PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2327, 19 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[YbESS ASSOCIATION TELEGEAIII LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Saineday, Septsitbee 17. In the Council a large number of unimportant matters having been disposed of, the committee on the Hailway Construction Bill was resumed. After a long discussion a decision was taken upon clause 15. The opponents of the Bill wished it to be struck out, which would have had the effect of killing the Bill. The division resulted in 15 voting for the clause, and 14* against. Division List— For the clause Hons. Buckley, P. A., Grace, Hart, Johnson, G. E., Johnston, J., Kohere, Lahman, Martin, Ngatata, Peacock, Richmond, Scotland, Waterhouse, Whitaker and Williamson. Against—Hons. Aoland, Brett, Chamberlain, Fitzherbert, Fraser, Holmes, Mantell, Miller, Nurse, Peter, Pharazyn, Reynolds, Robinson and Wilson. After this division the opposition to the Bill diminished, and though a large number of amendments were moved, many of which were carried, they were of little importance, the majority being unanimously agreed to. At 8.30 the Bill was reported. The only important amendment made throughout the measure was one providing that the proportion of land to be given by the Government shall be calculated on a maximum coat of construction of £SOOO per mile, no per centago of land to be given on any coat above that sum. The third reading was ordered for Monday. The Port Chalmers Dock Trust Bill was read a first time, and the Stamp Act Amendment Bill a third time. The Patents Act Amendment Bill, and the Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Bill were read a second time. The Council at 10 45 adjourned till noon on Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Batueday, Septembee 17. MORNING SITTING. The House met at IX o’clock. SECOND HEADINGS., The Education Reserves Act Amendment, Supreme Courts Procedure, West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill were read a second time. NEW BILL. In committee, the Hon. Major Atkinion asked leave to introduce the Public Revenues Amendment Bill. Mr Montgomehv objected, on the ground that supplies for a period of fifteen months were, under the circumstances, too long. It was of the utmost importance that the new Parliament should be called together as early as possible. Mr Ballakcb advocated a similar view, insisting that it was of the utmost importance that Parliament should be called again not later than the middle of April. A great question of policy was i mbodied in the approaching elections, and it was constitutional that an opportunity should be given at the earliest possible moment to see who has got the confidence of the country. The Hon. Mcjor AiiikSOK said that he understood that the calling together of Parliament was a question of convenience for members, and that the middle of May or June had been decided as the most convenient period of tho year. Ha knew of no great question of policy at issue ; in fact, he could not see bow members on the other side would be able to manufacture an election cry. Mr MONTGOIIKaY said that on going into committee of supp'y it was his intention to move—“ That in the opinion of this House tho general elections should take place not later than the month of November, and that Parliament should meet not later than the 15th April.” He would prefer Parliament meeting in January or February, bat he found that these were most inconvenient months for meeting. April, however, would obviate that did I. lfy. Tho Government asked for three moi.lhs’ supplies beyond the 31st March, and it Has most important that they should be prevented from carrying on too long after the election. To put himself right with the forms of tho House he would move to report progress. The Hon. Mtjor Atkinson said it was evident enough that the motion would create a lengthened discussion. He would therefore table a notice of bringing in the Bill in the ordinary way for Monday. Mr Mosisomsbv said that he would prefer seeing the debate taken to-night. At all events, if it was delayed till Monday, he hoped that the Government would not give facilities for members leaving until the question was decidtd. The question for leave to introduce the Bill on Monday was then put and carried. COUNTIES SUSPENSION BILL. The Counties Suspension Bill was considered in committee. Mr Beycb opposed the passing of the Bill, which he denounced as a most pernicious one, and one he would be prepared to resist, even although he had to remain in session for a month longer; and so far as he could judge the demand for the Bill had come from only one county. Ho was told that forty-one Road Boards had petitioned for it. Considering the object aimed at, these Boards would sign a petition or petitions of that kind as a matter of course. Nothing surprised him more than to find Government lending itself to a measure of this kind. After a lengthened discussion, the Hon. J. Hall said that, with the view of obviating the chief objection to the Bill, he would consent to a clause being inserted, to the effect that no county bo allowed to take advantage of tho Act whose properly or funds are not sufficient for the discharge of all its debts and liabilities. Mr Ballance also objected to the Bill, commenting strongly on the impropriety of rushing a measure of so much importance through during tho dying hours of tho session. He moved that progress be reported.—Ayes, 16 ; nocs, 36. Mr Bkycb moved that the Chairman leave tho chair.—Negatived on the voices. Tho Hon. J. Hall agreed to report progress, promising to reconsider what should be done with tho Bill in tho interim. Tho motion for reporting progress was agreed to, and tho House adjourned at 1.45 till 3 o’clock. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House re-assembled at three o’clock. EEPOET. Tho report of the petitions committee against the c’aim of J. H. Shaw, for compensation for loss of office, was brought up. Mr Stewaet supported tho claim for compensation, contending that tho petitioner had been removed from office as a member of the statutes revision committee by means of a subterfuge. The Hon. J. Hall repudiated the charge, and stated that he would ba glad if the matter was brought on at such a time on would enable the whole subject to be exhaustively discussed. Mr Balxanck related the oircumstanc-xa under which Mr Shaw had been appointed, and concluded by giving his opinion that he had a grievance, ar.d. that tho report ox the committee had cot done him substantial justice. The Hon. T,. Dick explained that Mr Shaw had been iu';ha first instance appointed as commissioner, subsequently ho was made assistant ’mw officer, and held that office until ho refr. ge d to advise the Select Committee of the Ftcuee, when he resigned. It was after he had resigned the Law Ofiicership that he f'-Il bask upon tho plea of the injustice dona

him in connection with the previous appointment. The report was ordered to lie on the table, 'QUESTIONS. Eeplying to Mr Jones, The Hon. W. Eolleston said it waa the intention of the Government to bring section 76 of the Waste Lands Act, 1879, providing for the sale of pastoral land in Canterbury, into operation. Eeplying to Mr Saundero, The Hon. J. Hall said that while Government was anxious to have both races fully represented in the Legislature, they did not feel called upon to say who they would propose that the Governor should call to the Upper House, belonging either to Maori or European races. TENSIONS BILL. On the motion by Mr Shrimeki for leave to introduce the Pensions Bill, a debate ensued os to the subsequent mode of passing it through ita stages. . Sir G. Gees' expressed the opinion that it should be tacked to the Appropriation Bill, The motion for introduction was withdrawn. THE KEPEBSBNTATION BILL. The amendments by the Administrator of the Government on the Reprcaentatiou Bill were brought up for consideration. Mr Sheehan said he fully admitted the right of the Legislative Council to interfere in this matter. He positively denied the right of the Governor to make the amendments submitted or indeed interfere in the matter at all. Ho charged the Government with the grossest possible breach of faith in the amendments proposed. There were in all twenty alterations in the schedule, and he would oppose and divide on every one of them. The men who fought against the Bill on the floor of the House in a constitutional matter had been sacrificed, whereas those who supported the Bill subject to certain mental reservations had been rewarded by getting all they wanted in the amendments now sent down by the Government. Ministers, who time after time declined to make any alterations, kept these alterations back to the very last moment, and then they brought thsm down. Ministers had deliberately falsified the Bill, and sold a large portion of the House. What the Auckland members had failed to do—guard Auckland electorates in a constitutional manner—one individual gentleman, who desired to make things smooth for himself, had effected behind their backs. But for a secret compact made outside the House by Ministers, in -violation of their utterances inside the House, these alterations would not have been made. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment, EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. eepbesentation bill. Mr Sheehan resumed the debate on the Representation Bill Amendment, in the course of which he moved, as an amendment on the motion for adopting respectfully regrets it cannot agree with his Excellency’s message, for the reasons following (1) That the Bill is one exclusively affecting the powers and functions of this House; (2) that the Bill has pasesd this House after a long and conscientious discussion without amendment, and has also passed the Legislative Council and been returned to this House by the Council without amendment; (3) that this House paised the said Bill upon the full faith and assurance that Iho Bill would not bo altered, but would become law substantially, as it passed this House; (4) that all measures dealing with the members’ rights or privileges of this House should originals in the House, and Ministers by the adoption of this course have betrayed their trust, and have made it plain that in their opinion this estate of the realm is the power of the House in more eensee than one.” Mr Stbwabt contended that the Governor had taken his departure from the in the sense of a final departure, and not having appointed a deputy, and as such he had no status as Governor, even although he returned, and that the Chief Justice retained office until the pleasure of Her Majesty was signified to the contrary. Mr Beeves epoko until the half-hour’s adjournment, after which Mr Gibbs resumed the debate. The motion for the adoption of the Governor’s amendments was then agreed to on the voices. MISCELLANEOUS. In committee the following Bills were considered : Supreme Court Procedure, Employment of Females and others, Special Powers and Contracts Bills. With respect to the latter the Hon. W. Eolleston said that he meant to omit the clause in the schedule referring to Onehungo. Sir M. O’Eoekb complained bitterly that this course was proposed in deference to the wishes of one or two individuals, and that the opposition was most unfair and unreasoning, so far as his constituency was concerned. On a division the clause was retained—Ayes 30, noes 12. On the question that the clause pass, Mr Swanson moved that the chairman leave the chair—Ayes 9, nooa 29. A motion for reporting progress was then agreed to. The Supreme Court Procedure and Employment of Females Bills were reported, read third time and passed. Tho House rose at 13, till Monday at 11 a.m.