PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1031, 9 August 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, August 9. The Legislative Council yesterday passed an address of condolence to the Queen on the death of the Princess Alice. A number of unimportant matters were disposed of, and the whole of the remainder of the sitting was occupied by a general discusion on the Public Works policy of the Government. Mr. Chamberlain moved That the Council believes it inadvisable that any money should be raised for public works, as it causes the working classes to look to the Government wholly for employment. Mr. Peacock proposed, as an amendment—That money should not be borrowed for any works whose reproductiveness was not clearly demonstrated to Parliament. A long debate ensued. Sir. Waterhouse deprecated the introduction of immigrants in such numbers that they could not find employment. He believed in the Ministry's professions of desiring to benefit the working classes. Ultimately both motion and amendment were rejected by 16 to 7 votes. The Council adjourned from 4 to 9, then to consider the Appropriation Bill to be received from the Lower House. In the House of Representatives, yesterday, the report of the Committee appointed to investigate the matter of the railway map, with a view of ascertaining if evidence had been suppressed, was read, stating that there was no ground for the allegation that the map had not been altered since laid on the table. Thereupon a short debate took place, after which the report was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. On the motion of Mr. Curtis, it was agreed that all public petitions not reported upon should be taken up for the consideration of the new Parliament. In replying to Mr. Reeves' question, if it was the intention of the Government to place sufficient money on the Estimates tor the construction of a traffic bridge over the Grey River, to connect Greyinouth with Cobden," the Minister for Public Works said that LSOOO had been voted, but it was found it would cost L7OOO. A further sum would be placed on the Estimates.

Mr. Tainui asked if a sum of LSOO has been -placed on the Estimates towards the completion of the road between Omata and I'aiaroa Heads. The Native Minister replied that the amount would be provided for next session.

Mr. Rowe inquired when it was probable ihu survey of lands in the Upper Thames district would bo completed, and if it was tiie intention of the Government that Mocks of the said land should be available under the homestead system and upon deferred payment principles. The Minister for Lands said that 22.400 acres of land had been surveyed, in blocks of 50 to 100 acres. The land was largely swamp, and the Government would drain it. He was of opinion that the land should be opened on deferred payments, and partly on immediate payment. Mr. Piowe asked if the native title to lands now held under lease by several parties in the Ohinemuri district has been e::: inguishcd, and if so when and upon v.hat terms the free!)old will be offered fur sale. The Minister for Lands said that special efforts had been made, and when the land was passed through tiie Native Land Court an oppori unity for acquiring it would be given. In reply to Mr. Hamlin, who wished to know if the Government will appoint an agricultural chemist in his provincial district with the view .of instructing agriculturists as to the best mann.o annually supplied, the Premier said that the Government would get an estimate of the cost, and la}' it before next Parliament for further consideration.

11l reply to Mr. Gibbs' question as to when the reserve of land in- the Aorere Valley, Collingwood, made for the purpose of applying the proceeds of such lands towards the construction of trainways, would be taken off, the Minister for Lands said that a Bill would be introduced next session to take the reserve of land in question. Mr. Ormond asked whether the Government are aware that in the case of some lands settled on the deferred payment principle in the Seventy Mile Bush the conditions were being enforced with unnecessary harshness, and if the Government will cause an enquiry to be made and relief ■afforded where the spirit of the conditions has been fairly pomplied with. The Minister for Lands said they had no desire to act harshly. They would act upon the spirit of the law, even although it did not meet the exact letter. Captain Russell asked why interest on advances on Government insurance policies is payable in Wellington only, and whether such instructions will be issued as will enable local agents to receive interest on .advances as well as on premiums. The Postmaster-General replied that last half year's interest and advances had beoij payable through local agents.

Mr. Murrary inquired if the Government: have taken into consideration the advisability o£ establishing a system of postal telejjraph cards,and if not, if they will cause a report to be prepared by the Postal and Telegraph Department andlaid before the House. The Commissionei of Telegraphss said the matter would be inquired into ivith a view of ascertaining the sensibility of the introduction of the system into this Colony. The Minister for Public Works told Mr. J. C. Brown that an amount had been placed on the Estimates for the erect ion of a shelter shed at Forsyth, on tho Lawrence railway. in'. Wakefield inquired whether any further correspondence besides the memo, already laid on the table had passed between His Excellency the Governor and Ministers relative to the dissolution of Parliament or any matters connected

The Premier said that since His Excellency's memo. had been read, the Government had tendered further advice the Governor, which it was not his duty ro h'.y before the House. That' :>.dvu-<ij however, would probably be made know';;, and ii would be found satisfactory to the "House. Mr. S v. anson asked if the Commissioner of Telegraphs would cause an inquiry to be made into the expediency of reducing the charges on telegrams for a short distance, and. if found to be consistent with the efficiency of the Telegraph Depart-

ment, whether he will give effect to it. The Commissioner of Telegraphs said an inquiry into the matter had been made, and the request would be probably complied with. y - In reply to Sir William Fox; the Premier said no letter had.been received from Sir J. Vogel relative to the instructions 'given him to -discontinue his; connection with the Agricultural Company.

' Sir George .Grev moved that an address of condolence be forwarded to Her Majesty, expressing sympathy at the death of Princess Alice.

Sir William Fox seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Premier read a memo, from his Excellency recommending that a further increase to the vote for school buildings of L 75,000 Should be made in Committee.

The memo, was considered, and the recommendation approved, the total vote being L 225,000. Sir W. Fox desired the Premier to state whether or not any reply had been made to the address forwarded by the House to the Governor re the recommendation about the issue of electoral writs and the meeting of the new Parliament. The Premier said the Government had not advised the Governor to make a formal reply. Major Atkinson said that before the session closed they would certainly take steps to ascertain if the Governor intended bringing the new Parliament together within a reasonable period. The Premier said he did not know what course would be pursued by the Governor. Most probably he would reply, and, from the character of the advice tendered by his responsible advisers, he had no doubt but that the reply would be satisfactory to the House. On the House resuming,

The Premier said ha had received a memo, frojn His Excellency the Governor, which he would read to the House. The memo, was dated August 7th, and proceeded as follows : The Governor acknowledges receiving from both Houses of Parliament recommendations that writs for the elections should be issued at once; and that the new Parliament should be called together at the earliest possible date. The Governor recognises the importance of the recommendation in the present state of the Colony, and as he is given to understand that the Government do not possess the confidence of Parliament, he would advise that no time should' be lost' in making the necessary arrangements for the re-assembling of the new Parliament. The Premier then went on to say that he had sent the following in reply : "Sir G. Grey presents his respectful compliments to His Excellency, and will advise that the electoral writs be issued in two days after the dissolution of Parliament, and be made returnable within thirty days of their issue." To that memo, a reply had been received from the Governor, stating that the Premier's assurance was perfectly satisfactory. Sir Wm. Fox pointed out" that the memo, did not provide for the date of the dissolution. What his side wanted was an assurance that the dissolution would take place at once, within two days of the prorogation. Major Atkinson spoke to the same effect, asking the Premier to say that the new Parliament would be summoned by the 20th September. Mr. Wakefield moved a short adjournment to consider the memo.

The Premier said the dissolution rested with the Governor, and he had a delicacy in interfering under the circumstances. His own desire "was that the new Parliament should meet not laior than the 20th September. Then followed a short discussion, after which an adjournment for twenty minutes took place. On the House resuming, The Premier said that he could say nothing Lut what he had said before. So far as it rested in his power dissolution should be given effect to within three days after the prorogation. Sir W. Fox asked if lie was to understand that the Premier hail loyally accepted the memo, of the Governor, and would do his best to secure that the dissolution should take place within three days of the prorogation. The Premier, without reply, moved " That the House go into Committee." Sir. W. Fox repeated his question. Mr. Turnbull protested against the conduct of the Opposition. The Premier had given pledges as distinct as any man could. Major Atkinson said all that Sir W. Fox intended was to ask if they rightly understood the words used. Mr. Barton suggested that every member, after speaking, should be sworn to what he had said. After some further discussion, the Premier said that after the assurance he had given he would have acted the part of a dishonorable man if he threw any impediment in the way of the dissolution being given effect to within three days of the prorogation, and the new Parliament meeting about the 30th September. He believed it would be impossible to bring the House together on that date, but although he thought it was impossible to do so, he had. done everything the House asked for, and the imputation cast upon him in asking him to say that he made the above avowal loyally was nothing short of personal insult, to which he ought not to have been subjected. The motion for going into Committee of Supply was then put and carried without further dissent, and L 751,127, the total Consolidated Fund, was passed. The Public Works Fund, miscellaneous, L 500,000, was passed. On one of the items, contingent defence, LBO,OOO, a discussion arose between Major Atkinson and the Native Minister.

The JTative Minister said that legislation would be passed with a view of delaying the trial of the natiy.e prisoners, as he recognised "the fact that if they were acquitted and sent back to their own district further trouble was unavoidable.

Mr. Wakefield objected to the item Waitahuna Road, LGOO. Mr. Bastings made an explanation to the effect that the money had been expended at the request of the Government for the purpose of opening up a road to land which was thrown open for settlement.' Mr. Bowen said the House was not bound by any promise the Government might make, Mr. Bastings said this was a matter of public policy assented to by the House, a vote-Having been passed for the purpose of ODening up roade to blocks of land throvn open for settlement, Mr. Pyke pointed out that the district got 23 per cent, of the Land Fund for the purpose of making roads. This was an a.ttempt to give LGOO which the district had ho ltgai right to. JVIr. Macau drew said that last year votes were passed for the purpose of opening up roads t» land thrown open for settlement. The vote was not passed in consequence of the period of the session ati which it was brought up. The land in question had realised many thousands of pounds, ,a»d he thought it would be hard if the claim was repudiated. The Minister for Public Works, in answer to a question, said that this public works item intended to have been in-' eluded in the special appropriations, was inadvertently omitted. M'L?an objected to the reply to Mr. Wakefield. The Minister for Public Works said that ths item reclamation of railway station, Pepita, LIOOO, was intended to mate provision' for some of the unemployed. It was work requiring to be done.

therewith, and if so whether he would forthwith lay it before this House. I TO-DAY'S SITTING. The House met this morning and passed the Appropriation Bill, and has adjourned till one o'clock to pass the Maori Prisoners' Bill and the Peace Preservation Bill, which have been agreed to by the Opposition. Th ! first allows the prisoners now in custody, to be kept untried till over next sittings of the court; the second gives power to arrest natives found ploughing, fencing, &c., on confiscated land. The members leave for the north and south to-night.