PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 249, 1 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Own Correspondent.] Legislative Council. Wellington, October 1. Second Readings. In the Legislative Council yesterday The Gisborne Gas Companys Bill was read a second time. Mr. Wilson moved the second reading of the Napier Harbor Bill. Mr. Waterhouse said he would not vote against the second reading, but intimated his intention to move that the ratepayers be not asked to sanction the proposed works until the commission had reported on them. Mr. Miller and Sir George Whitmore supported the Bill. Mr. Chamberlain moved that the Bill be read six months hence. Mr. Oliver moved the adjournment of the debate, which was carried. Third Readings. The Impounding Bill was read a third time and passed.

House of Representatives

In the House yesterday Sir Julius Vogel gave notice of a bill to encourage the production of sugar from beet and sorghum. Public Works Statement. Sir Julius Vogel stated that the Public Works Statement had not been completed, and Government could fix no day for its delivery. Third Readings. The Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trust Incorporation Bill was passed through Committee and read a third time, and passed. Second Readings. The False Notice of Births, Marriages, and Deaths Bill ; Bills of Exchange Act Amendment Bill, and Public Reserves Act Amendment Bill were each read a second time. On the motion for going into Committee on the Gold Duty Abolition Bill Sir Julius Vogel said Government would not substitute other local revenue for that proposed to be abolished. After some discussion the second reading was negatived by 29 to 22. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the District Railways Leasing and Purchasing Dill, which provides for the purchase or lease of the Duntroon and Hakataramea Railway, the Raikaia and Ashburton—Fox Railway, the Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway, the Waimate Railway, and the Waimea Plains Railway. He said the Bill would not increase the liability of the Government, but its intention was to take advantage of the unfortunate position into which these companies had fallen, and obtain the lines on the most favorable terms. The total mileage of these railways was about 125, and the total purchasing price £600,000. Should there be any loss in working the railways, half of such loss was to be borne by the ratepayers, providing that it did not exceed 20 per cent Sir Julius Vogel then stated that although he was chairman of one of the companies, he had |

resigned on taking his present office, so it could not be said he had any personal interest in the-matter. He contended that under any circumstances Government were pledged to purchase these lines, and ‘here was no more favorable time than the present for doing so.

Mr. Montgomery said if Government were going to take over liabilities of this kind, he would prefer to see them take over the Napier harbor works, which he characterised as a perfectly honest work. Mr. Fergus said a number of settlers had purchased land because there was a railway to be constructed, and it would be a breach of faith if the lines were not purchased. Mr. Steward supported the bill as a solution of the grave difficulty occasioned by the action of Parliament in sanctioning these lines.

Mr. Turnbull said although he had opposed the measure in 1879, he saw nothing now but to take lines over.

Mr. Fulton asked the House to reject the bill. Mr. Harper supported the bil 1 , and argued that it was an open queetio whet’. the colony was not responsible for the suns borrowed by these companies. Mr. Rolleston said although he had supported proposals of the kind in 1879, times had changed, and he would not now give it his support.

Mr. Macandrew said the lines were not constructed for the benefit of the colony, and in voting for the second reading he would be swallowing a very bitter pill. He denied that if the House rejected the bill they would be breaking faith with anybody. Mr. Bryce said if they agreed to rhe Bill they would be rushed to take over the liabilities of all works which were not a success. Mr. Levestam considered the Bill was for the relief of shareholders in unsuccessful companies.

Mr. Cowan thought the Government were to be congratulated for the happy solution of a difficulty.

Mr. Wakefield said shareholders in these companies knew very well when they went into the speculation if it was a failure Government would relieve them of their responsibility. He supposed it would have to be done, and was glad the Bill provided that no more railways be constructed under the District Railways Act. In committee they might make land in the neighbourhood permanently liable for a portion of the deficit, and fix a purchasing price at a reasonable figure.

Colonel Trimble counselled the House to let these railways stand as they were, if for no other season than to operate as a caution against schemes of a similar kind being gone into in future.

Sir Julius Vogel having replied, The second reading was cairied by 45 to 17. The Registration of Births Extension Bill was read a second time. The House went into Committee on the Parliamentary Honorarium and Privileges Bill. A motion by Capt. Russell to reduce the amount from £2lO to £lO5 was negatived by 42 to 16. Clause 7, providing that no member disqualified for serving on a Royal Commission on receiving fees or allowance was struck out. T/?e Longhurst Case. The Public Petitions Committee having considered the petition of the convict George Lnnghurst resolved, That they have no recommendation to make to the House on the matter.