GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2032, 28 August 1880, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PBB PBESa ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WIEB.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Fbiday, August 27. In the Legislative Council, A return was ordered of all Justices gone bankrupt in the tiro years prior to August Ist laßt. A motion web oarried that the Government take steps to close the Wellington cemetery. The Standing Orders were suspended to enable the Government Bills to pass all the stages in one day. A number of harbor reports from Sir J. Coode were ordered to be printed, on the motion of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. The Hon. F. Whitakbb said that the continuance of the storm warnings WB3 under the consideration of the Government. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds then gavo notice to ask the result of the consideration next day. The Hon. G. M. Watebhouse moved that in the opinion of the Council, the New Plymouth Harbor Board should not got 25 per cent, from tho confiscated land. After some discussion the motion was withdrawn. The Waikato Confiscated Land Bill and the Beer Duty Bill were read a second time. The Deceased Persons Estates Duties Bill, ifter a short debate, in which it was sup>orted by tho Hona. Williamson and Scot--and and opposed by Sir F. Bell and tho Tons. Watebhouse, Reynolds, and Buckey, as making the duty too high, and lereby causing evasion in the bestowal of roperty before death, and also stopping laritable bequests, was thrown out by 20 to votes. For the Bill— Hona. Baillie, Lahman, jllen, Scotland, Whitaker, Williamson, r ood. Against—Sir F. 8011, Messrs Brett, Bucky, Chamberlain, Dignan, Fraser, Henderson, Johnston, Mantell, Martin, Miller, Pater>n, Peacock, Peters, Pharazyn, Reynolds, J. ussell, Waterhouse, Wigley, Wilson. The Council then adjourned from 5 to 30. EVENING SITTING. Tho Waikato Confiscated Land Bill, Beer uty Bill, Native School Sites Bill, Oanterury Roads Ordinance Amendment and Extnsion Bill, Special Powers and Contracts till, West Coast Settlement (North Island) till, Stamp Act Amendment Bill, Stamp Fee till, Electrio Telegraph Act, 1875, Ainendnent Bill, Malvern Water Race Transfer Act, [ 11878, Amendment Bill, Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Land Act Amendment Bill, were read a third time. The Lodgers Goods Protection Bill was i read a second time. I The Otago Harbor Board Bill was read la third time. I Tho Mining Companies Act Amendment 'Bill was hardly passed through committee when the Council rose at 1 a.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Fbiday, August 27. Tho House met at 2.30. notices of motion. Mr Pyke gave notice that he would move tho following amendment in supply—" In the opinion of the House it is desirable that the Northern and Middle Islands of New Zealand be created into two separate colonies ; that with a view of effecting such separation a Commission should be appointed to consider and report on the allocation of the colonial debt, and tho conduct of the conditions, subject to which the duties of customs and postal and telegraph charges shall be allocated to each Island ; that a message be sent to the ( Legislative Council asking their concurrence, and inviting that branch of the Legislature to appoint a committee to confer with a com- ' mittee of the House thereupon." Mr Bain gave notice that he would ask > if the Government would cause to be prepared and circulated during the recesß a Bill , embodying tho recommendations of the Joint Committee re the Bankruptcy Laws, as also \ any other recommendations of a practical character which may be made to them on the subject. Mr Pulton gave notice that he would ask the Government what oourse they intended to pursue in regard to local bodies who had entered into oontracts for public works on the faith of a continuance of tho subsidies. pebsonal. ,

Mr Sheehakmoved, without notice—" That the minutes and report of the Native Affairs Committee, on the petitition of A. Clark and the Bev. W. Gittos be printed. He explained that the purport of the petition was an imputation against him, alleging that he had misappropriated a sum of money. The result of the inquiry had been a complete exculpation of his character, together with a statement on the part of the committee of investigation that they did not credit the evidence on the subject given by the petitioners. The matter had been a good deal canvassed both in that House and elsewhere, and while he courted tho utmost investigation, now that it had been made, it was only fair to him that the result should be made public. He also commented on the impropriety of petitions of this kind being received. Capt. CoiiBECK said that he had presented the petition, but before doing so he had consulted the Speaker, Sir G. Grey, and other members of experience as to the propriety of doing so. Mr SHEBHAIf Baid that he did not impute any blame to the previous speaker. On the contrary, he had fully concurred in the petition being taken up. What he wished to assert was the general piinciple that persons of this kind who found themselves aggrieved should seek redress at the proper tribunal. The motion for printing was put and carried without dissent.

QUESTIONS. Beplying to Mr Beeves, The Hon. J. Haix promised that during the recess the Government would take into consideration the desirability of increasing the ad valorem duties now imposed on all articles imported and which can be manufactured in the colony with a view of encouring the growth of colonial industries. Replying to Mr Beeves, The Hon. J. Hail said that a sum of money would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates with a view of fostering and developing local industries, and if it passed Government would consider the propriety of allocating a portion of it as a bonus for the first 1000 barrels of cement manufactured in the colony. Beplying to Mr Brown, The Hon. J. Ham. Baid that it was intended to amalgamate the Post and Telegraph Offices, and where the combined revenues would pay the expenses the additional rate of 6d charged on telegrams sent from or to nonpaying offices would be rescinded. Beplying to Mr Brown, The Hon. W. EolliESTon said that Government would cause a classification to be made of the land set apart for tho construction of the Tapanui railway, with a view of opening it for settlement. Beplying to Mr Pyke, The Hon. W. Roeleston said that the Government were aware that the information published in the " Crown Lands Guide " was incorrect, inasmuch as it represents that land is now open for selection which is not so open ; for instance, page 62, Carnhill, block 2, 5161 acres, in fifteen sections, blook 3, 9863 acres, in eight sections ; and also, on page 65, Leaning Book, block 5, 6357 acres, in three sections, and other blocks in the same localities. When the " Guide " was pub- ,-■_ I__J !•. .'.1..J.J flinoo lan rl j o>inillrl

i bo thrown open, but afterwards that intention had been departed from. Replying to Mr Wright, The Hon. R. Olives said that the appointment and remuneration to be paid Mr Oar- ; ruthera as Consulting Engineer for the colony , waß a subject now under consideration. : .Replying to Mr Seddon, > The Hon. R. Olives said that Government , would consider any proposal for laying the i permanent way or formation of the railway 5 from Hokitika Wharf to Arahura, condii tionally on a satisfactory guarantee being given j on the outlay of 5 per cent. 3 Replying to Mr Stevens, r The Hon. Major Atkinsoh said that Goi vernment had received from the assessor for j Christchurch under the Properly Assessment - Act a letter defending himself from the • charges made against him in the House, and f from what ho could see the whole thing had ;, arisen out of a misunderstanding. Replying to Mr Beetham, t The Hon. R. Olitbb said that attention o had been directed to the use of spark catchers s for locomotives, and so far as they had been f applied they had proved moderately successful for preventing conflagration.

Replying to Mr Murray, The Hon. W. Eoilbbton said that the cost of primary, eeoondary and university education out of the rents of reserves and other publio funds, in addition to the votes under • clanße 8 of the ordinary estimates, and class 9 of the public works estimates had been £449,022. Replying to Mr Hurst, . . The Hon, W.Rolleston said that inquiries had been made into the truth of a paragraph in the New Zealand " Times " respecting an outrage said to have been committed by detectives Browne and Benjamin in forcing entrance into a young woman's bedroom after a notice had been posted by one of the medical officers that no persons were to bo admitted, as any excitement would be dangerouß to life, the result being that they found that the paragraph was not justified by the facts of the case.

Replying to the Hon. E. Richardson, The Hon. R. Olives said that the coßt of works for protecting the railway to the north of Timaru, including haulage costs, had been £3616.

Replying to Mr Sheehan, The Hon. W. Roli/bston said it woa intended to give practical effect to the recommendations of the Colonial Industries Commission on the subject of tho conservation of the publio forests ot the colony. PUBLIC WOBKS BILL The Hon. R. Oliveb moved the second reading of the Publio Works Bill, which after discussion was carried. Tho House then went into Committee on the Bill. After four clauses had been passed progress was reported and the House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. INSCRIPTION OF STOCK. The House went into Committee for the further consideration of the resolution about the inscription of stock. The Hon. G. McLban thought that the matter could stand over, and Mr Readbb Wood opposed the resolution, which on being put waß negatived on the voices. The Hon. J. Hall said that he hoped the amendment of tho member for Christchurch would not, under the circumstance, be pressed. Mr Readbb Wood argued that tho inscription of stock had secured no roal benefit to the colony. He could look upon it as nothing more than sucking the life blood of the colony, in tho shape of commissions to stock brokors. He thought that the host thing that could be done was to adopt the amendment.

The Hon. J. Hall said that the procoss of inscription would be only E exercised to a limited extent, and ho hoped the mover of the amendment would bo content with that assurance.

Mr Stevens then consented to withdraw the amendment and the chairman left the chair. PUBLIC -WOBKB BILE. The House went into committee for the further consideration of tho Public Works Bill. On the motion of Mr Stewabt tho following amendment was passed to clause 17— "Provided that any proposed agreement bo laid on the table of tho House of Representatives within thirty dayß of the beginning of the next session of Parliament, and shall not he binding until the same has been approved." Several other clauses were also added to the Bill, after which it was reported with amendments, which were agreed to. It was then read a third time and passed. HOXITIKA HABBOB BILIi. On the motion of the Hon. J. Halli the Hokitika Harbor Board Bill, empowering the Board to raise a loan of £SOOO, was read a second time. The Bill passed through committee, was read a third time, and passed. BEPOBT. In reply to a question put by Mr Maoandrew, Tho Hon. W. Rolieston said that the report of the Commissioners, Messrs Strode and Simpson, on the Oaversham Industrial School would be laid on the table to-morrow. Tho effect of the report would appear from the following extract: —" Generally we would express our great satisfaction with the management of the institution, and the zeal of the master and matron." THE TEN PBB CENT. SEDUCTION. Mr Htjtohibon moved, on the motion for going into Committee of Supply, " That the 10 per cent, reduction should not apply to salaries of £l5O and under." Mr Bain seconded the motion, stating that when the reduction was agreed upon he understood that it would be 8. discriminating reduction, and that salaries only of largo amount would be affected by it. _ Mr Pike supported the motion, describing the reduction as an income tax applicable to only one particular class of the community. Messrs Seddon and Mubeay also spoke in favor of the motion.

Sir G. &BBST said that to impose this income tax on Small incomes was to sentence persons who had done no wrong to a life of obscurity and penury. He hoped they would agree to the resolution. Mr Satjhdbbs opposed the motion, describing it as a bid for popularity. The Hon. J. Halu said that the resolution on the subject of the 10 per cent, reduction was quite explicit. It was to apply to all salaries and wages. What the Government understood by the resolution was, that they should place these wages and salaries on a par with the outside labor market. The amount paid as salaries and wages under £2OO amounted to over £600,000, and the Government could not afford to dispense with the proposed reductions. They were not the only persons who had to submit to Buoh reductions. He hoped that the motion would not be carried.

Mr Htjbbthotjsb said that the circumstances of the colony justified at least a third of the civil servants''dismissal, but to do so would entail a great amount of misery. What he would suggest, and it was a striotly commercial transaction, was that these men should be put on half-pay. He was opposed to the motion.

After considerable further discussion, Mr Speight moved the adjournment of the House so as to enable members to reply to the aspersions cast on them by the Government in the statement that this motion was a mere attempt at courting cheap popularity. Mr Shbimski seconded the motion for adjournment. Mr Hutchison designated the statement made by the Premier as absolutely untrue. Ho had introduced the motion from a sense of duty, and yet the Premier had said that he was in search of cheap popularity. At 1.35 a.m. the Houbb was left Bitting.