PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5811, 13 November 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, November 12. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. GENERAL. Several report-; of committees were laid on the table. Among a number of notices of motion wore two by Mr. Whitaker, to introduce Bills to amend the Building Societies Act, IMd, nn i the District Law Societies Aet, ISIS. Mr. Acland gave notice to move that the County of Timnru should not be constituted. INDECENT PERFORMANCES. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS asked the Attorney-General,—Whether the Government intend, this session, to introduce a Bill to suppress indecent performances iu theatres or other places of public amusement t The mover raid a strong fueling had lately been a\*ou<ed on this subject iu Christchurch and Dunedin. The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER ; The Government feel the necessity of legislation in this matter, Veit seeing there are now eighty or ninety Bills before us at a late period of the session, I think there is little hope of our being able to do anything this year. If time will admit, it shall be done, bat X cannot absolutely promise. NORTH ISLAND COUNTIES. The Jhm. Colonel WHITMORE moved,— That there bo laid upon the table a Return showing the total expenditure for public works during the ten years, from the Ist July, ISG’d, to 30th June, IS7O, in the Counties of Wairoa, Taupo Ka-ff, Cook, Whakatane, and Tauranga. In .some explanatory remarks, the mover said the districts named had been unfairly treated with regard to public expenditure. The ''Hon. Mr. WHITAKER asked the mover to withdraw the motion. The return would be very costly of time and money ; it could do little good if prepared, and would not be ready till next session. After a short discussion the motion was withdrawn. THORNDON RECLAMATION. The Hou. Colonel WHITMORE moved,— That there he laid upon the table copies of nil correspondence by the late and present Government with the purchasers of sections on the reclaimed land at Wellington, or any agent on their behalf, relative to the extension or renewal of the promissory notes given for the unpaid instalments of the purchasemoney. The lion, mover said this matter had been referred to iu the Council before, and the late Government, when in office, had boon accused of unduly favoring their friends. The actual fact was that, though the late Ministry had many prominent supporters among the purchasers, and had been very much pressed to favor those friends by extending the time of payment, through the hardness of the times, the Government of which he had been a member had rigidly adhered to the terms ot sale. Now, however, they were told that the present Government had extended the time. He doubted the legality of such an extension ; but a Cabinet of which Mr. Whitaker was a member would presumably act within rules. He wished the whole of the correspondence produced, so that the action of the two Governments might be compared side by side.— Motion carried. PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. The motion [published yesterday] of the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, for a return of all public works expenditure in the various districts of the colony during the last ten years was carried. OTAGO LANDS. The Hon. Sir V. BELL moved for a return, showing the blocks of land opened for disposal iu the provincial district of Otago since the 30th November, 1877, with all details in connection therewith, and the net sum available as laud revenue.—Carried. LOCAL RILLS COMMITTEE. The Council went into committee to consider seriatim the proposals of the Hon. Mr. Whitaker, relative to the course of procedure with local Bills. There was considerable discussion of the whole question. The proposals were ultimately carried with slight alterations from the original text. Their purport is as follows:—No local Bill shall be read a second time iu the Council unless notice shall have been given of the raid Bill in the locality to which the Bill refers. Such notice shall state explicitly the object which such Bill is intended to effect, and shall have been published in two successive weeks before the second reading in a newspaper circulating in such locality. Where Corporation property, or property hold in trust for public, religious, or charitable purposes, is in any manner affected, a copy of the notice shall be served upon the owners or trustees of such property not later than three days after its first publication. In case? of Bills affecting property vested in the Crown, a copy of such notice shall before or immediately after the first publication thereof be deposited with the secretary for Crown lands. On the first convenient day, after the meeting of Parliament, the Council shall nominate 2d members to serve on committees on local Bills. The 26 members so nominated shall be divided by the Speaker into four committees, viz., one Standing Orders Committee on local Bills, who shall see that the standing orders have been complied with, to consist of five members, and three other committees oa local Bills, to consist each of seven members, among whom the work of considering and reporting on local Bills shall be equally divided. The Council adjourned at 5.10 till 7.30. SECOND READINGS —COMMITTEE. On the motion for the second reading of the Otago University Amendment Bill, the Speaker ruled that being a private Bill it must be referred to the Private Bills Committee.

On the Motion to go into committee on the Oamaru Waterworks Act Amendment Bill, it was resolved that the measure should be referred to a select committee, which was appointed by ballot—Messrs. Acland, G. Johnson, Miller, Wilson, Mantell, Waterhouse, G. Buckley, and Dr. Pollen. The District Courts Validation Bill and the Elections Validation Bill passed their second reading. The Council rose at 9.15. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. ' Wednesday, November 12. The Speaker took the chair at half-past 2 o’clock. C.EXEP.AL. The usual routine business tPas gone through, QCESTIOXS. Mr. McLEAN asked the Government, —If they will lay before this House a return showing the amount paid to each newspaper in the colony for advertising and printing (separately) for the two years previous to 30th September last ’ The Hon. JOHN HALL laid the returns asked for on the table, but only for the year ending 30th September last. Mr. BARRON asked the Government, — When the return moved for and agreed to by this House on 21st August, 1878, to the effect “ That there be laid before this House a return in tabular form, showing the total amount of consolidated revenue received in each provincial district for the years 1877-78, also tha amount expended in each provincial district during said period—lst, out of consolidated revenue ; 2nd, out of loan. Such return to specify (1) the portions which have been expended for general purposes (all others except native and defence); (2) those which have been expended for native and defence purposes ; and (3) the percentage each such expenditure bears to the revenue derived from provincial district ; being a continuation of return B.—B of last session”—will be laid before this House ; and whether the Government have any objection to continue the return up to the end of last financial year J Major ATKINSON said it was almost impossible to prepare the return, but he would inform the House shortly whether it could be prepared or not. . Mr. GEORGE asked the Colonial Treasurer —lf the promissory notes due at the beginning of this month by various persons, as part payment for the purchase of sections of the Thomdon reclamation, have been paid ; and if not, why not ! The Hon. Major ATKINSON replied that an extension of time had been granted in con-

sequence of the bad time?. About a third of the person? bad paid. Mr. BAIN asked the Government,— "Whether they intend, this session, to introduce a Bill to suppress indecent performances in theatres and other places or public amusement? The lion. Mr. HALL replied that this was an exceedingly desirable question to deal with, but ho doubted whether the House would have time to deal with it this session. Mr. GISBORNE asked the Government,— Whether they will take steps, during the recess, to cause a flying exploration to bo made of the south-west Coast country between Hokitika and Jackson’s Bay, and by the way of Haast’s Pass into the settled districts of Otago, with a view to ascertaining its availability for a line of railway, the extent and description of Crown lands which could be* opened up for settlement, and its general mineral resources ?

The Hon. Mr. OLIVER replied that nothing had been settled on the subject. Mr. Oliver made some further remarks, which were totally inaudible in the reporters’ gallery. Mr. GEORGE asked the Premier,—lf the Government arc preparing, and intend bringing down this session, a Bill for the purpose of settling the amount of honorarium to he paid to members of the Legislature, a, resolution to this effect having been carried by this House ? The Hon. JOHN HALL stated that a Bill was being prepared on the subject. Mr. GIBBS asked the Minister of Lauds, —lf he will submit to this House a return of the number and value of emigrants’ land orders issued by the Agent-General’s Department in England, upon which up to the present time, the holders have not made their The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON said a return of the character asked for was being prepared. NEW BILLS. The following new Bills were introduced ; The Hokitika Harbor Board Endowment Act 1878 Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr. Oliver) ; a Bill to alter and amend the Boundaries of the Alexandra (Vincent County) Corporation Reserve (Mr. Pyke). THE NEW COUNTY OF TIMARU. Mr. WAKEFIELD moved, —That, in the opinion of this House, the proposed new county of Timaru should not be constituted, aud in doing so stated the reasons which had induced him to bring the motion down. After some discussion, The Hon. JOHN HALL moved, as an amendment, that as the proclamation threw some doubt as to whether the matter could bo dealt with this session, the House should not pass tho motion of the lion, member for Geraldine. It could, however, be dealt with next session if the parties interested still desired it. After further discussion, Mr. SIIRIMSKI moved that the debate be adjourned. Ultimately tho debate was adjourned for a week. BRANCH RAILWAY FROM WAIPAHU Mr. IRELAND moved, —That with the view of giving effect to the petition recently presented to the Government by the settlers in the Tapanui and Waikaia district, and of enabling them to get their produce to market, the Government be requested to take the necessary action to have the branch railway line from Waipahi to Pomabaka bridge opened for traffic with the least possible delay. The Hon. Mr. OLIVER said if tho mover would withdraw his motion the Government would do their best to have the work pushed forward. Mr. MAC ANDRE W did not see why the motion should be withdrawn Mr. KELLY thought they ought all to start fair, and if the resolution was passed he would bring in several resolutions during the week for the purpose of getting improved road accommodation for the North Island. Mr. McLEAN hoped the motion would be withdrawn. Mr. PYKE would remind tho House that they had agreed to do the work three sessions ago, and the Government ought not for a moment to fail to give effect to the terms of the contract. Mr. MURRAY moved as an amendment that after tho word “requested ” in the third line, the following words should be inserted, “to force the terms of tho contract,” and to leave out tho five following words, Mr. IRELAND declined to withdraw his motion. After several other members had addressed the House, Ultimately both motion and amendment were withdrawn. PETITION OF WIRIHANA TE KBHA. Major TE WHEORO moved, —That the potion of Wirihana te Keha and others, reported upon by the Native Affairs Committee, in 1878, be referred back to the said committee for reconsideration, inasmuch as fresh evidence can now be obtained affecting it. The Hon. Mr. BRYCE made a statement similar to that made by him on the previous day on the subject of compensation through losses sustained during the war. Of course if tho House cared to have this reconsidered they could do so, but he did not see that any good would come of it. The motion was agreed to without discussion PETITION OF WILLIAM WILKINSON. Mr. SPEIGHT moved, —That the petition of William Wilkinson, newspaper proprietor, reported upon on 7th August last by the Special Wire Committee, and ordered to be referred to a select committee to be appointed this session, be dealt with by the Telegraph Committee of this House. Mr. SEDDON wonld oppose this matter being taken out of the hands of the Public Petitions Committee, unless more definite reasons were given for the change. Mr. SPEIGHT then moved the motion in its original form, and the Hon. the Premier moved as an amendment that the words “ Telegraph Committee” should be substituted for the words “Public Petitions Committee.”

Mr. MONTGOMERY said he had got a petition to present signed by W. VVilson, J. L. Wilson, A. G. Horton, H. Feldwick, and W. Reeves, which stated that false accusations had been made against them in regard to the special wire, and asking that a full inquiry might be held into the whole matter. The amendment was then put and agreed to. BETORNS AND CORRESPONDENCE. Mr. DE LAUXOIJR moved, —That the habit which has sprung up of asking for the production of returns and correspondence, in the shape of asking questions, should in future be disallowed ; inasmuch as the control of public documents is taken out of the hands of this Honse, and publicity is given at the joint will of any Minister and one member to matters, the publication of which this House, if it had the opportunity, might not approve of. The Hon. Mr. HALL would oppose the motion, and suggested that it should be referred to the Standing Orders Committee. Finally this course was adopted. The House adjourned at half-past five o’clock till 7-80. ORDERS OF THE DAT. The Auckland Loans Consolidation Bill was read a third time and passed. The Dramatic Works Copyright Bill was also read a third time and passed. Mr. PITT moved the second reading of the Eating Act 1876 Amendment Bill, and explained its objects to the House. Mr. SEDDON supported the second reading, and in doing so moved a series of amendments. Mr. HAMLIN altogether disagreed with the Bill, and said that if it was passed it would remain a dead letter so far as Koad Boards and County Councils were concerned. After a alight discussion the Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed in a week. Mr. VINCENT PYKE moved the second reading of the Queenstown Racecourse Reserve Bill, which was agreed to, and the Bill was referred to the Waste Lands Committee, The debate on the second reading of the Natives Reserves Vesting Bill was resumed. Mr. TAINXTI moved that the Bill should he read that day six months. He should like time for the natives to study the Bill. Considerable discussion ensued, and ultimately the Bill was thrown out on the voices. The House went into committee to further consider the Auckland Improvement Commissioners Transfer of Bowers Bill. Progress was at once reported, and the Bill ordered to be brought forward again in a week. The House went into committee to consider the Wairarapa Racecourse Bill, which was afterwards read a third time and passed. The House then went into committee to consider the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill.

On the motion that the Chairman do leave the chair, the House divided with the following result :—Ayes, 32 ; noes, 27. The House then went into committee to consider the Li.trict Courts Act ISSS Amendment Bill.

The Hon. Air. 110 'L I. K S T 0 X moved the addition of the following clause The Governor may, from time to time, by proclamarion, ns from a date to he fixed therein, declare that any District Court shall have cognizance of all felonies and indictable misdemeanors committed before or after the passing ot this

Act, except, treason, murder, or other capital felony, or any felony which, when committed by a person not previously convicted of felony, is punishable by penal servitude for life, or for more than fourteen years, except also any of the following offences, that is to say,—Misprison of treason ; offences against tin: Queen’s title, prerogative, person, or government ; offences subject to the penalties of pnenmn.m; blasphemy, aud offences against religion ; administering or taking unlawful oaths ; composing, printing, or publishing blasphemous, seditious, or defamatory libels ; unlawful combinations and conspiracies except combinations or conspiracies to commit any offence whereof such District Court hath cognizance when committed by one person. The House divided on the clause;—Ayes, 2G;

noos, 23. A warm discussion here took place on the clause just passed, bon. members contending that the DLtriot Judges ought not to have such enormous powers entrusted to them.

Mr. SHEEHAN moved that the Chairman leave the chair. Mr. WAKEFIELD admitted that he somewhat dreaded the operation of these clauses, but they had been now carried by the House. •Still be was one of those who was not at .11 alarmed at tho idea of the abolition of grand iuries. Under the circumstances, lie trusted the hon. gentleman would not press his motion.

Mr. HISLOP had never heard of any person seriously advocating the abolition of the Grand Jury without proposing to substitute something in its stead. His own opinion was that the "District Court should not have criminal jurisdiction at all beyond that possessed by the J.l'.’s or the Resident Magistrate. Mr. SHEEHAN was willing to withdraw his motion if the Government would consent to postpone the question. The Hon. JOHN HALL said that although the Bill might pass it did not follow that it would be brought in operation in any district in the colony, but ouly in those which might he selected by bis Excellency the Governor. Perhaps under the circumstances the best thing to do would ba to accept the suggestion and report progress with leave to sit again. Progress was reported accordingly. Mr. VINCENT PYKE moved the second reading of the Miners Right Fees Reduction Bill, and in doing so spoke very strongly in favor of the proposed* measure. Since 1882 the miners had contributed something like a million and three quarters to the revenue of the colony, which was equal to a small loan. The proposal was to reduce the miners’ right from a pound to ten shillings. Mr. SEDDON seconded the proposition. Mr. REEVES also supported the Bill. Mr, STEWART opposed the reduction. Mr. GEORGE reminded the House that on the Thames goldfields a certain portion of the miners’ rights went to the natives.

Mr. GIBBS agreed that some relief should be given to the miners, but they could not expect to be altogether free from taxation. If he voted for the second reading of this Bill he should not support the reduction of the gold duty. The Hon. Major ATKINSON, while he agreed that the miners might perhaps with justice ask for some relief, would remind the House that the local bodies, who now received a portion of the revenue derived from that portion of the community, ought to he consulted before such reductions were made to their injury. And they would find, too, that the very gentlemen who were now moving for these reductions would come down shortly and ask assistance from the Government for those very local bodies. The Government would have to oppose the motion. Other members having addressed the House, Mr. PYKE replied, and again spoke very strongly on behalf of the second reading. A division having been called for resulted as follows :—Ayes, 29 ; uoes, 23. The Bill was accordingly read a second time, and was then referred to the Gold-fields Committee.

Mr. SEDDON moved the second reading of the Gold Duties Abolition Bill.

After a good deal of discussion a division was taken, which resulted as follows;—Ayes, 26 ; noes, 27. The House adjourned at twenty-five minutes to one.