GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1144, 4 September 1883, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the LegisVivo Council on Friday, By 15 votes to 13, the Gouunl' insisted on its amendments in the Bankruptcy Bill, and appointed Messrs Holmes, Buckley, and Wilson a Committee to draft reasons. The Thermal Springs Act Amendment*'’ Bill, the Native Committee Bill,.the Westland High School Bill, the Wellington College Land Bill, and the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute Bill, were all read a third time, and the Council rose at 10.30 p.m. . In the House on Friday, The report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of George Longhurst, ;a convict under,sentence for rape,was brought up. It set forth that at this late period of the session the Committee could not go into all the facts of the case, but recommended the petition to the consideration of the Government. Mr Shaw moved as an amendment that it be referred to the ‘favorable’ consideration of the Government. After a long discussion on’the subject, the amendment was carried. Mr Hutchison moved as , a further amendment that these words be added to the resolution— ‘ As, in the opinion of ParPament, the evidence of Adorns and his daughter was such as to convince them that the iinyal prerogative for mercy should be exercised. ’ This was ultimately withdrawn, and the original motion as amended was then put’ and carried. r The Auckland Harbor Board Bill wa« read a third time and passed. V■_ On the motion for the third rd&ding of the General Assembly Members Expenses Bill, Mr Seddon took exception to the Government having made no explanation ■is to its object. He had gone out for a copy of it, and on his return he found it had gone through Committee. The clause about the Legislative Council showed that none but men of wealth could afford to be there if their honorarium was fixed by Statute. Again, they had given the Wellington members an increase of L7O. These gentlemen had not attended to their duty so closely as to warrant that inciease. He would not move in the matter at all, as he looked upon it that Government was responsible. Mr Peacock was taken by surprise, and if he had been present would have moved that the amount be £l5O for all. Mr Turnbull moved that the Bill be recommitted on Saturday for consideration. Mr Sheehan considered it unfair to make any raid either on this or the Upper House at the present time. It was a mistake to say it was comprised alone of the propertied classes. If it was necessary to alter the constitution of that House by all means do it, but do not sneak about it in the way proposed. What bo would say ' was attack it openly, if necessary, but not go about it in a mean way. Mr Moss asked if the Government intended to .bring in its promised measure for the reconstitution of the Council, and

was this Bill a prelude thereto. He regretted they had seen fit to make a differenCe between the two Houses, and ha would support the recommittal of the Bill. . , The amendment for recommittal wan “ lost by 38 to 18. T / On the question that the Bill be read a ■ third time, the Hon Major Atkinson contended that ho one could ssy that the Councillors’ expenses were as high as those of the members of the Lower Chamber. He had no sympathy with the talk about election expenses, but so soon as members were elected, an important pai t of their expenses consisted in the visiting of their ' constituents. The Councillors had no such expenses to bear. The reconstitution of the Council was a matter which required much consideration. If they did ! cnot put the amount bn the Bill, he believed • ■ -it would be 300 guineas ere long, and over. If the Government could do il ’ they would • reduce the amount proposed by the Bill one-half all round, but that , was hopeless. The question for the third reading was . then put and carried, and the Bill was finally passed. The following Bills were also read a third time and passed Crown and Native Lands Rating Act Amendment, Property Assessment .Act Amendment, Railways Construction and Land Act Amendment, and Property Law Consolidation Bill. The West Coast Peace Preservation Bill ' was read a time and passed. In the Legislative Council on Saturday, The Hon Mr Oliver moved the second reading of the Land Acts Amendment Bill.- Tlm' Bili wns to place pastoral lands on the same’footing as last year they had put agricultural lands. If they gave full tenant rights there would be no fear of leasing failing to be appreciated. The second reading was carried, it being understood that amendments should 1 be made in Committee. ; :

A large number of Bills were read a first and second time; Mr .Fyke gave notice •of motion for Tuesday--‘ That it is essential to the Well-being and good government of New Zealand, and for the preservation of the unity of the - colony that provisions should be made for the establishment of one or more local governments in each - 'lsland,‘.with power to legislate for and to control the management of local affairs, and the expenditure of local revenues.’ ’ The Hon Major Atkinson moved for the discharge of the Leaseholder’s Qualification Bill. .The Koads and Bridges Construction Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Hon Mr Dick moved that the > Otago Harbor Bill be discharged. He said it had been so badly mutilated that it was rendered of no avail. Mr Macandrew objected to the motion. The Harbor Board, he said, had been a great failure, and it would be only propagating the evil to keep the Beard another year. As it was, another Bill dealing with the same subject • Board an extension of their powers, and he ventured to say had it been -known that this Bill would not pass these concessions would not have been obtained. He moved as an amendment that the report on the Bill be agreed to. A long debate ensued, lasting till one o’clock on Sunday morning, the Dunedin jib. members each other in groat • style aind accusing the Canterbury members of banding together to defeat the interests of (Jingo. The Bill was carried by-SD votes to 7.