PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 223, 16 September 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, September 16. Jn the House yesterday, the Report of the Committee of the Upper House on Immigration recommends the revival of Scandinavian Immigration, and sees no re&Bon to attribute the lack of immigrants to want of zeal or energy on the part of the Agent-General. It says that conflicting systems, special difficulties st home, and differences of opinion in the provinces, are the real causes. A system of immigration, to be permanent, must be self-supporting. Free passages are only advisable for a time. The system applied to assistant immigrants should be applied to nominated immigrants. Provincial immigrants should be subject to the approval of the AgentGeneral. It recommends that Scotch and Irish immigrants should be shipped from the nearest port, and not sent to London. Improved passenger accomodatiou was necessary. The Committee ■were of opinion that no practicable effect had been given to the immigration policy as regards the formation of new settlements. Separate agencies were necessary in Britain for the formation of special settlements. - Mr M'Lean promised to bring in a bill to remedy the defects in the Acts relating to Maori lands on the East Coast. He proposes to do away with joint tenancy. Ihe Premier has promised to try whether Victoria will establish a branch Mint in this • colony. The Stewart's Islands Grant Bill, the Native Lands Bill, the Frauds Prevention Acts AmendBill, the Diseased Cattle Act Amendment Bill, and the Public Trusts Act Amendment Bill, were read a third time and passed. The Provincial Council's Legislation Appeal Act Amendment Bill, to enable two or more members of the Council to submit trial cases to the Supreme Court, to test the validity of Provincial Acts was thrown out on the voices. .A motion for an audited capital and profit ' and loss account of the business of the Government Printing Office for the last four years was carried. Messrs Creightori and Harrison spoke strongly of the mismanagement of the office. A motion in favor of a Royal Charter for Otago University, and amendments upon it were withdrawn. A motion affirming the desirability of the revenues of University reserves in the colony being devoted to the promotion of superior education, was carried. MrVbgel moved the second reading of the Immigrants Land Bill. He touched on the question of the Agent-General. While blaming him, he said that he had to work against disadvantages, and hoped that members would not discuss the question of Agent-General, but the bill. The Government desired an extension of the nomination system, and would reduce the number of irresponsible agents at home, and increase the permanent staff with men able to set forth the advantages of the colony. The Government was about to prepare a pamphlet on New Zealand for circulation in the United Kingdom. They desired the sole control of immigration in England, leaving to the provinces the duty of seeing to the immigrants on their arrival. Mr Reeves thought that the occupation clauses spoilt the bill. He was surprised the House had not taken up the question of immigration. The Agent-General was totally unfit for the post, and paid no attention to his instructions; he wanted method and business ability. His shipping arrangements were failures, and only tended to prolong Shaw, Saville & Co.'s monopoly. The insurance had been blundered, and the supply of immigrants had not been sent out. The contract with Brogden had fallen through. He thought that the Agent-Generai should be recalled, and believed at the same time that the Government were to blame for having no fixed ideas. Their instructions had been contradictory, and now the provinces were compelled to recommence their action to secure immigration. Mr Hunter moved the adjournment of the debate. After a brief discussion the debate was adjourned till Wednesday.