GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2585, 20 July 1882, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

i [KSSaB AISOOTATIOW TBLBGBAM.J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wkdkhkday, July 19, askbftbl'on county cot/noil bill. On the motion of the Hon. Oapt. Baillib, Standing Order No. 20 was suspended to allow the Ashburton County Counoil Empowering Bill to be proceeded with YASBANT BILL. The Couneil agreed to the amendments made by the House in the Vagrant Bill. judicial. The following' statute revision Bills were read a first time ;—Explosive Goods Bill; Imbecile Immigrants Bill; and Prisosß Bill. DOG BEGIBTBATION BIM. The remainder of the sitting was id Committee on the Dog Begistration Bill, whioh was reported with amendments. The Counoil rose at 3 45. HOUSE OF BBPEESENTATIVES. Wbdnbbday, July 19. The House met at 2.30. LOCAL -LEGISLATURES. Mr Moss gave notice of motion in favor of the re-establishment of local Legislatures throughout the colony. NATIYB ABPAnta. The report of the Native Affairs Committee was read, to the effeot that Judge Smith should be summoned to attend to give evidence on the petition of Taiaroa and Tenui on the Middle Island Native olaims.

Sir Geobgb Gbby moved that it be agreed to. The Hon. Mr Bbyob reviewed what had been done by the Commission appointed to inqu-'r 3 into the claims. The Commission bad been most unduly prolonged, and one of the commissioners had actually drawn £IOOO for personal expenses. He (Mr Bryoe) had refused to authorise any expenditure for this commission beyond the £2OOO voted by the House ; but 3till the commissioners had gone on incurring expenses till £3OOO had been spent. If allowed, it would have gone on without limit. Only an interim report had ever been obtained from it. The difference between the £2OOO and £3OOO was paid while he was out of office, or he would have refused to have signed the vouchers. The whole the Commission were one-sided. The enquiry of 1868 was much fairer, and that should have been regarded as final. Both the Commissions had been suggested by Mr Taiaroa himself. A great mass of useless evidenoe had been taken, and this was now before the Native affairs committee. All that Judge Smith could say was already before the committee, and bringing him down was quite unnecessary. Mr chbbhan said that Mr Bryce should have employed counsel for the Crown before the Commission. The olaims bad been enquired into by the oommittees of the House year after year from 1871 to 1879; and a Commission had every year been promised. In 1879 he, as Native Minister, had appointed the Commission, who were as honest and as competent men as any in the colony. His Government had never been asked to employ counsel, or he would have done to. He defended the conduct of the Commission, He thought Judge Smith should oortainly be allowed to explain to the oommittee how the matter now stood. The colony had to deal with dishonored promises of three years' standing. Very different was the treatment given to the always wellbehaved Natives of the Middle Island to the sentimental treatment of the ex rebels in the North Island. After a long debate the original motion for the report to lie on the table was carried, the amendment to authorise payment of expenses being negatived. QUESTIONS. In answer to Mr Maoandrew, The Government said they had received no information as to the extent of work done by tho dredger now at work at Port Chalmers bar. In answer to Mr Turnbull, The Hon. Mr Dice said it was intended to proceed with the Native Reserves Bill. In answer to Mr Bathgate, The Hon. Mr Dice: said the Government had received information in reference to the culture of tea and silk in the North Island. It was not satisfactory. Iu answer to Mr DeLautour,

The Hon. Mr Bollestott said that steps had been taken whereby the regulation! affecting the transfer of mining properties should be simplified. In answer to Mr Feldwiek, rho Hon. Mr Johnston said that the Government were making enquiries regarding the fencing of rails-ay lines. In answer to Mr Hurst, Tha Hon. Mr Dice said a sum would be placed on the supplementary estimates to give effect to recommendation of public petitions committee in the matter of Polkinghome and another. In answer to Mr Braoken,

The Hon. Mr Dick said it was more economioal to convey prisoners in prison vans than in cabs. la answer to Mr Sutton,

Tha Hon. Mr Dioe said the Colonial Treasurer hail stated whit arrangements the Government proposed to make in reference to the maintenance of hospitals. In answer to Mr Pyke,

The Hon. Mr Dice, said the Government would make enquiries concerning spurious coins alleged to be in circulation in Christohurob. Mr Vikoent Pykb asked the Oolonial Seoretary whether the Government will bring in a Bill during the present session to amend the law relating to eleotions of members of House of Representatives in following directions :—(1) To prohibit the placing of names on electoral rolls within two months of any election, so as to prevent sham residential electors being improperly placed on the rolls; (2) to make it penal to personally oanvass eleotors for support by any candidate, his servants, or his friends; (3) to prohibit the use of vebioles, whether hired, lent, or otherwise, for the conveyance of voters to or from a polling booth. In answer to the first question The Hon. Mr Dice said the Government intended to take some aotion during the present session. In regard to the other two the Oovernment could not deal with them this session. PAYMENT TO MBMBBBS. Mr TaiaboA moved —" That a return be laid before the House showing all the monejß which have been paid members from 1872." The Hon. Major Atkinson did not wish to oppoßs the motion, but thought some explanation should Joe given why ho put such motion. Mr Taiaboa explained that he moved it , because some member last session asked for a return oho wing all moneys he (Taiaroa) had received, and he thought a similar return should be made showing amounts of other members. He then withdrew hia motion. The House adjourned at 5 30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. AN EXPLANATION. Mr Pheehan, as motion of personal explanation, stated that a few days ago speaking on the question of payment of members, he had spoken of one oase in which a member had refused to accept the honorarium, and then applied for it after failing to secure reelection. He now found that he had been misinformed, and he regretted having made the allusion. Mr DbLautottb read the Treasury minute showing that Dr. Hodgkineon, who was referred to, had only drawn £SO out of the £207 due to him, alleging that the formar Bum was sufficient to oov?r his expenses. The Colonial Tbeabt/beb and the Fpbakbb confirmed this. CHATTELS SECTTBITIES ACT. The Chattels Securities Aot 'Amendment Bill was read a seoond time. OHABITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL TBTJSTS. On tha motion of Mr Fbldwiok, the debate on the seoond reading of the Religious, Charitable and Educational Trusts Corporation) Bill was adjourned till tho 10th of August. OOBFOBATIONS ACT. Mr Moss moved the seoond reading of the Munioipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill. He said the Bill provided for an extension of time for *rhioh a borough could make a contract. It would be a useful measure for small boroughs. Mr Pbaoooe thought the mover of the second reading of the Bill had not given sufficient reason for altering the Municipal Corporations Aot. Mr Hobbs would oppose the sew)nd reading of the Bill. Mr Htjbbt hoped the debaf.o would bo adjourned. Mr Hm'CHiaow said the question of oxtending the time of contracts would o- ■ to the decision of the burgesses,

Mr Maoandrbw would support the second reading of the Bill, but intended if possible to alter it in some respects in committee. Mr Holmes did not see any public reason* for refutal to pass the second reading. Mr Whitakbb thought it inadvisable to alter the law because any particular borough wished to do bo. He moved as an amendment that the Bill be read this day six months. Mr Moss hoped the House would let the Bill go to a second reading. Mr Peacock hoped the Municipal Corporations Act would not be altered, because of a borough like Parnell. Mr Habbis intended to vote for the second i reading. j

The House divi^d—For the seoond read' ing, 43 ; against the second reading, 34. The Bill was read a Second time. AMEHrrMBKT OF THE CDHBTITU7TO2T.

The Constitution Amendment Bill adjourned debate was resumed. The Hon. Mr BoLLEarON esid the Bill was one jof the most extraordinary he had ever seen. He could not imagine that the House would spend its time over such a measure. He moved that the Bill be read that day gix months.

Colonel Trimble would oppose the Bill. It was the most tyrannic measure ever put before an assembly of a free country. It would give the same power to the Legislative Council to alter the constitution of the oountry as was possessed by the body representing the people. As » Liberal he protested against this most illiberal measure, and would support the amendment, that the Bill be read this day six months. Sir John Hall agreed that the people of a free oountry should huve power to alter their constitution in aooordmce with altered circumstances, but oontended that this colony had this power. He was in favor of making the Legislative Oounoil eleotive, and was sorry the Government had not seen fit to bring in a measure to effaot this. He did not see the necessity for passing this Bill, which practically abolished a second Chamber. The most important part of the constitution of the colony was not in the Constitution Act, but in the statutes of the colony. The Bill practically abolishod the representative of the Crown as a branch of the Legislature. If the two branches of the Legislature agreed to an alteration of the constitution, these alterations could be carried out There was not the least chance of the Bill passing. This Bill was the same as that of Victoria, but the circumstances here were entirely different, and there was no necessity for a radical measure like this to ensure any necessary alterations in our Constitution. The history of the colony did not point to the necessity of this Bill. It was a misohievous thing to be always tinkering with their Constitution.- It was a step to the abolition of the Governor and the Legislative Counoil; a step to an eleotive Governor and the severance from the Mother Country. He would oppose the Bill. Mr Khlly thought the Constitution of the Legislative Oounoil ought to be altered, This Bill did not provide for this, and he did not think the time had arrived to make a great alteration in the Constitution of the colony. He could not assent to the second reading of the Bill.

The Hon. Mr Bbyos said it the leader of the Opposition (Mr Montgomery) did not purpose to support the Bill,She should hare seconded the amendment of Mr Bolleston. There was a duty devolving upon the leader of the Opposition in this matter. The Government were prepared to stake their ezistenoe in opposition to this -Bill. The legislative Council was at present practically elected by the House cf Representatives. The Bill was subversive of the Constitution.

Mr M. W. Gbebn was surprised at tbe consternation which this Bill had caused. With a slight amendment he approved of the Bill. It simply provided for tee will of the people beiogrcarried out. When the Council treated a Bill passed by this House with the discourtesy the Council had shown yesterday in throwing out the Eight Hours Bill, it was time to make some change. The Speaker called the hon. member to order. He oould not refer to the Council in such terms.

Mr Gbeen withdrew the expression. He would like to see the Bill so amended as to require the House of Representatives to pass a measure in two successive sessions before putting it to the popular vote. It would then prevent all chanoe of a dead look. Mr Tr/BNBr/LI. moved the adjournment of the debate, saying this Bill was a very opsn question. On the Opposition side of tbe House, Sir George Grey oooupied such a position that no i&rby had a right to dictate his oourse of conduct.

The Hon. Major Atkinson said he would not content to this. The leader of the Opposition, the member for Akaros, could have indicated the position of tbe Opposition on this question, but he had not chosen to do so. The Government would proceed with no business, pnblio or private, till this was disposed of. He held Mr Montgomery guilty of a breach of faith in the understanding corns to with him as to the oonduct of business by his attitude on this occasion, seeming to treat this Bill at a huge joke. The Governmsnt looked on it as a serious question, and would not consent to any adjournment of the debate.

Mr Montqomket said he would be very surry to see any Opposition drilled to such a state chat a word from aey one would settle a question. How could the Government know he wished to enterrass them. He totally denied it. The Government had allowed this question to slide. He challenged Major Atkineoa to prove any broach of faith. Sir Gaorge Grey was able to bring in Bill after BiU, and carry them despite the Government. He had a perfect right to do so, and the idea of anyone stopping him was absurd. If ho himself had laughed bow oould he or anyone else help laughing when he saw the consternation existing on the Government benches. He thought the Bill dessrved full consideration and discussion ; but who could help laughing at the ridiculous attitude of the Government? He should vote for the adjournment, and speak on the Bill afterwards. Mr M. W. Gbbbn said that he had entered the House with the earnest intention to support the Ministry, but within tho last few .days ha had arrived at the conclusion that he oould do so no longer.

The Hon. Mr Bbtcb objected to any adjournment. He objected to constantly hearing of Mr Green's conscience. It was trotted out on every occasion. The Bill involved the most important constitutional question raised for years, and no other business should go on until it was settled.

Mr Sedbon said when this most important question was last brought on, it was Mr iiolleston himself who moved the adjournment. Why did not the Government then take up their present position? They had no right now to object to tbe postponomeLt which was asked to allow other business to prooeed. They would not stand or fall on their own measures, although they would on a Bill like this introduced by an Opposition member. He challenged them to stand or fall on the Native Reserves Bill, for inetanoe. Colonel Tbimblb said the time had come for checking the Fabian policy of the Oppotition, and compelling them to take a decided stand on great measures. The leadership of the Opposition should be put up to tender. Mr* Jotob thought tho present debate should not be taken as a test of strength. He asked the Government to try their strength on one of their own measures.

Mr Mobhis pointed out that the Governnever wished to prolong the debate. It was the Opposition who wasted all tho time. Mr Levbstam said he was opposed to the Bill, but would voto for the adjournment, because he did not wish to see his friend 6 defeated.

Mr Shephebd held a similar opinion to the last speaker. Mr Hobbs was astonished at the eland taken by the Government. Had thoy not made tho question a Ministerial one he might have voted differently. Now he would vote for the adjournment. Mr Hubst said tbat the measure had not been considered by the country. Major Habbis intended to voto rgainst the Bill, but would now vote for the adjournment.

The House then divided, with the following result: —

Noee, l'—Messrs Allwright, Atkinson, Beatham, Bryoe, Buohanan J. (Napier), Buohanaa W. O. ( Wairarapa), Oon oily, 1) ick, Driver, Fergus, Fitz&erald, Pulton, O-ieeu J.(Waikoußiti), Hall, Hamlin, Hobbs, Hurt!, Huntbonse, Johnston, O. J. (Te Aro), John ston, W. (Manawatu), Kelly, Lsvin, Mo Eenzic, F. W. (Mataura), McMillan, Mitchelson, Maaro, O'Oallaghan, Peaoook, Pearson. Poßtlethwaito.Bolleston, Rutherford, Stevens, Button, Swanson, Thomson, n. (Ohruichurck North), Trimble, Watt, Whitakur, YTijyte, J B. (Wuikatb), Williams, Wilson, J. S. (Fox ton}, Wright, Pilliet.

Ayes, 40—Messrs Barron, Bracken, Brown, J- O. (Fusspeka), Oadman, Daniel, Dargaville, DuLiutour. Duncan, F«ddwick, George, Green, M. W. (Danedin East), Gray, Harris, Holmes, Hutchison, Ivess, Joyce, Levestsm, ' Macandrew, Mao Donald, MoKeczie, J. (Moeraki), Montgomery, Moss, Petrie, Pyke, Seddon, Sheehan, Shepherd, Shrimski, Smith, Steward, Sutter, Taiaroa, Tawhai, Thomson, J. (Oiutha), Tola, Tomoane, Tambnll, Weston, White, W. (Sydenham). Mr Mobtgombby eipresßod the opinion that the Legislative Conncil should be elected by the same constituents and on the tame Qualification as members of the Lower House, but elected for only five years. If there was than disagreement, he thought the two> should meet, and if the two were then unable to agree, the Governor should be enabled to dissolve both Chambers.

After Sir George Gray replied the House adjourned at 1.6.