GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1850, 22 July 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[ANGIO- AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH . : ' AGENCY.] ;., ; :".,

Wellingion, July 21, 6.40 p.m. . In the House of Representatives, the business doric during the afternoon sitting possessed little general interest, the principal feature being the laying upon the table a large batch of papers regarding Polynesia by the Premier, who availed himself of the opportunity to make some remarks in connection with the question, which were well received by the House. He said that, by doing so, the question would naturally suggest itself to hon. members what course the Government intended to take upon the subject. ' The papers were very interesting, and contained all the information obtainable , upon the subject, as to whether the •Government intended to take any course with regard to the establishment or encouraging of a commercial company to trade between New Zealand and Polynesia. Did not know, but- he did not hesitate to express his opinion that the matter was of very great importance to New Zealand, and one that deserved considerable attention. He was quite aware : that proposals of the kind' were open to objection, and that it was popularly supposed Government should -not engage in things private persons ought to carry put, but he thought the maxim was one which every day's experience contradicted..; JThe, Government was quite prepared to leave the question resting upon its own' merits, for he believed 1 the proposals shadowed forth in these, papers would be hardly second in. their effect oh the future ;of the Colony, to the Public ■:■ Works and ;Immigration scheme. The. Hon. gentlei man dilated upon the fact that , Polynesia I wpiild open: a : great field :f or the enterprise i of the young men of New Zealand whose, inclinations would happen to be more in direction of trade than in tilling the soil. He did not hesitate to say that the ; day was not far distaot when the Governor ,of New Zealand would, be. the GbvemoiGeneral of the Polynesian Islands. The : question was not one of parties, but entirely ; depended upon the; opinion of jmembers whether Government would proceed with it. The risk was cpmparaf tively small as compared with the great results likely to flbwfrbm it. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time : — A Bill to Amend the Gold-fields Act of 1866, introduced by Mr Curtis. •:■;.;: The City of Nelson Water Works Purchase Bill, also introduced by 'Mr Curtis;; A Bill to amend Licensing .(Fdx'p) Actj7 introduced :by Mr Yogel. !' < ; ■ The Oivil Service Act Amendment Bill^ and the Government Insurance and Annuities' Bill; were reported with amendments; ■■:■■• Mr M 'Glashan asked the Minister ; of - Justice if the Government have takeriinto consideration the punishment now awarded to confirmed inebriates iii the various Magistrate's Courts in the Cplony, in sending such persons to gaol, in so far as such punishment does not meet the.eyil by effecting a cure, and if the Government will propose such alteration in the law as; will provide that such persons ,may be," treated as lunatics instead of being sentfto? gaol. „.-.:? . ■.■'■■:( Mr ,O'Rprke said he could not see that the General Government had anything to do with the inatt'er, : and, moreover, their attention had not been called to it. The question of dealing with lunatics" was one' exclusively for the consideration of the ; - Proyincial Goverment. Still, us ■ the Government had its attention' called to the ' ] matter it would receive some cdnsidera ° [ tion.' ''■■.''["..'. \ ,../.. "' ..-......,