PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5794, 24 October 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, October 23. The Hob. the Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. GENERAL. The usual number of petitions, papers, and reports were laid upon the table, and notices of motion WELLINGTON HIGHWAY BOARDS. The lion Mr. \V A.TKRHO CIS E gave notice to introduce a Bill to provide for the election of Highway Hoards in the provincial district of Wellington. DEFERRED-PAYMENT LAND. The Hon. Sir F. T). RKLU asked the At-torney-General,—Whether the Government will consider the expediency of postponing the sale of any deferred-payment land until Parliament shall have decided upon the Hand Act Amendment Bill now before the House of Representatives ? The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER said the Government intended to open no more land to sale on deferred payment till after the close of the present session. THE WELL7NGTON-HUTT RAILWAY. The Hon. Captain FRASER asked the At-torney-General,—Whether the railway authorities have sanctioned the express rate of speed at which the Featherston train travels between Petone and Wellington ? The hon. mover said he was not solicitioua on this question on his own behalf—it mattered little whether he left this world to-day or to-morrow—but on behalf of a great number of people whose lives were endangered by the unsafe rate of speed at which the trains were run between Wellington and the Hutt. On Saturday afternoon last the speed attained was over thirty miles an hour—an insane velocity—which was obviously dangerous on a series of sharp curves. The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER said the Government were informed that the ordinary maximum speed was about twenty miles an hour, but in passing curves only twelve miles an hour. They were assured this rule was never departed from. (Oh, oh ) The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE said the dangerous rate of speed on the Hutt line was a subject of constant comment. If there were instructions they were not adhered to. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE thought even if the trains were run fast, they were perfectly safe. The matter dropped. NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY RESERVES.

The Hon. Mr. MILLER movedthatapetition from the University of New Zealand, praying that its reserves should at once be made available for the purposes of higher education in the different districts, be referred to a select committee for consideration. In a short discussion which ensued the Hon. Dr. GRACE said the University of New Zealand had been thwarted and ill-treated by every successive Government, because the institution had invariably declined to lend itself to passing party interests, hut had steadfastly endeavored to work solely for the high objects for which it was founded. The motion was carried. All other business being postponed, the Council rose at 3.20. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, October 23. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. GENERAL. Several petitions were presented, notices of motion given, and returns laid on the table. QUESTIONS. In answer to a question by Mr. PITT, the Hon. Mr. Rolleston said the Government intended during the session to introduce an amended land Act, which would give increased facilities for the settlement of land. Mr. SUTTON asked the Government, — Whether they will lay before this House a return of all sums paid to Ministers for house allowance, travelling allowance, or any other payments in excess of salary, since Ist July, 1878 ?—The return asked for was laid upon the table. Mr. SHTTON asked the Government, — What is the nature of the services at present performed by Mr. John White; what is his salary, and out of what vote is it paid ? The Hon. Mr. BRYCE replied that he was employed in connection with the natives as interpreter, that his salary was £450, paid out of contingencies at present, but it was intended 'to place the amount on the Estimates. Mr. J. B. FISHER asked the Premier, — Whether the Government recognise the necessity and justice of their taking over and maintaining the main lines of road on the West Coast of the Middle Island? (2) Whether the Government are aware that the Buffer County Council has not, and cannot raise, sufficient revenue for maintaining existing roads within the county, and that great loss is annually accruing to the colony from the inability of this county to assist in developing its resources by making short tracks connecting new and proved goldfields with the centres of trade and population? (3) Whether the Government are aware that new, rich, and proved goldfields are lying unproductive in the Buffer County for want of a few hundred pounds to make roads to them ? Mr. J. B. FISHER asked the Minister of Mines, —Whether the Government are aware that great and unnecessary injury is being done to the gold-mining industry by the withdrawal of lands upon the Nelson south-west goldfields from occupation, notice whereof is given in the Gazettes of 20th June and 27th December, 1379 ? Also, whether Government will cause inquiry to be made by impartial and disinterested persons ; and, if the foregoing suggestion is proved, i.hey will throw the lands again open for occupation by miners ? The Hon. Mr. OLIVER replied that instructions had been given that a report such as that proposed should be made. In answer to Mr. Hislop,— Whether the Government intend to remove from Christchurch to Dunedin the Departments of the Commissioner, the Accountant, and the Cashier of the Middle Island railways, or any of these departments ; and if so, when such removal may be expected to take place?—the Hon. Mr. Oliver said the matter had not been decided yet. In answer to a question by Sir G. Grey, — Whether he will request the Governor to permit correspondence with late Ministers regarding their resignations to be presented to Parliament ?—the Hon. John Hall replied that there would be no objection whatever to do so.

In answer to a question by Mr. Shephard, —Whether the Government will consider the advisability of making such an alteration in the mode of distributing the subsidies to counties and road districts as will apportion them according to the number of miles of road to be maintained, instead of, as at present, in proportion to the amount of rates collected ? the Hon. John Hall said the subject was a large one, aud would receive the consideration of the Government.

Major HARRIS asked the Minister in charge of the Marine Department,—lf he will lay before this House a return showing all moneys received by the Government from individual Ministers for the use of the steamer Luna in entertaining their friends in Wellington Harbor ?

The Hon. Majer ATKINSON said he believed that at the time referred to the Luna was under the charge of the -Native and not the Marine Department. He would however obtain the information sought for as early as possible. Mr. WHYTE asked the Government,—-If, in the event of the Five Million Loan being obtained, they will cause a sufficient sum to be placed on the Estimates for the construction of the Cambridge branch railway 1 _ The Hon. Mr. OLIVER replied that no provision had been made, but the Government thought it was a line well worthy of consideration.

Mr, ORMOND asked the Government, —If a return will be furnished of the amounts paid isince the 30tb June, 1877, for services ren-

dered by permanent officers or others, in connection with the purchase of native land?, and charger] to native land purchase voto_; ouch return to give the nature of the service rendered in each case ? Mr. BRYCE replied that there would be no objection at all.

THE NO-CONFID'NCE MOTION'. Before proceeding to the introducing of new Bil'a, The Hon Mr. HALL said it would be remembered that on the last sitting day he had stated that he would on Thursday state what position tire Government intended to take with regar 1 to the want of confidence motion of the liolr. member for Port Chalmers. Looking at the fact chat there was a good deal of private briHinessbrn the Order Paper they would not be prepared to take it then, but if that private business was allowed to be gone on with, the Government would consent to take the motion on the following (this) day. Mr. MAGANDKEW did not think it \sould be right to interfere with the private business of the members ; at the same time he had a very strong feeling that they were not doing right in going on with any business whatever before this motion of his was decided. He would not, however, object to the private business being taken, but would object to any public Bills being brought forward. The Hon. Mr. H ALL replied that all public business would be postponed. NEW BILE. A Bill to grant an Endowment to the Harbor Board at Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay. (In committee.) NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. HURSTHOU3E moved, —Eor a return showing the amount of money spent on public works on tire West Const of the Middle Island, from the 31st June, 1872, to the Ist October, 1877. Mr. SEDDON moved as an amendment that the dates be extended from Ist October, 1877, to Ist October, 1879, and that they go back from 31st June, 1872, to 31st June, 1870. The amendment was carried. Mr. George’s motion with regard to sitting on Saturdays was withdrawn. Mr. GIBBS moved, —That in the opinion of this House the gold duty should be reduced by Is. per ounce. Mr. SEODON thought the gold duty ought to be altogether abolished, but he was not prepared to advocate that step immediately. He moved as an amendment that the gold duty be reduced at the rate of Is. per ounce per annum, until the whole duty is abolished. The first reduction to take place on the Ist of January, 1880. Mr, SHEPHARD seconded the amendment, and Mr. Gisborne trusted the House would pass it. The Hon. Major ATKINSON would suggest the adjournment of the debate, in order that he might make himself fully acquainted with the facts of the case. The Government would not allow the motion to pass without first informing the House that the duty was allocated to local bodies. He did not propose to go into the general question now, though the subject was one of great importance. Mr. GIBBS was willing to accept the adjournment, hut Mr. Seddon opposed it, as did also Mr. Reeves, who would go further than his hou. friend Mr. Seddon, and say take off the tax at once, and then the House would be compelled to place something in the way of subsidies for the local holies referred to. Mr. J. B. FISHER strongly cupported the amendment, as did likewise Mr. Finn and Mr. Speight. The debate was adjourned until Thursday next, and the House adjourned at 6 30. ORDERS or THE DAT. The Orders of the Day were proceeded with on the House resuming at half-past seven o’clock. Mr. BRANDON moved the second reading of the Land Transfer Act, 1870, and Amendment Act, 1876, Amendment Bill, which was agreed to, and the Bill ordered to be committed that day week. Mr. SHRIMSKI moved the committal of the Oamaru Waterworks Act, 1875, Amendment Bill.—Agreed to, and Bill considered in committee and reported to the House without amendments. It was then read a third time, and passed. Mr. FULTON moved the second reading of the Hawke's Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, 1868, Amendment Bill. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill ordered to be committed next Thursday. Mr. ACTON ADAMS moved the second reading of the Licensing Further Amendment Bill (No. 2). The whole Bill was confined to classifying the licenses and equalising the fees. He hoped that before he asked the Bill to be committed that the result of the deliberations of the conference of publicans, shortly about to assemble in Wellington, would be known to the House, so that they might be made aware of their opinions on the subject. The question of details he would be prepared to discuss when they went into committee. The Hon. JOHN HALL agreed with the mover that it was quite time that the licensing law was amended. They could not deal with the whole question this session, but there was no reason why the law should not be equalised as intended by the Bill introduced by Mr. Adams, although he did not agree with all the clauses contained in that Bill. Mr. GISBORNE would like to know what the City Councils and other local bodies had to say before lowering the price of the licenses. A discussion ensued, in which the following members took part : Messrs. Gisborne, Hursthouse, Tole, Speight, Pitt, Saunders (who said he should vote against the second reading), Colonel Trimble, Captain Russell, Hutchison, DeLautour, Fulton, and Tainui (who said he wished to exclude the sale of liquors from his district). Mr. DOWNIE STEWART moved that the Bill be read that day six months. Mr. MURRAY moved that the debate be adjourned. Mr. AOTON ADAMS replied at some length. Mr. MURRAY (withdrew the motion for adjournment. The amendment of Mr. Stewart was then put, and declared to be carried, but on a division being taken it resulted in 33 ayes ; 26 noes. The following is the division list - Ayes, 33. Adams (teller) Levin Stevens A tkinson Lnndon Sutton Bain McCaughan Swanson Colbeok McLean Tawhai Hall Moss Te Wheoro Hamlin Ormond To'e Harris Pitt Tomoana Hurst. "W. J. Richmond Trimble (teller) Hursthouse Rolleston Whitaker Johnston Sheehan White Kelly Shephard Willis Noes. 26. Allwright Gisborne Pyke Andrews (teller) Hislop Russell Ballance Hutchison Saunders Barron Ireland Shrimski Do Lautour Macandrew Speight ■Dick Mason Tainui Finn Masters Thomson Fisher, J. T. Montgomery Turnbull George Murray (toller)

Ou the motion of Mr. Baih the New River Pilot Station Reserve Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed that day week. Mr. HURST moved the second reading of the Auckland Free Public Library Aid Bill, and explained that the object of the Bill was to transfer what was known as the Auckland Mechanics’ Institute to the custody of the Auckland City Council. All the trustees agreed with the transfer. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill ordered to be committed next Wednesday. Mr. WRIGHT moved the second reading of the Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bill, and in doing so explained that it was altogether of a permissive character, and could not be brought into operation without the consent of a majority of the ratepayers and settlers. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday. BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. Mr. BEEVES said before the business went on he rose to a question of a breach of privilege. He had heard that ha (Mr. Reeves) had left his party, aud gone over to the other side. He had also received a letter, dated Government Buildings, from an exmember of the House. This letter recommended him to “ turn over” aqd support the Government, as it would be better for himself and his constituents. That letter was from Mr. Woolcock. To that letter he had replied that he had never seen so much moral turpitude in so few a number of words in his life. (Applause.) He would move that the letter lie on the table. The Hon. JOHN HALL did not see that the letter in question was a breach of privilege at all ; and so far as the advice was concerned he thought it might be very good. (Laughter.) Mr. SHRIMSKI thought it was a breach of privilege. Mr. Woolcock had been at the dour of the House button-holing the various members, and asking them to go over to the other side. Mr. PYKB also thought it was a breach of privilege, and might even be looked upon as semi-official, and perhaps partly inspired, seeing that it was dated Government Build-

lugs. He would, however, ask that the correspondence should not lie laid upon the table, as it would be giving far t >, much prominence to a very insignificant individual. (Applause.) After a few words from Mr. SPEIQHT, the motion was withdrawn. ORIELS RESUMED. M. PITT moved the second reading of the Keddent Magistrates Act, 1867, Amendment Bill.—Agreed to. Mr. LEVIN' hr.oved the second reading of the Wellington Harbor Board Pull, and in doing so said that the City Council bad no doubt done all they could in improving the harbor accommodation, but they had been utterly unable to meet the requirements of the case. ” Other ports wete fast getting more attractive, but in Wellington they had not kept pace with the times. It was felt that an independent Harbor Board was required, and even the City Council was of a similar opinion, as they had expressed their intention to support the Bill. It was a colonial work, and he trusted the Bill would meet with the support of the House, (Applause.) Mr. HUTCHISON said it was an exceedingly unpleasant thing for him to have to oppose the reading of the Bill introduced by his bon. colleague. There was no necessity whatever for the institution of this Harbor Board. It had become acknowledged by thinkers that one good local Board was better than three or four small ones. He was only alluding to, and not doing full justice to the principle. If another Board was set up, it meant the expense of a large of money, which was quite unnecessary. They ought not to spend any money that was not necessary in the interests of the public. If they had two bodies the public would suffer. His colleague had not proved how the public interests had suffered through the work of the harbor being carried on by the City Council. He contended that the Wellington harbor was the cheapest managed port of any of the chief ports in the colony. That was not an instance of mismanagement. This Bill was promoted en'irely by the Chamber of Commerce. It was true it was composed entirely of 100 members — among whom it was also true there were some of the richest merchants in the city. Practically there were not more than 30 active members. He contended that they had not fallen off in the race, and that the harbor affairs had been well managed by the City Council. The Chamber of Commerce was a very respectable body, but there could be little doubt that they wished this Board formed to suit their own interests. They talked about borrowing £IOO,OOO, and they had not 100,000 shillings to offer as security. It was true the General Government had a wharf, and might feel inclined to hand it over to the Harbor Board, but he could only say if they did so they would find it a white elephant. They would not feel inclined to give up the wharf unless they were ordered to do so by the House in its wisdom, and he did not think they would be. With regard to the Te Aro Reclamation, they did not intend to give it up to the Harbor Board, but to keep it as an endowment upon the City of Wellington. He had no hesitation in saying that the people of Wellington were opposed to the proposed change. Colonel TRIMBLE would strongly support the motion for the second reading. As a stranger to Wellington, he could not fail to see that the Port of Wellington must become the emporium of the colony. The City Council might, no doubt, be able to look after the City of Wellington, but they were not the proper body to have the management of Wellington harbor. The hon. gentleman proceeded at some length to point out the advantages that would accrue from the establishment of the proposed harbor board. Mr. LEVI NT replied, and said he was quite sure he was doing what was the beat for the interests of the City of Wellington, and replied at length to the remarks of Mr. Hutchison. The Bill was then read a second time, Mr. Hutchison being the only dissentient, and the House adjourned at a quarter to one.