House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 227, 4 September 1884, Page 2

House of Representatives.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8. The House met at 2.30. Mr. Stout said they wore aware he had promised if possible he would to-day be in a position to announce to them that he had succeeded in completing the task entrusted to him by the Governor of forming an administration. He had been enabled to do so. He announced the names of those sworn in, and said that they had left two offices still to be filled up, and he hoped to be able to announce to them in the course of a few days that he had succeeded in filling up these. It was their desire, if possible, that these offices be filled up from North Island members, one, if possible, from the Provincial District of Auckland. In regard to the position taken by Sir Julius Vogel of Treasurer, he had to explain that but for fear of his bad health he (Mr. Stout) would have insisted upon him taking the position of Premier. As it was, Sir Julius Vogel had point blank refused to take that position. If his health improved, however, there might be a change in that respect. The members of the Government as formed had reserved the right of individual freedom of opinion in the formation of an administration. He had found himself placed in a delicate position, and to his late colleagues he had been greatly indebted in the assistance they had given him in the work. So much had this been the case that he professed that their kindness in this respect would never be forgotten by him. The Government as completed recognised the great importance of fostering the mining industry. He meant by that not only the production of gold, but of all the other metals, including coal, &c. With the view of giving effect to that administration, they would at an early date ask members to agree to the appointment of a Minister for Mines, one who would devote himself entirely to that department. That would necessitate the appointment of an extra member, as at present they could only appoint seven members to the Government. Parliament having now been in session for some weeks, Government recognised the importance of getting the business gone on with as fast as possible. They would therefore be prepared to go on with the Order Paper as fast as possible. He would say a word more as to the policy in the Governor’s speech. Members would remember that reference had been made to questions of an abstract policy, and Government proposed to bring down Bills at an early date dealing with these matters. As regards the management of railways, their proposals in that direction would be made known when the Financial and Public Works statements were produced. No attempt would be made this session to change the mode of taxation, as the subject was one of far too great import to admit of any such change being made without more mature consideration. From the position of the colony at present, the policy of the Government had, to a great extent, to be regulated by their finances. Such being the case the policy of the Government could not be fully disclosed all at once. Several measures of importance, however, would be brought forward. Government saw that the present system of local government was most unsatisfactory. They, however, considered that it should not be thoughtlessly cut down or destroyed, and bearing that in mind they would take till next session to consider what changes should be made. Respecting the North Island Railway, the proposal to appoint a select committee to consider and report upon the best route was a promise made in all sincerity, and not with any desire of shelving the question indefinitely, as had been asserted. Government believed that would be the most satisfactory course to both Parliament and the country. When the committee had arrived at a decision on the point, it was the intention of the Government that the work should be gone on with without delay. In conclusion he stated that the portfolio, as enumerated above, had been hastily allocated, and upon mature reflection Government might see it desirable to re-distribute the offices. He would, however, ask them to accept the names mentioned for the present, and by that means allow them to proceed to business.

Replies to Questions. In reply to a question put, Mr. Stout said that the Financial and Public Works Statement would be brought down within a fortnight. In reply to a question put by Mr. Guiness» who asked if it was true that the Governor had promised a dissolution in the event 0* this Government not standing, Mr. Stout said that it would be most irregular for him to state what transpired between himself and the Governor. Replying to Mr. Taiaroa,

Mr. Ballance said the Crown Grants had not yet been issued to the Maoris for the Mawhere Native Reserve, under the provisions of the South Island Native Reserves Act, 1883, as the survey had not been completed. Replying to Mr. Shrimski,

Mr. Ballance said that the Kawakawa Coal Co. had not made any payment to the Crown, as the funds of the Company were known to be in the reverse of a flourishing state. Replying to Mr. Bevin,

Mr. Balance said the Governor had not yet had time to consider what he would do in the matter of providing for elective Waste Land Boards.

Replying to Mr. Moss, Sir Julius Vogel said the Government would bring in a bill for payments of members, providing for the amount being paid annually, and not as at present sessionally. Replying to Mr. W. F. Buckland,

Mr. Richardson said steps would be taken to provide against the numerous accidents that had occurred on the Epsom Road, at Bird Grove, and further enquiries would be made into the matter. Replying to Mr. Holmes,

Sir Julius Vogel said that in two instances money belonging to the Insurance department of the Government has been invested in the purchase of district railway debentures.

Mr. Ballance, replying to Mr. Levestam, said the cost of supplying volunteers with Martini-Henry rifles in place of Sneiders would be £15,000, and the Government could not see their way to expend this amount at the present time.

' New Bills. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time Abolition of Gold Duty Bill (Brown). To amend Property Assessment Act (Grey). North Dunedin Cemetery Extension Bill (Bradshaw). City of Dunedin Leasing Powers Bill (Bradshaw). Wanganui Harbor Board Rate Bill (Ballance). Drainage of Mines (Brown). Workmen’s Wages (Cadman). Appointment of Committees. Sessional Committees were appointed. Motions. Mr. O’Connor moved, “ That to relieve the Consolidated revenue from charges derived

from the deficit in railway returns, it is desirable, unless where a special provision has been made by the Legislature, that deficiencies so arising shall, in each case, be made good by a tax to be levied upon the adjoining lands, in proportion to the benefit received from the railway, and then to ensure satisfactory and efficient management, that the local governing bodies be invited to suggest to the Minister any alterations necessary in their locale, any such suggestions so made, with a note of the action taken upon them, to be laid before the House early in the session. He contended that this proposal would have the effect of securing more direct local interest in railways than was at present the case. He instanced a number of amenities in the traffic which arose from the railway authorities not being sufficiently conversant with the actual requirements of the particular district, and providing for more direct and intricate communication between the local bodies and the railway authorities. These would be obviated. Mr. Joyce opposed the motion. These lines had been made with the sanction of the House, and as such they became public property. It was in all respects similar to the Postal Department. Some duly paid, and others did not, but as a grand whole the one had been made to sustain the other.

Mr. Seddon moved, as an amendment, the adjournment of the debate, which was one which required more data to deal with than they had before them. Mr. Garrick seconded, and supported the amendment.

Mr. Pyke called upon the Government to tell them what they proposed doing in the circumstance, as he could very well understand the whole matter involved a vital point of policy. Sir Julius Vogel said the question of railway administration was one which required to be considered from different points of view. They might make their railways pay at the expense of their usefulness, and that was not by any means desirable. He asked their consent to a few weeks’ delay, in order that they might be prepared to approach the subject in the light of the importance which the whole question demanded. Mr. O’Connor was prepared to accept an adjournment, which was put and carried.

Second Readings. Mr. Barron moved the second reading of the Plurality of Votes Bill. Replying to a remark made by Mr, Guinness, Mr. Stout said Government could not recognise any necessity for making this a party question, and cited instances to show that in the Imperial Parliament a course of that kind would not be adopted. Sir Julius Vogel spoke against this Bill, and repudiated the practice of vested rights being interfered with without mature consideration. Sir George Grey supported the Bill, stating that the resolution arrived at was a most important one, and the whole was well worthy of the achievement of any new Parliament. Mr. Pyke pointed out anomalies in the registration system, and while he supported the principle, he denounced the Bill as a fraud, and as being altogether crude and unworkable. The motion was carried. The House adjourned at 5.5 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.