PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5800, 31 October 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

legislative council. Thursday, October 30. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at half-past two o'clock. general. Several petitions, reports, and papers wore presented. Among tlie notices of motion was one by the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, to introduce a Bill for the Destruction of Babbits.—Colonel Whitmore said he would next day ask what the Government intended to do relative to their hanking account.—The Hon. Sir F. Bell gave notice to move that the report of the Kailway Contracts Committee be communicated by message to the other House.—The Hon. Mr. Whitaker gave notice to introduce a Bill to Amend and Extend the Leases and Sales of Settled Estates Aet, 1865. LOCAL industries. The Hon. Mr. CHAMBER BIN asked the Attorney-General,—Whether the Government purpose introducing any measure to afford protection to colonial industries ? The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER : The question involves "rent financial considerations. The whole subject of the finance of the colony is now under the consideration of the Government, especially this question of local industries.’ This particular question is now being considered by a committee of the Lower House, and I am therefore unable to give the hon. gentleman an answer at present. When the Colonial Treasurer delivers his Financial Statement, he will, I believe, make a reference to the question. constitution of the council. The Hon. Dr. MENZIES asked the Attorney General,— Whether the Government intend to bring in any Bill proposing to_ alter the constitution of the Legislative Council ? The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER : The Governmeut have no intention at present to propose any alteration whatever in the constitution of the Council. NEW BILLS. The following measures introduced by Mr. Whitaker were read a first time : —.Bills for the Suppression of Gaming and Betting Houses, and for the more effectual Abolition of Lotteries ; to Amend the District Courts Act, 1858 ; for the better Protection of Fish, Oysters, and Seals, and the Preservation of Fisheries • to give effect in New Zealand to Probates ’ and Letters of Administration in other Australasian Colonies. ° LUNATIC ASYLUMS. The Hon. Captain FRASER moved,—That, considering the number of patients at present in the lunatic asylums of Canterbury, Otago, and Wellington, this Council is of opinion that the Government should take the necessary steps for securing the services of properly qualified medical practitioners for the purpose of filling the situations of medical superintendents of the lunatic asylums of Canterbury, Otago, and Wellington. The hon. member stated the position in which the inspecting of lunatic asylums now stood. He felt assured that nothing had been done to improve the condition of affairs concerning the insane of the colony for ten years, although ten years ago Dr. Paley (brought to New Zealand specially to report on the lunatic asylums) had strongly recommended the appointment of a medical inspector. The speaker drew attention to the fact that no proper means were taken in the Dunedin Asylum to ascertain when patients were suffering from consumption and cognate diseases. He quoted the reports of Dr. Skae to show the lamentable condition in which the asylums of the colony were. After pointing out the state of other asylums in New Zealand, Captain Fraser said he had visited that of Wellington, and he drew an unfavorable picture of the accommodation —or want of it —in that place. Fifty women were lodged in a space which could only properly accommodate twenty-five ; the only bath in the establishment was used for washing linen, &c. He had not included Auckland in his motion, as the asylum there was excellently provided as to officers. The hon. gentleman concluded by stating it was the last time he would have the opportunity of raising his voice on behalf of those unfortunate people. They were not roads, nor railways, nor bridges, therefore no one troubled much about them, but it was the duty of the Government to look to the condition of the lunatic asylums of New Zealand. The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER having concurred in the propriety of the motion, The Hon. Dr. MENZIES supported it, advocating the cottage system. The Hon. G. BUCKLEY animadverted on the neglect o! previous Governments. He would move the addition of the following words to the motion “ And recommend that alterations and additions for the improvement of the various lunatic asylums of the colony should receive the immediate consideration of the Government.” , , The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE defended the late Government in the matter, laying the blame on tho Provincial Governments, and reciting what had been done by the Government to which he belonged. Sir F. D. BELL considered it was shameful that the asylums had been allowed to get into a bad state. Upon the late Government lay the blame for the present condition of things. This was one of the principal factors which had helped to throw out that Go-

vernment. The Hon. Dr. GRACE pointed out that it was unanimously, it might be said, agreed that the successful treatment of the insane depended on the efforts of medical men resident in asylums. Aloney spent on the visits of medical men to asylums was simply wasted. [The hon. speaker was interrupted by the clock striking 4, when by the standing orders it is necessary to proceed to the orders of the day.] 'Debate adjourned. HABITUAL DRUNKARDS BILL.

The second reading of the Habitual Drunkards Bill was moved by the Hon. Air. Whitaker, and seconded by tho Hon. Colonel Whitmore. The Hon. Air. WATERHOUSE criticised seme of the provisions of the Bill adversely. The compulsory clause would, he contended, interfere too much with the liberty of the subject. He considered there were many defects in the measure, and thought there was sufficient in existing laws to obtain the principal objects aimed at by the new Bill. After a few remarks from the Hon. Dr. Alenzizs, who supported the views of the previous speaker, The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said tho Bill was not needed, inasmuch as a measure he had himself introduced to the Council ten years, since provided for all the essential objects proposed to be obtained in this Bill.' Even if that were not so, the present state of the colony’s finances would preclude the incurring of the expense which would be entailed were the Bill passed. He therefore moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six Tho amendment was carried, and the Bill consequently thrown out. FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. The Administration of the, Estates of Deceased Intestates Bill was read a second time without discussion. A Bill to Amend the Maaterton and Greytown Lands Management Act, 1871 (from the Lower House) was read a first time. POSTPONEMENTS. A number of other matters were postponed, and the Council rose at 4.45. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, October 80. Several petitions were presented, notices of motion given, and papers and reports laid upon the table.

QUESTIONS. Mr. HISLOP asked the Premier,— Upon what principle the Government intend to base the adjustment of the expenditure of public mouoy in tho Provincial District of Auckland and the remainder of New Zealand, in pursuance of their agreement with some of the Auckland members of the House, and upon what works they intend to expend any money due to Auckland in pursuance of such adjustment ; also, the amount which they estimate will be due to Auckland ? _ ■ In answering the question, the Hon. JOHN HALL said the hon. gentleman had done only justice to the Government when he stated that they, would give the fullest possible information, and they would do so on the present occasion. Their principle was this - they wished to adjust tho publia i -"-.nr, Jure

throughout the whole of New Zealand as far as was practicable. He could not say more than that. The answer to the other part of the question would be given when the Public Works Statement was brought down. (Laugh-

ter and applause.) Mr. HISLOP asked the Government, — Whether it had vet been decided to have the office of the Commissioner of Railways, Middle Island, removed to Dunedin, or per-

manently placed in Christchurch ; also, Whether the report of the Comvnissioner on the subject will be laid before this House ? The Hon. Mr. OLIVER said thy Government had arrived at no decision, and with regard to the second part of the question he had to state that it had been laid upon the talde nearly a month ago. In answer to a question by Mr. GEORGE, —lf it is the intention of the Government to place a sura of money on the Estimates for the purpose of constructing a court house at Warkwort'n, a site having been purchased for the above purpose in the township ? —The Government replied that directions had been given to place a sum on the Estimates. In answer to a question by Mr. Gisborne—whether the Government will introduce, this session, a Bill to regulate the immigration of Chinese in’o this colony f—the Hon. John Hall replied in the affirmative. In answer to a question by Mr. Gisborne—whether the Government will introduce, this session, a Bill prepared by the late Government, and intituled “A Bill authorising governors of high schods to realise on their reserves anti endowments, and to provide for the investment of the proceeds thereof?’’—the Hon. Mr. Rolleston did not think it desirable to introduce such a Bill until the report of the Commissioners had been received. Mr. SAUNDERS asked the Commissioner of Tele. »rapha,—Whether the late Ministry’ have sent telegrams on electioneering subjects as public telegrams ; and, if so, whether the Government will lay copies of such telegrams before this House ?

The Hon. J. HALL asked that the question might be postponed until the following [this) day. In answer to a question by Mr. Andrews,

—lf there is any standing offer as a money bonus for the discovery of gold or diamonds in the Canterbuey provincial district ; also, if the Government are prepared to recommend some kind of bonus to encourage further prospecting, and the exploration of the waste lands of Canterbury ?—the Hon. Mr, Oliver replied that there was already a sum of money standing on the Estimates both for the North and the South Island.

In answer to Mr. Beetham, —If they intend to take any steps to promote the establishment of a manufactory for phosphorus in the colony, for rabbit-destroying ’ The Hon. John Hall replied that the Government would take the matter into consideration.

In answer to the Hon. Mr, Gisborne,— Whether he can lay before this House a return showing, approximately; the number of times beyond once, that the names of the same persons appear on the electoral rolls of tho colony? —The Hon. John Hall replied that the preparation asked for would be very tedious 1 and expensive, and they did not think they should be justified in causing such a [return Co be made.

Mr. PITT asked the Colonial Secretary,— Whether the Government will take such action as may be necessary for removing doubts which exist as to the sufficiency or otherwise of tho scale of money contributions of the members of many of the friendly societies in this colony, in order that such societies may obtain the full benefits of registration under the Friendly Societies Act, 1878 ? The Hon. JOHN HALL considered the question was of great importance, and that the Government would take, the necessary action.

Mr. THOMSON asked the Minister of Justice, —Whether he will state the number of summonses that have been issued from the Resident Magistrate’s Court of Wellington since the commencement of the year ; and also the number of persons who have been committed to prison for non-payment of debts during the same period ? The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON laid the return asked for on the table, from which it appeared that 57 persons had been imprisoned for debt during the year. Air. HAAILTN asked the Native Minister, —lf he will lay before this House a return (1) of expenditure by the Native Department from the Ist July, 1859, to 13th October, 1877, under the following heads ; —Native officers, food, clothing, gratuities, and contingencies ; (2) a similar return of expenditure for the same purposes from Ist June, 1869, to 13th October, 1877 ; (3) a return of expenditure under the Civil list for native purposes from Ist July, 1869, to 13th October, 1877 ; (4) a return of expenditure under the Civil list for native purposes from Ist July, 1869,.t0 13th October, 1877 ? The Hon. Mr. BEYCB asked that the question should be postponed until Tuesday, as by that time a return on the subject would be completed. NEW BILLS. The following new Bills were introduced : A Bill to amend the Land Tax Act, 1878 (Mr. Finn) ; a Bill to prevent Corruption in Parliament (Sir G. Grey). CLASSIFICATION OF LANDS. Mr. DE LAUTOUR moved,—That, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that commissioners should immediately be appointed to classify Crown lands in the county of Maniototo ; ac-d that in the vicinities of Naseby, Hamilton, Hyde, and Blackstone Hill, lauds which may be classified as “ pastoral land” should be sold by auction, in terms of the Land Act, 1877, on pastoral deferred payments, in sufficient and suitable areas, twelve months before the expiry of the now existing The Hon. Mr. ROLLBSTON explained to the House the position of the case. After some discussion, Air. PYKB moved the addition of portions of the county of Vincent, which was situated in precisely a similar position. Air. AIcLEAN suggested that the •' whole of the lands in Otago should be classified in the same way that they were in Southland. After some discussion, and Mr. DeLatiiock had replied, The motion, as amended, was agreed to. PRINTING PETITIONS. Air. AIURRAY moved, —That the petition of citizens of Dunedin, and settlers and residents in Brighton, Wangaloa, and surrounding districts, for railway construction, be printed. Air. TURNBULL said this was quite unnecessary, and he would oppose it and the printing of all other private petitions. It was an expense that the country ought to be spared. After discussion the House divided on the motion with the following result :— Ayes, 37 ; Noes, 22. The motion was accordingly carried. RECOMMENDATION OF COMMITTEE. Air. FINN moved, —That the recommendations contained in the report of the Goldfields Committee upon the petition of Benjamin Walker and William McWhirter be agreed to. —Agreed to. HONORARIUM TO MEMBERS. Mr. AIOSS moved, —That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the honorarium to members of the Legislature should be settled by statute. In moving this resolution Mr. Moss said he thought it would be very desirable that this matter should be settled once for all what the honorarium was to be, so as to get rid of the subject. The motion was seconded by Air. TOLB, who saidthe next question would be what the amount should be. He hoped they would pass the motion, and that a bill would be introduced on the subject by the Government. The Hon. JOHN HALL would remind the House that the Government had stated the other day that they did not intend to bring forward such a Bill. He should, however, support the motion. Air. VINCBNT PYKB supported the motion, and gave it as his opinion that there was a geod deal of sham patriotism on the subject., Air. J. B. FISHER supported the motion. Air. SHEEHAN said they must feel year after year that it was derogatory to the House to be bringing this question up in the way they did. Air. J. C. BROWN believed in the payment of members, which would m«et with his support. Air. AIOSS hoped if the Government did bring down a Bill they would define whether the honorarium was to be aspirated or not. (Laughter.) The motion was then put and agreed to. LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT. Air. SUTTON moved, —That it is desirable that the system of local self-government at present in existence should be so extended as to provide—(l.) For the efficient construction and maintenance of all public works (excepting railway and harbor works) all hospitals and charitable institutions. (2.) That in order to enable local bodies to carry out their duty, it is necessary that their revenues should be increased (a) by the payment, mnuthly, of all duties collected in each distri :t as stamp duties upon land or succession ducies ; (b) by

increasing the maximum of general rates in the case of counties. (3 ) That steps should be taken to prevent the counties aud Hoad Boards clashing, and to more distinctly define the powers and duties of each of these bodies. (4.) That the Government be requested, as early as possible, to introduce a Bill for the purpose of carrying these resolutions into effect. The mover did not think they could be going on much longer in the way they had been doing. Things wanted simplifying. In many instances they went three or four times over the same ground, and the sooner that kind of thing was done away with the better. All duties charged upon land were, it seemed to him, local. The local system had not been a success. The local bodies of the North Island were all in debt. The revenues of local bodies should absolutely be beyond the control of the Government of the country. Mr. Sutton proceeded to speak at length of the different views as Hat forth in his resolution.

The Hon. J. HALL said the question was one of very great importance, and it was not reasonable to expect the Government to agree to all the proposals contained in the resolution. He admitted that Road Boards and County Councils clashed, and that amended legislation was necessary. The bodies in question ought to harmonise and work side by side. ,As a rule the Road Boards had done their work well. He was favorable to the general principles contained in the resolution, but at the same time, if the mover forced it on the House, he should move the adjournment of the debate.

Mr. KELLY suggested that the native lands should also be subjected to taxation where there were roads made, and they were proved to be benefitted thereby, Mr. SHEPHARD moved that in the second paragraph certain words should be omitted so that the paragraph would finish at the word “ increased.” He spoke generally in favor of the resolution. Mr. ANDREWS was not satisfied with the resolution as it stood.

Mr. LTJNDON supported the resolution. Mr, SEDDON spoke to the motion, and advocated a simplification of governing powers, pointing out that they had twenty-one of such bodies on the West Coast, in the radius of one hundred miles. He suggested that the Rating Act should be amended, and that the Government should next year bring down a comprehensive measure on the subject. Colonel TRIMBLE referred to the necessity that existed for a more equitable mode of taxation than that which existed at the present time. He hoped the Government would take some steps to improve the state of the law. The amendment was then withdrawn. The debate was adjourned for a month at 5.30, when the House adjourned. On the House resuming at half-past seven, the orders of the day were proceeded with. HBATUCOTE BRIDGES BILL. On the motion of Mr. J. T,- Fisher, this; Bill was read a second time without discussion. OAMARU HARBOR BOARD BILL. The House went into committee to consider this Bill, and a very long discussion took place, in the course of which a large number of members of the House took part. Ultimately the Bill was reported to the House, and leave was given to sit again. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT ABOLITION BILL. In the absence of Mr. Hutchison, the consideration of this Bill in committee was postponed till Thursday. THE GOLD DUTY. The debate on the reduction of the gold duty was resumed. On the question,—That, in the opinion of this House, the gold duty should be reduced by one shilling an ounce, Mr. VINCENT PYKE resumed the debate, and proposed to strike out of the amendment the words “ a shilling,” and to substitute the word “ sixpence,” and to strike out the figures “ 1882” and to substitute “ 1884.” Mr. MASTERS was opposed to the taking off the duty on gold unless something could be and substituted for it. Mr. REID was of a similar opinion, and read a letter he had received on the subject. At the same time it was unfair that this special taxation should bo placed upon the gold miners, and there was no doubt that it must be removed by and by. The following members also took part in the debate :—Messrs. Sheehan, DeLautour, Seddon, Gibbs (who said he would be quite willing to accept the amendment of the hon. member for Dunstan), and Speight. A division being taken on the amendment, resulted as follows :—Ayes, 39 ; noes, 18. The amendment was accordingly declared to be carried. WAIDKU RECREATION BILL. The House went into committee to consider this Bill, which was afterwards reported with amendments, and leave given to sit again on Thursday next. LAND TRANSFER ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The House went into committee on this Bill. Mr. SHRIMSKI thought the Bill was one which ought to have been introduced by the Government. It seemed to him that the Bill, if carried into law, would simply increase litigation. Considerable discussion took place on the Bill, which was considered danse by clause, and ultimately the Bill was reported and leave given to sit again. hawke’s bat'and Marlborough rivers act, 1868, AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2). The House went into committee to consider this Bill. It was reported to the House with amendments, was read a third time and passed. NEW RIVER PILOT STATION RESERVE BILL. The House went into committee to consider this Bill, and after some discussion, Mr. SHRIMSKI moved that progress be reported. He objected to the provisions of this Bill, for the Government were now trying to carry out what they had objected to in the case of the Oaraaru Harbor Board Bill. After a considerable amount of discussion the House divided on Mr. Shrimski’s motion, which was lost by 40 votes to 14. The House then proceeded with the consideration of the various clauses, and the Bill was reported with amendments to the House, and leave given to sit again in a week. KIRK LANDS ROAD BILL. On the motion of Mr. Fulton, this Bill was discharged from the Order Paper. DISTRICT COURTS ACT, 1858, AMENDMENT BILL. On the motion of Mr. Pitt, this Bill was read a second time. WELLINGTON HARBOR BOARD BILL. On the motion of Mr. Levin, the House went into committee to consider this Bill, and afterwards reported it, with amendments, to the House and asked leave to sit again. The House adjourned at twenty minutes past one o’clock.