PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5412, 1 August 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. • Wednesday, July 31. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair'at 2.30 p.m. PAPERS, ETC. Some papers and reports were laid on the table and notices of motion given. The Hon. Colonel WIIITMO KK gave notice that next day he would introduce the Wellington Reserves Act Amendment Act, 1877. QUESTIONS. In reply to the Hon. Mr. Hart —who asked the Colonial Secretary when the colonial accounts for tho quarter ending June 30 last would be published, —the Hon. Colonel Whitmore said that the accounts were in a forward state, and they would be produced after the Financial Statement, which he hoped would be made on Tuesday next. ■ The Hon. J. JOHNSTON asked tho Colonial Secretary,—lf he will lay on the table of the Council the written recommendation to his Excellency the Governor, to appoint the new members to the Council, with the memoranda (if any) which his Excellency may have made thereon ? The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said that to adopt the course indicated in the question would he to lay bare a confidential communication to his Excellency, which course he thought would be indecent on the part of the Government. If, however, the hon. gentleman would move that an address be presented to his Excellency to produce those papers, the Government would not oppose such a motion. COMMITTEES. The Library Committee and the Joint Committee on Bills were appointed on the motion of tho Hon. Mr. Mantell- and the Hon. Major Richmond. ADDRESS IN REPLY. The Hon. : J. N. WCLSON in rising to move the address in reply said he should follow the example of the speech as to it« brevity.' The hon. gentleman went seriatim through the paragraphs of the address. He should bo sorry to imagine that a day could ever come when her Majesty’s representative would be received with other than loyal demonstrations. He eulogised the conduct of the Government to the natives, and referring to tho large sum of money spent on native lands he trusted the Government would see that full value was received for the money expended. As to the Native Land Bill, if the Native Misister did nothing but pass that Bill he would do a great thing. Referring to the defences, it was to be hoped that the proposals would be adopted,and would prove satisfactory. As to electoral reform he thought there was no great necessity for such ’ a measure seeing the apathy ’at present displayed by those entitled to the franchise. Mr. Wilson was glad the Government were about to move in the direction of legal reform. He touched upon the subject of steam communication and railway matters; and as to taxation, land should be taxed on some equitable basis, and a part of the burden removed from those who had hitherto borne it. It was a very difficult question, but he trusted it would be dealt with satisfactorily. He moved the adoption of the address on; the grounds that the programme of the Government was a reasonable one ; there was nothing startling in it; nor were there any promises which could not be performed. As much work was promised, he thought, ns the Parliament would be able to get through that session, and were the programme of the Government carried* out he believed the colony would be satisfied with the work done-

The Hon. Mr. BUCKLEY had great pleasure in seconding the motion. It would be impossible with his limited experience to do justice to a speech which contained so much that was good. He would liken the speech to a large and magnificent lamp. Agreeing with what hod fallen from the mover, he was surprised that so much had been effected with tho natives in so short a time, and he was pleased to see the Government did not take all the credit. He thought the conduct of. Sir D. McLean in dealing with the native race was an exhibition of the suaviler in modo, and Colonel Whitmore’s the fortiter in re. He was pleased to understand that the railway would be proceeded with from Auckland to Taranaki, and hoped that it would soon be extended on to Wellington. That would bring members attending the session nearer to their homes. He considered great care had been taken by the Government in the event of wai, and greatly admired the expression in the speech, “ New Zealand accepted the duty.” He was personally gratified to know that there was an intention of reform in the direction of legal matters. He thought there was great room for improvement in the Resident Magistrates’ Courts; as’ far as his own experience went he considered these Courts anything but creditable. The expense of litigation in the Supreme Court should be curtailed. The subject of education had been too lightly dismissed. IE to work an injustice to a portion of the community was immaterial, then he did not know what was material. He was surprised that the matter had been treated so lightly. Socialism was rampant in Prussia, Nihilism in Russia, and some other ism in America, and he thought that before long the influence of the system of education which was being pursued here would be felt. Turning to the root of all evil (gold), and looking at the great bgnefits which the colony had derived from the gold miners, he thought that a portion of the Waimate Plains should be reserved for their benefit. After some remarks from the Hon. Colonel Brett, The Hon. Mr. HALL concurred in some parts of the address. The hon. gentleman criticised the speech at some length. He thanght injustice had been done to Sir Donald McLean. Some reference to the eminent services of that gentleman should have been embodied in the speech. Such would have found an echo in the hearts of the people, and in those ,of the Maori members of that House. He approved of the steps taken towards defence ; but he was of opinion that had not war been happily averted the action of the Government would have been all too late; and a strong feeling to that effect existed in the part of the country to which he belonged, Mr. Hail characterised the changes in the Public Works Department, and in the police, as unfavorable to Canterbury. He looked to see further reasons given for the appointment of a Royal Commission on the New Zealand University.; He did not think such was required. The Hon, Mr. HART deprecated any change in the franchise, mentioning Boss Tweed and Morrissey as instances of tho effect of . manhood suffrage.

The Hon. Dr. POLLEN took exception to the address for tho same reason as Mr. Hall, had expressed in much better terms than he could have used. The only remarks he would trouble the House with were as to tho settlement of the native question. He entirely agreed with tho observation which had been made by ,Mr. Hall on the subject, that there had been, a want of consideration and generosity what he might venture to call egoism exhibited in the construction of the particular passages to which he referred. Notwithstanding what Mr. Buckley had stated, he did not agree that Ministers had not taken the whole credit for their arrangements with that portion of the native race which had been so long estranged. If words had any meaning, there was an absolute assumption of the whole credit in the settlement of the native difficulty. The speech stated that peaceful relations had at last been established with the Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto tribes. Ho took exception to tho words, "at last,” Ho was not aware (and he had as good opportunities of obtaining information as had any hon. member in the House) that for several years past there had been any other relations than those of a peaceful character between those large bodies of natives and the Government in this colony. Riots and infractions of the law there had been, and there would be, as was the case amongst Europeans; but such movements should not bo regarded as disturbances of tho peaceful relations between tho races,' Why, : f the public journals were to bo credited, there had been on tho very ground whore this auspicious meeting had been held breaches of the peace, audit had been found convenient to remove from Waitara the guardians of the public peace. This ho thought had been done for tho safety of tho policemen. After some further remarks. Dr. Pollen concluded by again deprecating the appropriation of all the credit and tho omission of any reference in the speech to the services of Sir Donald McLean. ,

The Hon. Sir, D. BELL spoko generally in favor of the adoption of the address. He thought the memory of Sir Donald McLean had teen sufficiently vindicated. • The Hon. Mr. SOTLAND having spoken, The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE thought the Government had reason to be gratified with the reception which tho speech had met with. He explained that no slight had been intended to tho memory of Sir Donald McLean by the use of tho words “ at last,” and said it was not usual for Ministers to refer to the eon. duct of their predecessors. He warmly took credit for the success which bo. considered the Government had achieved in the settlement of the native difficulty. After replying to various

criticisms, the hon. gentleman said if no other reason could be shown for the appointment of a Royal Commission on the New Zealand University, it was sufficient they had the disposal of a large sum of public money, and therefore their actions should be subject to review. The motion for the adoption of the address was then agreed to, and The Hon. the SPEAKER intimated that so soon as he had ascertained when it,would be convenient to his Excellency to receive the address, he would inform the Council. Ths Council then (5.20 p.m ) adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 31. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. NEW MEMBER. Mr. REEVES, the member for Grey Valley, took the oaths and his seat. PETITIONS. A large number of petitions were presented. NOTICES. Notices of question and motion were given by Messrs. Sharp, Stevens, Wood, Shrimski, O’Rorke, Hursthouse, Bowen, and Wasoa. PAPERS. Sir GEORGE GREY laid on the table various papers, including one relating to the defence of the ports of New Zealand. HON. MR. NAHE. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN moved that leave of absence be granted to the Hon. Mr. Nahe on urgent private business. The Hon, Mr. POX wished to inquire whether there was any truth in the newspaper reports in respect to the conduct of Mr. Nahe, which, if correct, seemed to point to disloyalty on the part of that gentleman towards his colleagues and the people of New Zealand. In this connection he recalled tho attention of the Hon. Native Minister to conversations at the end of last session in respect to tho Aroha Block, and regretted that the hopes then held of an immediate settlement had not been realised. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN was glad the question had been asked, as it gave him an opportunity of explaining away what were no doubt very serious charges against the Hon. Mr. Nahe. The fact was that in reference to the Aroha Block Mr. Nahe had given every assistance to the Government, and in consequence of his action the matter had been brought before the Native Lands Court. Of 61,000 acres judgment iu favor of the Government as to 55,000 acres had been given, and the Government had large interests in tho remainder. The charge that his colleague had opposed the Government was without foundation ; he had merely protected his own personal rights against the claims of other natives, and he (Mr. Sheehan) had yet to learn that a person joining the Government did so to the prejudice of his private estate. The matter was nearly settled now. - The Hon. Mr. EOX said the explanation was satisfactory. Motion agreed to, and leave given. LICENSING LAW. ' The Hon, Mr. FOX, in reference to the question of which he had given notice, — Whether the Government intend to introduce a Bill for the amendment of the law relating to the common sale of intoxicating liquors ; and, if eo, when the same will be laid before the House—said he observed among the notices one by the Minister of Justice for the introduction- of a Licensing BUI. Therefore he should withdraw the question. LOTTERIES AND GAMBLING. In answer to Mr. Fox, The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said a Bill dealing with this subject would be introduced immediately in the other House. JAPANESE COMMISSIONERS. The Hon. Mr. FOX called the attention of the Government to the fact that commissioners from Japan had arrived in Australia, with the intention of making arrangements to establish a trade in wool between the, Australian colonies and Japan,' and asked the Government whether they diet not consider it expedient to communicate with the oommissiohers to induce them to extend their visit to New Zealand,- and to place facilities in their way to enable them to do so ? Ho thought the House would agree with him that this question opened up a matter of considerable importance.- "Wool had become the largest article of export from the colony, and if anything could be done to extend our markets, the most energetic steps should at once be taken in that direction. He only knew of the opmmissioners that which the papers related. It seemed there were four of them ; one was sent by the Government of Japan, and the other three by bodies representing the commerce of the country; and their object was to enter into negotiations for a supply of Australian wools to Japan. Indeed so determined were they to open up a trade that warehouses had actually been built for the reception of wool from the colonies. Looking at the character of the nation and its recent past history, he felt sure the Government would see the desirableness of inviting the commissioners here, and treating them iu a manner worthy of their position and the great country they represented. Sir GEORGE GREY : The Government have at present no information on the subject. They will make inquiries, and will then take the matter into consideration. BANKRUPTCY LAW. In reply to Mr. Hunter, The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said the Government proposed to introduce a Bill amending certain defects iu the present bankruptcy laws, but had no idea of malting any great changes. "WELLINGTON GUNPOWDER MAGAZINE. Mr. HUNTER asked the Minister for Public Works, —When the Government propose removing tho gunpowder magazine, at present situated in a > densely-populated locality in the city of Wellington, to a more suitable place 2 The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW regretted there had been delay, but said there was a sum on the Estimates to defray the cost of the removal of the magazine to the site already fixed upon. The work would be proceeded with immediately and the present magazine site would be sold. WELLINGTON POLICE MATTERS. Mr. BARTON asked the Minister of Justice, —Whether the Government are willing to lay before this House the correspondence between the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. Shearman (Commissioner of Police), the Government, and the questioner ? Tho Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN: Tea; the correspondence will be placed on the table. Mr. JOHNSTON inquired of the Premier, on the Estimates this session as a grant in aid of Roman Catholic schools? He proceeded to read the remarks made on this point by the Premier when addressing a public meeting in Wellington, in which ho asserted tho right of tho Roman Catholics to special consideration. The SPEAKER said it was out of order to introduce debateable matter when putting a question. Mr, JOHNSTON said in that case he would merely call the attention of the Premier to his utterances before the electors, and ask the question. Sir GEORGE GREY said it was not the intention of the Government to make special provision for any denominational schools. THE ISLAND OE KAWAO. Mr. JOHNSTON asked the Premier, — Within what county is the island of Kawan, and what is the amount of the rates thereon in tho last financial year 2 Sir GEORGE GREY: I shall have great pleasure in directing that a map of the North Island of New Zealand, showing tho various counties, shall be forwarded to the hon. member. Ho will thus gain the information asked for in the first part of the question, and may also gain other valuable information of which he is at present ignorant. In regard to the other part of the question, a return has been moved for to-day which will give all tho information asked for. MAORI RESERVES, OREYMOUTH. Mr. WOOLCOCK asked theNativo Minister —lf it is the intention of tho Government to bring in a Bill during the present session dealing with the question of Maori reserves at Greymouth 2 ‘ : Tho Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said a Bill would be introduced to givo eject to arrangements made. The reserves would not bo sold. RAILWAY TO WEST COAST OP MIDDLE ISLAND. Mr. WOOLCOCK asked- tho Minister for Public Works, —lf it is the intention of the. Government, during this session, to ask for an appropriation towards the construction of tho railway between Brunnerton and Amberley, and thereby connecting the East and West Const of the Middle Island by rail 2 Tho Hon. Mr. MACANDREW said he would shortly submit a Public Works Statement which would give full information on this and all other matters connected with the railways of the colony. - -MEW BILLS. The following new Bills were introduced : By Mr. Hunter : A Bill to authorise tho Reclamation of Land in tho Harbor of Port Nicholson. By Mr. Montgomery : A Bill for tho continuance of tho Ellesmere oiud For--1 sytb Roclaioatioq aad Akaroa Railway Irust

Act, 1876, and to authorise the trust constituted thereunder to construct a railway, and to make a further endowment for the construction of the said railway. The Bills were read a first time and second readings fixed. IMMIGRATION EXPENDITURE.

The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE moved,—For a return of the colonial expenditure for the last eight financial years on free immigration, assisted immigration, and nominated immigration, respectively; also, showing the amount of arrears, if any, due to the Government on the 30th day of June last on account of assisted immigration and nominated immigration, and the dates on -which such arrears became due. The Hon. Mr. STOUT said there was no objection to the return, but it would be very costly, and could not be presented this session, as information would be required: from I. ondon before it could be completed. The hen. member might, when the usual immigration report was presented, find the return .unnecessary. ME WAS ON moved the adjournment of the debate. He could not see the use of the return. i The debate was adjourned for a fortnight. ■AD VALOREM DUTIES. The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE moved,—For a return showing the quantity and value of articles imported into and exported from New Zealand during the calendar year 1877 and the first half of the year 1878. Also, a return of amount of duty collected on ad valorem articles during the last four financial years respectively. Also, a comparative return forthe last four financial years, showing the Customs receipts during each year, under the several heads of spirits, tobacco, tea, sugar, and ad valorem, showing the increase or decrease under each head for each year; -also, similarly, for wine, beer, fruits (dried), andother fixed duties. It would, be convenient at this juncture to have the information in tjie form of a Parliamentary paper. Sir GEORGE GREY would be very glad to bars the return prepared. It was already partly prepared, but some of the information could not bo obtained for a couple of months. The motion was amended to allow of the first part of the return beiog presented at once. LOCAL BODIES’ EXPENDITURE, LOANS, AND ENDOWMENTS. . The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE moved,-—For a return showing, at the end of June, 1878, for all Borough Councils, County Councils, Road Boards, Harbor. Boards, and River Boards in the colony, the annual income and expenditure (distinguishing departmental from other expenditure), of each such local body, its sources of income, the rateage levied, .the amount of its liabilities, its overdraft and outstanding loans (if auy), and the total amount of loan (if any) which it is authorised by law to raise. Also, a return of the extent and position of the endowment reserves (if any) of each local body, with an estimate of the preeent market value of such reserves if they were for sale. It was important to have this information, though it might be rather difficult to obtain. The Hon.. Mr. STOUT said the work would be a good.deal simplified if the word “March” were substituted for “ July.” The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON remarked that some of the bodies made up their accounts in July. The Hon. Mr. STOUT said the only returns the Government had were up to March. , The motion as amended was agreed to.' DISTRICT COURT, HAWKE'S BAT. Mr. SUTTON moved, —That all correspondence having reference to the re-establishment of the District Court in Hawke’s Bay be laid before this House. He moved in the matter because the office was entirely unnecessary, and he understood it was intended to appoint a District Judge to Hawke’s Bay. An efficient Resident Magistrate was all that was required. . The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said there was no correspondence.’ The matter could be discussed when the Estimates came up. NATIVE LAND PURCHASES. Sir. SUTTON moved, —For a return of all lauds that have been proclaimed as under negotiation by Government under the Government Native Land Purchases Act, 1877, specifying in each case the acreage, as nearly as can be ascertained,and the amount advanced thereon. Agreed to. RAILWAY RESERVES. Mr. WOODCOCK moved, —For a return, in detail, shelving the amount of Crown lands and present market value of the same that have been reserved and set aside for railways and harbors, also for local purposes, connected with various local governing bodies, since the 30th June, 1877. Mr. WASON thought the return would be expensive and unnecessary. The information might be included in the return moved for by the hon. member for Totara. The Hon. Mr. STOUT was somewhat of the same opinion, and asked the hon. member to consent to tlio information being included in the return spoken off. Sir R. DOUGLAS hoped the return would be presented as moved for. It was desirable that the fullest information should be afforded. Motion agreed to. members’ honorarium. Mr. WOODCOCK moved, —For a return of the amount left in the Treasury, due to members ns honorarium from last session, together with the names of the gentlemen by whom left. They heard a great deal about patriotism and the necessity for economy. It was said there had been great savings, and he wished to know to what extent the saving had been from the source mentioned in the motion. The country would also like to know who the patriots were, in order that they might be fully appreciated. Motion agreed to. PUBLIC LIBRARIES. Mr. WAKEFIELD moved, —For a return showing the names of the public libraries which have received subsidies under the Public Libraries Act, 1877, and the ■ amount awarded to each. He wished to know what had been the effect of the Bill he promoted last session.. It would bo valuable in view of the proposition of the hon. member for Onehunga to consolidate the law on the subject. Mr. O’RORKE seconded. Agreed to. MERCANTILE LAW FORTH EH AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Mr. STOUT said the Bill was merely intended to provide that a bill of exchange should bo deemed to be validly accepted if signed by the drawee. It followed a change . in the English law, rendered necessary by a recent decision. The Bill was read a second time. TRADE UNION BILL. The Hon Mr. STOUT moved the second reading of this Bill, and said it was intended to introduce into this colony the hiw at present existing in England, with alight verbal alterations to meet the different circumstances. There wore trade unions existing in the colony and the Government thought it wise to recognise them, because they did not see anything improper in persons having labor to dispose of being enabled to combine to fix the price at which they should dispose of it, any more than it was improper for shareholders in a company to decide at what price they should sell their shares. Ho explained the technical provisions of the Bill, and moved its second reading. Mr. BOWEN‘admitted the arguments of the Attorney-General, and remarked-that the only danger to be apprehended .was that persons in a union would force others not agreeing with them to conform to their rules] He did not think there was any danger of that in New Zealand, and should support the BUI. He would call the attention of the AttorneyGeneral to the unsatisfactory state of one kind of trade union in this colony, viz., tho Law Society. It had made a show of action, but nothing more. Hole-and-corner meetings were held, and decisions arrived at unsatisfactory often to the general body of the profession, and when tho Government wanted assistance from tho society it could never bo had. Mr. HANDERS complimented tho Attor-ney-General upon the Bill, and said ho considered it would tend to raise tho tone of tho working classes, and make things more pleasant for both employers and employes. Mr. MURRAY thought the Bill-should be referred to a select committee. He was aware of tho rather extreme opinions of the AttorneyGeneral. Tho Hon.Mr.STOUT remarked that tho Act was in forco in England. Ho had no objection to tho postponement of tho committal of tho Bill for a day or two, but thought it unneossary to send it to a select committee. (Hear, hear). As to tho remarks of tho hon. member tor Kaiapoi with regard to the Law Society, he was not aware it bad been a failure. Nor was he awaro of any holo-and-oornor proceedings. The meetings were always open to the Press. One thing he admitted. There was not so much unity among tho lawyers in this ‘colony as there should ho, and as there was in other places; neither had tho Bap: been treated with proper consideration by the Government. . The Civil Service was considered before the Bar, and the rights of the latter bad been repeatedly passed over, • Sill rea4 a eocood time.

* / ' 1 SUPPLY. . ; The Hon. Mr. B AI/LANCE gave notice o! hie intention tn,move the consideration of the financial portions of his Excellency’s speech next day, when he should introduce an Imprest Supply Bill. The -House then adjourned till next day at 2.30 pm. : :