HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 143, 17 June 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Thursday night. The House m it at 2 30 p.m. Mr Barrou gave notice that he would ask if the Government proposed taking steps to dissourage gambling, especially in race consultations. Replying to questions^ it tfss stated that tha Government did not intend to propose any amendment of the Harbors Act, 1878, bat would assist Harbor Boards in getting any alterations made that might appear necessary. — The Marine Department bad been instructed to report upon the necessity for the erection of a lighthouse on Waipapa Point, and if> as expected, the report was favorable a lighthouse would be erected.— The Government recognised the services rendered by the police at the wreck of the Tararua but di 1 not consider the payment of a bonus necessary for such services beyond compensation for the value of the clothes destroyed in rendering service.— With a view to establishing a complete system of forest Conservation plans were being prepared showing the extent and affording other information relating to forests. — The Governdid not this session intend amending the Education Act of jittering tha regulations framed undfer it.— The'Government recognised its responsibility for railway accidents and damage as similar to tho3e of a private Railway Company, and a measure based on that principle would be introduced^ The circulars issued by the Inspector of Prisons probibithg prison officials giving information to the public press were issued in conformity with the Civil Service regulations, 1873, and by direction of the Government. The following Bills were introduced and read tha first time:— A Bill to amend the o»maru0 »maru Harbor Board Ordinance Amendmant Act, 1376 (Mr Shrimski); Wellington Queen's Wharf and Store Sale Bill (Mr Lavin) ; Port Cbaltftars Cemetery (Mr Macan drew)} Drainage iJill (Mr Munay). The following motions were called: — By Mr Shriniaki, for map giving certain information about Waitaki County; by Mr Whitaker for a return of transactions under the High Schools Reserves A.ct, 1880; by Mr Hutchison, for a return of the cost of making up valuation rolls by Local Bodies; Mr Hall moved tile second reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill. In doing so he explained and commented upon its provisions. Dr Wallis thought the Bill was too ambitious a one. Charitable aid and hospital purposes should have been disjoined, and a separate measure prepared dealing with each subject separately. In its present shape the Bill meant fresh taxation, and the burden was already much heavier than it should be. Mr Moss also objected to the Bill. The whole subject was one which ought to be left in the hands of the Local Bodies, and if properly organised these bodies were perfectly competent to deal with it Ho moved as an amendment that the further consideration of the Bill be adjourned, so at to. give the Go vernment an opportunity to bring down a sobeme of local administration. Mr Murray supported the amendment. Mr Shephard said the amendment amounted to a vote of want of confidence. He did not concur in the adverse criticisms passed on the Bill. Mr Sbrirnski spoke against the Bill, also Mr Ballaurjej whose remarks were interrupted by the 5 30 adjournment. Friday. The House met at 7 30. : The debate on the Charitable Aid Bill was continued by Mr jßallance who objected to ithe Bill as introducing the thin end of the wedge of Slate pauperisms He urge! the withdrawal of the amendentand that the Bill should either be amended in Committee ; or withdrawn till the Government declared its intentions re local Government. Mr Johnston said the Bill was intended to assist local efforts in the cause of charity and to give local control. The Government would be quite willing to improve it if possible in Committee with a vistr to effect these objects. . Sir Gh Grey disavowed all responsibility for Mr Moss's amendment and declared that under a proper form of Local Government such a Bill as this would be unnecessary. If our land laws were properly administered and taxation fairly distributed, supplies being drawn from the only fair source, the unearned increment in the value of land, ample funds for all purposes would be available, and there would be no poof people in New Zealand. Instead of devising revenue for the State relief of poverty they shonld abolish State poverty. He hoped aoon to move a resolution expressing sympathy with the struggling labouring classes in Great Britain and Ireland, and pledging this colony to abandon the system of land laws and legislation, which produced Buch terrible results there. He thought this Bill quite unnecessary. Mr Wakefield replied at some length to Sir G. Grey's general remarks, but agreed that under a proper system of local selfGovernment there should be no difficulty in dealing with the charitable question. He thought that the rich people scarcely recognised their duty to the poor sufficiently here, and that some organisation to distribute charitable contributions .< required. He, however, * denied the existence of an ablebodied pauper class in New Zealand. It was gsnerally temporary or preventable causes that led to poverty. After the Bill was read the second time, it might, he thought, well be put aside to give the Government time to declare its intentions with regard to local Government. Mr Turnbull referred at some length to the unemployed at Timara. Ha supported the second reading of the Bill, bat stated that it required great amendment. the Bin ° rne aPPr ° 7ed °* thß P rind P le of Mr Pitt disagreed with the Bill but would vote for the second reading as be knew he was in a minority in his view that the State should provide for the sick and destitute as it provided for education of gaols and .Lunatic Asylums out of the consolidated revenue. Mr Swanson agreed with Mr Pitt in this. No doubt many men owed their poverty mainly to their own fault, but when destitute they must be provided for. He should be glad to see all revenues from the liquor traffic set apart for such a purpose. He would support the Bill, Mr Reid, Captain Rnsaell, ana Mr Toraoans generally supported, the Bill, ana Messrs

DeLautour, Harris, Kelly, Speight, nud Lundon opposed it. Mr Ball characterised Mr Moss's motion as one of want of confidence, and he at eoine length replied to the various objections urged against the measure. Mr Moss asked leave to withdraw his amendment, which was refused, and it was then negatived on the voices, Mr Montgomery spoke against, and Mr Levestam briefly in favor of the Bill, which was then read the second time and committed for next Friday. The House rose at 1 10 ami 3 p.m. On the House resuming tc=day, Mr Bast* iogfl took his seat, being introduced by Messrs Richardson and Ormond. Tbe House then adsourned for half-an-hour to wait on the Governor and present the address in reply.