PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4836, 21 September 1876, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, September 20. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at half-past seven o'clock. HANSARD. The Hon. Dr. MENZIES, as- a. matter of privilege, called attention to the fact that in the bound volume of Hansard recently published there was no explanation of the asterisk which was affixed to the speeches of hon. members that were corrected. He thought that they should adopt the practice of the Imperial Parliament in this respect. The Hon. Colonel WHII'MORE thought there should be no distinction made in regard to the practice in question between the Council and the House of Representatives. It should not be supposed by the appearance of the asterisk that members of the Council only corrected their speeches. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE also thought the distinction invidious.

The Hon. the SPEAKER promised to bring the matter under the consideration of the Reporting Debates Committee. THIRD READINGS. The third reading of the Stamp Act Amendment Bill was postponed. On the motion that the Rating Bill be read a third time, the Hon. Dr. Grace moved the recommittal of the Bill for the purpose of reinserting sub-section iof clause 38. The subsection read —"Lands occupied by churches, chapels, or by hospitals or lunatic asylums, or by public libraries, museums, athenseums, or mechanics' institutes, or other buidings used exclusively for religious or charitable purposes, or by Government schools or schools established by some religious body, or by colleges and universities."—The Hon. Colonel Whitmore would only reinsert the clause in so far as it applied to hospitals and j lunatic asylums. In reply to a question the Hon. Dr. Grace said that it was intended to include convents in the operation of the section.—The Hon. Mr. Hall objected to the vagueness of the words " or other buildings used exclusively for religious or other charitable purposes." Perhaps his best course would be to move that all the words after "chapels" should.be struck out. He moved accordingly.—The Hon. Dr. Menzdis said that it was now proposed in the United States to make such buildings liable. That could not be done without a straggle. Let the Council here deal with the matter in its inception. The rates would press equally on all denominations.—The Hon. Mr. Stokes would support the exemption of all religious and educational establishments.—The Hon. Dr. Pollen supported the reinstating of the sub-section. The rates were imposed for material benefits received.—After some remarks from various hon. members, the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse said that the position taken up by the Colonial Secretary was an impregnable one—the rates were imposed for material benefits received. There were no exceptions made by Imperial legislation—even Government buildings were rated.—Further discussion followed. The Hon. Mr. Hart thought that the strona position taken up by the Colonial Secretary, and supported by Mr. Waterhouse, resulted from their only looking at one side of the question. The exemption from rating of buildings such as those under discussion was the contribution of the body politic towards those buildings.—The Hon. Dr. Grace, in reply to some remarks from hon. members, would bring the Council back to first principles Was not our civilization based on religion and education ? If this were granted, then the Council should support his motion.—The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse said no principle should be taken in isolation.—A division was taken on Mr. Hall's amendment, which was carried by 15 to 6.—The Bill waa then reported with amendments.—Third reading next day.—Notice was given for recommittal of the measure for further amendment.

LAWRENCE RECREATION RESERVES BILL. The measure was committed, reported, read a third time, and passed. DEBTORS AND CREDITORS BrLL. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved the second reading. He gave a short explanation of the measure. The Hon. Mr. HART criticised the Bill shortly. In concluding he regretted that the Council had not accepted the strong caution which he had given when the Act at present in force was before the Council. However, the Bill was a great improvement on that Act, and the experience had not been thrown away. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOTJSE should support the Bill, and hoped it would work more satisfactorily than previous measures. He thought Colonial legislation and not Imperial should be followed in the matter. The Hon. Mr. PEACOCK thought too much power had been given to creditors in insolvent estates. He approved of official assignees, and considered the Bill an improvement on the previous one. The Hon. Captain FRASER was of opinion that the Bill ought to have been submitted to the Judges. The second reading was agreed to. FRAUDULENT DEBTORS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This measure, rendered necessary by that just considered, was read a second time. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, September 20. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o'clock. PETITIONS AND NOTICES. Notices of motion were given by Mr. Manders and Sir Robt. Douglas, and Mr. Ballance presented a petition. THE DISQUALIFICATION QUESTION. A second report of the Disqualification Committee was read. The Bill of the hon. member for Akaroa was ordered to be committed on Wednesday. QUESTIONS. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS asked the Minister of Justice,—Whether the Government would, before the Law Practitioners Acta Amendment Bill is committed, cause to be circulated among the members of both Houses a printed copy of the affidavits of Messrs. Russell, Haggitt, and Macassey, used in the Court of Appeal in 1572, in connection with Mr. Smythies' case ? The Hon. Mr. BOWEN replied that the Government would circulate the papers as soon as thpy got them. Mr. WOOLCOOK asked the Government, —lf they would lay before this House a return showing the number of persons who have been appointed to offices of emolument whilst members of either House of Parliament during the last ten years ; such return to furnish the names of each appointee, the offices to which they have been appointed, and the dates of such appointments? The Hon. Major ATKFv T SON_ said the Government would be willing to give such a return. In answer to Mr. Sheehan, The Hon. Mr. BOWEN stated that it was not the intention of the Government at present to connect the central Kaipara and Wairoa districts with the telegraphic system of the north of Auckland. BILLS INTRODUCED. The New Zealand Post Office Act 1858 Amendment Bill, and a Bill to Repeal the Forests Act, 1874, were introduced, and read' a first time. PAYMENT OP MEMBERS. Mr. LARNACH moved,—(l) That thin House will to-moiTow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider of an address to his Excellency the Governor, praying that an additional sum may be placed on the Estimates for the purpose of defraying the

expenses of members of this House iu connection with their Parliamentary duties during this session. (2) That such additional sum be estimated at the rate of £BOO for each member. He said he desired the two clauses of the motion to be put separately, and explained that in his opinion the honorarium should be increased in consequence of the length of time which members would have to serve in Parliament, and thought if the sum were increased, able men, who could not otherwise afford to enter Parliament, might be induced to take seats in the House. ~ it The Hon. Major ATKINSON said the Government did not intend opposing the House going into committee, but would certainly resist the proposals in committee. Mr. BURNS gave notice that he would move that members receive 20s. per day till the day of prorogation. Mr SWANSON said he might say at once he would second the motion. He pointed out that there would be an inequality of the expenditure with reference to different places. Thus he represented a constituency numbering more than the whole of Hawke's Bay. He said there were too many members m the House. This increase of payment to members was not in the direction of economy, and ho hoped the Government would resist the proposal of Mr. Larnach. He would sooner see a epecial tax levied on the constituents to meet the expenses of their representatives. Mr. FISHER thought members should receive legitimate expenses. The Hon. Mr. STAFFORD considered the Government should have resisted the proposal to go into committee, and thus have saved two debates on the question. He opposed the increase of payment, and thought the time of bringing forward the motion was inopportune. In view of the general desire expressed for retrenchment, lie thought it wrong to introduce such a proposal. Members were only entitled to fair compensation for_ the extra expense incurred by living in Wellington, and not to a sum which would make the position of members lucrative.

Mr. MURBAY thought members should not work for remuneration, but said it might be doing an injustice to abolish honorariums this session, as representatives had entered Parliament under the impression that their expenses would be paid. He moved that in future sessions members do not receive payment.

Mr. MTJRRAY-AYNSLEY suggested that the honorarium should be reduced to £IOO. Mr. PYKE reviewed the remarks aud suggestions of hon. members who had preceded him. With regard to Mr. Swanson's suggestion as to imposing a special tax on the constituents, he said that would reduce the representation of the country to a question of pounds shillings and pence. The motion before the House did not appear to be understood. An independent class had not risen up in New Zealand yet, and the payment of members was necessary, and he should support the motion. Mr. DONALD REID opposed the motion, which should not have been brought forward at such a time, when there was a general cry for retrenchment.

Mr. HARPER opposed the proposal, and moved that the previous question be now put, with a view of testing the question. The Hon. Mr. BO WEN said when his colleague had stated that the Government would not oppose the House going into committee, he had not supposed there would be any discussion of the kind which had taken place. He (Mr. Bowen) thought members should be paid their expenses, but this proposal partook of the character of payment for time, and its being carried he thought would not tend to elevate the character of the House. He thought that America was a good example for the Parliament of New Zealand in tlm respect, and so far as he could understand, it was the opinion of the Press in Victoria that an inferior class of representatives had been introduced into Parliament with the introduction of the payment system. It would be much better to proceed as they had been doing hitherto, namely, paying members for expenses actually incurred.

Mr. STOUT believed in payment of members, because men who understood and had a love for politics would be induced to enter Parliament, and it would prevent the representation of the country being confined to a rich class. Speaking of Mr. Bowen's reference to America, he said the statutes of New York were models, and that the laws of New Zealand could not compare with them. Speaking of Victoria, he said something to the same effect. The argument of those who opposed the motion seemed to be this, that by paying the members you demoralised them. But in reality they were placed in a very different position, would, in fact, be more independent. He shonld cordially support the proposal of the member for Dunedin. Mr. WOOD opposed the increase in the honorarium, saying that it would partake of the character of a salary for attending Parliament.

Mr. EOWE said the principle of payment of members was calculated to improve representation. It would, he believed, bring better men into the House, speaking generally, than sat in it at present. He should vote for the motion of the hon. member for Dunedin.

Mr. KELLY was of opinion that payment should be increased should the sessions in future be longer than in the past, which he believed •would be the case. Mr. WOOLCOCK remarked that unless payment were allowed the representation of the country must fall to that small class of the people who could afford to spend three or four months in attendance at Parliament, and the wealth producing and tax-paying people would be excluded.

Mr. EOLLESTON thought the means proposed would not secure the end desired, inasmuch as in almost any case the payment given would be inadequate to compensate the poorer class, who would be unable to bear the expenses of contests. He was sorry that this question should be brought up at the present time. It should have been considered last session, so that it might have been submitted to their constituencies.

Mr. TftlßE spoke strongly in favor of the payment of members, pointing out that many able men could not, unassisted, give up several months in the year to Parliamentary duties. The last House had been composed of newspaper men, aspiring lawyers, members of the various Provincial Councils, and the members of the Government. He was a nowspaper man himself, and owed his present position to that fact. The Government should see that those who were elected to seats in the House did not be at a loss by reason of the inconvenience they Buffered. The present Government had virtually been in office for the last seven years, and the late head of the Ministry had promised last session to introduce a Bill for the payment of members. They were to a certain extent pledged to carry out that policy, and if the work of the country was to be done well it must be paid for. In the session of 1871 there waa a report on the subject, and Mr. Swanson xt&tM that in almost every Parliament in the wotM members were paid. He believed the rxrty wwptions to this rule were Great Britain, ?&tiy> Anuria, and Spain. In Great Britain th 4 prirKVtyl'j was adopted, for the county or fftutt.yf; es.-M if; taxed to pay members exn»rt"<", ».H;v,*i;;f< such a course was not the ft p&ym':rit of members were adopted, B-.w ti/.'wfjfrtWsU* would have a chance of re%nvM*% Vsftw tti'iii. In many cases return to %.*; J-.j«a?,; :-,',' 7 it a/1 r/i'.-ant ruin, and this should /.//■, !w- TV;* 'Minwtry were civil servants tfuw.-'tf 'w, **>A K*ol 'UttiUmUA themselves with *i". !■>.;--,'.»;-:■-.-•. V/ x. »'.*<; of jffli(> for the Botanic (ywrirt. t P.'.****/* iA piMi'ui'' into the Colonial rUA, ':■■ w. V'ffjf o'ewaf,)/; that men should be ■r'iVtrr.i-A ■"!■'/ will f/,Yi'.u:-A\ iwitiommtH, and he hhlivtwl '/■>■']iti'r.A '<i ttvanljiir* would have that will.

A tlivixi'm v/m tb*n taken on the qoeHtion, resulting »»I'Alnwt '<— kit*, V): K*rit, I'Mt'tnvt, J. 0. tii'nm, liutton, C'arrlnpton. KurMx, ,!)'■ iMVmr, Henry, HMoij, Joyce, K*liy, Kennedy, ImuvM <\M-.t). Lumvlen, Handera, Morrl* .Vane, f'yke (teller), JteynoliM, Kowe, Beaton, ftharjj Khrimaki, Htout, Talaroa, Thoi/uon, Xonkd, Tribe,' W. Wood, WooleocV. Noki 25: Atkinson, JJowen, Uryce, iiurnn, Fisher, Gibbs Harper (teller), Hunter, Johnaton, Macfarlane, Sir D McLean, CI. Mcf/eao, Montgomery, Murray, Murray-Aynnley, D, 1£«1<1, Kicliardaon, Itolleiton (teller), Heymour, Stafford, Swanson, Wakefield, Wason, Whltaker, 11. (i. Wood. The motion wan therefore agreed to.

Mr. LARNACH withdrew the second part of his motion, as several members who had voted for the House going into committee would not be in favor of the proposal that the additional sum be estimated at £3OO. NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. Mr. BRYCE moved, —That the report of the Native Affairs Committee on the following petitions be referred to the Government: —Wi Hakiro and others, Hori Pauroa, M. P. Kawiti, Te Moananui and others, Meiha Kepa, Meha te Moananui and others, Anaru Makiwhara, Matiaha Mokai, Pitihira te Kuril and others, and Nahona te Ahukaramu.—Agreed to. BE SALE OF AUCKLAND I.ANDB. Mr. STOUT moved,—That the letter addressed by Joseph Augustus Tole, solicitor, to the Hon. the Native and Defence Minister, dated 21st August, 1876, or a copy thereof, relating to papers in connection with "alleged improper sale of lands north of Auckland," recently presented to this House, be laid before this House, and printed.—Agreed to. MILITARY LAND GRANTS. Dr. HENRY, in the absence of Mr. Hamlin, through illness, moved, —That all papers relating to the claims of the men forming the Auckland Defence Force to grants of land, in recognition of their services during the last native war, be laid before this House. — Agreed to. PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE. Mr. BASTINGS moved,—That this House concurs in the recommendations contained in the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Joshua Goodfellow ; and recommends the report to the favorable consideration of the Government. The Hon. Mr. Richardson and Mr. Kelly spoke to the motion, which was agreed to. DISQUALIFICATION COMMITTEE. Mr. STOUT moved,—That the name of the Hon. Major Atkinson be substituted for that of Sir Julius Vogel on the Disqualification Committee, No. 2.—Agreed to. POSTPONEMENTS. The following Bills, Wellington Corporation Gas Purchase, Dunedin Wharves and Quays Reserves, Provincial Abolition Permissive Ohinemuri Goldfields Agricultural Leases Validation, and Oamaru Tramways, were postponed, and made orders of the day for Wednesday next. MAORI REPRESENTATION ACTS AMENDMENT BILL. The Speaker left the chair on the motion of Mr. Taiaroa, and the House went into committee on the Bill. The Hon. Sir DONALD McLEAN said that he had advised the hon. member, on the second reading, not to proceed further with the Bill. It was the intention of the Government to consider the question of native representation during the recess, and under these circumstances he would move that Mr. O'Rorke should leave the chair, and progress be reported. —Mr. Stout hoped that the Native Minister would withdraw from the position he had taken up, and have a fair fight over clause 3. He thought the natives were entitled to increased representation ; and besides, at the close of next session, the Maori members would not be entitled to seats in the House unless something was done. —Mr. Andrew supported the Native Minister, who said that Mr. Stout's objection only applied to the present members. The House would see to this matter, and as to the increase in representation, the Government wished for time for consideration —Mr. Swanson said that the Ministry had a good opportunity of considering the question a short time ago. (Major Atkinson: We were not in office.) Mr. Swanson replied that the faces of the gentlemen on the Ministerial benches were uncommonly like those of the then Government, and said he hoped the members in charge of the Bill would proceed with it. —Sir Robert Douglas said he would support the Bill, and hoped the House would divide on the motion of the Native Minister. The Hon. Mr. Reynolds said that a very wide question had been opened up, and if the Bill were to be proceeded with the whole question of representation would have to be considered. Considerin<* the late period of the session, the matter should be postponed.—Captain Morris thought there should be an increase in native representation and would support the Bill.— Mr. Taiaboa said that promises had been made of a province for the Maoris, but perhaps it was all talk, and when the Bill was introduced the Native Minister would put it off and say the Ministry would consider the matter during the recess. He hoped the House would proceed with the Bill and at least pass clauses 2 and B.—Sir Donald McLean consented to withdraw his motion; but on leave being asked, Mr. Wakefield objected.—Mr. Rowe said he would vote against Mr. O'Rorke leaving the chair. In his opinion the whole system of managing native affairs had during the last seven or eight years been simply disgraceful.—Mr. Donald Reid said there was a great deal of nonsense talked about justice to natives. He thought it would be unwise to press on the Bill — Capt. Russell supported the motion of Sir D. McLean, as in his opinion there was no injustice being done to the natives in the matter. Any native could be registered in twelve months. The only good point in the Bill was that it proposed an. odd number of representatives, as if carried they would not see on every division an equal number of native votes on each side. He thought they might dispense with the services of an inter- I preter, and thus encourage the study of. English amongst the native population.— Mr. WhitaKEß said that he had taken a great interest in native representation, and on one occasion had brought down a series of resolutions on the subject. Since he had joined the Government he had discussed the matter with the Cabinet, and they had determined to consider the whole matter during the recess. He objected to the principle of the Bill, and thought there should be some change in the mode of voting, so that the scenes which had lately occurred might not be repeated. JjjHe would propose to omit all the clauses except the Bth, which would be sufficient to secure the seats of the present members. —Sir Robert Douglas denied the statement that the natives could register. That was not the ease north of Auckland, for there they could not even get their lands passed through the Court. Sir Donald McLean said that if the natives made application the Judges would appoint a time and place for hearing, and the land would go through the Court in the ordinary way. The Government never interfered with the Court, and the Judges were quite independent of them.—Mr. Swanson made reference to the case of the Masterton natives, where application had been made to the Court, and 3 two decisions given in favor of the applicants. In that case the Native department had interfered, and the applicants had not yet got their Crown grant, notwithstanding that the usual certificate had been given by the Court. —Sir Donald McLean explained that a committee had been appointed to enquire into the subject, who were quite disinterested, and visited the place, examining the landmarks. They had reported that the applicant was not entitled.—Mr. Reem said he did not see how the Native Minister could reconcile the_ last statement with what he had previously said as to non-interference by the Native department with the Land Court.—Mr. Taiaroa said that the Native Minister was well acquainted with I Maori affairs, but he (Mr. Taiaroa) knew more about them, and if he could only speak English the House would bear him out. He was so vexed about the matter that he had a good mind to move that Maori representation be abolished altogether. It was no good for them to be there if their voices were not heard. Mr. Wakefield said that he intended to pro- ! pose an amendment that no Maori should vote at a European election. If Mr. Taiaroa accepted this amendment, he was prepared to support the Bill.—Mr. Taiaroa said that he had intended to introduce a similar clause himself. After some remarks from Mr. Rowe, the question that Mr. O'Rorke should leave the chair wa3 put and lost on the voices. Mr. STOUT then said that he proposed to amend clause 8 in such manner that clause 2 would be unnecessary, if the' House did not intend to pass all the clauses. Ho suggested that they should divide on clause 2, hon members who were in favor of clauses 3 to 7 inclusive voting with the ayes, and those who were not with the noes. This was agreed to, and a division taken with the following result —Ayes, 21 ; noes, 34 ; majority against tho clause, 13.

A division was then taken on clause 3, with the following result—Ayes, 18; noes, 33; majority against the clause, 15. On claute A being put, Mr Rees said that the Bill had been read!"a second time, and asked, having accepted the principle, could they go on expunging clauses ?—Mr. Stout then explained that the last clause really contained the principle of the Bill, which was increase of native representation. Clausss 4,5, G, and 7 were then expunged. Mr. Stout then moved an amendment on clause 8, the clause aa amended reading as follows : —"The Maori Representation Act, 1867, as amended by the Maori Representation Act and Continuance Act, 1872, shall be and is hereby continued in operation, and shall remain in operation until expressly repealed by an Act of the General Assembly."—Messrs. Reynolds and Wakefield spoke against the amendment. —Mr. Stout appealed to Mr. Wakefield to withdraw his opposition.—Mr. Wakefikld said that Mr. Stout always imagined that he was addressing a jury, and not a deliberative assembly. After some remarks from Messrs. Sheehan and Swanson, the amendment was carried on the voices.—Mr. Reynolds then proposed as an amendment that the operation of the A.ct should be limited to the 10th October, 1881, which was rejected on a division as follows : For the amendment, 13 ; against, ii. Majority against, 21.—Mr. Wakefield then proposed an amendment in effect that no person of the Maori race should vote at a European election. —Sir Donald McLean expressed a hope that the honorable member would withdraw his amendment. Mr. Reynolds supported the amendment. —Mr. Sheehan said that his hon. friend Mr. Wakefield came from a place where the Maori was looked upon as the missing link ; and for the information of his hon. friend Mr. Reynolds he might say that in sugar, spirits, and tobacco the natives were by far the greatest consumers, and contributed more to the Customs revenue than the Europeans.—Mr. Reynolds then said that he had yet to learn that the natives contributed more to the population than the Europeans. (Mr. Sheehan : Revenue.) He then read a number of figures illustrating his view that the greatest amount of revenue was contributed by the Europeans.—Mr. Sheehan said that he could not accept his hon. friend's figures.—After some remarks from Mr. Swanson and Mr. Murray-Aynbley, Mr. Taiaroa said he would have accepted Mr. Wakefield's amendment had they only consented to the increased representation. The Government had prmised to introduce a new Bill next session, and he hoped they would fulfil their promise if they remained in office.— After some remarks from Mr. Donald Reid, the Bill was reported on, and on the Speaker resuming the chair read a third time and passed. WELLINGTON DEBTS BILL. The Hon. Major ATKINSON moved the usual resolution on the message received from the Governor on this Bill, which was reported on. Major Atldnson moved the first reading of the Bill. Mr. ROWE expressed disatisfaction at the Ministry pressing on the measure, and said there were a number of Government supporters who would not allow measures to be pushed through in this manner. The Hon. Major ATKINSON said that it was merely a formal matter, and the Government were only adopting the usual course. Mr. HUNTER explained that the Bill only dealt with a debt which had been incurred under the authority of the House. The Bill was then read a first time, the second reading being made an order of the day for next sitting day. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH LANDS BILL. This Bill was read a second time on the motion of Mr. Johnston, and ordered to be committed next day. QUEENSTOWN COMMONAGE RESERVE BILL. The House went into committee on this Bill, which was reported on without amendment, and then read a third time, and passed. GOLD DUTIES ACT 1872 AMENBMENT BILL. Mr. PYKE, on the motion that the Speaker should leave the chair, said that he would take the rather unusual course of explaining the principle of the Bill, as it had been arranged on the second reading that the discussion should be taken when the Bill went into committee. The Ministry had offered to return the money levied for gold duty to those amongst whom it was raised, and besides to subsidise them. He would ask the Ministry to adopt the simpler course, and abolish the tax. During the election he had placed the magnificent offer of a subsidy of £3 for £1 before the miners, and without a dissentient voice they had preferred the removal of this substantial burden to the shadowy promise of a subsidy. Before a man dare occupy ground for mining he must pay £l, then he must pay for the registration of his claim, and thirdly | there was this obnoxious gold duty. Bonuses had been given for various manufactures throughout the colony, but what was to be said about levying a tax on that which was the real cause of their prosperity ? They were told on the one hand that provincialism was the cause, on the other that the Public Works policy was the cause of that prosperity ; but in his opinion it was gold. The country was but a wilderness till the discovery of gold, and the miners had really opened up the back country. As to the damage said to be done by mining, for himself he could say that if he wanted a fine property he should certainly choose one of those old worked-out gullies. There were no young miners; they were all men who had been at work for years, and this was a fact reported on by one of the wardens. The gold duty pressed very hardly on these men, and looking on the returns it would he seen that it was about £5 per man. The levying of this duty had a most pernicious effect, for the amount of duty, especially in quartz-reefing, represented very often the difference betweenprofitand loss. The capital invested iu goldmining was a million and a-half sterling, and New Zealand was by this dtity placed in a very unfavorable position as compared with other countries. In Victoria a portion of the small duty charged was applied for the maintenance and support of a system in which his friend Mr. Barff was interested, viz., the proper and scientific inspection and control of mines, and he hoped to see the day when a similar institution would exist in New Zealand. They asked for no special privileges, and to be relieved from any special liabilities. They did not want the vote attached to the miner's right. All they wanted was to be placed in a similar position to other settlers. Whether members liked it or not, and he knew the subject wasjdistasteful—-(cries of " No, no."j—let them look at the empty benches. Had it been Borne question which was termed a great Constitutional principle the House would have been crowded. Ministers and tho House might rest assured that if the Bill did not pass the matter would not be allowed to rest, but be brought up again and again until the injustice was removed. Sir GEORGE GREY cordially supported the hon. member forthe Dunstan, and intimated his intention of moving an amendment in committee that the gold duty should cease altogether in 1877. Mr. HUNTER said he trusted he would be pardoned for speaking on a subject with which, to say the least, he was not very well acquainted. Tho hon. member for the Dunstan had, however, made reference to the squatters and the few sheep on the hills and in the gullies, but he would like to ask him what would have happened if they had not been there at all. It was a remarkable fact, and only to be ascounted for in one way, that they had walked over this gold for years and yet it was not discovered until what he might term the proper time. If thediscoveryhadbeenmadebeforethe country was in a position to supply the wants of the great population which was attracted at the time of the goldfieldß rush, the result would have been a curse, bringing ruin and misery on those who came to seek after it, instead of as it had turned out, a material help to the prosperity and wellbeing of the country. Mr. MANDERS supported the second reading of the Bill, and, alluding to the injustice of the duty, said he would sugeeßt a tax on tho export of wool, if it were continued.

Mr. BASTINGS said he was altogether at one with the hon. member for the Tkames, Sir

George Grey, and thought the duty should be repealed altogether. He hoped it would be the last time they would. have as it we're to beg for the repeal of this unjust impost, and the Government would during the recess take the matter under their consideration, provided the present Bill were not carried. Mr. ROWE pointed out that to a. certain extent the gold duty was necessary for the mining constituency which he represented. Mr. J. C. BROWN opposed the adjournment. Instead of talking he had been working to get votes, and wanted a division on the main question. Mr. DE LAUTOTJR opposed the adjournment.

The question of adjournment was then put, and declared lost on the voices. The question of going into committe was then, carried on the voices. The House went into committee, when the Bill was considered, and the Government consenting to accept an amendment, making the duty on gold one and sixpence per ounce, the same was agreed to, and progress having been reported, the Bill was read a third time and passed. The House adjourned at 1 a.m.