GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1236, 6 September 1884, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, and the Hon. Mr Reynolds announced that a new Government had been formed. The Council adjourned at 2.40 p.m. The Council mot at 2.30 p.m. on ThursThe Colonial Secretary (the Hon. P. Buckley) informed the Council of his appointment to office, and said he proposed on Friday to state the policy of the Government.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ou Wednesday. The Hon. Mr Stout said they were aware he had promised that, if possible, he would that day be in a position to announce to them that he had succeeded in completing the task entrusted to him by the Gorernor of forming an Administration. He had been enabled to do so. He announced the name* of those sworn in. That left two offices still to be filled up, and he hoped to be able to announce to them in the course of a few days that he had succeeded in filling up these It was their desire, if possible, that these offices be filled up from the North Island members, one, if possible, from the Provincial district of Auckland. In regard to the position taken by .Sir Julius Vogel of Treasurer, he had to explain that but for the fact of his bad health he (Mr Stout) would have insisted upon him taking the position ot Premier, As it was, Sir Julius Vogel had point blank refused to take that position. If hia health improved, however, there might be a change in that respect. The members of the Government, as formed, had reserved the right of individual freedom of opinion. In the formation of an administration he had found himself placed in a delicate position, and to his late colleagues he had been greatly indebted for the assistance they had given him in the work, bo much had this been the case that he confessed that their kindness in that respect would never be forgotten by him. The Government, as constituted, recognised the great importance of fostering the mining industry. He meant by that not only the production of gold, but all other metals, including coal, etc. With the view of giving effect to that determination, they would at an early date ask members to agree to the appointment of a Minister for Mines, who would devote himself especially to that department. Parliament having now been in session for some weeks, the Government recognised the importance of getting the business gone on with as fast as possible. They would, therefore, be prepared to go on with the Order Paper as fast as possible. He. would say a word more as to their policy in the Governor’s speech. Members would remember that reference had been made to the question of an abstract policy, and the Government proposed to bring down Bills at an early date dealing with these matters. As regards the management of railways, their purpose in that direction would be made known when the financial and public works statements were produced. No attempt would be made this session to change the incidence of taxation, as the subject was one of far too great importance to admit of any such change being made without more mature consideration. Th« policy of the Government had, in a great extent, to be regulated by their finances, which, being the case, the policy ot the Government could not be fully disclosed all at ones. Several measures of importance, however, would be brought forward. The Government recognised that the present system of local government was most unsatisfactory. They, however, considered that it should not be thoughtlessly cut down and destroyed, and with that view they would take till next aession to consider what changes should be made. Respecting the Nortb Isl and railway, the proposal to appoint a Select Committee to consider and report upon the best route, was a proposal made in all sincerity, and not with any desire of shelving the question indirectly, as had been asserted. The Government believed that would be the moat satisfactory course to both Parliament and the connin'. When the Committee had arrived at a decision on the point, it was the intention of the Government that the work should fee gooe on with without delay. In conclusion he stated that the > portfolios as enumerated had been hastily allocated, and upon more mature reflection Govenir m*nt might see it desirable to redistribute the same. He would, however, ask them to accept the names mentioned for the present, and by that means allow them to proceed at once to business. In reply to a question put, he said that the financial and public works statements would be brought down within a fortnight ; and in reply to another question put by Mr Guinness, who asked if it was true that ilie Governor had promised a dissolution in the event of this government not standing, Mr Stout' said if whuld most irregular for him to state what transpired between him and the Governor. Replying to Mr Lovastnm the Hon. Mr Bal lance said the cost of arming the ' Volunteers with Martini Henri mrtead ot jSnidor rifles would be £ISOO, and the Government could not see their nay to expend this amount at the present time. Replying lo Mr Moss, Sir Julius Vogel said ttie Government would bring in a

j Bill for the payment of members, pro--1 vidifor the amount being paid annually, and not as at present sessionally, A number of Bills were introduced and .read a first time. Sessional Committees were appointed. A motion proposed by Mr O’Connor providing that in the event of any railway not paying the adjoining land should be taxed to make up the deficiency was adjourned. Mr Barron moved the second reading of the Plurality of Yotes Bill. Replying to a remark by Mr Guinness, the Hon. Mr Stout said the Government could not recognise any necessity for making this a party question, and cited instances to‘ show that in the Imperial Parliament a course of that kind won In not be adopted. Sir Julius Vogel spoke against the Bill, and reprobated the practice of vested rights being interfered with without mature consideration.

Sir George Grey supported the Bill. The motion was carried. The House met at 2.30 p.m. r-n Thursday. Mr Shepherd gave no:i' c bo v. ould move on Friday that Mr W. J. Steward be elected Chairman of Committees. Mr Guinness gave notice that he would ask if the Government intend abolishing the postage on newspapers in this colony. Mr Fergus gave notice he would ask the Government to place a sum on the Estimates to enable local bodies to keep down the Kea pest. Replying to Mr Fitzherbert, the Hon. Mr Richardson said that railway employees known as workshop hands had special privileges in respect to holidays, and as these were quite equal to anything tradesmen outside the Government employment had, he could not undertake the increase of the number of holidays. It would, he said, cost something like £IOOO per day to carry out the hou. Member’s suggestion. Mr Johnston gave notice he would ask when the Government intended appointing a Committee to enquire as to the best route for the North Island Main Trunk Railway. The Hon. Mr Stout intimated that the Hon. P. Buckley had joined the Government in the Upper House, and had been allocated the portfolio of Colonial Secretary. , A number of new Bills were introduced and read a first time.

The- Otago Harbor BoardJEmpowering Bill, introduced by Mr Ross, was, after a debate, read a second time. Mr Macnndrew intimated ihat he would not oppose the Bill, but in Committee be would oppose any attempt to raise the rates. Mr Levestam moved —“ That a copy of the agreement existing between the Government and the Union Steamship Company for carrying interprorinci.il mails be laid before tiie House ; also a return of the amounts paid to the said Company for running extra mileage in connection with such service.” He complained of irregularities in the delivery of the San Francisco mail at Nelson. The Hon. Mr Stout read a lengthened statement, giving details of the arrangements with the Company respecting the conveyance of toese mails. The delays referred to were exceptional and of rare occurrence. Mr Joyce said the agreement was most unbusinesslike. Major Atkinson upheld the present arrangement. The _ motion was carried. The House then adjourned,