PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2648, 15 September 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph.], YESTERDAY..- , - LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. GOVERNMENT INSURANCE. In the Legislative Council yesterday, Mr Whitaker gave notice to move a resolution re dividing the Government Insurance surplus, RAILWAYS BILL. On the second reading of the Railways Construction Bill several members spoke against the measure, on the various grounds that it would open a door to jobbery and corruption, that it would not work, and that Government should continue the construction of railways themselves. The second reading was, however, carried by 15 to 4. TIMABU HARBOR. Among the Bills advanced a stage, the Titnam Harbor Endowment Bill was one, being read a third time. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS. In reply to a question Mr Rolleston said offers had been received for a lease of the Auckland Islands for a sheep run, he was advised they were quite unsuited for such a purpose. If it was decided to lease them, care would be taken to insert conditions in the lease for the preservation of the sealing interest. MIDDLE ISLAND MAORIS. Replying to Mr Taiaroa, Mr Rolleston said respecting the support of destitute Maoris in the Middle Island the reserves were properly administered, and there should be no destitute natives in that part of the colony. Government, however, had provided for destitute natives in that part of the colony, and would continue doing so in the case of deserving natives. nominated immigrants. Replying to Mr Bowen, Mr Rolleston said nominations for immigrants from the Home Country were accepted, subject to the approval of Government, but they had a perfect right to refuse these nominations if it was* thought advisable. Hardships, however, had arisen in consequence of these nominations having been accepted, and in that case Government had stretched a point and arranged for these passages being granted. Government would ask the House to continue the power of accepting nominations, the same being confined with a limited amount. A COMPLAINT. Mr Wakefield complained of the want of consideration shown by members of the other House to those of the House of Representatives. A Joint Conference on the Licensing Bill was fixed to take place that morning at 10.30. He was a member of that Conference and was most desirious of being present to defend the New Zealand wine license. After sitting as they had done all night it was impossible for them to attend a conference at the early hour of 10.30, and he had intimated that fact to the Colonial Secretary, who led him to understand that the Conference would be adjourned. He now found that it had gone on, and, as he anticipated, the New Zealand wine license had been struck out. He thought a great want of courtesy had been shown to members of this House, both on this and on other similar occasions. Mr Hall pointed out that when the report came on for adoption an opportunity would be afforded for revising the question. GOVERNMENT'INSURANCE PROFITS. Major Atkinson then moved the adoption of a scheme for the distribution of the Government Insurance profits. Ho then explained the details of the proposed scheme of distribution. He thought the public could now safely repose the dullest confidence in the Department, which was well conducted as any life assurance business in the colony. But, at the same time, he admitted that certain alterations in the Act were desirable, and he regretted that the sate of business prevented the introduction this session of a Bill he had prepared for placing the Department under the control of a Board, elected in part by policy holders. Next session he hoped to see this done. Sir George Grey criticised the system, and said that the primary object of Government life assurance should be to provide for the poorer classes, leaving the wealthier classes to transact business with the private companies, which the Government system did not do. He objected to the manner in which agents were employed. They should endeavor to educate the public mind to the system of insurance, and not go about touting as they did for the highest amounts they could get. He concluded by proposing the following as an addition—“ This House is of opinion that the present system-of Government insurance not being adapted to the-re-quirements of the working classes, a scheme should at once be devised and given effect to which shall meet their requirements.” Major Atkinson said lie would accept the addition, and would during the recess take steps for giving effeet to the recommendation. Mr J. B. Fisher took exception to the whole theory, contending that, having provident society purposes ia view, they ought to hold out inducements to all classes of lives to insure. Indeed, the bad lives were the most necessary to be insured, as these lives were likely to bo the shortest, and consequently those dependant upon them were more likely to bo left unprovided for. A very small addition to the present premium charge! would enable a scheme of that kind to bo carried out. The resolution as amended was agreed to. THE ESTIMATES. The estimates being proceeded with, the following votes were passed Class 8 —Minister of Education, £277,110 2s 9d, the vote for general education being £250,5U4 Bs, and for Native schools, £14,788; the balance being for Naval Training school, Industrial schools, Deaf aud Dumb Institutions and miscellaneous services. Class 9—Native the following votes: —Salaries and contingencies, £BIOB ; miscellaneous services, £302; Native Laud Court £10,142. „ . Class --Minister oi . . cnee-—Militia and Volunteers. J:3(v£3 ; Police and Armed Constabuhuy. £9<,049 ; Miscellaneous services, £1552. Class 13—Minister of Lands, total of class, £134,583 ; Chargeable uJ native reserves account, £1272.

Glass llr—Minister of Public Works. Railways, £543,958; Architect’s Office, £'1442; Government Domains, £062 Public Buildings, £22,452 ; Mike,allaneous, £13,635 ; total, £591,645. BuWicj^orkkci^stimates—lmmigration, £23,586; Public Works Departraent, £12,772; Railways, £1,017,633 ; Surveys of new lines of Railway, £4OOO ; Roads, £262,763; Land Purchase, £87,623; Waterworks on Goldfields, £22,000; Telegraph Extension, £21,154 : Public Buildings, £190,906 ; Lighthouses, £34,545 ; Contingent Defence, £84,000 ; Charges of raising loan, £14,000. Progress was reported and the House rose at 2 a.m.

THIS DAY. The House met at 11 a.m. to day. , DEATH OF MR MOORHOUSE. Immediately after prayers, Mr Hall, who spoke with considerable, emotion, addressing the Speaker, said : Sir, — Since we last met an event has occurred which will occasion great sorrow, not only in this House but throughout the whole of New Zealand. There has passed away from amongst us one of the most popular and one of the most distinguished men of this Colony, Mr Moorhouse. Mr Moorhonse was amongst the earliest settlers in Canterbury, and he was amongst the first to take up an important position in the public life of the Colony. A man possessed of vast natural ability, and generosity of disposition, he was early placed in a position of trust and responsibility by his fellow-settlers in the portion of the Colquy to which he belonged. For many years he filled the office of Superintendent of the large and populous province of Canterbury, and his name has been inseparably associated with the important years in the history of its progress “and prosperity. William Sefton Moorhouse was one of the first elected members of the House of Representatives, and was one who will be long remembered iu this House for his many virtues, m.q who will long be remembered lor Ltd long and able public services. In FLo death of Mr Moorhouse wa have lost a public man whose place will not be readily filled up, and whose name will occupy a lasting place in the hearts of the people. I feel that lam quite unable to say more. I feel myself wholly at a loss to express my feelings on this occasion. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased I will move that this House do now adjourn until this evening at 7.30. I understand that it waa the wish of the deceased that his remaina should be interred in Canterbury, auu with the view of giving effect to that wish Government has determined upon placing the Government steamer at the disposal of his friends for tho purpose. I now propose that the House do adjourn till the evening, and I shall take care that the members will be afforded an opportunity of attending the procession from the deceased’s house down to the steamer.

Sir George Grey sMd—Sir, I rise to second the motion. There are occasions when it is is intended to pay a compliment to some persons who are so little known (hat they require explanation, but on the present occasion that is quite unnecessary. Mr Moorhouse was one of the first colonists of New Zealand to teach his fellow-men to rely upon their own resources and to show what great things might bn accomplished by energy and self-reliance, He applied his mind to that and he successfully carried out perhaps one of the most important works that has ever been executed in New Zealand. In that way he gave an example not only to the Province of Canterbury but to the whole of the colony. By his generosity and devotion in all these respects he has established a claim to our gratitude and remembrance. This House, on a previous occasion, did its utmost during the life of Mr Moorhouse to show itself grateful for the services of that gentleman, and now I trust we shall pay this last tribute of respect without one dissentient voice, and show courtesy to the memory of the. gentleman whom we all reespected. MrMacandrew said—l will only add one word to what has been said. Not only has the colony lost one of its most prominent men, but I have lost in the death of Mr Moorhouso a sincere aud trusted friend, one with whom I have been associated for a period of 30 years. As the Premier has stated, Mr Moorhouse and myself were the only two members of the present House who occupied seats in the first Parliament, in the session of 1854. Of his public life and actions it is quite unnecessary that I should speak ; of his deeds he has loft a monument behind him which will perpetuate his memory as long as New Zealand endures. The motion was then agreed to and the House then rose.