PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 784, 16 October 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

PARLIAMENT.

■ ■ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, October 15. In the Legislative Council, on Monday night, the debate on the Land Tax Bill was brought to a close. The lion, Mr. I'caeock opposed the second reading. The lion. Dr. Grace had said that this Bill was a concession to an ignorant public opinion. That opinion had beo.i fomented by a spouting tour. This was essentially a class tax, and as such would bo detrimental to the best interests of the country. The Hon. Mr. Holmes said the propertyholders wore prepared to bear their fair share of the taxation, as had been shown by the speeches of those who preceded him. He thought the negotiation of the late loan had been most fortunate, and the principal credit bolonged to Sir Julius Vogel. He disapproved of the exemption under LSOO. The to be imposed should have been:_ an income iuTd property tax, with a LISO limit. ''the Hon. Mr. Robinson, while opposed to thp Bill, would, like other horn gentlemen in tho same predicament, vote for the second reading. Ho could find no qualification . whatever in taxing the tenants of the' Crown. In concluding, he said he was confident that the working classos would be willing to bear their fair share of taxation.

" The Hon. Col. Whitmore, in reply, said this Government had made the only honest Financial Statement which had been made for years. There was a great deal to be said in favor of the Crown tenants. Speaking of tho Native exemptions, he knew they could not bo justified in principle, but in practice they were necessary. Speaking of the Beer Duty Bill, the Government had just thrown over a little cargo to lighten the ship. The second reading was carried on the voices, and the Council adjourned at I a.m. October 16.

In the Legislative Council yesterday, Tho motion of Dr. Pollen for the production of all papers connected with the Bay of Islands Electoral Bill was agreed to. The amendments by the House of Representatives in tho Repeals Bill, were agreed to.

The Public Reserves Sale Bill was read a second time.

The Invercargill Waterworks Loan and the Tarauaki County Loan Bills were read a third time and passed. The Council then went into Committee on tho Land Tax Bill, which was passed through, roported, read a third time, and passed. In committee on the Electoral Bill, in the 14th clause (qualification), the Hon. Mr. VVaterhouse moved the insertion of the words " not being a Maori." After some discussion Colonel Whitmore accepted the amendment. The Committee here adjourned till 7.30. On resuming, the clause as amended Mas passed. As it now stands, the clause is the same as originally introduced in the House of Representatives. The Maori vote is restricted to the names of Natives which appear on the ratepayer's roll of the district for which they claim. Progress was then (at 10 o'clock) reported, and tho Council adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, October 15. In the House of Representatives yesterday. Major Atkinson asked—(l) What is the cause of the delay in giving the Messrs. Brogden the necessary permission to commence legal proceedings against the Crown. (2) Whether the Government intend to give the permission ; if so, when they will do so. Mr. Stout recapitulated the various oilers which have been made to Messrs. Brogden

during the He would lay papers relating to the management on the table. A tentative arrangement had been made with . some parties who intended to form another ' Press Agency, and if the lines could perform the work he would be prepared to increase the use of specials, as he felt it was the duty . of the Government to encourage the Press. | In reply to Mr. Brown, Mr. Macandrew said in three or four weeks sonic fifteen miles of railway north of Amherley would be open , for tender.

Mr. Ballanco, in reply to Mr. Bowen, was understood to promise that the.Government would place a sum on the Estimates to provide a supply of light rifles for the use of cadet corps. Mr. Stout, replying to Mr. Stevens, said he would make a statement of the intentions of the Government with regard to immigration during the current year, when the Estimates for that department were before the House.

. In reply to Mr. Rolleston, Sir George Grey said the papers relating to theWaikato meetings, which were before the House, ware reports of the impressions received by competent newspaper correspondents, who were witnesses of what took place. It was not the custom to lay on the table details of these transactions—such a course had not been adopted by previous Governments, to the best of his 'recollection. The terms offered to Tawhiao were correctly but he had not read the papers through. _ ," In reply to Mr. Barton, the Premier said that, in his opinion, the recent change in the hours of the Customs department would not have any effect upon the eight-hours' system; but if it had, the old hours should be returned to. It should be remembered that the Customs officers in the Colony worked one hour less than in London, and two hours less than New South Wales, while here they had half holidays on Saturdays, a practice not prevalent iii other places. The Govern- | nient were anxious to provide all reasonable facilities to shipping. If the operations of the new svstem were found to bear heavily on the employes, he would next year ask the House to increase their salaries. Mr. Richardson asked the Government what reasons they had for departing from conditions of the several contracts with Messrs. John Brogdeu and Son, which stipulated that all disputes arising out of such contracts were to be referred to the arbitration of a Judge of the Supreme Court. Mr. Stout replied that as long as he remained the Law Officer of the Crown he should advise that none of the legal rights of the Crown should be abandoned. The Juries Act Amendment Bill and the. Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed. The House then went into Committee on the District Railways Act Amendment Bill. A new clause was added, on the motion of Mr. Stevens, providing that debentures should not be sold at a price which would pay more than seven per cent, to purchasers. The Bill was reported as amended, and read a third time and passed. The Mount Cook "Reserves Bill was committed and passed. Tho Law Amendment Bill, a technical measure relative to the rules of the Supreme Court for symplifying the proceedings, was being debated when the House adjourned. On the House resuming at 7-30 the debate on the Law Amendment Bill was resumed. Mr. Hislop moved that the Bill be read that day six months, on the ground that it was too late in the session for a Bill involving such radical changes in the practice of the Supreme Court. M r Barton said it would take a lawyer a fortnight fully to understand the changes it would make in a present system.

Mr. Stout replied to Mr. Barton's objections. Mr. Brandon supported the Bill. Mr. Barton rose to make an explanation. He found that Mr. Stout was quite right as to the publication of rules. He (Mr. Barton 1 was laboring under a misapprehension. He would make no further opposition to the Bill.

to hnve thoir claims tried, but ot which they had not availed themselves. Recently two suits had been commenced, hut as the l!o----vornment thought one. would decide the question, they would only give permission tor one to be tried.

The second reading of the Bill was then carried on the voices. Thursday was fixed for the committal of the Bill, in order to give the legal profession in the House an opportunity to studv it. After a debate, the House decided by 30 to S) to adjourn for the Railway Demonstration Ball.'

There was a long and warm debate on the ..introduction_of five Hospital Endowment Bills for Dunstah, Cromwell. Westport, Charleston, and Southland. Air. llollcston moved the previous rrucstion, saying that the House expressed its opinion on these measures last Friday, and pressed his motion to a division, when it was carried i>y »1_ against IS, thus shelving the '".Bills.""' " '" . ,

Before proceeding with the orders of the day, Sir George Grey said the Government intended to dispose of the business before tho House, so that it might be prorogued on Tuesday next week. If members on both aides of the House would give their assistance it could easily be done. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Air. Ormond moved that the sum proposed' as the vote for school buildings is inadequate, and this House is of opinion - that ft .sutfieient sum should be provided to ensure due provision for school buildings throughout the Colony. Mr. Ballance took exception to Mr. Ormond's last remark, and thought it would bo very ill-advised. Last year there was only L 50.000 on the Estimates, and this year that was doubled. Circulars were sent to each Board, and they estimated their total requirement f>r buildings at about L' 200,000. This sum could not possibly be provided this

year. Mr. Bastings said the Otago Boards alone wanted 1,46,000. After some debate Mr. Ormond withdrew hia motion, and the House went into Committee on the Estimates.

The following votes were also passed : Salaries and contingencies, Llli.SS" ; Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, IS7S, 1,320; Wairarapa 0 per cent, land purchase account, Ll5O.

On class 11, L 487.203 for Railways, Mr. Muvray-Aynslcy called attention to the question of free passes. The Minister for-.Public Works said the Government were seriously considering the advisability of abolishing all free passes, as they believed they were greatly abused. It would create a great outcry, but he was convinced that it was the right thing, and if he thought the House would support him, he "would issue orders to that ett'eet. Mr. Saunders urged that season tickets should bo greatly cheapened, especially for long distances. Mr. Hobbs urged the reduction of freight charges, especially on coals, &c. The Minister for Public Works said these things must be dependent upon the amount of traffic. The railways must be made to pay, but if it could be shown that a reduction in freight charges or season tickets would result iu a largo increase of traffic, the thing might be done. Mr. Richardson said .that he had carefully gone through the Estimates of the Public Works Department, and found that considerable improvements had been made, especially in the Locomotive Department. The vote was unaltered. The House adjourned at 1.55 a.m. October 16. In the House of Representatives, yesterday,

Mr. Hunter made a personal explanation, vindicating the past management of the Te * Ante- School Estate from .sonic strictures passed on it by Mr. Murray. In Committee of Supply, in reply to Mr. M'Lean, Mr. Fisher said that arrangements for special wires with the Auckland Herald ami the Press Agency were to have effect