HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, September 3.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 66, 6 September 1884, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, September 3.

Yesterday's Short Sitting of the House. There was a half-hour sitting of the House yesterday afternoon, but beyond the presentation of a further batch of petitions, and notices given of a few motions and bills, there was really no business done. A short discussion followed the motion by Major Atkinson for the adjournment of the House until this afternoon. The Major explained that after the vote of Friday night ' the Government had sent in their resignation on Saturday morning.

Mr Stout's Statement. Mr Stout, at whose request Major Atkinson had moved the adjournment, volunteered the additional information that His Excellency had entrusted to him the formation of an Administration, which he hoped would be sworn in by to-day, when he hoped they would be aWe to proceed with business.

The Complaint of Mr Joyoo. Following the example set by Mr Seddon the other day, Mr Joyce delivered himself of

opinions respecting recent events, but fortunately had less to say, and spoke more to the point than the member forKumara. He asserted that he had beon subjected to more anxiety during the last three weeks than in any previous peiiod of his life, and also claimed that he had been exposed to an exceptional amount of entreaty, temptation, and solicitation. So far had he been affected by what he had seen and hoard that he gave expression to the opinion that it would be better for a man to be digging potatceß on his farm than to be there amongst socalled "statesmen." Asa remedy Tor the evil, Mr Joyce advocated the adoption of the practice which obtains in the mother country of members going back to their constituents for reelection before taking portfolios, and lie promised to take the earliest opportunity to move in that direction.

More Delay Wanted. The Colonial Treasurer and Mr Fulton urged the appointment of Committees in order that private business might be gone on with, and the latter gentleman gave a sly poke at some one when he suggested that the selection should be made a question of the personal capabilities of candidates, rather than a political question. A few words from the Major brought tho discussion to a conclusion. Major Atkinson pointed out that the time of the country could not have been wasted, seeing that the most important function they had to perform was the selection of an Executive alike satisfactory to the House ! and the country. Any impatience on this score for the next two 01 three weeks would, he thought, be a matter for regret. Members evidently thought differently, judging from the loud expressions of dissent that greeted the latter statement.

Ministers and Constituencies. Major Atkinson disapproved of the proposal to send newly-chosen Ministers back to the country for re-election, pointing out that the time for such a measure had passed away, and also tho necessity for its enactment. It was originally framed in order that the Crown should not be in a position to influence members by giving them office.

Sir George Grey and the Land Tax. Sir George Grey has again moved in the question of a land tax. He gave notice yesterday of an act to amend the Property Assessment Act. Slight applause followed the announcement

A Field Day fox* the Gentler Sex. Auckland ladies had quite a field day yesterday afternoon, a large number of petitions in favour of the extension of the franchise under the Licensing Act to women of mature age being presented. All the petitions, with one exception, were laid on the table without comment. The exceptional case was that of Sir George Grey, who, in submitting a bulky petition, commended the subject to the careful consideration of the House, as it was one of the greatest possible importance.

Old Women or Ladies. Some amusement was caused by the form in which the several petitions were presented. Captain Morris described his as being from so many " women of mature age." Mr Moss was more gallant, and spoke of the petitioners as " ladies," amidst approving " hear, bear's ;" while Sir George Grey, who followed, submitted his petition from "the 'women' of City East," applause again following. There were petitions from Jane Griffiths and 55 women of Te Aroha (Capt. Morris) ; from Annie Mills and 5S women of Te Aroha (Capt. Morris) ; from Laetitia Smith and 185 members of the Auckland Ladies' Gospel Mission ( Mr F, J. Moss) ; from Sarah Bennett and 165 women of City West (Mr J. M. Dargaville) ; from Marianne Gittos and 16 women of Kaipara (Mr Moat) ; from Mary Smith and 26 women of OKaihau (Mr Moat) ; from Salome Picketteand]6womenof Ofcahuhu(MrW.F. Buckland) ; from 59 women of Kawakawa (Mr Moat) ; from Louisa Connell and women of Helensville (Mr Hiu-st) ; from Sarah Stokes and women of Auckland (Mr Thompson) ; from Harriette Bray and 405 women of Ponsonby and Newton (Mr Peacock) ; from Louisa Trenwith and 292 women of City East (Sir George Grey) ; from Elizabeth Matthews and 52 women of Otahuhu (Mr W. F. Buckland) ; from J. Somervillo and women of Avondale and Henderson (Mr Hurst) ; from Charlotte Bailey and women of Eden (Mr Tole.)

Other Local Petitions. The following other petitions of interest to Auckland readers were submitted at yesterday's sitting : — From Leonard Simpson, Maketu, praying for consideration for survey of land (Captain Morris) ; from William Burns, praying for grant of land in recognition of military services ; from manufacturers of barbed wire praying for encouragement of the industry by protection ; from Henry Salmon, sergeant of the A.C. at Opepe, claiming compensation for land taken for road purposes (Mr Lake) ; from James Larrey, Cambridge, claiming consideration for injuries sustained at the hands of natives prior to the Sullivan murder (Mr Lake) ; also a petition praying for the construction of the Gore-Kelso Railway.

Natives and Taxation. The following is an extract from one of a number of characteristic petitions received from the natives lately :—": — " We, the people of Wairewa and Puketua-o-nuku, pray that hon. members may carefully consider our request, namely, that the Rating Act which has been passed in the House for New Zealand may be for the Europeans only. We have only now seen and heard that it is going to be enforced in the Middle Island. We think that the Act should bo imposed in the North Island only. We object to having those taxes put on our land, as we are at present suffering from the small amount of land we possess. Do not impose that tax upon us."

The Government Printing Office. The annual report of the Government Printing Department states that the value of the work done was £26,433, at a cost of £20,391, leaving a balance in favour of the office of £6,042. Over ten million copies were printed during the year.

Prevention of Adulteration. The Adulteration Prevention Extension Bill introduced by Mr Levestatn provides ; All vessels containing liquor manufactured in the colony shall bear labels stating their component substances. Every breach of the Act is considered a separate offence, and summary procedure is provided for, the penalty being not leas than £10 or more than £100. The liquors which are specified as being wine, epirits, cider, and sherry, are liable to confiscation for breach of the Act.

Sir George Grey's Taxation Proposals. Sir George Grey's bill to amend the Property Tax Act proposes to repeal all taxation on improvements, so reducing the property tax to a tax on land and capital invested in companies. He intends to substitute this for the Property Tax Repeal Bill, already given notice of, and which will be abandoned in favour of the proposed amendment when the second reading is reached.

Holidays for Railway Servants. Sir William Fitzherbert is taking up the cause of overworked railway employees. It is his intention to ask the Minister for Public Works if he will restore to the workshop hands and platelayers the follow-

in^ holidays : — New Year's Day, Good Friday, Queen's Birthday, Prince of Wales's Birthday, and Christmas Day. School Committee Bill.

Mr Steward's School Committee Bil provides that four members shall retire one year and three in the following year. Nominations must be in writing and signed by the proposers and seconders. Elections are to be by ballot at the householders' meeting.

Wellington, September 4. The House met at 2.30 p.m. yesterday.

Auckland Petitions. The following petitions of Auckland interest were presented :— From Michael Tracey, formerly of the 65th Regiment, praying for a grant of land in consideration of military services; from Charles Steward, praying for compensation for loss sustained at the hands of natives during the war ; from Crosbie Kidd, praying for compensation in connection with dismissal from the police force. Notice of various questions and bills was given.

The Now Ministry. Mr Stout announced the names of the new Ministry and the allotment of portfolios as already telegraphed. lie pointed out that there were still two vacant portfolios, and he hoped they also would be filled up in a tew days. It was at present proposed that these should be occupied by gentlemen representing North Island constituencies, and one would probably be offered to an Auckland member. Had Sir Julius Vogel's health allowed him to fill the Premiership, that position would have been accorded to and pressed on him, and he (Mr Stout) would gladly have served under that hon. gentleman. Sir Julius Vogel had intimated that if his health improved so a3 to allow him to take a more active part, he should expect some changes to be made in the Ministry, but there was no secret understanding of any kind on the subject, and each member of the Ministry retained his full individual liberty of action. In the formation of this Ministry he felt himself to be in a painful and delicate position, but he had been greatly assisted by the attitude of his former colleagues. The obligation was one he could never forget. The Government fully recognised that if the country were to progress they must not rely on one or two industries alone, but that greater attention should be paid to other productive sources. One of thes9 was the mining industry, by which he meant not only gold - mining, but also the production of metals and development of the coal industry. They, therefore, intended to ask the House to sanction the appointment of an additional Minister who would devote special attention to matters affecting the mining industry. The Government proposed to proceed to the business of the House without further adjournment. It was their intention to go on with the measures mentioned in the Governor's Speech. Their proposals in reference to railways were already made known. They had determined that it -would not be possible until after the present session to change the incidence of taxation as it now obtained. The policy of the Administration must depend on the finances of the colony, and on its probable future finances. Ifc was impossible for a Government so recently formed to state its policy already, but the Government would bring forward certain measures in the form of bills, and ask the sanction of the House to them. There was discontent respecting the present form of Government, but they did not think it was the desire of the House that the present system should be ruthlessly cut down, and they would therefore give the whole subject the fullest consideration in tlie recess. A misapprehension appeared to exist with respect to the intentions of the Government respecting the North Island trunk railway. It was still proposed to have the question of route referred to a Committee, but this was not done with the object of relieving the Government of responsibility, or shelving the matter. The intention was to proceed with the work immediately the report was made and a decision as to route arrived at.

Questions and Answers. In reply to Mr J. C. Brown, the Premier said the Minister of Education had not been appointed yet, but any matter in reference to education could be brought under his own notice. Keplying to Mr Guinness, the Premier declined to state if he had obtained a promise of a dissolution. In reply to Mr W. F. Buckland, the Minister of Public Works said if instructions had not yet been given for the expenditure of toll money in widening the Epsom Road at Bird Grove, he would have such instructions issued at onoe. Replying to Mr Moat, the Minister of Public Works said the Government had not yet had time to consider the question of the completion of the trunk line of railway north of Auckland. Their views would, however, be embodied in the Public Works Statement. Replying to Mr Bevan, the Premier said Government recognised the importance of the question of Waste Lands Boards being made elective, and promised that the fullest consideration would be given to the subject. The Commissioner of Customs promised to announce on Tuesday whether Government would cause guiding lights to be placed on the beacons at Manukau Heads. Replying to Mr Moss, the Premier said Government were sensible of the annoyance caused to members by the annually recurring discussions respecting the honorarium, and it was therefore their intention to bring down a bill to provide for annual payment. Replying to Mr Holmes, the Minister of Public Works said moneys had been advanced to some railways under the District Railways Act. Portions of insurance and public works funds had been invested in debentures in the Waimea plains and Karamea railways. Replying to Mr W. F. Buckland, the Commissioner of Telegraph promised to ascertain by Tuesday what could be done in the matter of establishing a telegraph station at Ellerslie,and whether Government would cause the telegraph lines to be extended through Panmure to Howick. The various committees were then set up, with the exception of the Public Accounts Committee, the appointment of which was deferred for a few days. In replying to Mr Levestam, the Minister of Defence could not see his way to supplying the Volunteers with Martini-Henry riflea.

New Bills. The bills read a first time included Abolition of Gold Duty (Mr Brown), Amendment to Property Assessment Act (Sir George Grey), Drainage of Mines (Mr Brown), Workmen's Wages (Mr Cadman).

That Howiok Wharf Again. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr W. F. Buckland, that the question of the erection of a wharf at Howick be referred to the consideration of the Government.

Auditing of Corporation Accounts. A motion by Mr Beran that the Government be requested to introduce measures for auditing, by qualified officers of the

Crown, of the books and accounts of the various corporate bodies in the colony, was deferred, in order that provision to secure the change be made [as an amendment to the Municipal Bill shortly to be brought forward.

Taxation of Lands Benefited by Railways. Mr O'Connor moved in the direction of the deficiencies in the returns of railways being made good by taxes on the land through which they passed, in proportion to the benefit received. Sir Julius Vogel, who spoke to the motion, said the matter was one of great importance. He had moved in this direction himself when he first brought down his public works policy in 1870. He suggested the adjournment of the motion for a fortnight in order to allow the Government time to consider the matter.

Abolition of Plural Voting. Mr Barron moved the second reading of the Plurality of Votes Bill. Mr Guinness thought they should have heard the views of the Government on this measure before the second reading was moved, and suggested that provision should also be made for the seamen's franchise. Mr Stcut submitted that it was not usual for the Government to give an expression of opinion in such cases, nor to take up a private member's bill and make a party question of it. He held that property was unequally represented under the present system of voting, as a man having £50,000 worth of property in one district only had a single vote, while another man having £250 worth of property in ten districts had ten votep. At the same time he did not believe plural voting affected^the result of elections in any single district. Mr Dodson denied this, and in proof of his contention mentioned cases of his own district which had been disfranchised for

two sessions by outside voting. Captain Russell opposed the measure, on the ground that property should have representation. Mr Pyke characterised Mr Barrons measure as crude, and considered that it should not be passed in its present unwork able form. He considered that provision should also be made for the better purging of the electoral rolls, and asserted that there were more names on the Dunedin electoral rolls than there were men in that city. He also added that he had known the names of 56 men to be placed on the rolls before they had been 24 hours in the country. The second reading was agreed to, and the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. till the following day.

longer pile on the outsMe corner, and straighten the stream on th* upper side for about a cuuin. This wouM cost about £2«% and would cut up one of Mr Lipsey's seetons. I have consulted him with a view to getting his permission to cut the drain. He is willing, provided that the council will give him compensation. The matter requires immediate attention.'' Engineer's recommendation approved of, bni on account of tiiere iv.'ing no funds, it was agreed that action be de-fo-pv. Resignation of "Engineer. — The Engineer (.Mr Purchas) sent in his resignation, and stated that his reason for so doing was on account of leaving the district. The resignation was accepted, an' 1 the thanks of the Council ordered to be convoyed to Mr Purchas for the able nrmner in which he had always ful filed his duties. Applications for the position were read from Messrs H Roach, F. Pavitt (Te Aroha), and T. Sandes (Hamilton). On the motion of Cr Chepmell, second c : by Cr Brunskill, it was decided to appoint two engineers, one for t:ie Te Aroha Hiding and another for the rest, of the County. Cr Gould moved—" That Mr Sandes be appointed engineer for all the County except the Te Aroua Riding. " Seconded by Mr J. C. Firth and carried vi animou>dy. Cr Chepmell moved— "That Mr P ivirt be appointed engineer for the Te Aroha Riding." Seconded by Cr Gould. Cr J. C. Firtu moved as an amendment, " That Mr H. Eoach be appointed. Seconded by Cr W. T. Firth. The motiou was carried. Damage to Tramway. — A telegram was read from Mr H. H. Adams leporting that a full truck came down the tramway and caused damage to the extent of £10. Some malicious person had removed the chock during the night, j He suggested the appointing of a police- i man. Tt was decided to write to the Superintendent of police, uiging him to station a policeman at Waiorougomai. > Gold Duty Abolition.— Cr J. C. f Firth reported having telegraphed to the members for the district and to a nura- i ber of North Island members, requesting them to oppose the proposed aboli- i tion of the duty on gold. The Council derived a revenue of £1000 a year from this source, and during the past two months the Council's gold revenue had ] been £161. The Council endorsed the action of Cr Firth. Inspection of Tramway. — A letter was read from Wellington, in reply to the Council's request, stating that Mr Gordon, the Government Engineer, t could not leave Wellington at present, * bat on his annual trip to the Te Aroha ' goidtields he would inspect the tramway an<i report as desired. Road Closing. — On the motion of Cr Chepmell, seconded by Cr Maclean, it . was decided to confirm tne decision of the ratepayers in th« i VV.iitoa Road j District re closing certain roads. i Committee.- -The Council, at this ( stage of the business, went into com- J niittee to consider the matter of finance. \ and matters in connection with the tram- ' way and i\s working. Accounts.- -Accounts to the amount of £405 were passe- 1 for payment. The Tramway. — Affer a long discus- r sion it was agreed to offer the tramway for lease for a term of five years. 1 The Council sat till one o'clock on I Thursday morning. r