PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1263, 16 August 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

DEBATE ON MR CURTIS'S MOTION. THE MOTION SHELVED BY ITS SUPPORTERS. WELtINOTOJf, Aug. 15. Mr Curtis moved his resolution last night. He said he did so from a firm conviction that a large policy of. public works could not be economically or effectually carried out from one centre, and must prove a disastrous failure imless aided by local administration .and supervision. He disclaimed all desire to increase the powers of Provinces, and said the motion was simply intended to restore the powers taken away by the Act of 1870. The resolution was not a party one, but one which was necessary to the welfare of the Colony. Mr Fox characterised the motion as a complete reversal of the fundamental principles of the Public Works policy, and as impracticable alike in theory aud practice, for the Government could not dovolve its powers and still retain its responsibility. If the motion were carried the Government would resign. To accept the motion would be to break their pledges to thecountry, and to be opposed to the public feeling^ Mr Gillies warmly supported the motion as the only means of securing the country from ruin. The Superintendents were only endeavoring to recover those colonising powers conferred by the Constitution, but taken away by the legislation of 1870. The Public Works scheme had been grossly maladministered by the General Government, and the only chance of avoiding ruin was to entrust the administration to the local authorities. He gave a long account of maladministration of public works and immigration in Auckland by the General Government, and contrasted it with what the Province had . done. Mr Webster opposed the motion. The Colony had too many Governments, and he was glad to' see the Government had taken a firm stand against the hydraheaded Provincial monster. . Mr Harrison opposed the motion on principle, and as being made by a Superintendent whose Provincial administration had been a most unmitigated failure. Mr Collins defended Mr Curtis regarding his administration, saying that Mr Harrison made absurdly incorrect statements which were not shared by the people of the Province. He opposed the resolution, however, as the whole responsibility of administration should rest with the General Government. If the present Ministers administered badly, he hoped that they would? not always retain office, and their successors would probably do better. ' ' Mr Bathgate supported the motion, urging that the policy of 1870, being founded wrongly, shpuld be reversed, and advantage taken of local experience and knowledge in administering. public works. He strongly condemned the action of the Government regarding Otago immigration and railways. Mr O'Rorke moved the adjournment of the debate. 7.15 p.m. To-day,' Mr Brown (Canterbury) gave* notice of a Bill disqualifying Superintendents and members of Provincial Executives from sitting in Parliament. Mr Fitzherbert resumed the debate on

Ourtis's motion. He denied that it was in any way a party one, but the natural expression of sentiments which had spontaneously and simultaneously, though without concert, found expression in tho speeches of the various Superintendents to Provincial Councils. The proposal to give definite form to these proceeded from snpporters of the Government. By making the question a Ministerial one, the Ministry raised a false issue, to which supporters of the motion could not assent, as in doing bo- they would swallow up principle in the waters of party strife. They had, therefore, resolved to move the previons question. After a two hours' speech in support of the principle of Curtis's motion, he moved the previous question. . . . ; -

Mr Fox said the Government had very little time to decide, but as the amendment proceeded from supporters of the motion the Government would accept it. He, however, re-affirmed the position that the Government would admit no divided responsibility in the control of public works, although it would still be, as it always had been, willing to avail itself of Provincial assistance when possible, and to work cordially with Provincial authorities. .-...■ Mr Macandrew seconded, the previous question, which was carried on the voices. The House then adjourned.