PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2644, 10 September 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Sept 9. REPRESENTATION BILL. The debate on the second reading of the Representation Bill was resumed. Mr G. R. Johnson said it was a great mistake to increase tho number of members. Representation was so adjusted as to keep up local jealousies. lie blamed the Government for not bringing in a self adjusting system similar to that existing in other colonies and in America, Dr Grace said the representation' in both Islands was now as nearly fair as it was possible to make it. The Maoris should he included in the general population. The present representation was the happiest compromise between the different bases of population and the revenue. Mr Scotland spoke against some portions of the Bill. Mr Reynolds supported the Bill. Mr Williamson was not prepared to to vote against the Bill, because some change was required, and it being so late in the session there was no time to bring in another measure, Mr Lahmann and Mr Mautell spoke against the Bill Mr Whitaker having replied, the second reading was carried by 14 to 7. AXES. Acland Peacock Brett Peter Fraser Reynolds Holmes Robinson Johnston, J. Whitaker Ngatata Wigley Nurse Wood NOES. Buckley, P. A. Mautell Chamberlin Richmond Dignan Scotland . Lahmann HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The House met at 2.30 p.m. OSTRICH FARMING. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would ask if Government would be prepared to place on the estimates a sum providing a bonus for the first fifty ostriches landed in the colony as an encouragement of ostrich farming in New Zealand. THE GOVERNOR’S DEPARTURE.

Mr Gisborne desired to raiso two questions as to the effect o£ the Governor’s departure from the colony on a visit to the South Sea Islands. The first was that by the Constitution Act the General Assembly was constituted as consisting of the Governor,the Legis lative Council, and the House of lie presentatives. It was also provided that the General Assembly, that was the three Estates named—should meet for business at a place to be appointed by proclamation. How Wellington was the place so named, and the first point therefore was whether the absence from Wellington of one of the Estates did not estimate the sitttingof the Assembly. The second point was that the Letters Patent consisting the office of Governor of Hew Zealand provided that in the event of the death, incapacity, or de parture of the Governor, the dormant commission of the Chief Justice should come into operation, and remain in force until Her Majesty’s pleasure was otherwise signified. The word “departure" was evidently not synonymous with temporary absence. Mr Pyke urged that it was highly inconvenient for the Governor to leave during the silting of Parliament, which went to show that the present arrangement of combining the Governorship and the High Commissionership in the one person was the most inconvenient. He pointed out that documents which cost £4OOO for printing had been printed in New Zealand on business connected with the office of the High Commissioner. To his mind that fact suggested the idea that his Excellency could have devoted very little time-to the business of this colony. The fact went to show that they could very well afford to dispense with the high salary, or at least a great portion thereof at present provided for the Governor. They deducted ten per cent off every paltry salary, but this was a direction in which a material saving might well be effected. Sir William Fox thought that too fine a distinction had been attempted to be drawn between the words “departure from ” and “ absence from ’’ the colony. The one phrase included the other, as the absence must involve departure and departure the absence. Mr Macandrew said the real Governor sat on these Benches, and it mattered very little whether the nominal Governor was here or in Fiji.

Mr Hall said he did not attach much importance to the points so ingeniously raised by Mr Gisborne. Regarding Mr Fyke’s remarks he did not concur in them, and he might say that his Excellency had intimated to him that if the ten per cent, reduction was to be continued this year, he desired it to be applied to Ids own salary. The. discussion then dropped, and the motion to meet on Monday at 11 was agreed to. HE PL 188 TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Andrews, Mr Hall said it was incorrect to attribute the reduction of the salaries of permanent way men and other railway hands to the ten per cent reduction. It had been made so as to bo readjusted in conformity with the rales paid for similar work in the outside labor market. Replying to Mr Murray, Mr Hall sai l the Governor drew his half salary during his absence, and tiie ActingGovernor the other half, as well as half his own salary. Replying to Mr Pyke, Mr Hall said (lie subject of reducing the salaries of all future Governors was under consideration, but he did not think any definite conclusion would he arrived at before the close of the session. hills passed. The fcdlowing Rills were passed through Committee, read a third time and passed : —Timaru Water-race Reserve Bill and the Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION AND LAND BILL.

On the motion for going into Committee on the Hailwa3 r Construction and Land Bill, Mr Murray took exception to the Bill, expatiating at length on the danger of allowing these works to be constructed by companies, and submitting an elaborate scheme of his own.

Mr Macandrew said he would not oppose the Bill, but at the same time he expressed an opinion that the railways should be undertaken by the Government, and not left to the operations of private companies. Mr Oliver adopted an opposite view thinking that a good workable measure could be made of it. In the course of the debate, Mr Seddon said that the member for Grey Valley had been appointed solicitor for the rail way from Atnberley to Greymouth. Mr Weston, the member referred to, denied the statement. Mr Seddon went on to say that in that case the Canterbury “ Press ” was a liar, as he had read it in the paper referred to. He was called to order by the Chairman, and on persisting was peremptorily ordered to desist. He then went on to contend that the power proposed was one which should not be left in the hands of the Government of the day. Sept 10. Mr Seddon, after some altercation with the Chairman about having to confine himself to speaking on the schedule, mow d to include the Hokitika and Greymouth -line. Ayes, 10 ; Noes, 22. Mr Pyke called attention to Mr Seddon having voted after he had paired with Mr Rolleston. The Chairman said he could not take notice of the fact, as pairs were only a matter of honor between members.

Subsequently Mr Pyke complained that Mr Seddon had called him a liar. The Chairman declined to take notice of anything said privately. Mr Pyke then said it would have to be settled in the lobby, to which Mr Seddon replied he was agreeable. The schedule having passed, the Bill was reported, when Mr Thompson moved that Clause 15 be not agreed to. Mr Murray moved the adjournment of the debate till Monday, which was lost by 21 to 8. An amendment to read the Bill that day six months was negatived, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 4.25.