GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1656, 5 November 1887, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Thnrsday. Several petitions in favor of Bible reading in State schools were presented from Oumaru and Gisborne by Dr Menzies, Mr Williams, and Mr Hammond. Colonel Brett asked the AttorneyGeneral what steps the Government have taken or intend to take in respect of Lieutenant-Colonel Noshes’ pamphlet on the administration of, and the officers commanding, the forces.—The AttorneyGeneral said that the matter referred to had not been brought officially under the attention cf the Minister of Defence. The only thing Government knew of the pamphlet was by newspaper reports. He regretted that be could afford no definite information to the hon. member on the subject. Colonel Brett thought the answer very unsatisfactory. Mr Waterhouse moved that a return be laid upon the table of the names of all persons who, since the passing of the Civil Service Reform Act, have been temporarily appointed to the public service, together with a statement of the office filled and of the salary payable in each case.—Agreed to. Major Bsillie movad that the promoters of every private Bill introduced into the Legislative Council, or broupht from the House of Representatives dcring the first suasion of the year, and who have had leave to suspend further proceedings thereon during the said session, 1 may have leave to proceed with such Bill in this present session at the stage at which the proceedings thereon were suspended.— Agreed to.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Major Atkinson gave notice of the introduction of the Governor’s Salary and Allowances Bill and Parliamentary Honorarium and Privileges Bill. Ho also gave notice of a series of resolutions dealing with the Midland Railway. They were to the effect that the draft contract of Decembar 14th, 1886, agreed to by the Government and representatives of the Company in New Zsalend, as amended by the Company, be accepted by Government' as a supplementary contract, subject to certain alterations and the following additions New Zealand Midland Railway Company to be incorporated in New Zealand under the the Company’s Act, 1882, as previded by section 2 of the Act of 1886, the works to be commenced at once at Sprinfield and Bolgrove. No land which shall be granted to the Company shall be sold at less price than the minimum to be agreed upon by the Surveyor-General. Replying to questions, it was stated that the queation of altering the Juriea Act so as to avoid bringing men a considerable distance to attend juries in towns would be considered during the recess; that club licenses were paid to local bodies; that Government had no control over banks issuing notes in New Zealand —such power was given by Act of Parliament ; that a bill would be brought in this session to amend the South Island Native Reserves Act 1883; that there was no intention of t»king into consideration the advisability of entering into negotiations with the Midland Railway Company for the purchase by Government of the line completed by the Company from Brunner* ton to Richardson,

The Speaker read a telegram from the Secretary of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, requesting the attendance of members of the House on Friday, 11th inst., at the annual show of the Association on the new show grounds. He said if any members expressed their intention of proceeding to Christchurch ho would be glad to inform the Secretary of the matter.

Mr Wilson moved—“ That a Committee be appointed, with power to call for persons and papers, to inquire—l. If the present large expenditure on education can bo reduced without unduly impairing the efficiency of the present system or cloning country schools ; (2) in wh«t direction, if ary, any reductions should take place ! and (3) generally into the working of the system, the Committee to report thereon within a month, and to consist of Messrs Fisher, Allan, Beetharn, Loughrey, M. J, S. McKenaie, Ormond, Barron, Walker, Dr Fitchelt, and the mover,— Mr SeddoD m*ved an amendment, referring to a Committee the question whether State aid can be given to denominational schools in large centres without injuring the State system of education ; whether it was advisable that the Bible should be read in schools. The amendment was carried, and it was decided that the Committee should enquire into the management of Native schools.

Mr McArthur moved the eecond reading of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill. The Bill provided that the Maoawatu hospital dis? trict may be constituted by Order»inCouncil on petition ; that the Waimate hospital district may be constituted, and that the Ashburton district bo separated from North Canterbury. The principle of the Bill was to give the local hospital and control of funds to those mostly interested. The Bill was supported by Major Steward (who presented a petition from 935 residents of Waimate praying that the district might be separated from the South Canterbury diatric), Mr tValker, Mr Ballance, Mr Wilson» Mr Buxton, and 'aptain Russell, and opposed by Messrs Rhodes, Turnbull, Taylor, Hodgkinson, 1 Sir John Hall, and othera.—Thu second wading was carried by 47 to 24. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the L 1 w Pr .dinners’ Bill to regulate the admission iof. persona to practice in Courts of Law. Ho explained that the Bill had been before the Houaa on asveral previous oeparjons. He would simply ■ay to the House that w()a|; ho aijked thorn to do by the Rill had been the means of giving to America some of its great-st men, He W'S convinced that they would cover attract people to New Zealand unless they showed a fair field to all in thj« direction, and he considered it w»* most unfair that a measure so eminently just should be defeated year after year by the efforts of a few legal gentlemen in the House.—The motion for the second reading was carried by 67 to 15.

Mr Mi clielsop proved Uv second reading of the Hammond F noing Clai-ns Compensation Bill, to provjd* for lire maintenance of railway fenooa in" the land* of Richard Hammond which were

aken under the Public Works Act of 1882. Ho asked tlio House to pass the Bdl through *ll its stages, as the time had elapsed at which the compensation sum proposed to be paid (which was £231 2s 9d) was due.—After some discussion the Bill was read u second time, and was then passed through the remaining stages. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. Replying to questions, it was slated that enquiries would be made as to the desirability of securing the services of a qualified expert in cheese-making for the dairy factories of the colony ; that th« Government could not introduce an amendment of the Disqualification Act to prevent Legislative Councillors from interfering at elections, as they were free citizens and were entitled to their opinions ; that the question of grants of land for working men and others in Government employment whose services are being dispensed with would be dealt with in the new Land Bill; that the question of removing the prohibition against the importation of cattle and sheep from Europe would be referred to the Stock Committee; that several contracts in road-making would be let so as to afford the Fahiatua village settlers employment; that there was no truth in the report that Government had offered Sir Robert Stout a seat in the Legislative Council with a view to his joining the Government as Attorney-General—no communication had passed between the Premier and Sir Hubert Stout on the subject of coalition since 1884. The Premier desired to stale to the House (hat, after consultation with the hon, gentlemen opposite, he thought it would be more convenient to take the Midland Railway discussion next day. The discussion on the Financial Statement would bo taken Tuesday. Sir Julius Vogal said he had no desire to open the debate on the Financial State* menl. If any other hon. member was prepared to do so, be was quite willing. The Akaroa Borough Council Reserves Vesting and Reclamation Bill and the Gisborne High School Act 3885 Amendment Bill were read a second time.

Mr Leveatara moved the second reading of the Nelson Foreshore Reserves Bill, which if as lost by 37 to 32. The Oamaru Harbor Board (authorising the Board to borrow £38,000), Whangarei Harbor Board (authorising the Board to borrow £40,000), and Napier Harbor Board (authorising the borrowing of £30,000) Bills, were read a second time. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Auctioneers’ Bill. He explained that it had already been three sessions before Parliament, and was designed to consolidate existing \cts, which were all of a provincial character. Dutch auctions were abolished and various reforms, which experience had shown to bo necessary, wore introduced. A uniform license fee of £4O was fixed.—Agreed to. Sir George Grey moved the Limitation of Votes Bil 1 , preventing electors from voting in more than one electorate. — Carried on the voices.

Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Land Settlement Bill. It was intended (0 provide land on such terms and in such a way as would attract immigrants with capital, and also enable persons now in the colony to acquire hind nn reasonable terms. Land taken under the Bill was to be paid for in land bunds, on the same system that had been perused with eminent success in Prussia. It was to be divided into farm and cottage allotments, «ud power was given to lay out town sites. He had been told that a large number of the Irish constabulary had expressed their wish to come here if some such measure became law. and he believed many other desirable colonists would be attracted hither.—The Premier said that the Government recognised that the time had come when a measure of 'ho kind was repuired, and they would agree to the second reading, so that the Rill might go to the Waste Lands Committee, with a view to seeing whether a satisfactory so'ution could be arrived at. He dio not, however, altogether agree with the Bill as it stood, for he thought it did not provide sufficient safeguards. -Carried on (he voices.

The following Bills were nlso raid a second time :—Onehunga, Water Reserves (Mr Hamlin); New Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Reserve (Mr Samuel); Sumner Public Works (Mr Jones); New Plymouth Borough and Harbor Board Street and Reserve Exchange (Mr Samuel); North Dunedin Cemetery extension Bill (Mr Stewart), Mr Taipua moved (1) That in the opinion of this House the treatment by Germany of King Malietoa and the friendly Samoan people is oppressive and ungenerous, and unworthy of a great nation, and is in contravention of a treaty obligations ; (2) That the Government be requested to communicate *ith the Government* of the Australian colonies with a yie* to making a combined and urgent representation to.the Imperial Government on thut matter, He explained that he had been induced to move in the matter because according to tradiiiou the Maoris themselves came from Samoa, and because it was close to New Zealand.— The Premier said it would hardly be right to carry such a motion. He asked Mr Taipua, now that he had expressed his opinion, to withdraw the resolution.— The motion was withdrawn.

Mr JJallance moved tjiqt there be laid before (he House the details of savings proposed in the Financial Statement, so far as they may have been determined on, —The Piemier cou d not consent to do this. He intended to gsk the House to place full confidence in the Government, anil it would be premature to disclose their plans.—After some discussion, Mr Baliunce said the motion was not intended in a hostile spirit and asked leave to withdraw it, which was granted,' The House rose «t 11.21 p m.