THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1770, 22 July 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(jSF ELECTRIC TELE&BJ.PH.) «. Wellington", July 18. In the Legislative Council to-day, the Hon. Mr Hark moved the address in reply. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse, in speaking to the motion, congratulated the Council on the fact that t \ey now had a Go* veruor experienced in official life. He then proceeded to criticise the speech. The departmental expenditure, he said, hid been loose. He had seen a number of blank forms, with Sir George Bo wen's signature, kept in drawers in the Colonial Secretary's office. He ordered the UuderSecretary to lock them up in the safe. He hoped there would be no repetition of thai conduct under the present Governor. He (the Hon. Mr Waterhouse) called bucli practices fraud. A tighter system of administration was necessary, as the most important requirements of the Civil Service Act were neglected. The only department that was properly classified was the Customs. The Land Fund Act had been, a dead letter. The Attorney- General's salary was legally fixed at £1000 per annum, yet he received £1200. The money for the road * in the North Island was not properly applied, and the allowance for travelling expenses was exceeded. Ministers of the Crown aud Judges were allowed two guineaß per day as travelling expenses, but they drew four guineas. The Auditor-General was blatneable for passing such accouutft The prosperity of the Colony was not entirely due to the Public Works policy. It was greatly due to the prosperity of the pastoral interest, and the increased price of wool, which brought three millions into the country. After criticising other parts of the Governor's speech, the Hon. Mr Waterhouse concluded by declaring that he was a supporter of the Public Works policy. The address in reply was agreed to. In the House of -Representatives today, Mr O'Connor, one of the West Coast members, asked the Commissioner of Customs whether the Government intended to substitute manhood suffrage for the preseut electoral qualification? Mr Reynolds replied that the hon. member had better wait until the new Electoral Bill was introduced. Mr O'Connor asked whether the Government were importing railway carriages constructed of New Zealand timber at a greater cost than if they were produced in the Colony. Mr Richardson, the Minister of Public Works, replied that New Zealand timber was not used. Colonial manufactures were used when possible. The following Bills were read a first time :-r*Extensiou of Miners Franchise, Telegraph Cable Subsidy Agreement Batification, Civil Service Act Amendment, Permanent Officers Salary, Animals Importation Prohibition, and Provincial Councils Powers. The speech was ordered to be presented on Tuesday. The Municipal Corporations Waterworks and Assaults on Constables Bills were committed. Mr Murray, member for Bruce, moved the appointment of a select committee to report on the producing and manufacturing resources of the Colony, Agreed to.

Mr Murray proposed bis motior relative to the prevention of the alienation of Native lands. He said large tracts of land were passing into the hands oi speculators, the Natives about Napier being divested of their lands. Mr M'Lean, the Native Minister, promised to introduce a Bill to meet the requirements of the case. Major Atkinson hoped the confiscated lands would be included. Mr Fitzherbert said that immediate steps should be taken, to prevent large tracts of land being bought before the Bill passed. Lands were now being Bold at fourpence per acre. The motion was agreed to. On the motion of Mr O'Connor a return of the cost of forming and revising the electoral rolls was agreed to. Mr Eichardßon read a telegram from the Agent-General, stating that 2650 souls had been shipped for the Colony in the months of May and June, and that probably 1200 would be sent in July. 16,500 tons of railway r plant had been shipped, including 16 locomotives, 31 carriages, and 163 waggons. July 21. The Volunteer Land Act repeals the Volunteer Land Act of 1865. The Joint Stock Companies Act Amendment is to make the Act apply to associations for banking out of New Zealand. Ihe Bill for the reconstruction of the Legislative Council provides that each member already summoned to the Council Bhall hold bis seat till the end of 1878 only, but should no Act be pasßed before 1878, making further alterations, members of the Council may hold their seats till the year 1880. In reply to a deputation, consisting of West Coast members, the Premier suggested that Westland should become a Province, the Superintendent being elected by the whole body of electors, and having a seat in the Council. The deputation expressed themselves in favor of this proposal. The Premier promised to give consideration to the Mikonui water race, and the survey of a line to connect the east and west coasts. It is stated in well-informed circles that it is understood that the Government will introduce a Bill to enable Provincial Governments to borrow money for specific purposes in the same way as provided for municipal corporations. It is believed to be the intention of the Government to endeavor to amend Mr Gilließ's Volunteer Land Scrip Act, in order to secure to persons entitled to land, grants before the passing of the new Act.