PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1099, 13 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] House of Representatives Wellington, Wednesday. In the House last night, Atkinson in a speech of an hour and and a half duration, moved the National InBuranco resolution, saying he considered it tho most important proposal he had over submitted to tho House. What ho proposed was a modification of the liev. Mr Blakely’s system altered to suit the circumstances of this Colony. He proposed that everyone should contribute, and everyone be entitled to draw from the fund. Ho condemned the system of poor laws and held that some such system as now proposed must be adopted if wp wished to escape the poverty and misery so common in other countries. He held that his proposal would not interfere at all with Friendly Societies which already did so much good. The benefits he proposed to assure in case of sickness and old age could bo secured if every person between the ages of 16 or 18 and 23 contributed a sum of £ll 17s Id, this would only be at the rate of 2s 3d or 3s 3d per week, and ho held all people in tho Colony of tho ages named could afford this. To provide for widows and orphans afurther sum of £5 would require to be paid. The total sum required to provide against sickness and for old ago annuity and orphanage would bo £O4 per head. Towards orphanage, however, he thought the

Crown lands rent might be brought in aid. He explained elaborately how he would provide for present population and immigrants over the age of 23, and how all contributions would be collected and relief given, he would hold employers responsible for deducting tho rate from wages, and would let local Boards administer the sick fund subject to visits of district visitors and travelling inspectors. A Central Board would be established to administer the scheme generally. He believed the scheme to be quite practicable and had it greatly at heart. It would strike a fatal blow at pauperism. Criminals he would make earn their contributions, and lunatics and imbeciles would have to be paid for by the State. Mr Montgomery congratulated Major Atkinson on his ardent earnestness, but after much reflection on the subject himself, he saw several weighty objections to the scheme. Many young people who had to support their relatives could not afford to pay the sum required. It would be almost impossible to collect the payments, and quite so to detect imposition by maligning. The proposal seemed to him to be one to levy a general poll tax in order to relieve property of one of its most legitimate burdens and duties. Sir George Grey said Major Atkinson’s speech was a most dretfry one, and quite uusuited to the circumstances of the Colony. It would be most unjust to shift tho burthen of maintaining the poor from property holders on to the shoulders of the young people of the Colony. If the lands of the Colony had been properly administered and not monopolised there would have been no poverty to provide for. The scheme would sap the independence of the people and destroy the respect of children tor parents and the respect which should exist between employers and employes and all the finer feelings of our nature. It was a communistic proposal; and aimed a blow actively nt Christianity itself. It was another attempt to make the Government Life Insurance and public trust schemes to sweep the savings of the people into the coffers of the Government. He hoped the House would insist on a division despite apparent agreement in certain quarters to let the Government down lightly. Colonel Trimble spoke generally in favor of the principles of the scheme, but thought the contribution too high. He replied to several of Grey’s objections. Moss spoke most strongly against the proposal as one wrong and vicious in principle. Hursthousc believed the country would warmly approve of the proposal and that the details of working can be arranged satisfactorily without difficulty. He did not think the proposed conditions beyond the ability of the people to pay. Hutchinson regarded tho proposal as revolutionary aud an intolerable interference in social life. Sheehan condemned the scheme as crude and unsatisfactory. If such schemes were carried the colony would become a perfect Alsatia. and refuge for destitute and unprovided of all countries. He moved to insert the words “ proposal is not satisfactory ’’ in the motion.

Turnbull said the land monopoly was the sole cause of poverty in this colony, and this scheme was a fresh attempt to relieve property of its legitimate binders.

Mr Harris moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to.

On the question of when it should be resumed, Major Atkinson expressed his regret that the question was being treated as a party one by a certain portion of the House, although the leader of the Opposition behaved handsomely. Mr Sheehan said that Major Atkinson wanted to make his amendment a no-confidence one, but he would not let him.

Mr Montgomery said he spoke for the bulk of the Opposition. It disclaimed all desire to treat the question as a party one of confidence. Mr Barron blamed Major Atkinson for treating the question as a party one. He would not do so.

Sir George Grey disclaimed all discourtesy to the Government, but objected to Mr Montgomery talking of “ the party," as it might affect the character of hon. members, his own for instance.

Mr Montgomery said he had never alluded to Sir George Grey as belonging to his party. Mr Moss hoped one great provincial party would arise from the present confusion.

After some further discussion the debate was adjourned to next day, and tho House rose at 1.85. Tho Houso met at 2.30,

Standing Orders: Tho Committee reported that standing orders not having been complied with the Wellington Gas Company’s Bill should not bo allowed to proceed. In reply to a question ; Tho Governmojit had received a recommendation from the Grand Jury of Hawke's Bay in favor of holding sittings of the Supremo Court at Gisborne, but in forwarding this Judge Gillies had not made any personal recommendation.

Tho following new Bills were intro, dueod and road a first time: A Bill (No. 2) to amend “The Auckland College and Grammar School Act, 1877, (Moss), Tho Mining and Harbor Reserves Bill. The Mining on Education Reserves Bill. The Mining on Water Race Reserves Bill, (Seddon).

_ Wright postponed his motion referring to placing the Main Middle Island

Railway under a Board, under a statement made on tho subject by the Minister of Public Works. Mr Ivess moved that this House will on Wednesday next resolve itself into committee of the whole House to consider an address to the Governor requesting his Excellency to place a sufficient sum on the Estimates to recoup Major Harries and Mr Wason the taxed costs which they incurred iu the Elections Petitions Court, which declared their elections void owing to the laches of the Returning officer who the Government employed to conduet the elections for the Wakanui and Franklin North Seats. He alluded to facts connected with the Wakanui and Franklin elections to show that no fault rested with the candidates themselves, and they were cast in costs entirely through mistakes by Government officers, for which the Government should be responsible. If such liabilities might be incurred innocently, people would be very chary of becoming candidates. Hobbs suggested that Buckland’s name should be included. Ivess said that he, like Buckland, had incurred heavy costs under similar circumstances, but he did not ask to be repaid them. Hobbs moved the inclusion of Buckland's name.

Fitzgerald said a wide question was opened up and no machinery was in existence to establish the facts on which relief was asked.

Mr Morris supported the motion, and Mr Weston, while in favor of it, suggested reference to Committee. Sheehan approved of the principle of tho motion of Buckland’s name being inserted, but thought that the whole of these oases, as well as monstrous costs charged in Election Courts, should be enquired into by a committee, and ho moved a resolution to that effect.

Dick was willing to accept this ; he was not prepared to admit that the Government was liable for acts of servants. No doubt the cases iu point deserved sympathy, but ho knew of no precedent for giving money. J Bracken condemned the Corrupt Practices Act as a huge mistake. Sir J. Hall thought the motion indefinite, and moved that a select committee be appointed to report whether in any of those cases in which Election petitions are referred to, Courts, the circumstances are such as render it just and reasonable that the person on whom tho costs of such trial have fallen should be relieved therefrom by a grant from the Colonial Treasury, and also as to costs charged iu such enquirios. Mr Sheehan accepted this, and after some discussion, it was agreed to on Mr Sheehan’s motion,

A Select Committe was appointed to consider the best means to give effect to the expressed wish of the House on the subject. Naval training vessels : Certain pro posed amendments in Standing Orders were, on Mr Stewards motion, referred to Standing Orders Committee to report on. The debate was interrupted by the dinner hour.