining Company’s Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. Thuesday, August 26, la the Legislative Council, A return was ordered of the amount paid by the Dunedin Harbor Board for convict labor. The second reading of the West Coast Settlement Bill was carried after a short debate, in which the Hons. Whitaker, Colonel Whitmore, Dr. Pollen, and Sir K. Bell were the speakers. The Stamp Act Amendment Bill was read a second time on a division by 19 votes to 16. The Stamp Fee Bill was read a second time, as was the Telegraph Act Amendment Bill. The Hon. Mr Milleb then moved the second reading of the Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill, which the Hon. W. H. Reynolds supported. The debate was proceeding when the Council adjourned from 5 to 7.30. EVENING SITTING. After a long debate, the Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill passed the second reading, on the understanding that it was to bo largely amended in committee. The Port Chalmers Drill-shed Bill was re ad

a second time, and the Caveefham Borough Incorporation Bill a third time. The Council rose at 9.40. HOUSE OP EE PRESENT ATIVES. Tuesday, August 2<L The Speaker took the chair at 2.30. On the motion of the Hon. the Pebmibe, the Speaker was empowered to issue a writ for the return of a member to the House during the present Parliament for the electoral district of Waikaia, in the place of the late Mr Ireland. Mr Maoandebw asked the Native Minister —What e!eps (if any) have been or are now being taken towards bringing to justice the murderer of John McLean, who is at present said to be residing atParihaka under the name of Wairemu Hiroki ? The hon. gentleman said he had been asked to put this question by the brother of the murdered man. The Hon. the Pebmibe, in the absence of the Native Minister, answered the question. He said that, speaking generally, the Government were doing their best to preserve the peace of the West Coast; and he thought the House would agree with him that it would be indiscreet of the Government to make known their intentions on the subject. In reply to Mr Bain,

The Hon. Mr Oliteb said that where reserves were made for railway purposes and sold the moneys would bo devoted to the purposes of making those linos, and the Government would very glad if they could get contractors to make these lines, taking laud so reserved in payment. In reply to Mr Stevens,

The Hon, tha Pebmibe stated that the basis on which tho sum of £ISOO was paid to Messrs Sorimgoour by the Agent-General and other loan agents, in connection with the five million loan, was calculated on tha basis of what had been paid on previous occasions.

In answer to Mr Sheehan, The Hon. the Ministbe op Lands eaid that during tho recess the Government would consider tho question of bringing down a Bill to abolish Waste Lands Boards, but ho must say, for his own part, that he did not see the desirability of such a change.

Mr Thomson aekt d the Minister for Public Works—Whether, as the House has thrown out the vote for the Ofago Central line, which it was intended to expend in giving labor to the unemployed, the Government will place on the Supplementary Estimates a sum. for the Catlins line, with the view of placing the unemployed on such lino, as certain objections taken to employing this class on the Otago Central do not apply to the line to Catlins ? The Hon. the Minister op Public Woees replied that the Government did intend to place a gum on the Supplementary Estimates, but it would be for the unemployed in no particular part of the colony, but where ever it was considered most desirable such money should be expended. A message came down from the Legislative Council that they could not agree with the views expressed by the Lower House on the subject of the Elections Petitions Bill, and insisting upon their amendment being accepted. Mr Bowen objected to having this amendment (the petitions being tried before one judge instead of two as agreed to by the Lower House) forced upon them by the Council, and moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Montgomery, Finn, and the mover be appointed to confer with the Upper House on the subject. Mr Kelly and Sir Geoegb Gbby spoke very strongly on the subject of the interference of the Council upon a question which affected the Lower House alone.

Mr Bowen said that the House ought not to give way. He hoped, however, that the Bill would not be dropped, but that the matter should go to a conference. Mr Montgomery expressed a similar opinion. The motion for the appointment of a committee to take part in the conference was then agreed to. Sir Geobgb Geey moved—“ That the evidence taken in the matter of the payment of £3OO to Mr Siev bright be printed and laid before the House.’’ His object in doing so was to call attention to the fact that some person had given information to the Press in a way that was not fair. Mr Kelly said if any such information was communicated to the Press before it was given to the House it was a breach of privilego.

Mp Titbnbtjil, said there were very great complaints of late of evidence getting communicated to the Press surreptitiously. Sir Geobgb Gbby said that until the report of such committee was laid upon the table of the House, none of the evidence ought to be made public. Mr Kbdlt read the Standing Order on the subject. Mr Saunders thought Sir George Grey hod made some mistake with regard to the committee.

The motion was then agreed to. The following new Bills were introduced, end read a first time :—A Bill to enable the Government to grant certain land and privileges to any person or company willing to construct a railway between the City of Wellington and Porirua (Mr Brandon). —The Bailways Construction Bill (The Hon. Mr Oliver). —The Hokitika Harbor Loan Bill (Hon. Mr Hall), and the Canterbury Beads Ordinance Amendment Bill.

The report of the Committee on the Electric Telegraph Act, 1873, Amendment Bi 1 was brought up and the amendments agreed to. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. On the motion for the Speaker leaving the chair, in order that the House might go into committee on the Property Assessment Bill, Mr Baidancb s -id that they had now two measures as the Government financial policy, which were the beer tax and the amendment on the Property Tax Act, He trusted that in committee the amount of the beer tax would be reduced by one-half. One fundamental principle of Government was that they should not take more money out of the pockets of the people than was absolutely necessary. That sound doctrine was certainly not bring carried out in the present instance. He did not, however, agree with the hon. member for Wei’emata that the property tax could be reduced by one-half. But ha would like to seethe tax reduced to such a degree as to make it equi • valent to the old land tax. As the House knew, he was in favor of an income tax, and the Government would yet have to put on such a tax. In Committee, he trusted the House would improve and modify the Bill before the House. The Hon. Major Atkinson was sorry he could not answer the remarks of the hon. gentleman in consequence of his severe cold, but he would take the opportunity of doing so when moving the Appropriation Act. The motion was then agreed to. Mr Macandbew thought the House should go into Committee on the Beer Bill at the same time. Ultimately, after several members had spoken, the House went into Committee on the Beer Bill, which was being considered when the Honse adjourned at 5 30. EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 on the Beer Bill and Property Assessment Bill. Considerable discussion took place, especially on clause 2, which fixed the duty at 6d per gallon, and at least half-a-dozen hon. gentlemen rose at once. Mr Badlanoh moved that the word “ sixpence” bo struck out, and the word “threepence ” inserted in lieu thereof. The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer assured the House that they would want every penny that the sixpenny tax would raise. He regretted as much as any member of the Committee the necessity for this tux, but as it was really required, he hoped the House would pass the Bill as it stood. After remarks and expressions of opinion from several members on both sides of tho House, the motion was then put that the clause should stand as printed. The noes were declared to have it. A division was called for. and resulted as follows :

Ayes, 34 Messrs Andrews, Atkinson, Barron, Beetham, Brandon, De Lautour, Dick, Driver, J. B. Fisher, Fulton, George, Gibbs, Hall, H. Hirst, Johnston, Jones (teller),London,Mason, Masters, McOaughan, McLean, Murray, Oliver, Pyke, Rolleston, Russell, Saunders (teller), Shanks, Studholme, Tawhai, Thomson, Tiimble, Wakefield and Whitaker. Noes, 41 Allwright, Bain, Ballanco, Bowen, Brown, Bunny, Colbeck, Finn, Fisher, J. T., Qiaborne, Grey, Harris, Hurst, Hursthouse, Hutchison, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Maoandrew, Montgomery, Moes, Ormond, Pitt, Reeves, Reid, Richmond, Richardson, Saddon, Shephard, Shrimski, Stevens (teller) Sutton, Swanson, Tainui, Te Whooro, Tole, Turnbull, Wallis, Wbyto, Wood (teller), and Wright. Mr Reader Wood moved that the word “ threepence ” bo inserted in lieu of the word 1 “sixpence.”

Sir George Grey wished to know what the Government intended to do after their defeat; whether they intended to withdraw the Bill, or what ?

The Hon. the Colonial Trhabubbb replied that the Government intended to go on with the Bill. Mr Shephard moved that the tax be reduced to three halfpence, but the House dissented.

The amendment that the tax bo threepence was then put and carried on the voices. The succeeding clauses in the Bill were then considered, and passed without dissent. Mr Sbddon moved an extra clause to the effect that any brewer who shall wilfully affix any stamp to any cask, with a view to mislead, shall bo liable to a penalty for every offence.

The clause was accepted by the Government, and agreed to. The Hon. Major Atkinson said that after the reduction which hud been made in the beer tax it would be necessary that the Government should consider the Property Assessment Bill, and he would therefore ask that the consideration of that Bill be postponed. He would therefore ask that progress be reported to the House on the Beer Bill. It was resolved to go into Committee on the Property Assessment Bill on the following day. The Hon. the Colonial Treasures moved the second reading of the Deceased Persona Estates Duties Bill, which wag agreed to, and the House then went into Committee upon it, and upon the Stamp Pee Bill, and the Stamp Amendment Bill.

An important amendment to the Deceased Persona Estates Duties Bill was agreed to on the motion of Mr Downie Stewart, by which all estates under the value of £SOO are exempted from succession duty. The other Bills having been considered in Committee were reported to the House,

The Stamp Fee Bill having had no amendments in it was read a third time and passed. The Stomp Act Amendment Bill was also read a third time and passed. The amendments in the first named of the three Bills were ordered to be considered on the following day. The Hon. the Premier moved the second reading of the Waikato Confiscated Land Bill, and briefly explained its object. After a few observations from Major Tb Wheoro, and Messrs Sbddon, Dk Lautoub, and Swanson, the motion was agreed to, and the Bill was road a second time. The House then went into Committee on the Bill.

Mr Sheehan explained the precise objects of the Bill, which he considered was the moat important which had been upon the Order Paper this session. If the Government could succeed in carrying it into effect, tho Maori difficulty in the North Island would be settled.

Mr Sbddon strongly opposed the Bill. The Hon. the Pebmier made some very severe remarks aa to the conduct of the member for Hokitika. Mr Sbddon said ho would not bo crushed out or put down, even by tho Premier. Mr Jones also opposed the Bill, as did likewise Mr Hamlin. At 2 20 the Bill was reported with amendments. Tho House then adjourned. Wednesday, August 25. report, Mr Bowen brought up the report of the Conference of tho Elections Petitions Bill, to the effect that when two Judges disagreed the sitting member should retain his seat. The report was agreed to. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr Pyke, It was stated that the Government only charged the banks in Otago with tho actual travelling expenses for the escort of the gold from country districts. Tho amount was very trifling. Replying to Mr Maeandrew, The Hon. J. Hall said that members might make arrangements for returning home on Monday at the latest. NEW BILLS. The Native Schools Site Bill (Hon. W. Rol’.eston) and the Financial Arrangements Act Amendment Bill (Hon. Major Atkinson) were introduced and read a first time. The Public Revenues Bill, introduced by message, was read a first time. THIRD READINGS. The Waikato Confiscated Lands Bill, and the Deceased Parsons Estates Duties Bill were read a third time. Tho Beer Duty Bill was road a third time after being recommitted for an amendment requiring all casks to be branded with the number of gallons contained. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT BILL.

In committee on the Property Assessment Bill, The Hon. J. Hall stated that after the loss of revenue entailed by the reduction of the beer duty they could not afford the loss of revenue by the further exemptions proposed. Ho wished members, therefore, to consent simply to pass the Bill providing for a simpler form of schsdule. Messrs Saunders, Barron, and Brown all moved exemptions .or alterations, and considerable debate arose.

The Hon. J. Hall at last moved that progress bo rep orted, so as to shelve the Bill, saying that Government would endeavor by other means to simplify the schedules. Sir G. Grey objected to this course. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 djournment. EVENING SITTING. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT BILL. After considerable debate in committee on the Properly Assessment Bill, Sir G. Grey sold that this taxation was rendered nece-sary simply by the maladministration by the Government of Native lands. The Attorney-General, after being rej c ; ed by a constituency, sat wrongfully in the Upper House, and such dealings as his with Patetere had rendered this taxation necessary. Such jobs as the Patetere and Murimotu were the cause of tho poverty of tho country. They should now have a land and income and a wool tax instead of what was proposed. Sir G. Grey was once or twice called to order while speaking. Mr Moorhousb denounced Sir G. Grey as a mischief-maker, setting class against class. Ho was utterly corrupt, and it was high time that a stop was put to the humbug Sir O. Grey was continually talking. After some further discussion, tho motion for reporting progress was passed by 43 to 29.

The Hon. J. Hail, in committee, moved the resolutions approving of the employment of three agents for the conversion of stock at a remuneration of one-twelfth of one per cent. He described the advantages of inscription, and spoke of the special fitness of Messrs J ulyan, Sargeant and Yogel to perform the work. The latter would in that case resign the Agent-Generalship. Mr Stevens moved an amendment that no conversion should take place until the House approved of it and the terms proposed. He considered the appointment of these agents entirely unnecessary. Mr Eollebton thought the whole matter should be lelt over till next year. Very little advantage was likely to result to the colony from conversion except under exceptional circumstances. He could not vole for the motion or the amendment. Messrs Moss and Montgomery also agreed that the subject should be postponed for a year or so. Mr Ebadbb-Wood moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rose at 12.30. Thursday, August 26. The House met at 11 a m. BILLS PASSED, The Native School Sites and Canterbury Boads Ordinance Amendment Extension Bills wore read a second time, and together with the Lodgers’ Goods Protection and Special Powers and Contracts Bills, were passed through Committee, read a third time, and passed. SECOND BEADING. The Wellington Harbor Board Incorporation Bill was read a second time. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House resumed at 4 p.m. BBPOBT. The Printing and Debates Committee presented their report, stating that they had not been able to agree upon any recommendation as to the publication of “ Hansard.” AN EXPLANATION. Before proceeding with the orders of the day, The Hon. J. Hall directed attention to a statement made in the Wellington papers some time ago to the effect that the previous Sergeant-at-Arms had been appointed after giving a pecuniary consideration to his predecessor to retire. As this ri £1 cted upon the character of the previous Speaker, he (Sir Wm. Fitzherbort) had taken cognisance of the statement, and caused inquiry to be made

into the allegation. The result of that inquiry bad been submitted to him (Mr Hall), and he bad no hesitation in saying that there was no foundation in fact for the allegation. NEW BILL.

Sir Geo. Grey introduced a Bill to make

further provision for the admission of persons as law practitioners. He would not press the measure further this session. Its object was to abolish certain conditions now provided for admission as a law practitioner. The Bill was read a first time. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ACT.

The Hon. Major Atkinson moved the second reading of the Financial Arrangements Act, 1878, Amendment Bill. He explained its obj-cts to be the provision for a continuance of the subsidies under the new arrangement as previously explained. Mr Pyke moved, as an amendment, that it bs read that day six months. Ho oharaotoi ised it as an act of repudiation, which, if carried to its extremity, would result in the repudiation of all colonial liabilities. What it proposed to do was to pay 7s 6d in the £. It was only in keeping with the whole conduct of the Government. They had brought down 150 bills this session, 142 of which had been returned dishonored and marked no effects. The local bodies had not received a farthing on rates collected during 1879. What he demanded was that subsidies should bo paid on these rates, as they were collected before the slightest premonition was given of the intention to stop the subsidies, to enable the works now in hand to bo completed. Ho would strongly advise the Government to agree to his proposal. Mr Thomson supported the amendment. Mr Turnbull agreed that it was apparently an act of repudiation on the part of the Government. Mr Baeeon also condemned the Bill as an act of repudiation on the part of the Government. Subsidies were provided for a period of five years, and it was hardly worth while to suspend them now that only one year had to run.

Mr Gisborne also denounced the proposal as likely to paralyse the public works of local bodies.

Mr Gibbs supported the Bill, end Mr Shrimski the amendment. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7 30. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS BILL. The debate was resumed on the Financial Arrangements Bill. Messrs Stewart, Reeves, DeLautour, and Maeandrew spoke against the Bill, and Messrs Sutton, Wallis, Richardson, and McLean supported it. Tho Hon. Major Atkinson replied. Ho said that local bodies wore part of themselves, and subsidies would have to bo taken out of their own pockets. Was any hon. piember prepared to go to hia constituents and tell them that another penny was to be put on the property tax to meet these subsidies. If he was he was a bolder man than him (Major Atkinson). He was always opposed to the 20 per cent, of the land fund being given to local bodies. If it had been secured so as to provide for opening up lands, [it would have been well, but such was not tho case. Only a very small portion of it indeed had gone for that purpose. The motion for the second reading was then put and carried. Ayes 43, noes 23. The following is tho division list: Ayes—Messrs Adams, Allwright, Atkinson, Bain, Bowen, Brandon, Oolbeok, Dick, Driver, Sir W. Fox, Messrs George, Gibbs, Hirst, Hurst, W. J. Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kenny, Lundon, Masters, MoOaughan, McLean, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Pitt, Richmond, Richardson, Rolleston, Saunders, Seymour, Stevens, Studholme, Sutton, Swanson, Tawhai, Tomoana, Trimble, Wallis, Whitaker, Whyte, Wood, Wright, Noes—Messrs Andrews, Ballance, Barron, Brown, Do Lautour, Finn, Fisher, J. B. Fisher, J. O. Fulton, Gisborne, Sir G. Grey, Messrs Hutchison, Maeandrew, Montgomery, Pyke, Reeves, Shanks, Sheehan, Shrimski, Stewart, Tainni, Te Wheoro, Thomson. The Bill was then read a second time. SECOND READINGS. The Hon. Major Atkinson moved the second reading of the Public Revenues and Custom Duties Bills, which was agreed to. committee. The House went into committee on the Custom Duties Bill. Mr London moved a new clause to impose an export duty of 5s per ton on kauri gum, to be imposed by order of the Governor-in-Council, and the proceeds to be given to the counties in which the gum was produced. The Hon. Major Atkinson supported the proposal, and said it would depend upon local bodies whether the tax should be brought into operation. Mr Shrimski objected to the proposal, and moved that in lieu thereof a duty of 4s 2d be imposed on every hundredweight of wool. Dr. Wallis opposed the duty on kauri gum. He characterised it as one of the most selfish proposals that ever had been made in that House. It would simply apply to some of the northern counties. It would bear heavily on a poorer class of tradesmen. Whenever other employment could not be got the men took to digging gum, and it would practically be the imposition of a tax on the unemployed. Such a tax would bring disgrace on any Legislature in the world. Captain Colbeck objected to the tax, as the one proposed to be imposed would be a tax on labor.

Mr Reeves, in supporting the tax, contended that the tax would fall on the storekeepers. The storekeepers got the gum at from £25 to £3O per ton. In England it was worth £IOO to £l2O per ton, and in that case it was not at all likely that the tax would fall on the digger. The Speaker ruled that the proposal could not be put, and the Bill was reported with amendments. MISCELLANEOUS. The Public Revenue Bill was considered in committee, and passed without amendment. The Financial Arrangements Act Amendment Bill was considered in committee. Mr Macandhew moved that clause 3, suspending 20 per cent, of the land fund payable to provincial districts be struck out. The question was put that the clause stand as printed. Ayes—34. Noes—34. The Chairman gave his casting vote in favor of retaining the clause. Ayes—34. Messrs Allwright, Atkinson, Beetham, Brandon, Colbeck, Fox, George, Gibbs, Hall, Harris, Hurst (J ), Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Lundon, Musters, McCaughan, Oliver, Pitt, Richmond, Rolleston, Seddon, Shepherd, Speight, Sutton, S wanson, Tawhuio, Trimble, Wallis, Whitaker, Whyte, Wood. Noes, 34—Messrs Andrews, Bain, Ballance, Barron, Bowen, Brown, DeLautour, Driver, Finn, Fisher, J. T., Fulton, Gisbourne, Hirst, Hutchison, Jones, Maeandrew, McLean, Montgomery, Moorhouse, Murray, Ormond, Pyke, Reeves, Busaell, Saunders, Shanks, Shrimski, Stevens, Stewart, Studholme, Thomson, Turnbull, Wakifield, Wright. Mr W. Murray moved that progress be reported. Considering the importance of the point, he thought it was unfair that it should be decided by the casting vote of the Speaker. By reporting progress time would be given to members to reconsider their votes.

It was agreed that the clause should pass on the understanding that the Bill should be recommitted. On consideration of clause 2, Mr Pyke said that the Bill could not possibly be made retrospective, and that if it passed he would summon the Government for the subsidies due since April Ist last. The Hon. Major Atkinson said that if they would pass tho Bill he would be prepared to defend any such action. The clause was then passed, and the Bill was reported without amendments. Tho Hon. J. Hall proposed that tho rule about taking new business after 12 30 bo relaxed for tho evening, so as to allow the Order Paper to be cleared off as far as possible, and enable the session to be brought to a close to-morrow.

A number of members having left the House, the Speaker ruled that the necessary quorum was not present so as to admit of the question being put. The following Bills were road a third time and passed ;—Customs Tariff and Public Revenue.

The Hon. Major Atkinson moved that the Financial Arrangements Act Amendment Bill be read a third time.

Mr Murray moved its recommittal, with a view of having the 20 per cent, land fund clause considered.

The question was put that the Bill be read a third time. Ayes, 41; noes, 30. Ayes, 41. Messrs Adams, Allwright, Atkinson, Beetham, Brandon, Bunny, Oolbecb, Dirk, Driver, George, Gibbs, Hall, Hurst W. J., Hursthouse, Johnson, Kelly, Kenny, Devin, Dundon, Masters, McOaughan, Oliver, Ormond, Pitt, -Richmond, Eolloston, Bussell, Seddon, Seymour, Shephard, Sutton,

Swanson, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Tola, Tomoana, Trimble, Wallis, Whitaker, Whyte, Wood. Noes—3o. Messrs Andrews, Bain, Ballanee, Barron, Bowen, Brown,DeLantsur, Finn, Fisher (J. B.), Fisher (J, T.), Fulton, Gisborne, Sir Q. Grey, Messrs Hirst, Hutchison, Jones, Maeandrew, Mcl.ean, Montgomery, Murray, Fyke, Shrimski, Stevens, Stewart, Studholme, Tainni, Thomson, Tarnbull, Wakefield, Wright. Mr Baik then moved—“ That the Bill be read a third time to-morrow.”

Mr Brown spoke in favor of the amendment, and denounced what had been done as an attempt to plunder the local bodies. Mr Turnbull spoke to a similar effect. Mr Weight was of opinion that the action taken would prove detrimental to the best interests of the colony. Mr Thomson also spoke against the retention of the clause. After some further debate, Mr Macandeew said that he supposed they must accept the inevitable, as the G ivernment would not consent even to an adjournment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. The House rose at 2 15 a.m.