PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2613, 5 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPEBSENTATIVES. Wellington, August 4. ENDOWMENT BILLS. Ten notices of intention were given asking leave to introduce Harbor Board Endowment Bills. TENSIONS BILL, Mr Shmnski moved the second reading of the Pensions Bill. The Bill was not retrospective. It only dealt with the future. Then again the Bill proposed for the future Government of granting any pensions, and

loaving it to the Parliament to say whether or not it was right such a grant should be made. It also debarred persons in receipt of pensions from entering cither branch of the legislature. Mr Hall agreed that (he utmost economy should be practised, but at tbe same time ho recognised the importance of keeping good faith.

Sir George Grev took it that what the Bill meant was that before a pension was granted the papers should bo placed before Parliament. In the past pensions had been wrongfully granted, and in the past unlawful arrangements had been entered into between Govern ment and officers retiring. Mr Saunders thought the Bill did not go quite far enough. What they wanted was a measure enacting that every pension granted, not in strict accordance with the law should be abolished, and the recipients should have no claim for compensation. The motion was carried on the voices and the Bill read a second time. GOLD DUTY ABOLITION BILL. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Gold Duty Abolition Bill. Mr Brown supported the Bill, but thought that instead of simply reducing the tax Is an ounce it should be done away with altogether. The motion was carried, and the Bill read a second time, and referred to the Goldfields Committee. ADOPTION OP CHILDREN’S BILL

Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Adoption of Children’s Bill. He said it had originated in the other Chamber, and had been adopted without a division. Its aim was that the design of tbe benevolent might make a wide scope and give the same the security of the law. The Bill was read a second time. GISBORNE IT AII BOR BILL., Mr McDonald moved the second reading of the Gisborne Harbor Board Bill. He explained that the endowment asked for was 44,009 acres of land, upon the security of which they proposed to raise a sum of 470,000 for the erection of a wharf. The land had only cost the Government £IO,OOO.

Mr Rolleston said there was no doubt but that their time would be taken, up with a great many of these Bills, and if they did not strangle them here they would be strangled in another place. These wore proposals to take every acre of really good available land from settlement and appropriate them for local purposes. The Government was about to open up the very block here proposed to betaken, and he blamed Mr McDonald for neglecting the interests of his district. Mr Turnbull spoke in support of the Bill, contending that the improvement of these harbors tended to increase the value of the district and the territorial estate. The true principle of taxation was to raise it from the land, and the object aimed at by this Bill was entirely an endorsment of that principle. Mr Macandrew looked upon the East Coast as having been neglected, and he thought the endowment asked might very properly be given.

Mr Hall said be would vote for the second reading, as be thought it was very desirable that this harbor should be improved, and a good use be made of the foreshore. He would not vote, however, for the landed endowment.

Mr Pitt would vote for the second reading, but lie would oppose the borrowing powers sought for. Mr Montgomery thought it was better to appropriate the lands rather than vole large sums for snob works. Mr McLean denounced the, practice of party tactics being imported into these Bills. They should take each Bill on its own merits.

Mr Murray also spoke in support of the motion. He estimated the value of the landed endowment at from iM to £5 per acre. The motion was carried, and the Bill read a second time. The House rose at 1. 5 a.m.