PARLIMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 177, 27 July 1881, Page 4

PARLIMENTARY.

Wellington, July 26. The Council met io-day. The Wellington Queen's Wharf Sale BiH, Port Chalmers Drill Shed Bill, arid Crown Suits Bill w«*re passed. The committal of the Lie Being Bill Was postoosei {or a week. The Vagrant Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, The Murried Woman's Property Protection Bill was passed through Committee. # The Council rose at 5. The Hoose met at 2 30. Mr Murray fabled a report of the Industries Committee, recommending that the ssme doty be imposed on imported niaizs, other than from Fiji, as upon other cereals; and that the duty on tobacco grown in the colony be reduced to la per 1b for a period of five ye are. Replying to questions put, it wbb etaied the earvey of Prsserton Ferry Reserve and Tarapitiki Reserve would be completed in a few days' time, when they would be vested io the Waiora Coucty Council. — Arrangements had been made for forwarding the San Francisco mails from Auckland immediately on their arrival to the various centres of population, end no nnneceesary delay in doing so would be allowed to occur,- — A petition from the unemployed in Oamaru had been received some time ego, to which the Government replied that arrangements would be made for transporting a limited number to places in tbe colony where tbty would be likely to find employment. No response was made to that offer. Since then another petition had been received, aod on the same cfi-r being made a limited number took advactfige of it, — Government did not seethe proposal made for amendments of contractors' debts, but would secure the doe payment of wages of workmen employed on contracts— ln justice to the Hon Mr Boner, the Government would cause a report to be prepared showing the. outlay on Government buildings in Hokitika since the abolition of provinces, and by whom paid; also an inventory of furniture on the premises, and the date and amount of tbe furniture on the premiieg at tbe present time., Murray mpveS 'for ''leave* 1 to io-ttoduce-a Bill, to regulate the duration btParliamenfj'td come into force after the dissolution of the present Parliament, Mr Barren objected, contending c Bill of this nature ought not to be dealt with by ail expiring Parliament. The Houee divided, Ayes, 38 s Noes, 34. The Bill was introduced and read a first time. On the motion that it be read a aecond time on Wednesday week, Mr Borron moved it be read (bat day six months. Mr Hall said tbß Government had no intention of interfering with the dotation of Parliament as fixed by the Triennial Act, and although they would not ot-j.'ct to tbe motion, any inters ferencee in that duration would be opposed at the proper time, Mr Gtaborne thought the question isiuht very properly be brought forward with the view of having it relegated to the electors at the ensuing election. He spoke against Triennial Parliaments, deeignatiog them as a mistake. Mr Speight supported Triennal Parliaments, and spoke in favor of the amendment. Mr Macandrew admitted Triennial Parliaments to be a mistake, but wbe not tlieposßd to see them interfered with at present. Mr Bowen concurred in that opinion. Mr Levin wbb opposed to the existing state of matters being interfered with until tbe opinion of tbe public bad been taken at the ensuing elections. i The House divided on original mo- i tion. Ayee, 37; Noes, 84. In Committee of Supply, M«jor Alkinscn moved for leave to introduce Deficiency bills for £200,000. In reply to a question put by Mr BrowD, it was stated that s Bill providing for tbe construction of the Otago Central, Csnterbury Interior, Wellington unri West Cofljst rsilwaya, and a Bill for thd readjustment of seats were well advanced, and would be introduces bb eooc as tbe no-cocfidence. motion was dieposed of. Mr y-cBB complained of the adminis- i trstioc of Native affairs on tbe West Coast, end the conduct of Mr ParrU rbo was responsible for much of the disturbances which had taken place there during tbe past 20 yean and who now ruled she Commiguonar, Be ! also compiaioed of undue favor shewn to Hone Pib»ca by the Commissioner, adding that the time had come when it was absolutely oeeeeiary that reaponsi bility should be essumed by the Native 1 Minister, &cd not left (o tbe West Coast Commissioner. I Mr Rolleston replied that he held fcittuelf responsible for tbe administrfi-i tion of officers, and complained of the cowardly and slanderous attack made upon Mr Farm's conduct. After some further discussion the motion was put and carried, and the resolution reported to tbe House, ■ ; Tbe House adjourned at 515, and resumed at 7 30. Mr Mcßigomtry resumed the debate od the co-cocGdecee motion. He declined to recognise anything as before tbe House but the propose! of tbe Government and the amendment of Mr Ormond. He objected to tbe House being called on to decide between tbe propcs&ls of tbe Government Rnd those of Sir G. Grey. He wes opposed to both, and, whatever tbe result cf tbe present debate, be beld that the redistribution of s ale must take place tbie Ftssion. He de- • fended Mr Otmono'e action. He objected to the proposed method of rating Crown land?, and to the con. siiiotion of the Public Workß Board, which would really place eleven Ministers io tl.e House. He also BtroDgly condemned ihc teethed of dhiribuiir.g Iccal aid. Locol end general fioence ffcculd be strictly separated, and be ergned that funds should be assured to loc&l bodies without refer--1 ence to any central body, and ibat they should be c nailed to perform their locctiocß without any interference

three points on f which; he thought the House should insist, and towardi this | end he would suggest a plan which had been approved by the Canterbury Provincial Council, in 1869, when South Canterbury raised the «ame cry as the whole of the outlying Districts of the Colony were now raising. It was then proposed to constitute a local Board of fifteen members elected by the people, and electing its own chairman, who should have generally tbe powers of superintendent, the net land fund to be allocated to immigration and local works and aid for Road Boards. Of course immigration was cow out of the question. Large powers of making bye-laws on local matters were also proposed to be given to the Board, including dealing with fencing, hospitals, gaols, police, asylums, &c, subject to the approval of the Government. He thought if Csnterbury was now divided into two Districts on such a system it would work satisfactorily. Thß local bodies should also have the land fund given them, but not necessarily land fund arising within the District. Tbe Counties could then be done away with, but on no consideration would he dispense with the Road Beards. If gaols, lunatic asylums, police, &c, were banded over to the local bodies, taxation by the Houee might bn greatly reduced, and the property tax be altogether abolished. Tbe House would also be relieved of dealing with local matters, which it was ctterly incapable of dealing with satisfactorily. No new scheme however could be carried until au appeal was made to the c.untry. He gave Ministers credit for good administration generally, but he condemned M&jor Atkinson for having caused the paoic in financial matters by his speech in October, 1879. The Governaeot, forced by pressure of public opinion, hed passed a number of measures prepared by their predecessors, but had failed miserably when called on to originate new measures. They bad lone well es adnciaettatore, but had failed miserably as legislators. Even now they bad not pot a policy before the House. The Colonial Treasurer's finance he regarded as thoroughly unsound in proposing to add to the public debt by a number of local loans. For these reesoDS he should vote for the amendment. He despaired of geitiog good messures from the preient Ministry ; their prestige was gone, and whether defeated on this motion or not, their days were numbered. Mr Pitt complained that tbe financial aspect of the Government proposals bad not been fairly discussed, acd certainly nose of tbe Opposition speakers bad indicated any improvement with regard to finance. He thought the proposals of the Government were almost op. all fours with the Canterbury acbeti 9, of wbicb Mr Montgomery, bad expressed approval. He did not thick any new body necessary for the redress of grievances. He entirely condemned Mr Saunders' suggestion to increase the Property Tax, and return twe-thirds to the local bodies. He thought the Government proposals for local fin an co had much to recommend them, and at least deserved a trial ; at any rate he bad heard no better scheme proposed for tbe settlement of the country sod maintenance of roads aod bridges. He thought the proposals were well adapted for the requirements of Nelson, ani were calculated to do some tardy justice to districts which had not got a fair ebare of the Public Works expenditure. He should be sorry to see the amendment carried, as it would have tbe effect of turning out a Government which had done much good service to the country.