HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 149, 24 June 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Thursday night. The House met at 2 30. Replying to questions it was stated that the Government had under consideration regulations for providing holidays for railway employes without stoppage of pay — The Government had not communicated with the Governments of any of the Australian colonies desiring them not to employ telegraphic officials dismissed from the service bero, but tbe names of those who took a prominent part in the recent strike were Bent to the Telegraph Departments of tbe other colonies. — Under the Act of 1873 it was competent for the Government to resume possession of lands on which gold was found, and the Government did not see the necessity for further legislation on the subjeot. — A Bill was in preparation authorising the boardr iog out of children committed to Reformatories or Industrial schools, and if time permitted it would be brought down tbis session. The following Bills were introduced and read the first time : — To enforce and collect duties on estates of deceased persons ; To declare lands of the Crown and Native lands rateable property (Major Atkinson). The following Bills were read the second time: — Auckland Exchange Synagogues Site (Mr Tolej, and Wellington Queen's Wharf and Stores Sale Bill (Mr Levin). Mr Shrimski moved the second reading of tbe Oamaru Harbor Board Bill. Mr McLean opposed the motion, stating tbat the lands proposed to be dealt with might be required for other purposes. All he desired was to caution the House aa to the step proposed to he taken. Mr Maeandrew supported tbe Bill. Mr Rolleßton said that, although not personally favorable to the Bill, be had deferred to the opinions expressed by the Waste Lands' Board. The motion was put and carried. Mr Murray moved that, in the opinion of the House, local Government is conducted under great disadvantages, (1) from defects in tbe system ; (2) from the local funds for the payment of rates to effect local improvements being absotbed by General Government taxation ; (3) from the Counties having been deprived of 20 per cent of the land fund (except in the case of New Plymouth) j and that the Government be requested to bring in a Bill this session to remedy the above causes of complaint and others which may be established during the debate upon the resolution. After reviewing the present unsatisfactory state of things, he said he thought Parliament should consider the matter, and remit the result to the constituencies. What he thought was wanted was a system which, for the minimum of official expenditure, would do the largest amount of usefnl work, and that those who spent tbe money should provide it. The principle by which a portion of the price of land was returned to the land to render it available for profitable colonization should be again restored. The 20 per cent land fund and deferred payments should be paid to the Local Bodies towards road-making approved of by the Government, and Counties and Boroughs should be amalgamated into Shires with real powers. Mr Ormond seconded the resolution. After the promise made by the Government to bring down a scheme of tbis kind he felt himself somewhat embarrassed. He hoped tbat during the debate the Government would see their way to indicate the direction they proposed going in tbi9 matter. It was a question which should have taken precedence of such matters as Hospitals, Charitable Aid, or the like, The first step towards reform was decentralisation, and next to make permanent provisions for tbe expenditure of the local bodies. He could make no suggestion as to wbat was likely to be the best mode of finance to adopt, further than to say that direct taxation was the proper mode. Tbe counties should be enlarged, care being taken that the enlargement was made so as to preserve a community of interests. The waste lands administration should devolve upon the local bodies, and by that means much of the complaints at pusent existing that these land were not properly administered would be obviated, fhey should also

have a voice in the opening np of lands for settlement, and the powers exercised by the Education Boards should also devolve upon them. Charitable aid and similar institutions should be relegated to them, and also the management of the railways situated witbin their respective districts. By that means he I predicted a great deal of much needed railway reform would be brought about. They were not at all likely to deal satisfactorily with this large question now, but what he would suggest was that it should be relegated to the people themselves at the next election, and in the meantime the Government should pass its Redistribution of Seats Bill, and let' them go to the country with this matter at as early a day as possible Mr Hall said that after tbe statement hiade . by tho Colonial Treasurer, tho Government could not |be expected to take part iv the debate until, at all events, opportunity had been afforded for bringing down the measures alluded to by the Treasurer. Mr Moss demurred to the question heing left the constituencies, and maintained it was their duty to face the whole question with the view of providing the remedy required. Mr Biih'dy moved tbat the debate be adjourned for two weeks to give the Government an opportunity for submitting; their proposals. He blamed the Government for not taking tho matter up at an earlier date. It would be delayed until a late period of the session and then, as on former occasions, they would be told there Was not time to go on with it, The whole question was one of . ways and means* Ifc might be made an electioneering cry but that Wotild do uo real good. What Was wanted wa« money, and until that difficulty was solved no real good would be achieved. The people asked for money and we gave them institutions. Dr Wallis talked out the motion to tho adjournment at 5 30. Friday. The House resumed at' 7 3d. The Harbor Acts Amendment Bill was read the second time, and tho Drainage Bill was considered in Committee and reported with amendments. The consideration of the Licensing Bill was resumed. In Clause 108 Mr Andrews moved to re duce the Club license fee from £20 to £5, contending that as the only object at all was to prevent bogus Clubs, a small fee would attain the object, and not be oppressive. Mr Baßtings thought the fee should bt £40, the same as hotels. The amount aB printed wag agreed to on the voices. Colonial wino license fee £1: Mr Bastings moved that it be increased to £20, but tbe original amount was carried by 36 to 17. The Packet license fee was altered to £5 for vessels under 50 tonß, and £10 above that tonnage. Mr Andrews moved tbat the wholesale license fee be raised from £10 to £20 Agreed to. Mr Andrews' motion that the conditional license fee be not exceeding £5 a day instead of not exceeding £30 for the whole period was rejected by 26 to 24, and the original proposal was passed. Mr Tole moved to insert a confectioners' and eating house license at £10 to authorise the sale of liquors during certain hours, to be consumed witb victuals, Rejected by 27 to 19. Mr Pitt moved the insertion of au Accommodation House license fee not exceeding £20, and dweltstrongly on the necessity for such licenses in remote districts. <;,-) Sir W Fox strongly opposed it. His ex perienco of Accommodation Houses', when licensed; was that they were usually abominable dens where poisonous liquor was sold, and shepherds and shearers were lambed down. He had seen tbis even in Nelson. Messrs Pitt, Reid, Shephard, Reeves, Hursthouse, and others Questioned this state ment, heariog testimony to the excellent, manner in which the Accommodation Houses in tbe Nelson district were conducted, and tbeir great use and benefit to travellers. ■ Mr Saunders opposed the proposal, holding that such bouses were better conducted it not licensed. . Messrs Dick and Hall opposed the pro posal as unnecessary, as Bpecial licensing districts could be made where required. Mr Pitt's proposal was carried by 33 to 11. Clause 108 then passed, progress was re- . ported, and the House rose ot 1 20 a m.