PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2260, 30 June 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PBBBS ASSOCIATION TBLHSBAM.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, • Wednbbdat, June 29. The Council met at 2 30. In reply to the Son. S. Scotland, The Hon. F. Whitaker said the Government had hoard nothing ot broaches of the regulations at the Opunake canteens. ) In reply to the Hon. H. Chamberlain, I The Hon. P. Whitaebb promised that Government would, while enquiring as to the practicability of the electric light for steamers, e.nquire if it would suit for night trains on railways. i C'n the Hon. W, T. Noatata’s motion, a | resolution was carried that the speeches of Maori members should be printed in Maori for Native circulation. The Hon, F. Whitaker promised that

Government would favor the proposal. The Hon. Dr, Mshzibs resumed the debate on the second reading of the Chinese Immigrants- Bill, as did the Hon. H. 3. Millar, supporting it. The Hons. M. Holmes, Colonel Bbbtt, Williamson, and G. Johnston, spoke strongly against the Bill. The Hon. F. Whitakbh replied, and the second reading was carried by IS'votes to 10. The following is the division list For the BillHons. Baillie, P. Buckley, Dignan, Praser, Hart, Lehman, Menzies, Miller, Peacock, Peter, Richmond, Whitaker, Wilson. Against—Hons. Brett, Chamberlain, Henderson, Holmes, J. Johnston, Martin, Hures, Pharazyn, Pollen, Williamson. The Hon. P. Whitaebb gave notice to bring in a Bankruptcy Bill. The Council adjourned at 4 40. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, June 29. Tho House met at 2;30 p.m. OOMMITTBB BBPOBT. The joint committee on waste lands reported on the petitions of the Whangarei, Monganui, Waipawa, Wairoa, and Oollingwood counties, praying that for each county comprised in a land district the Council may elect one representative on the Board of such land district, to the effect that as they consider the subject matter of these petitions to be a question of public policy they have no report to make thereon ; also on the petitions of the Akaroa, Whangarei, Monganui, Waipaway Wairoa, and Selwyn County Councils, praying that the counties should be placed on the same footing as municipalities as regards landed endowments, to a similar effect; and on the Oamaru Harbor Board Bill that they have gone through the Bill, and recommend that it be passed without amendment. PETITION. Mr Olives presented a petition from the Dunedin Working Men’s Club, setting forth that the proposals re clubs in tho Licensing Bill, as passed, would have the effect of shutting up these establishments, and praying for modification. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Reid, The Hon. T. Dick said that, in dealing with tho report of the Prison Inspector, Government would take care to see that no injustice was done to subordinate officers, and that in regard to new appointments, each case would be dealt with on its own individual merits, irrespective altogether of the report in question.

Replying to Mr Ballance, The Hon, J. Hail said that Government was of opinion that, it would be advisable to allow each County Council to impose a dog tax of not less than ss. .

Replying to Mr J. B. Fisher, The Hon. T. Dice said that the matter of selecting historical text books for the use of schools lay with the Educational Boards of the respective districts, Government having provided a list of such works, any one of which might be selected. Replying to Mr Tole, The Hon. J. Hail said that Government would cause inquiry to be made respecting the traffic at Ellerslie station, on the Aucfc-land-Waikato line, but until the result was before them they could not promise to appoint a station-master. They wished to keep down expenses as much as possible. Replying to Mr Murray, The Hon, T, Dick said that Government were taking steps to provide facilities for free vaccination, and re vaccination of grown persons. Replying to Dr. Wallis, The Hon. T. Dick said that a communication had been received from Thos. Bray, Auckland, complaining that owing to the existence of responsible government, the influences of the Bank of New Zealand and the Freemasons of Auckland, justice in the Supreme Court could not be obtained. Replying to Mr J. B. Fisher, The Hon. T. Dick said that an advertisement inserted in the newspapers by the public trustee was stated by the latter to be within the scope of the Public Trustees Act. Government, however, did not desire the trustee to enter into competition for business unfairly, asd the point would be more fully enquired into.

NBW BILLS, The following new Bills were introduced end read a first time :—Taranaki County Council Loan Act 1878 Amendment; Waitara Harbor Board Loan (Colonel Trimble) ; Cook County Rivers (Mr McDonald) ; To Further Enable Affirmations to be Taken in Lieu of Oaths (Sir G. Grey). THB EAIWAT3 AND BATING. Mr Huebthodse moved—“ That in the opinion of this House those districts through which’, Government railways have been constructed, or are being constructed, should be rated to pay the difference between the working expenses, including interest on cost of construction and the receipts from such railways. He said that the proposal was part of the original public works policy as adopted in 1870, and if it had been carried out as proposed, it would have been of great advantage to the colony. There were large portions of Now Zealand which had derived no real benefit from the Public Works expenditure, but on the contrary, they had been kept back if not retrograded. Such being the case, he contended that it was only fair that they they should be relieved from contributing to the non-reproduotivo works elsewhere. The mode of imposing the taxation advocated by him would be by the constitution of public works districts. The construction of railways had added enormously to the value of properties in many cases, and surely it was but right that these properties should be made to recoup the public treasury for any deficiency in their working expenses. But for the fact that this principle was put forward as a cardinal point in the policy of 1870, that policy would never have been carried. He hoped that the Government would not regard his motion as intended in a hostile spirit, and if it was adopted he was sanguine that in a very few years the necessity for acting upon hie motion would disappear. Moreover, it would operate as a check upon unscrupulous demands for railways, inasmuch as districts would know that they would be held responsible for all deficiencies. In a very short time a new Public Works Bill would make its appearance, and by the timely adoption of this principle they could save themselves a great deal of unnecessary trouble. Mr Gbobgk seconded the motion, adding that if the Government found it could not act up to the letter of the motion, then by way of equalising matters he would suggest that in districts where there were no railway lines the Government should take over the burden of main roads. Sir Q. Gbey considered it a most important question, but thought that under existing circumstances it was premature. He would move as an amendment that the debate be adjourned until after the delivery of the financial statement, when they would be better able to discuss the question exhaustively. Mr Halt, did not think that any good would bo gained by the adjournment. Ho did not believe that the resolution was put forward in a hostile spirit or with any desire to embarrass the Government. Ho agreed with the mover that it was a groat mistake that this principle hod not been enforced throughout the development of the Public Works policy, but to revert to the policy now would bo surrounded by very many difficulties almost insurmountable in their character. To apply the principle fairly they would have to apply it not only to railways, but likewise to other public works expenditure. Now, how wore they going to decide what lands had been benefited by such expenditure. They had water races, telegraphic extensions, erection of lighthouses, and how could they say what benefit all these works had conferred upon property. Ho could see endless difficulties in the way of allocating liaj bilities of this kind. If they rated a district for say a branch line, then it was only fair

that they should give the district some control _ over the rate* charged on the line. Again, many lines were made not so much for the benefit of the land through which they j passed as for that of the centres of population at both ends. In all fairness these centres would have to be charged for any deficiency of this kind. Altogether it was a question surrounded by grave, if not insuperable difficulties. Sbtmoto admitted the soundness of the principle, and thought that the motion had come a great deal too late. It would bo manifestly unfair to Raddle a district with the cost of construction when the district did not have a voice in the question of constructing the work. He instanced the ease of the Fioton-Blenheim line, when most unnecessary expenditure had been incurred, and wont on to say that Cheviot was partly situated within the Marlborough provincial dietric! ■ and yet the member for Cheviot would not bo prepared to admit that his district had benefited in any woy by the line. That was only one of many instances they would on- ; counter if they attempted to carry out the motion as it stood. He thought, however, that the principle might be affirmed us regards works which might be undertaken in the future, although, as regards works already completed, he failed to see how it was possible to do so.

Mr Btjsseix recognised the difficulties by which the question was beset. It was the towns that mainly benofitted by the railway, and not the lands through which they rau. In that case the towns ought fairly to be taxed. He recognised the justice of the arguments . adduced by Mr George that there wore many outlying districts whose cases required to be equalised as against those districts provided with railway communication. Under these circumstances he could not support the motion . as it stood. ! Dr WAZ.ua urged that it was a fact that many parts of the colony had not only not benefited by the railway policy, but had actually been damaged by it. He asked why a district so situated should be asked to pay for a deficiency in the working expenses of the railways. Ho recognised, however, that while injustice had been done, it was quite impossible to undo that injustice. The largo towns had benefited far more than the lands through which the lines passed. Why, then, should the people in the towns not bo rated ? Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, had had their properties doubled in value why, then, should they not contribute ? Again, the railways had increased wages 20 or 30 per cent. The wages class, then, should be made to contribute through the Customs duty. All things considered, the motion as it stood was impracticable. He would therefore oppose it. Major Habbis also opposed the motion. Mr Sahndebs said that this motion could not be carried without trenching on the important question of local government promised to ha placed before them next week. He looked upon this as an argument which pointed to the conclusion that they would have to return to something like the old provincial system. The House divided on the question of the adjournment:—Ayes, 25 j noes, 35. Ayes—Messrs Andrews, Barron, Brown, Da Lautour, Finn, J. B. Fisher (Buller), George, Gisborne, Sir G. Grey, Messrs Harris, Hutchison, Jones, Lundon, Macandrew, McDonald, Montgomery, Moss, Reeves, Reid, Shrimski, Speight, Taiaroa, Tawhai, Tole, Wallis.

Noes—Messrs Allwright, Bain, Beetham, Bowen, Bunny, Oolbeck, Collins, Dick, Fisher, J. T. (Heothcote), Sir W. Fox, Messrs Gibbs, Hall, Hamlin, Hirst, H. (Wallace), Hursthouse, Johnston, Nelly, Mason, McLean, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Richardson, Rolloston, Saunders, Seymour, Shanks, Shephard, Stevens, Studknlme, Swanson, Trimble, Weston, Whitaker, Wright. Mr Shephard then moved the previous question. The Hon, J. Hald appealed to the mover of the motion to accept the amendment. They fully admitted the principle, bub they could not possibly act on the motion. Mr Hhbsthotjbb said he was willing to act on the suggestion, and withdraw the motion, professing himself satisfied with the tone of the discussion which had taken place. Sir G. Geet complained that it was most unfair to the country to shelve matters of importance like this in this way. The Government touched everything with a trembling hand, and acted in no case with boldness. Let them either move off those benches, or let them act boldly. He hoped that those who had the interests of the country at heart would not allow such an important matter to be shelved in this way. The thing was wrong, and he hoped it would not be tolerated. He trusted that the question would be adjourned, and time and opportunity for considering the whole matter afforded. Mr Moss supported the proposal for adjournment, complaining that the Premier should have lent himself as a party to the shelving of the question. The House divided on the motion that the question be now put. Ayes, 40 ; noeo, 25. Ayes—Messrs Andrews, Bain, Ballance, Barron, Bastings, Brown, Bunny, DeLautour, Finn, Fisher, J. B. (Buller), Fisher, J. T. (Heathcote), George, Gisborne, Sir George Grey, Messrs Hamlin, Harris, Hursthouso, Hutchison, Jones, Kelly, London, Macandrew, Mason, McDonald, Montgomery, Moss, Murray, Reeves, Reid, Saunders, Shanks, Shrimski, Speight, Stewart, Swanson, Taiaroa, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Wallis, Wood. Noes. —Messrs Allwright, Beetham, Bowen, Bryce, Oolbeck, Oollins, Dick, Sir W. Fox, Messrs Fulton, Gibbs, Hall, Hirst H. (Wallace), Johnston, Levestam, McLean, Oliver, Pitt, Richardson, Rolleston, Seymour, Sheppard, Studholme, Trimble, Whitaker, Wright.

The original motion was then put—Ayes, 35 ; noes, 31. Ayes.—Messrs Allwright, Andrews, Ballance, Barron, Bastings, Oolbcck, DeLautour, Finn, Fisher J. B. (Buller). Fisher J. T. (Heathoote), Q-eorge, Gibbs, Gisborne, Sir G. Grey, Messrs Hursthouse, Hutchison, Jones, Levestam, Lundon, Maoandrow, McDonald, Montgomery, Moss, Pitt, Beeves, Eeid, Saunders, Shrimski, Speight, Stowsrt, Swanson, Taiaroa, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Weston. Hoes. Messrs Bain, Boelham, Bowen, Brown, Bryce, Bunny, Collins, Dick, Sir W. Fox, Messrs Fulton, Hall, Hamlin, Harria, Hirst H. (Wallace), Johnston, Kelly, Mason, McLean, Murray, Oliver, Biohardson, Bolleston, Seymour, Shanks, Studholme, Sutton, Trimble, Wallis, Whitaker, Wood, Wright. The motion was accordingly declared carried, and the House adjourned at 5 30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. SECOND HEADINGS. Mr Bastings moved the second reading of the Education Beserves Act (1877) Amendment Bill. The Hon. W. Eollbston said the Government would not oppose the second reading, but in committee modifications would be suggested. The motion for second reading was passed. On the motion of Mr Fulton, the Hawke's Bay and Marlborough Bivers Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. Mr Tolb moved the second reading of the Surveyors' Institute Bill, briefly explaining. The Hon. W. Eollbbton said that he recognised that a great deal of injustice might be done if this measure was passed into law. There was a groat deal of work done which did not entail much responsibility, and payment for which could not bo enforced, ns the men doing the work could not join the association. The Bill was not one that would recommend itself to the public generally. At the same time, Government recognised the fact that there should be a proper Board of Examiners of Surveyors, instead of its being left entirely to the chief surveyors; not because he thought any injustice had been done, but because a suspicion of it was possible. At the same time, as Government was responsible for surveys under the Land Transfer Act, it must rctoin control over the admission of surveyors to perform work under the Act. Mr Kelly objected to the Bill. The Hon. B. Richardson said ho would not oppose the Bill now, but in committee he would reserve the right to propose certain modifications. Colonel Thimble thought that the Bill would be an injustice to a certain class of surveyors, and ho would oppose the second reading. The motion for the second reading was put and carried . HARBOR ACT AMENDMENT. The House went into committee on the Harbor Aot Amendment Bill. On reaching clause 5, Mr McLean, who opposed the Bill, moved that progress bo reported. Lost on the voices. The following was moved as a now clause by Mr Allwhight— 11 Notwithstanding any-

thing contained in any Act of the General Assembly, all buildings used as offices by any Harbor Board, and the land whereon suen building may be erected, may be liable to bw rated to the City Council or other local body of the district within which it is situated." The clause was adopted. Mr Weight moved the following new clause :—“ The Board shall consist of twelve members, of whom the person for the tim« being holding the office of Mayor of the borough shall ex officio bo one, and eleven others, who shall bo elected t»r follows: Two persons by the ratepayers of Christchurch, two persons by the Seiwyn County Council, two persons by the Ashburton County Council, two persons by the Ashley County Council, one person by the ratepayers of the borough of Lyttelton, one person by the ratepayers of the borough of Sydenham, and one pci hot by the members of the Chamber of Camaerce from amongst their own number.” Mr .‘.MWEiGHT mo«d—“That the Board consist of eleven members.” Lost on the coices. i ho clause was then put and passed, and the House adjourned at 1 25 a.m.