HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 76, 15 November 1884, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Novembor 7. The Session Dying Hard. There does not now appear to be any prospect of the Auckland members getting away from Wellington before Sunday. Progress with business has not been so fast as was oxpected, and it is cvon doubtful if the whole of the business can be got through at the spocial sitting which is expected to bo held to-morrow. His Excellency has been compelled to postpone his departure for Christchurch till Tuesday.

To Kooti and Poverty Bay. The uneasiness felt respecting Te Kooti's movements has been set at rest by a telegram from the Government agent at Poverty Bay, stating that To Kooti had been induced to abandon his proposed visit to the district in question. The fact was communicated to tho House by the Premier yesterday. A handsome wooden pipe, manufactured from puriri by Partridge and Woollams, of Auckland, is oxhibited in the smoking-room at Parliament Buildings by Captain Morris as a specimen of native industry.

Proposed Holiday to Railway Workmen. Messrs Fitzherbert, MosB, and other members yesterday urged on Government the desirability of granting a holiday to the railway employe's on Monday next. Government, who are understood to be unfavourable to the proposal, declined to give any answ er till to-day.

Bills Passed. The amendment? made by tho Legislative Council in the Land Act Amendment Bill, and tho Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill were considered in the Lower House yesterday. The Premier said a number of useful clauses had been struck out, tut at this lato period of the session he would move that they be agreed to.

The Estimates Passed. The remainder of the Supplementary Estimate* were rapidly passed yesterday without amendment. The Public "Works Estimates were also pushed through.

Reports on Petitions. Reports have been submitted on the following Auckland petitions .-—John McDell, late warder Mount Eden Gaol — No claim against the colony; Margaret iliggins, Onehunga — The local body, betore placing the property in question in the hands of the Public Trustee for sale, should have exhausted all available means to find out the owner of the land, and this they do not appear to have done ; the Committee has no recommendation to make ; Arama Hautautu, stating that he had been unjustly deprived of land at Takapuna— Referred to Government ; John Lundon— That the petitioner bo paid the amount claimed for surveys, viz., L 437.

Proposed Golclfield Reforms. The <!oldfickls Committee hubmitted a lengthy report, in which they recommended that leases be cancelled where rents aro unpaid for 12 months ; that the jiuisdiction of wardens courts be more accurately defined ; that pi o vision be made for hearing appeals from the decisions of wardens ; that an act be prepared for mining for minerals other than gold ; that the gold duty be abolished v ithout delay in the South Island, and its abolition made permissive in the North ; that wardens be removed periodically from one district to another ; and that diamond di ills be supplied to various mining districts as encouragements to prospecting. The report expresses the opinion tli.ifc the charges for mining leases are out of proportion to their value, and should be reduced, and that the conditions respecting employment of men in such leases should be readjusted to suit the different classes of workings.

Waneranui Harbour Bill. The Legislative Council has insisted on the amendments which it made in the Wantranui Harbour Bill. The Premier, referring to the subject last night, said the amendments rendered the bill valueless, and there \\a-> no use of proceeding further. He therefore moved that the amendments be considered on Monday.

Mr Montgomery's Visit to England. Last night* " Post " says :— " Mr Montgomery, M.H.K. iorAkavoa, left for Lyttelton yesterday afternoon en route for Eng land. The leader of the late Opposition proceeds Home by the San Francisco mail boat this week. It is understood that the hon. gentleman will endeavour to return to the colony in time for next session of Parliament, when he hopes that a new turn of the political wheel of Fortune may have taken place so as to enable him to give further advice in the management of our public affairs."

Special Powers and Contracts. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was circulated last night. It passed through Committee within an hour, and with scarcely any amendments. The Auckland schedule contains provisions to give effect to the recommendation of the "Waste Lands Committee re petition of Eliza Ormiston, to provide a site at Alexandra East for a residence for the chief Wahanui, to grant Hera Nikora 50 acres at Te Aroha in accordance with the recommendation of the Native Affairs Committee, granting Richard Taylor a Crown grant for 240 acres in Karaka, No. 3 block, in exchange for a block in Karaka, No. 2 block, converting school reserve in Takapuna into recreation reserve, authoris- ! ing sale of lands at Ohinemuri and Waihau, providing sites for public halls at Mercer and Mount Eden, returning to Thames Harbour Board the road 33 perches not required for railway purposes, granting lease of foreshore from Paroparo to Mata Kauwau Point, Manukau Harbour, to New Zealand Iron and Steel Company, cancelling several Crown grants to natives on Pakiri block, giving effect to the recommendation of the Waste Lands Committee on petition of William Robertson, Raglan.

The Railway Bridge at Huntly. A new clause respecting the title to^Little Barrier Island was inserted in the Railways Authorisation Bill in the Lower Heuse yesterday. It was amusing during the debate to mark the hatred and jealousy towards Auckland displayed by a section of Southern members. This was especially so when LlO.OOO for a bridge over Waikato River at Huntly was under discussion. Messrs Shrimski, Larnach, Duncan, and others oppos- d the vote, on the ground that the Company should do the work themselves or pay a proportion of the cost. Messrs Lake, Peacock, Hobbs, Macandrew and other members supported the work, on the grounds that it would develop an important industry, and would prove very reproductive. Mr Larnach s opposition went so far that with the object of Bhelving the bill he moved that progress be reported, notwithstanding that Mr Peacock pointed out that the bill provided for the construction of the North Island trunk railway, on winch Mr Larnach had

helped to prepare a favourable roport. His amendment was, however, rejected by 58 to G An amendment by Mr Smith, striking out* tho clause providing for the Huntly Bridge, was also lost by 49 to 8. The Minister of Public Works inserted a clause providing for the payment of a royalty foe of 3d per ton on every ton of coal produced from the mine. A further clause moved by Mr Downie Stewart, providing that in the case of any line costing more than the estimate the difference should be paid by the Company, was added, and the bill pawed all stages. m The question of the payment of the Chairman of the Waste Lands Committee formed the subject of dobato in tho House yesterday. The Committee ,had recommended the matter to tho consideration of the Government, but on division the word " favourable" was inserted before consideration. Many members considered that the honour should be sufficient recompense.

New Zealand Trade With India. In the House yesterday, Sir Julius Vogel road telographic correspondencein reference to the establishment ©f trade with India. He had been in communication with Sir James Fergusson, a former Governor of New Zealand, inquiring whether there was any prospect of Now Zealand frozen mutton and fine woollen fabrics manufactured in New Zealand finding a market in India. ! His Excolloncy had replied as follows : — '"Mutton experiment feasi ble, but more hopeful in Calcutta. Would suggest the appointment of local agent to arrange. The European daily consumption of mutton in Bombay is 200 sheep : natives, except Parsees, eat only fresh killed. —(Signed) Governok Bombay." Sir J. Vogel said the Government would favourably consider the nppointment of an agent. He said the member for Cheviot had convened a meeting in Christchurch of those persons interested in tho frozen meat industry. Ho thought it very gratifying that Sir James Fergusson continued to take such a warm intorest in the colony. Wki/lincton, November S. Hon. Mr Nuksk, a prominent momber of the Upper House was found yesterday morning lying on the floor of the House. His condition was such that on the recommendation of Df. Grace he was taken to the Hospital.

Direct Mail Steamers and Auckland. Mr Peacock yesterday asked his question respecting the number of trips to be made by the direct steamers to each port. Sir Julius Vogel said that the choice of ports at which steamers should call would be left to the discretion of the Company, and would no doubt be decided on the basis of which ports offered the largest amount of trade.

Evening Sitting. Considerable progress was made at the evening sitting with the various bills that are being pushed through by the Government. Wi Pere talked against time upon the report of the committee appointed to draw up reasons for declining to accept the Legislative Council's amendment to the Native Lands Alienation Bill, but the report was finally adopted.

Sir G. M. O'Rorke 111. Sii- G. M. O'Rovke lias been absent from the Iloiifce for t\\ o days. lam told that he is so seriously ill that two doctors are attending him. A Big Mistake.

A peculiar mistake occurred in connection with the Greymouth Harbour Bill The Cork filled in i"100,l'00 instead of £150,000 fts the amount, and Greymouth looses £50,000 by the error. A special bill will probably be introduced to rectify the mistake.

Return of Members. The present arrangement is thai the Hinemoa shall leave at 8 o'clock to-night. If she does she will arrive in tho Manukau about midnight on Sunday.

Massacre of Innocents. No less than 30 bills, which have been advanced to various stages, have been dropped.

A Maori Minister. The Native Minister yesterday informed Taiaroa that the question of appointing a Minister or Ministers of the native race was now under the consideration of Government.

Telegraph Lines to Auckland. Considerable annoyance has been caused during the present session by the number of times on which the telegraph communication between Auckland and Wellington has been interrupted. Evening newspaper telegrams have been frequently sacrificed Mr Peacock drew the attention of Government to the matter yesterday, and Sir Julius Yopjel f^aid they were considering the best means of an alternative Mire connection between the two places.

Return of Auckland Members. It was arranged yesterday that the Hinemoa should not proceed North this year, but should take the Governor to Lyttelton, Auckland members going by Sunday's steamer. This arrangement has, however, since been upset, and the Hineinoa is under order to leave for Manukau tonight.

i Land Grants for Military Services. Hon. Mr Ballance stated, in reply to Mr Seddon yesterday, that the whole of the claims for grants of land for military services would be taken into consideration during the recess, with the object of seeing what could, be done in the matter. Wellington, Novembor 10.

Illness of the Speaker and Chairman of Committees. The Speaker has so far recovered that he was able to take his place agjain in the House on Saturday evening. Mr Hamlin has also been on the sick-list, although not absent from his duties. He has had a bad throat, and yesterday was compelled to dissolve partnership between himself and an aching Detention of Members.

The departure of the Hinemoa with the Northern membors has been delayed from day to day since last Friday. She was about to start on Saturday evening, when it was found that business could not be got through till lato that night, consequently her departure was put off till Sunday evening. The adjournment of the Federation debate, however, rendered further postponement necessary. She will, however, probably leave to-night and reach Onehunga early on Wednesday morning.

' Sir George Grey Threatens a Want-of-Confidence motion. The House committed the Bin of sitting ■ an hour into Sunday morning yesterday. There was a very lively " scene " just before the adjournment. Sir George Grey and several Southern members endeavoured to have the Federation resolutions shelved for the present session, and urged that it was unfair to have them pressed at this late period when so many members had gone. The Premier refused to accept any amendment, and moved the adjournment of the debate until Monday. An amendment (moved by Mr Samuels) that the debate be adjourned for a fortnight, divided the votes equally at 23, and the Speaker save his casting vote for adjournment till Monday. Sir George Grey opposed it tooth and nail, and said he was so aisguetocf with the copducfc of the

Government that at all hazards he would move a want-of -confidence motion on Monday, Various modes of settling the difficulty were suggested, but the Premier would not accede to any. . , It was within a few minutes of 1 o clock on Sunday morning before the House adHon. Mr Nurse is very much better this morning.

Alleged Discreditable Job. The '"Evening Post" of Saturday had the following .—" Almost immediately after Mr Macandvew's motion in favour of having the Parliamentary debates prior to the establishment of 'Hansard' collected and republished passed, it was pronounced in the lobbies that Sir Julius Vogel intended to entrust the work to Mr James Edward Fitzgerald, Controller-General. When Sir Julius Vogel was formerly in ofhee he was very fond of throwing « sops to Cerberus' by giving tho ControllerGeneral all sorts of nice little extra jobs, such as drafting bills, etc., by which several hundred pounds per annum used to be added to the salary provided by law for that office. The scandalwas first denounced in tho press, and subsequently stopped by the House deciding that tho ControllerGeneral, as a Parliamentary officer, should not accopt work or pay at the hands of Government. Sir Julius Vogel therefore, on this decision, found a difficulty in the way ot entrusting Mr Fitzgerald with the carryout of Mr Macandrew's proposal. _ The Treasurer, however, is a man fertile of resource, and if he cannot attain his object in one way he usually devises another. Mr James Edward Fitzgerald is blessed with a number of sons, and accordingly we find it announced that the work of completing the records of debates during the first thirteen years of the colony's Parliamentary history has been entrusted to Mr Maurice Fitzgerald. We believe we are not wrong in asserting that this young gentleman is a son of the Controller-General, that he is a mere youth without any literary or political experience, and that his delicate health has for some time precluded any active pursuit?. Of course such an appointment is simply a eharn. Mr Maurice Fitzgerald may act as amanuensis to his father, and ho will ro doubt sign tho vouchers which the Con-troller-General will pass, but the selection, collation, and compilation of Parliamentary debates from 1854 to 1567 will be the work of Mr James Edward Fitzgerald. Now, if Mr Fitzgerald would edit a volume of his own Parliamentary speeches, or if after tho example of hie; fellow countryman Mr Justin McCarthy, he would write a 'history of his own time?,' embracing a period when ho held tho foremost position in New Zealand politics, we should hail the work with pleasure, and it would certainly pro/ea valuable one ; but it would bear its author's name, and would not be mistaken by future historians for an impartial State record of tho proceedings ot Parliament during that period. Party feeling used to run high in tho old days in this 'colony, and the time since elapsed is not long enough to have extinguished all the. old teelings or wiped away all old bitternesses. Mr Fitzgerald, brilliant orator though he was, did not always pass, unscathed through debate, or invariably win his cause. Is it likely that in compiling the debates ho will go to much trouble to search for reports of speeches in which he was severely handled or successfully attacked ? It is scarcely likely. The work will no doubt faithfully record his own speeches ; but will equal justice be done to his former opponents? Why should their political reputation be now left to the generosity of an old opponent to be dealt with ? Many of them are dead, and many far from New Zealand ; but when tho colony undertakes the \vo\k of compiling a record of their past actions and utterances, surely it is but common justice to their memory that tho compilation should be abovo the suspicion of partiality or unfairness. It can't be free from this suspicion when the compiler is one of the actors in the scenes recorded. We do not say Mr Fitzgerald would willingly act partially or unfairly ; he is far too chivalrous a man to do so ; but it is quite impossible that he can even now recall the scenes and analjse and dissect them with anything like a calm, judicial spirit. The woik should have been entrusted to some capable and experienced pressmen . There arc many who would have been glad to undertake and ablo to do it well, and for far less than the sum which it is said Mr ' Maurice ' Fitzgerald is to receivo for it. Singularly enough, no vote for tho purpose appears on the Supplementary Estimates. It w ill have to come out of ' unauthorised expenditure,' but of course the Controller-General is not likely to raise any objection. The fact is, the whole thing is a most discreditable job." j

Major Atkinson Reviewing the Session, On the motion for the third reading of the Appropriation Bill, Major Atkinson criticised the Government in a searching manner,and compared their policy measures with those passed by tho lato Government. The Treasurer haJ promised to remit taxation and reduce expenditure, but the expenditure was absolutely increased, and the reduction of taxation was not effected in a way that was for the good of the country. Tho position reminded him of that crisis in Jewish history when Aaron made a golden cal*. for the people to worship. The people of Canterbury were ' now worshipping a golden calf set up by the Colonial Treasurer ; bmt he warned them that they would not reach the " land flowing with milk and honey" by that 1 means. Sir Julius Vogel replied in an effective- speech, in which he said, with regard to the historical reference, that it was rather a sacreligious one. Ho thought. r however, that the Canterbury members would prefer to worship a golden calf ' rather than a brazen one. He defended the ' session against the charge of barrenness > brought against it, and announced that '' three great subjects would be considered in • the recess— the first referring to local go- ' vernment, the next to local industries, and ' the third to native lands.

The Fedetationlßosolutlons. > At the evening sitting on Saturday, an i important debate on the Federation resolui tions was inaugurated, and was adjourned - till to-day. Among the members who I spoke were Sir George Grey, Sir Julius r Vogel, and Mr Woken'eld. The debate at . times was decidedly warm in tone, and i served to show in bold relief the wide - divergence between Sir George Grey and the Government, whom he was mainly in I strumontal in placing in power.

A Deadlock Avoided. In the Legislative Council on Saturday the Native Lands Alienation Restriction Bill came back from the House of Representatives, with the announcement that that Chamber could not agree with the amendments made by the Council. Some dismission ensued, and at one time it appeared as if the Council would insist upon their amendments, but ultimately, by the small majority of five votes, the amendments were abandoned. Replies to Questions. The Colonial Treasurer, replying to Mr Larnach on Saturday, said the Govevniment was willing to encourage the manufacture of paper in every way. The Government had called for tenders for printing telegraph forms. In answer to Mr Macandrew, the Premier said that Government had resold, to accept the offer of. Mr

Maurice Fitzgerald to compilo the early political speeches without further remuneration than a bonus on the work performed. __ t T1 Wellington, November 11.

The Prorogation. The ceremony of prorogation was performed by commission in the usual form at a quarter past two yesterday afternoon. The Hon. the Speaker of the Legislative Council (Sir William Fitzherbert), and the Hon. P. Buckly, W. H. Reynolds, and Waterhouse officiated as commissioners. The date to which Parliament was pro rogued was announced to be 19th March next.

The Federation Resolutions. Tho House resumed consideration of the federation resolutions yesterday morning. On the question that the resolution to the effect that the House agreed generally with the resolutions of the Convention be a resolution of the House, Mr Barron called for a division, which resulted as follows :'— Ayes, 36; noes, 21. The resolution was therefore carried. Sir Geo. Grey asked if the Government intended to pass all the succeeding resolutions. The Premier said the Government would agree as a compromise to accept the postponement of resolutions E, F, and G> viz., those relating to federation, retaining A, B, C, D, those in reference to a protectorate over the islands, guaranteeing a share of the New Guinea eubsidy, and protesting against the introduction of French criminals into the Pacific. He then moved clause A, as follows : "That the House approves of the steps taken by the British Government for tho establishment of its rule over New Guinea, and hopes that like measures will be taken for a protectorate over the islands of the Pacific Ocean not under the dominion of any stable Government." Sir" George Grey, as an amendment, moved the adjournment of the House, with the object of shelving the whole subject. In doing so, he traversed the entire question at some length. In conclusion, he appealed to the Government to allow the matter to rest until next session. To attempt to force it on now, he urged, would be an act traitorous to New Zealand, unbecoming to this House, and unworthy of any Government that sat upon those benches (Applause.) Sir Julius Vogel replied, pointing out that it was absolutely necessary, after the way in which the colony was already committed, that the House should come to a definite decision on the subject of New Guinea. Mr Fisher followed, making his maiden speech. He said that if the interests of the colony were imperilled by not passing these resolutions, the Government had themselves greatly to blame for having allowed them to float about as flotsam and jetsam on the sea of Parliament for the last three weeks. (Hear, hear.) He commented on the diversity of opinion existing on the subject among the leaders of the House, and added that whenever the subject was mentioned to the constituencies ifc was received w ith marked inattention. (Hear, hear. ) Amid laughter and applause, he quoted from a speech made by Sir Julius Vogol at Collingwood, near Melbourne, two years ago, when he declared federation " the greatest piece of humbug out." He (the speaker) thought it would be better if these resolutions were allowed to stand over till next session. He should not have said anything on the subject if it had not been the for action of the Government first in not bringing down the resolutions till the end of the session, and then in twitting members with not having the courage of their opinions on the subject. The lion, member was loudly applauded on resuming his seat. The Premier complimented the last I speaker on his speech, and replied to the romarks of Sir George Grey. The amendment for the adjournment of the House was then lost on the voices, after which clause A was carried. Clause B was postponed till a later period, at the request of the Premier. Clauses C and D were agreed to, without debate, as follows :—: — C, that it desires respectfully to protest against the tiansportation of criminals to the French possessions in the Pacific ; D, tli at it requests the British Government to make such representations to the European Powers as will prevent the maintenance of penal establishments in any of the Pacific Islands. On the further clauses (those relating to the Federal Council), Mr Shrimski then proposed the following amendment, which was accepted by the Government :— " That, seeing the attitude taken by the Legislative Assembly of New South Wale regarding the Federal Council Bill, this House is of opinion that further negotiations should take place betw een the Australasian colonies before the Federal Bill is enacted, and that the further consideration of the question be postponed till next session of Parliament." Mr Moss moved a lengthy amendment adverse to New Zealand entering into federation with the Australasian colonies. Mr Guinness seconded. Mr Hatch proposed another amendment, giving the action of tho Imperial Government in doubling New Guinea subsidy as the reason for adjourning the question. Mr Gillies moved that the words from " that to this " in Mr Shrimski's resolutions be omitted. This was agreed to without dissent. Major Atkinson moved as a further amendment tho omission of the words " before the Federal Bill is enacted." Mr Moss's amendment was put and lost on the voices. The House divided on Major Atkinson'* amendment, which was carried by 31 to 16, The resolution was then carried in tht following form:— "This House is of opinion that the further consideration oi the question be postponed till next sessior of Parliament." The House then went into committee to consider the following clause :— (B) " Thai this colony is willing to pay, in proportion te its population, a share of the sum of £15,00( i first proposed by the Imperial Govern merit." In reply to a question, the Premier saic the share of New Zealand would be aboui one-sixth. The resolution was carried on tni VOICGS The House, on the motion of the Pre miev, then adjourned for half an hour fo the prorogation.

The Agent-General's Tenure In Office. i y Explanation of the news cabled fron )n England a tew weeks ago to the effect tha n " Sir F. Dillon Bell had resigned the Agent J* Generalship of tho colony is afforded by i d * paper laid on the table of the House o ls * Saturday. This contains correspondenc *JSJ S between" the present Government and th n .i Agent-General on the subject of his re-ap a ; 1 pointment for two years by the Atkinso its Ministry. In a lengthy letter evoked byth discussions of the House on the constitutior ality of his re-appointment, Sir D. Bell con vlr plains that the tendency of the debate mu? •n- beto discredit himself andthe colony in En{ iv- land. He says he does not wish for k>- moment to represent the colony if he dot it- not possess the confidence of Parliamen Vtr and if the House wished to cancel the aj m- pointment made by the late Government Ay was at liberty to do. so, He therefore a.sj

the House either to sanction his re-appoint-ment or release him altogether from his position. In reply the^jr oabWlthat the Government considered the .former Government were quite entitled to renew his appointment ; that such had been announced to the House, and that special ratification by Parliament was unnecessary. The letter of Sir Dillon Bell was equivalent to resignation, had the Ministry looked upon it as such ;' but prior to *f eipt of , t e communication, Government had written announcing that they considered the appointment valid.

Mr Hamlin has had an interview with the Minister of Public Works in reference to the division of the vote for roads and bridges. Hon. Mr Kichardson has promised that the division will be made at once, so that road board? may expect to receive their share in about a fortnight,