PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 399, 9 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.) «, Wellington, August 9. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, Mr. Fox presented several petitions praying for an amendment in the licensing laws. Mr. Whitaker, in replying to a qtiestion put liy Mr. Bastings, said provision would be made in the amended Counties Bill for giving borrowing powers to the County Councils. The Premier stated that LSOO had been paid to Mr. E. M'Glashan for the production of 50 tons of grey paper. Mr. Ormond announced that he hoped to be able to make his Public Works Statement on Friday. The District Railways Bill was read a first time.

Mr. Macandrew moved the following resolutions :

" (1.) That, with a view to opening up the interior and outlying districts of the Province of Otago. and of providing for the beneficial occupation and settlement ,thereof,it is expedient that the undermentioned lines of railway be constructed forthwith ; that is to say— From Awamoko, up the valley of the Waitaki, as far as the land suitable for agriculture extends ; from Palmerston to Waihemo ; from the Mosgiel and Outrain line to Lake Wanaka, via Strath-Taieri, Naseby, Clyde, and Cromwell ; from the Main Trunk line to Catlin's River ; from Waikawa Harbour to Wyndham ; from Waipahi to Tapanui; from Gore to Elbow ; from Invercargill to Seaward Bush ; from Otaufcau to Takatimo ; from Orepuki to Waiau.

" (2.) That, inasmuch as by far the larger portion of the lines hereinbeforementioned must needs pass through an extensive area of available country not yet alienated from the Crown —the sale of which will realise much more than will cover the cost of the whole, and the settlement upon which will increase very materially the general revenue of the Colony—steps be at once taken to survey such lands into suitable allotments, a large proportion of which shouldbe withheld from sale, pending tiie completion of the respective lines. Also, that provision should be made for regulating the area of allotments, so as to enable and encourage those who may be employed in the construction of such lines to acquire and settle down upon land contiguous to the works upon which they may be employed. "(3.; That a respectful address be transmitted to his Excellency the Governor, requesting that lie maybe pleased to give effect to the foregoing resolutions."

He said that his proposals could not fail to commend themselves to those who were acquainted with Otago, or to any member of the House who wished to do justice to his position and to Otago, in which there were 2,000,000 acres of Crown Land. His proposals would give 330 miles of railway without costing the Colony a penny, and would make the public estate in Otago worth 6,000,000 more than it was now. He was glad to learn that it was intended to spend the proceeds of the land in the districts in which they were raised. He hoped the House would do what Otago herself would have done, had not the power been taken out of her hands. The only difficulty would be to dispose of a portion of the lands to meet the cost of contracts. Private individuals wuuld undertake the work, but he did not approve of that method.

Mr. Ormond said that other portions of the Colony might, with equal reason, urge similar claims. He disagreed with Mr. Macandrew as to cost, and thought it unwise to throw so much land into the market so speedily. Half a million would be spent in Otago during the present year. The Government intended to give facilities to private individuals to construct railways ; and he thought that was as far as they ought to go. Mr. Seymour wanted several lines in Marlborough. Mr. Carrington thought that the people who wanted lines should bear the cost of survey, and then submit their proposals to the Government.

Mr. Curtis moved an amendment that in Mr. Macandrew's motion, "Colony" be read for " Otago," and that it be the construction of a main trunk line for both islands.

Mr. De Latour said it was evident from what had fallen from the Government that the amendment was necessary. It was now perfectly clear that so far as the supremacy and riches of Otago were concerned, she was to be blotted out by the House. At last the House had approached the real business of the session, namely, log-rolling for railways. The request of Mr. Macandrew was not to be granted till their land fund was gone. If that was the way things were to be managed, he would say "perish the land fund," and would vote to-morrow for a common land fund, and for the Bill which would shortly be in trod need (if the Government would allow it) to enable localities to construct their own railways out of their own land fund.

Mr. Stout objected to spoiling amotion that should be decided on its merits. He hoped Mr. Seymour would withdraw his amendment in favour of the motion which laid down the sound principle that the land should be made to pay the cost of railways.

Mr. Gisborne said that the real question at issue was the localisation of the land fund. The Government alvocated this, and they acted in a communistic manner by laying debts upon the land funds of Otago and Canterbury. It waa no use passing such a resolution unless the land funds were guaranteed. Was the House to decide where railways were desirable merely on recommendation of hon. members ? He could not vote for the resolution without further information. The West Coast had been treated unfairly in the matter of railways. A line was wanted between Hokitika and the Grey. Mr. Hodgkinson thought that no new lines should be undertaken before the completion of the old. Mr. Reynolds hoped that both amendments would be withdrawn, notwithstanding he was of opinion that the resolution would not be carried.

Mr. D. Reid said it was a pity that the resolution had not been brought forward in 1870, as it would then have done some good. To carry out the resolution now was impossible. Large borrowing would be necessary to carry out the scheme, besides it should be of a more general character. The House was too jealous to allow favoring any particular portion of the Colony.

He did not see how the land could be advantageously disposed of for construction of proposed lines. It would be better to dispose of the lands for legitimate settlement on deferred payments than to greedy speculators. Mr. Manders supported the resolution. Mr. Montgomery said the resolution should be decided on its merits. Mr. Fisher wished the resolution withdrawn. The usual adjournment then took place. On the House resuming at 7.30, it went into Committee on the Charitable Institutions Bill. Upon reaching the third clause, great objection was taken by Grey, Kees, Stout, and others, and the discussion was kept up till midnight, when progress was reported, and the House adjourned.