HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Kumara Times, Issue 1471, 15 June 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, June 14.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Levestarn, member for Nelson, was introduced by Messrs Pitt and Shephard and took his seat. Replying to questions, it was stated that if a sufficient number of members desired to visit the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition, the Hinemoa would be placed at their disposal. It would be impossible to put the House in possession of the census returns of the number of children of school age within a short period, as these returns had not all come in, The following Bills were introduced) and read, a first time:—Hospital and Charitable Aids, Licensing, and Chinese Immigration. The following Sessional Committees were appointed :—Library, Locall Bills, Native Affairs, Waste Lands, Gold* fields, Reporting of Debates, Standing Debates, Standing Orders, Petitions, Classifications, and Petitioners. The House rose at 4.30 till 7.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Collins moved the Reply to the Governor's speech, which he thought had given universal satisfaction through the colony. The success of attempts made at economy were simply wonderful, all things considered. He thought the efficiency of the public service also increased. There was still a possibility however for improvement, especially in the railway policy. In certain cases no doubt public retrenchment had caused individual hardship. The House should consider such cases and avoid imputation of underpaying its servants. He had some doubts as to how the law helping companies to make railways would work, but the. proposals would deserve careful consideration to avoid giving such companies too much political influence. It was most satisfactory to find railways paying so well, and Native affairs in their present condition. With returning prosperity, he hoped soon to see his way to lightening the burthen of taxation on all classes of the community. He hoped those districts which had not got a large share of railways would get a larger share of roads. He thought the colony should be proud of the position it took at ..the Melbourne Exhibition, a result largely due to the ability of Dr. Hector, and calculated to raise the colony in public estimation abroad. He moved the Reply which was a mere echo of the speech.

Mr Fulfcon seconded. He congratulated the House on the favorable condition of Native Affairs, a result largely due to the firm and able administration of Mr Bryce and the admirable work done by the West Coast Commission. He hoped soon to see the Native difficulty at an end. All were rejoiced that the necessity for exceptional and extraordinary treatment of Native prisoners, who had committed no crime, was at an end, never, he hoped, to return. He anticipated happy results from the Intercolonial Conference. He was glad to find Government taking steps to abolish entail and promote settlement on lands. The ruthless reductions of an overgrown Civil Service had been absolutely necessary. He expressed regret at Mr Oliver's retirement, to whose energy the improvement in railway management was so largely due.