PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2324, 15 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PBESB association telbgbam.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, September 14. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. G. Buckley was given leave for tho rest of the session. The Hon. F. Whitakeb gave notice to move a resolution re dividing tho Government Insurance surplus. The West Coast Settlement Besorvo Bill was read a second time. The Hon. F. Whitakeb moved tho second reading of the Railway Construction. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds opposed the Bill, as one that would cause much jobbery and corruption. He moved that it should be thrown out. The Hon. W. Robinson strongly opposed the Bill, and said he should oppose its passing at every stage. The Governmont could borrow more money at very low interest to continue railway making,

The Hon. G. M. Watebhottse said he should vote for the second reading, but if it was not largely altered in Council, the powers given to the Government being greatly roduoed, he should oppose the final passing of the Bill. The Hon. N. Wilson spoke against the Bill, as did the Hons. Fearer and Holmes. The Hon. H. Miller supported the principles of the Bill, subjeot to alterations in committee, but was doubtful if the measure would work successfully. The Hon. M. Holmes opposed the Bill, thinking the Government could continue the construction of the railways. The Council adjourned from 5 to 7.30. EVENING SITTING. The Council resumed at 7.30. The Railway Construction Bill was read a second time by 15 to 9. Division list— For the Bill—Hons. Aoland, P. Buckley, Grace, Hart, G. Johnston, Kohere, Lahmann, Miller, Pcacook, Scotland, Waterhouse, Whitaker, Wigley, Williams, Wood. Against—Hons. Baillie, Brett, Chamberlain, Dignan, Eraser, Peters, Beynolde, Robin - son, Wilson. The Gold Duty Abolition Bill was read a second time, and the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill a third time. The Sheep Act Amendment Bill and Timaru Harbor Endowment Bill were read a third time. The Council rose at 10 p.m. HOUSE OF EEPRESENTATIVES. Wbdnbsday, Sbptbmbeb 14. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr J. B. Fishbb gave notice to move—- " That the constitution of the Legislative Council should be amended and settled upon the following basis —(1) The Council to consist of fifty members, holding office during five years and no longer; (2) the number now short of fifty, and all future vacancies, to be filled by an eleotion conducted upon Hare's system; (3) the present members of the Council to be deemed and taken to be eleoted for the next succeeding five years ; (4) every nominee member resigning his office within six months from the passing of the Bill hereinafter referred to, shall receive the sum of £6OO for compensation. That a Bill to give effect to tho foregoing proposition be prepared by tho Government, and introduced into Parliament during its next session." QUESTIONS, Replying to Mr Seddon, The Hon. W. Bollbston said that certain offers had been received for leasing the Auckland Islands, but Government had thought it advisable not to accept any of these, nor would they do bo until they were fully advised as to the natural capabilities of the islands. Government thought their principal importance lay in the facilities they offered for seal hunting purposes, and it was with the view of settling that question definitely that Government had decided not to lease the islands at present. During the recess the whole matter would be looked into, and if it was decided to lease them, care would be taken to insert conditions into the lease for preservation of the sealing interests. The offer made to lease was for the purposes of a sheep run, but they were advised that the islands were quite unfit for such a purpose. Replying to Mr Barron, The Hon. J. Hall said that operations for increasing the accommodation and plant and to effect further improvements in the Railway workshop, Caversham, were at present going on, and for that purpose an additional area of three and a half acres had been acquired. Replying to Mr Taiaroa, The Hon. W. Rolleston said that, respecting the support of destitute Maoris in the Middle Island, if the reserves were properly administered there Bhould be no destitute Natives in that part of the colony. Government, however, had provided for destitute Natives in that part of the colony, and would continue doing so in the case of deserving Natives.

Replying to Mr Lundon, The Hon. J. Hall said the land taken for railway purposes at Kawa Kawa had been claimed by two different claimants, and until the question of title had been settled the claim for compensation of JohnOallaghan and others could not be decided.

Replying to Mr Firm, Tho Hon. W. Rollbston said that Government was not aware of any portion of the Camp Reserve, Queenßtown, having been granted to a private individual. Replying to Mr Brown, The Hon. W. Rollebton said that nominations for immigrants from the Home country wore accepted, subject to the approval of the Government ; but they had a perfect right to rofuaa these nominations if it was thought adviaablo. Hardships, however, had arisen in consequence of theso nominations having been rejected, and in that case Government had stretched a point and arranged for the passages being granted. Government would ask the House to continue the power of accepting nominations, tho same being confined within a limited amount. MAJOB MAIE'S SEBVICE3.

The following, tabled by Mr Whyte, was not allowed to be put, the Speaker ruling that it ought to have been tabled in the form of a motion —" Whether they intend to recognise in some substantial manner the services rendered to tho colony by Major Mair in bringing about the mora cordial relations now existing between the King Natives and the Europauns ?" A COMPLAINT. Mr Wakefield complained of tho want of consideration shown by members of the other House to those of the House of Representatives. A joint conference on the Licensing Bill was fixed to take place this morring, at 10.30. He was a member of that conference, and was most desirous of being preaont to dofend tho New Zealand wine license. After sitting, as they had done, all night, it wan impossible for them to attend a conference at the early hour of 10.30. He had intimated that fact to the Colonial Secretary, who led him to understand that the conference would be adjourned. He now found that it had gone on, and as he anticipated, the New Zealand wine license had been struck out.

He thought a great amount of discourtesy had been shown to members of this House, both on this and on other similar occasions. The Hon. J. Hall pointed out that when tho report camo on for adoption, an opportunity would be afforded for revising the wholo question. corrupt practices bill. On the motion of the Hon. W. Johnston, it was agreed that the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill be referred to a Select Committee to consider and report thereon, tho oommittee to consist of Mesßrs Montgomery, J. B. Fisher, Oliver, Stewart, Trimble, Levin, George, Wakefield, Saunders, and mover. To report within three days. INSURANCE BONUS. The Hon. Major Atkinson moved the adoption of tho scheme already telegraphed for the distribution of the Government Insurance profits. In doing so he referred to the various reports on the table, as showing that the affairs of the department had been'managed with great skill and remarkable economy. It would be seen that the London actuaries recommended the division of a sum not exceeding £60,000, while tho resident actuary, whose advice had been accepted, recommended £56,000 as tho sum to bo divided. The two oaloulations as to the actual amount of profit also differed by about tho same Bum. The reason was that the London actuaries had taken the exact dates of payments of premium, while Mr Knight had calculated from an average. From a comparison of tho figures it was evident that Mr Knight had erred, If at all, on the Bide of commendsble caution in desiring to bo altogether on the safe side. He then explained the details of tha proposed scheme of distribution. He thought the public could now safely repose the fullest confidenco in . the department whioh was as well conducted as any life assurance business in the colony, but at the same time he admitted thot certain alterations in the Act were desirable, and ho regretted that the state of business prevented the introduction this session of a Bill he had prepared for placing the department under the control of a Board elected in part by the policy holders. Next session he hoped to aee this done.

Sir G. Gbey said that the primary object of Government life assurance should be to provide for the poorer classes, leaving the wealthier classes to transact business with the private companies. In Great Britain, £2O and up to £SOO were the limits within which the insurance could be effected. He would suggest the latter limit for this colony. It should, as far an possible, be made selfsupporting, but even if at a small loss Government should endeavor to establish a system of this kind. At present, all insurers under £2O had to pay a special deposit of a guinea, whioh wbs prohibitory to the workiug man. Again, he objected to the manner in which agents were employed. They uhould endeavor to educate the public mind to the system of insurance, and not go about touting as they did for the highest amounts they could get. Ho concluded by proposing the following as an addition: —" This House is of opinion that the present system of Government insurance not being adapted to the requirements of the working classes, a scheme should at once be devised and given effect to whioh shall meet their requirements." The Hon. Major Atkinson said that the proposal was in accordance with the Government views on the subject, and he would readily accept the addition proposed. Furthermore, he would during the recess take steps for giving effect to the recommendation.

Mr J. B. Fishbb took exosption to the whole theory, contending that having provident society purposes in view they ought to hold out inducements to all classes of lives to insure. Indeed, the bad lives were the most necessary to be insured, as these lives were likely to be the shortest, and consequently those dependent upon them were more likely to be left unprovided for. A very small addition to the present premiums charged would enable a scheme of that kind to be carried out.

Mr Beid approved of the proposal that a Board should be appointed partly eleoted by the policy-holders and partly by the Government, and he hoped the Bill would be brought forward next Parliament. He pointed out that the business of this department has been conducted much more economically than by private offices. The department had been in existence for eleven years, and at no time had the expenses exceeded 15 per cent. In the three private offices doing business in New Zealand, he found the expenses to be from 15 per cent, to 26 per cent. He did not think the proposal of Sir G. Grey at all workable. The effecting of insurances on sums of £2O could never be made to pay medical examinations and other preliminary expenses. Mr Mttbbay hoped the Government would not press the motion, but would accept the suggestion of Sir G. Grey. Had time permitted, he would have moved the appointment of a Parliamentary Commission, but as that oould not be done with any prospeot of succes this session, he would suggest that the whole question should be remitted for consideration by a committee. He also urged them not to effect insurance beyond £SOO. Mr Andbews moved that the management of the department should be placed under the control of a Board nominated equally by the Crown and elected by the policy holders. The resolution as amended was then put and agreed to, the amendment by Mr Andrews having been withdrawn. The House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. PEBSONAL.

. Mr Weight, as a matter of personal explanation, repudiated an impression which had been left on the minds of some members that he had improperly kept back Mr Blackett's estimate of the cost of the Taranaki harbor works. He rebutted that impression, explaining that the estimate was not in his hands until the report had been prepared. GOVBBNMENT BUSINESS. The Hon. J. Hail proposed to ask to have the remainder of the session given up to Government business). Sir G. Gbby oomplained that the proposal was a most unfair one. There were members who were anxious to go away. He would say let them go and allow those who wished to remain to do so and get on with the business. They had been unfairly dealt with in the past; they had had their mouths unceremoniously closed already, and he protested against the renewed attempt in the Eame direction by abruptly closing the session. The Hon. J. Ham, said all he asked was that to-morrow forenoon should be giren up to the Government. After discussion the House divided on the question that to-morrow forenoon be given up to Government business. Ayes, 48; noeß, 18. NEW PLYMOUTH HABBOR BIEL. The Hon. J. HAM/ moved the postponement of committee of supply and committee of ways and means to enable them to prooeed with the New Plymouth Harbor Bill. Mr Wood objected, alleging that the postponement simply meant a postponement of the public business to enable Taranaki to go in for a night's free fight. The House divided—Ayes, 26: noeß, 32. COMSTITTEB OF STTPPLY. The House went into committee of supply. Glass B—Minister of Eduoation, £277,416 2s 9a. The following were passed as printed: —Education, £250,504 8s; Native schools, £14.788 14i ; industrial schools, £6273 6s 3d ; naval training school, Kohimaromara, £2330 10a; deaf and dumb institution, £2263 2s 6d ; miscellaneous services, £1256 2s. Class 9 -Native affairs, £l9,oß4.—The following were passed as printed : —Salaries and contingencies, £8167 17s 9d; miscellaneous services, £302; Nutivo Land Court, £10,142 13s 3d ; Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1870, £472 8s 3d. 01&BS 10—Minister of Mines, £21,033 10s. Passed. Class 12 —Minister for Defence. Vote Militia and Volunteers, £30,043, passed; police and Armed Constabulary, £97,649, passed ; miscellaneous services, £1552, passed. Class 13—Minister of Lands, total of class, £334,583, passed; chargeable on Nativo reserves uccount, £1272, passed. dnsa 11—Minister of Public Works. Bailways, £543,958; architect's office, £1442; Government domains, £1162 ; public buildinns, £22,452 ; miscellaneous, £13,635 ; total, £59i,945, passed. The following were passed :—lmmigration, £23,588; Public Works Department, £12,772; railways, £1,017,633 ; surveys of new lines of railways, £4OOO ; roads, £262,763 j land purchase, £87,623 ; water works on goldfiolds, £22,000 ; telegraph extension, £21,154 ; publio buildings, £190,906. The following remaining votes of the Pablki Works estimates were passed as printed : Class 10—Lighthouses. £34,545. Class 11—Contingent defenoe, £84,000. Closb 12—Charges of raising loan, £14,000. Progress was then reported, and the House rose at two o'clock a.m.