PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4772, 8 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, July 7. The Council met at 2 o'clock. _ NOTICES OF MOTION. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN gave notice that he would move on next day of sitting that theCouncil meet at half-past two o'clock for the remainder of the session. Several other notices were given. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next : —An Act to Amend the Census, 1855,. and the several Acts amending the same ; an Act to Prevent Lotteries, and to Eegulate Art Unions. CONFISCATED LANDS. The Hon. Mr. HALL moved,—That there be laid upon the table a return of the proceeds of the confiscated lands sold in each province during the three years ended 31st December, 1875 ; and.of the payments made on account of confiscated lands in each province during the same period ; also, a return of the amount of confiscated lands in each province remaining unsold, distinguishing those lands of which the Government is in actual possession from those not occupied. ■» "" The motion was carried, Mr. Hall hav?!% previously made a verbal addition. BUILDINO SOCIETIES BILL. On the Orders of the Day being called on, The Building Societies Bill was recommitted for the purpose of making a slight technical alteration in one of the clauses. The CHAIRMAN having reported to the Council, the Bill was read a third time and - passed. The Council then adjourned till Tuesday next. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, July 7. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Foresters' Declaration of Trust Validation Bill was read a second time. PETITIONS, &C. Several petitions were presented and notices of motion given. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr. Mandkrs, who asked the following questions :— - (1.) Whether any correspondence has taken place between the Government and the Provincial authorities of Otago, as regards the construction of light railways in the united province of Otago and Southland ? (2.) Whether, if any such correspondencehas taken place, there is any objection to lay the same before this House ? (3.) If the consent of the Government has been obtained, under the Extension of Provincial Appropriations Act, 1875, for the payment j of any sums of money out of provincial revenue receipts since the 31st March last, upon theso lines J

(4.) If the Government has any information as to character and efficiency of these lines, and their cost; and as to whether they are likely to be of permanent value ? (5.) If the Government is aware that a costly arbitration suit is proceeding between the contractor and the "Provincial Government, and of ""TaJie cause requiring such arbitration ? (tl) If any amount has been sanctioned in excess\of provincial completing Mos-riel-Outraja railway 1 The How. Mr. RICHARDSON said he should reply' to questions Nos. 1 and 4 together, and to, this effect, that there had been no correspondence on the subject save that arising in the ordinary course of departmental work. With regard to the second question, of ■ course if the hon. gentleman chose to move for the correspondence in the ordinary way, no .. objection would be offered to its being laid on ,~*-£.s table." 'SYith regard to the 3rd, he answered in the' affirmative. As to the sth, the , Government were aware incidentally of the arbitration, but nothing further. As to the question re the Mosgiel railway, he might say that £20,000 had been voted, but he was not aware whether that was in excess of the provincial vote. MAORI MEMBER FOB THE EXECUTIVE. In reply to Mr. Taiaeoa, The Hon. Sir DONALD McLEAN said the Governmenthaditin contemplation to advise his Excellency the Governor to appoint a member of the native race to a seat in the Executive Council of the colony. PUBLIC WOBKS STATEMENT. Mr. MURRAY asked the Minister for Publis Works, —1. When he will deliver his statement ? 2. If he -will state the cost of constructed railways, distinguishing the principal items of expenditure, and showing how much thereof was for material imported ? 3. If he will make a similar return as to the rolling stock of such railways? 4. If he will Bhow the receipts and expenditure in working such railways, stating the chief items, and also exactly the allowances made for depreciation. The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON replied that he would deliver his statement before the end of the month. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. In reply to Mr. Murray, Sir Julius Vogel stated that the Financial Statement would be distributed before the end of the month. HOHTHODSE AT AKABOA. In reply to Mr. Montgomery, who asked what steps had been taken to erect a lighthouse at the entrance to Akaroa harbor, the Hon. Geosge McLean stated that that work and all such would be pushed forward vigorously. Up to the present time the great difficulty they bad had to contend against was the want of a steamer to carry material. Now, however, he might state that a steamer was coming out for that purpose, having been already launched, and so soon as she came, this and other similar works would be proceeded with as fast as materials could be obtained and time would allow. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. The Committee of Supply was the first order of the day. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL proposed that it be postponed till Tuesday. He took it that by that time hon. members would be fully prepared to consider the Financial Statement. Some discussion ensued, certain hon. members objeoting to introducing the discussion on the Statement so early. Sir GEORGE GREY would favor its being opened up at once. Mr. STOUT said it might be the intention of the Premier to bring down the County Bill between that and Tuesday. Mr. REID opposed the motion, saying that the Statement would not receive proper consideration, inasmuch as they iiad not had time to acquaint themsslves with it thoroughly. Messrs. Stevens and Rees spoke. The latter felt disturbed by the motion, in consequence of the fact that he was going to Auckland and would not be present next week. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL replied ; and in the first place referred to a discourteous insinuation that the Government wanted toshirk the discussion of the Financial Statement. In reply to the hon. member for Christchurch City (Mr. Stevens) as to what amount of the four million loan is yet in the hands of those who may be supposed to hold the debentures permanently for investment, he said what information he had was not of an official character, and could not therefore necessarily be accurate. In respect to the other question, he understood that the hon. gentleman wished to know whether a sufficient amount of deposit had been left in the Bank of New Zealand to secure the payment of the J per cent, extra. There had been no specific agreement as to what amount should remain in the bank during the twelve months. But it was in a way understood that the average amount would be one million and a half during the first six months and £750.000 during the last. There was, however, no pledge given. He believed the extra J per cent, had been paid. In respect to the discussion on the Financial Statement, he might say he thought honorable members should allow the Government a. certain amount of discretion in the conduct of the business of the House, and in the way in which they should bring it down. At the same time, hef ullyrecognised the duty of the Government to endeavor to meet as far as possible the wishes of hon. members. He concluded by saying that the Government desired to go into Committee of Supply on Tuesday, but he was quite willing to postpone the discussion till the Tuesday following if necessary, although he was of opinion that the House would be prepared to go on with the matter on Friday next, by which time he would probably be in a position to bring down the Waste Lands Bill and other subjects which were referred to in the Financial Statement. The order of the day wa3 then discharged and the next proceeded with.J LOCAL ELECTIOK BILL. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL moved,— That the above Bill, which provides for the local elections, be read a second time. A prolonged discussion followed the motion. Mr. SW ANSON moved that the Bill be postponed. Mr. BARFF said that the Bill bore evidence of not having been carefully considered, because it contained a section in the 29th clause (questions that may be put to voters) which would practically disfranchise nine-tenths of the people of New Zealand. The Bill was eventually read a second time to be committed on Tuesday next. BATING. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL moved the second reading of the Levying of Rates Bill. After considerable discussion, the motion was carried. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGELmovedthesecond reading of this Bill, and referred to its leading provisions. The provision as to municipal borrowing he considered would be exceedingly useful, for while the ratepayers were protected against borrowing to which they were averse, and there were other provisions as to the extent of the loan, still it would enable Corporations to borrow in such sums as would enable them to get the money required for various purposes on comparatively easy terms.. Another interesting point was that there was no provision to prevent the franchise being exercised by the softer sex. And here ho would mention it was a remarkable fact that, while in England discussion had been going on as to whether females should be enfranchised for Parliamentary elections, they had for some time past been allowed to vote in Municipal elections. He anticipated good results from the softening influence of women being introduced into election contests. (A laugh.) He recommended that the Dunedin Municipalities should place themselves under the operation of this Act. Mr. STOUT said the Otago Municipalities would not come under the Act while there were rates for property. Each man there had one vote, and if the Government desired the municipalities of Otago to come under the Bill, this provision must be expunged. He was opposed to the provision for making candidates for the Mayoralty pay a deposit of £lO, and considered tlie borrowing provision would be inoperative. Juuging by the number of borrowing Bills before the House this session, it would seeru that there would be polls going on from Janu-

ary to December. It would be better for the House to limit borrowing to a certain amount. Mr. BALLANCE considered a poll would be a better check upon borrowing than any limit the House might fix, and fully approved of the clause in reference to female suffrage, although that proposal was not new, as the franchise had been exercised by females ever since 1867. Ho regretted that property was the basis of voting in elections for Mayor, as that officer represented the burgesses in a social sense as well as a political. He hoped there would be an amendment, as each man had an equal right to one vote and no more. He objected to the importation into the Bill of the principle of public meetings being lield under license of the Council. The right to a public meeting was ancient and undoubted. But the provision for candidates for the Mayoralty depositing £lO was very valuable, as it would prevent worthless men coming forward for election. The Bill as a whole was a good one, and he hoped it would pass. Mr. MANDERS strongly supported the Bill. Mr. PEARCE wished to know whether the Government intended the borrowing provisions to be a bar to special legislation, because he did not approve of that. It was the duty of the State to see that all cities and towns were properly supplied with water and drainage works, whereas these provisions would take that power out of the hands of the State. Messrs. Shaep, Bastings, Button and others haviug spoken on the subject, The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL replied to the various arguments, and the Bill was then read a second time. THE CORONERS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The debate was taken up by Mr. Pyke, who went into the history of coroners' law. Messrs. Hodgkinson, Rowe, Rees, Baigent, Gibbs, Manders, Wakefield, Macfarlane, Henry, Button, Swanson, Harper, and Joyce also addressed themselues to the question. The Hon. Mr. BO WEN having replied, " The second reading of the BUI was carried on the voices. The remaining orders of the day were made orders of the day for Tuesday. BESOLUTIONS. Mr. STOUT moved,—That the committee on the St. Kilda and South Dunedin Municipalities Bill consist of the Hon. Major Atkinson, Sir Robert Douglas, Air. Bunny, Mr. Lusk, Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Reid, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Seaton, and the mover. Five to form a quorum, and the committee to report within fourteen days.—Carried. The House then adjourned.