HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 483, 25 June 1890, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE. Wellington, June 20. The afternoon session of the House was of brief duration, and, like the session of the previous day, developed something in the nature of a surprise. After leave had been given for the introduction of a large number of Bills previously noticed, and the appointment of formal committees, Mr Tanner was called upon to move the Address-in-Reply to the speech by the Governor. This item, however, was announced on the order paper for 7.30p.m. Knowing this, Sir Geo. Greyand other members had left the House. Its introduction shortly after 3 p. m. was consequently quite unexpected, so far as the majority of the members was concerned. Mr Tanner, in rising to move the Ad-dress-in-Reply, stated in an exceedingly hoarse voice that owing to a bad cold he would not inflict upon the House a speech. This provoked a burst of ironical laughter from the Opposition Benches, and the situation became rather ludicrous, when Mr Ross, seconder of the Address, followed in almost the same strain, disposing of the subject in the briefest possible speech. This was where Sir George Grey was expected to put in an appearance with his noconfidence amendment, but Sir George had left the House, as I subsequently learned, for the purpose of making a slight alteration in the wording of his amendment, which was declared inadmissible on the previous day on account of notice not having been given. Mr Ballance, the accepted leader of the Opposition, filled the breach. He pointed out that according to the Order Paper Mr Tanner was to move the Address-in-Reply at 7.30 p.m., and that in consequence of this several members had left the House, taking it for granted that the Order Paper would be adhered to.

Mr Mibchelson stated that 7.30 was an error, lb should have been 2.30 p.m. Mr Ballance then moved that the House adjourn till 7.30. This was agreed to. Sir George Grey, w’hen he learned what had taken place, was exceedingly annoyed,

and plainly expressed his opinion that there had been a deliberate attempt on the part of the Government to bring on Mr Tanner’s motion earlier than was set down on the Order Paper, and to take advantage of his (Grey’s) absence. On the House resuming in the evening, Mr Ballance traversed the Governor’s Speech exhaustively. There appeared in it a great deal of a suggestive character. He then remarked on what he called a rumour as to the serious illness of the Premier. They were informed, he said, that his illness was of so serious a character that it might compel him at no distant period to relinquish the high and responsible position he now occupies. He thought he represented the feeling of every member of the Opposition in expressing his deep sympathy with the hon. gentleman. Nothing could give them greater pleasure than to find him restored to health and strength, and occupying a place on the Government benches. If the rumour were well founded they could only say they hoped a short rest wou d restore him to his usual health. These remarks elicited frequent applause from both sides of the House. Mr Ballance went on to say there was one grave omission in the speech, in that no reference was made on the most important movements of the present day, viz., the organisation of labour throughout the world and in this colony. He felt assured the result of this movement would place workers and capitalists on a fair and equitable basis. Referring to the railway servants and their trouble, he said the matter should be left to the employees and the Commissioners to settle, bub he thought the Commissioners might have received the delegates appointed more promptly than they did. Mr Ballance next traversed the speech recently made by Mr Fergus, which he said dealt with a question of policy in such a way as must have been accepted as inspired by the authority of the Government. He then attacked the land settlement policy of the Government, and said their policy had been such as would retard instead of assist the prosperity of the country. Large areas of land had been alienated from the purposes for which they were intended. He also remarked upon the exodus of people from the colony, and said notwithstanding the increase of exports the administration of land in the colony had tended more than anything else to bring about a state of want of hope in New Zealand. He condemned the native land policy of the Government, chiefly in permitting the acquisition of large blocks by private speculators, and also theexpenditure on school buildings, remarking that the primage duty was being made a permanent tax for this latter purpose. Referring to the Federation Conference, he said the decision arrived at by theNew.Zealand delegates fairly expressed the opinion of the people of this colony. He condemned the Colonial Secretary for his inconsistency in his subsequent remarks. They were now called upon to appoint seven delegates to attend the approaching Conference. He urged that if the House agreed to this course they could not withdraw from joining Australia without loss of honour. “ He next asked why sundry appointments made during the recess were not mentioned, notably, the appointments of J udge Edwards and Colonel Trimble as judges of the (Native Lands Court. En passant, he stated that he was not satisfied with the property tax, and expressed wonder that no reference was made to it, and, referring to another important question, said he was convinced it was not the wish of the colony that the Government should mix themselves up in local Finance Bills. He announced that they were not policy Bills, and it required the regenerating fire of a public election to put the Government right. Why, he asked, had no reference been made to the classification of the Civil Service, so urgently required ? The present House did not represent the Government, and they ought to go to the country to test the country upon their policy. Mr Hisiop expressed on behalf of the Government the thanks for the generous way in which the hon. member had referred to the illness of the Premier. He regretted that he could not say the same of the hon. gentleman’s remarks upon the speech, and that Mr Ballance had apparently addressed himself simply with the view of influencing constituencies in favour of his own side. Mr Hisiop said, further, that he would not deal with all the points touched upon by Mr Ballance, because the information concerning the appointments cotnplained of and other matters would be placed before the House in due course. It would be shown that the settlement of land had little to do with the number of persons who had left this colony, and that the number of bona fide settlers had been greater under the administration of the Government than under the administration of Mr Ballance. On the question of the purchase of native land the Government made a very good bargain for the colony, and placed the natives in such a condition that they might make use of the land. As Mr Ballance had based some remarks on a rumour, he thought it notout of place to remark that it was rumoured that the hon. gentleman himself intended to purchase Rotorua. (Ballance No.”) In reference to Judge Edwards’ appointment-Mr Hisiop insinuated that Mr Ballance bad changed his opinion with respect to a certain gentleman since he went out of office, and claimed that the appointment was perfectly legal and in a constitutional manner. The record of Government as a whole, he contended, was as good a record as that of any Government which preceded them. Sir George Grey said he could hardly refrain from saying, “Oh, what weariness, what dreariness surrounds us this night.” The question was whether the Government were deliberately to affirm that a dead Parliament was to govern the living nation another twelve months. No one felt sure of what this Parliament might _ accomplish, what project they might have in view, but certain rights had been imposed on the people, and they should have the privilege of exercising the right of voting fairly without delay and return a new House within two months. Sir George referred to the ' recent labour troubles, and said there was no wonder that men’s spirits were roused, that the nation was springing into life to establish its own power and influence. Now he proposed to thank His Excellency for the expression of his regard, and ask him, by taking away the delay .which existed in giving people their lawful rights, by dissolving Parliament, and giving them free scope to. return another set of members chosen, to settle those social questions so much alluded to. As to the comparisons instituted by Mr Hisiop between the present Government and their predecessors on questions dealing with the settlement of lands, he had little to say, but he knew that by unfair means the people had been deprived of their rights in the acquisition of immense properties by a few people. Sir George said he would move as an amendment at a future time “That in sincerely thanking Your Excellency for the deep interest taken in the welfare of the colony as evidenced in the passages of your gracious speech, we venture to express the hope that this day’s interest in the happiness and contentment of the inhabitants of New Zealand in all classes of the community will lead Your Excellency to avail yourself of

the earliest opportunity to permit the people of New Zealand to enter into those new liberal privileges which they have so long been entitled to and which they are so anxious to enjoy, but which then, have not as yet been permitted to exercise. M e therefore pray Your Excellency that you will be pleased to dissolve the present Parliament with the least possible delay, and cause writs to be issued for the election of a new House of Representatives, and we can assure Your Excellency that ample provision shall be made for carrying on the public service during the short time that must elapse before the new Parliament can QiSSOillblOt The Speaker ruled that Sir George could move the amendment .either at the present or a subsequent stage of the debate. Sir George replied that he would move it when the third clause of the address was under consideration. Mr Taylor, Sydenham, understood the Government were going to press this matter to a division that night, and went on .to refer in a jocose manner to the facility with which the Address-in Reply was introduced • Mr Taylor continued to speak at great length, and repeatedly intimated his intention of stonewalling until assured by the Government that they would adjourn the debate to give an opportunity to absent members to arrive. After he had pursued these tactics for over an hour, the necessary assurance was given, and the member for Sydenham retired. Major Steward then moved the adjournment of the House.

This was agreed to. Mr Mitchelson stated that the Government had intended to conclude this debate that night, but after the tactics displayed by the member for Sydenham it was clear little progress could be made by continuing. At the same time he failed to see what good an adjournment could do, inasmuch as absent members were anxious to discuss the land question, which was not yet before the House. The House then adjourned till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.