GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1133, 11 August 1883, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the House of Representatives on Tuesday,

Replying to Mr Pyke, the Hon. Mr Dick said the Government had considered the possibility of the Irish informers landing in New Zealand. They had as great horror of such men as anyone could have, but they recognised that if the informers were to be hounded about from place to place it might be the means of deterring others from turning informers, in which case great criminals might escape. The Government, however, had a stronger feeling on this point, as they considered it very far wrong of the Home Government to transport these criminals to the Australian colonies without first enquiring if they were willing to receive them. The final determination of the Government in the circumstance was still under consideration.

Keplying to Mr Hutchison, the Hon, Mr Dick said that it was not true that sheep scab was spreading all over the colony. It might be so it some places, but that would not warrant the repeal of all special legislation on the subject. Keplying to questions by Mr Holraea, the hou. the Colonial Treasurer said there was £935,000 to the credit of the Public Works Fund on 31st March, 1882, and the House voted that sum for public works; and the House also voted £200,000 for roads aud bridges under the Road» and Bridges Construction Ace 1882, and the House voted £200,000 out of the Public Works Fund more than the credit of that fund. He considered that the £250,000 thut was to be raised under the New Zealand Colonial Inscribed Stock Loan Act 11*62 was to be placed in the Publio Works Fund, to make up the dofi<Umy in thut fund. Further, that, in

his opinion, the £IOO,OOO to be paid out of the Public Works Fund, under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, for main roads was an absolnte subsidy out of thut fund and not to be recouped to that fund out of the land fund, and the £IOO,OOO to be paid out of the Public Works Fund under the same Ace for district roads would be sent to local bodies as fast as it was due, and there was no hope of its being returned to the Public Works Fund in our time.

Mr Macandrew moved that a single copy of Hansard should be sent free by post on application to every householder (who is a registered elector) throughout the colony, and that it be an instruction to the Printing Department Committee to make the necessary arrangements accordingly. Its cost would only be about £3OOO for the session.

The debate was adjourned. The Gold Duties Abolition Bill was considered in Committee, and on the House resuming, was reported with amendments.

On the motion for the third reading a division was called for, the result beingAyes, 41; Noes, 27. On the motion for going into Committee on the Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trust Boards Incorporation Bill, Mr Sheehan moved as an amendment that the Bill be referred to a Select Com-' mittee to consider and report upon (1) the provisions of the said Bill; (2) the extent, position, management, and present condition of the various lands affected by the Bill; (3) the desirability or otherwise of the resumption by the colony of so much of such lands as have been obtained by grant or endownment from the colony.

A long discussion took plaoe, and the debate was ultimately withdrawn. In the House on Wednesday,

The Hon. Mr Dick drew attention to a question of privilege. Mr Fish had sent to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, information of what had taken place in the Telephone Committee.

The matter dropped aftei some discussion.

Replying to Mr Mitchelson, the Hon. Major Atkinson said Government had not considered the question of disfranchising Civil servants, railway or other Government employees, but the question of the qualification of electors would have to be considered next session, and if considered necessary, anyone would then have an opportunity of bringing the subject forward.

A sharp debate ensued, in the course of which the Government were roughly handled, for suggesting such a course as the disfranchising of Civil servants. A motion was carried to appoint a Select Committee to consider the question of steam service with Great Britain.

Mr Br)ce moved the second reading of the Native Land Law Amendment Bill. He reviewed at great length the manner in which the natives had been dealt with, and said that the Bill aimed at simplifying the Native Land Court proceedings, by leaving it to the Maoris themselves to prove the title and keep the Europeans out of the Court. His opinion was that while an intelligent lawyer who understood the subject might simplify matters, ns a fact it was not done. The Bill eft to the Court to ascertain the title by the best means it thonght fit, and to adjourn the Court from place (o place. It was the proceedings before the Fraud Commissioners, and not the monetary penalties he looked to to work a reform and stop illegal proceedings. Mr Do Lautour spoke approvingly of of the Bill, and expatiated on the good the Native Lands Company was doing. The House then adjourned.