House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1082, 3 June 1882, Page 2

House of Representatives.

Wellington, June 1. The House met at 2.30. Mr. Dargaville presented a petition praying that the grounds known as the Government House grounds, Auckland, be set apart for the Auckland College purposes. Macandrew presented a petition from Wi I’arata setting forth that he had been authorised to engage counsel and transact other business for Te Whiti, and praying that he (Te Whiti) might be allowed to appear at the bar of the House by counsel, and he gave notice of motion for to-morrow “ that tho petition be taken into consideration forwith.” Sir George Grey gave notice that he would ask whether arrangements would be made for the AttorneyGeneral being made a member of the House of Representatives. Pyke gave notice of motion to the effect that members should bear the expense of printing speeches in Han-

sard, and that the amounts be deducted from the honorarium. McKenzie gave notice tnat he would move that steps be taken for providing that servants engaged on public works should have same number of holidays as they got in other colonies. Fish gave notice that he would ask if provision would be made for enabling seamen afloat to exercise the franchise within their respective districts. Replying to Hobbs, Johnston promised that impartial enquiry should be made into the cause of disaffection in the general management of the Waikato railway. Replying to A\ right, Rolleston said it was not intended to throw open all at once large areas of Crown lands in Canterbury withdrawn from sale on 27th August, 1878. Their withdrawal however, would be made from time to time to suit convenience of bona fide settlement. Replying to Dodson, Dick said a measure has been introduced into Legislative Council to regulate fishing for imported fish in N. Z. rivers. Replying to Toinoana, Bryce said Government had under serious consideration the Ginaimu ease, and but tor the so-called late Ministerial crisis the Waiparoa lease would have been settled ; he expected, however, it would be accomplished in terms already understood at an earlv date. .Replying to Sutton, Dick said the Government would consider what necessity there existed for amending Crown Redress Act so as to give legal redress to persons having claims against the Government not arising out of contracts. Replying to Sutton, Dick said the Government were not aware of any necessity existing for amending regulations of Election Act, 1.879, in way of providing more complete rolls. In replying to Major Te Wheoro, Bryce said so far as an enquiry was made before Native Lands Committee it had not been shown that the pelitionerl lare te Whareroa had any claim. Replying to Weston, Johnston said the propriety of reducing fares on the Government Railways was under consideration, and would shortly be decided upon. Replying to O’Callaghan, Dick said it was not in the power of Government to direct expenditure of tho Education vote so as to refund 2 per cent, deduction made on masters.

The following motion was adopted of Mr Shepherd’s : —A return showing for each Borough and County the expense incurred in the election of Licensing Committee. Mr O’Callaghan for return of revenue and expenditure, number of pupils, and other particulars relating to Agricultural Colleges in Canterbury. Capt. McKenzie moved for the various heads in tho Mataura Electorate. Air Pyke moved as an amendment “That the return be for each electorate.” After a brief discussion the words “ the Mataura ” were lost on division by 42 to 37. The original motion was negatived on voices. House rose at 5.30 p.m. Tho House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Pyke moved the second reading of the Education Act Amendment Bill. The welfare of tho next generation is bound up with this measure, and it would bo a national calamity if the measure was not adopted. He had no desire to disturb the existing system, but to add to that system. Be simply asked that other schools than public schools should receive assistance provided they conformed to certain provisions provided for by the Act in existence, such as the qualification of teachers, standards of inspection, etc. As regards matters of religion the Bill was liberal enough to meet various classes of community. Dodson seconded, and thought the concession asked for was only reasonable. With the Catholics this was a question of conscience, and he thought they were as much bound to respect consciences of that class as they were to consult their own, despite all that had been said in favor of the present system. J. Evans Brotvn moved an amendment that the Bill bo read that day six months. They had been told that a large sum of money has been spent, and here they were making a proposal to increase the expenditure. This was only another attempt to curry favor with a certain section of the community. It would be better to take a division on the motion at once, and allow them to proceed with more important business. Mr. Barton thougnt the Bill might be made a useful measure. He looked upon this as the legitimate outcome of tho proposal to introduce religious teaching in state schools, and went on to suggest that the debate be adjourned until that day month, so that they might see what became of the Bible in schools proposals. Mr. Rutherford supported the motion. A large section of the community who could not conscientiously take advantage of the state schools, camo to them, having erected their school buildings, and being ready to undertake certain conditions, and asked them for a small grant. Mr. O’Callaghan also supported the Bill. He considered that one portion of the community did not meet with fair treatment. They were in a minority, and only asked for fair play. Mr. Bracken said the Catholics never could be got to send their children to the state schools, He thought

they were w-rong, but still they were bound to respect their conscientious scruples. When the interests of the minority did not clash with the majority, it was their duty to concede what was wanted. He would not give a farthing to support sectarianism. All that was asked for was that assistance should be given for the education of children according to particular standards. Johnson said State schools were outside the Catholic body. They only know them as a system to which they paid tribute. Catholics had paid £60,000 for schools and school buildings, and at their own expense were educating 6000 children. That was a heavy burden to impose on one section of the community. Experience of last five years showed that the Catholic children could not take advantage of State schools. It was extraordinary that one section of the community should have to come as supplicants to be placed on a footing of equality with other sections of people of the Colony, After several other speeches, Monro moved adjournment of the debate. Ayes, 10 ; Noes, 46. Pyke replied, and the House divided on the motion for second reading. Ayes, 26; Noes, 47. Bill was ordered to be read this day six months. House rose at 1.15 a.m. Friday. Sheehan gave notice to move that all educational reserves in the Colony be consolidated so as to form a fund for supporting national system of education. Weston gave notice of various amendments of Licensing Act, among others that Committees be nominated by tho Government instead of being elected.