GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1674, 17 December 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Leave of absence was granted to Dr Pollen for the remainder of the session. The Public Petitions Committee reported unfavorably against tho following petitions :—Those signed by persons praying that Bible reidiog in State schools be allowed ; petitions from seamen asking for relief under the Representation Act; petitions from the Primate and Bishops and numerous Catholics of Wellington all praying for an amendment cf the Education Act.

Sir Frederick Whitaker, replying to Dr Menzies said that Government, in considering the nevf mail contract, would consider every proposed route before coming to a conclusion. The Native Lands Repeal Bill vras committed.

The Conooil adjourned at 5.30 and resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Native Land Courts Bill, and Maori Real Estate Management Bills were reported with slight amendments. Mr Stevens moved the second -reading of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill.—The Bill was ordered to be committed next day. The Local Bodies Loan Bill, on the motion of Mr Stevens for tbe second reading, was rejected on an amendment by Mr Walerhouse, tha,t the Bill bo read that day ejx mouths. The Representation Bill waß committed, reported with amendments, and passed its final stages.

The Wellington College and Girls' High School Bill vras lost on an amendment that it he read that day six months. The Speaker took the chair at 3.30 p.m. on Tliu^rtfiay, A discussion aross as to whether the vote of Mr Ropata Wahawaha had been correctly recorded ia the division list with the nof», on the previous evening, on the Wellington College and High School Bill, with the effect of losing the Bill.-—Mr Wrthawaha said that he had voted wjth the ayes.—The Speaker said he, would take time to consider if tbe division could be taken again.

The Government Railways Management Bill wa3 re «d a first time. Tho Christchurch Hospital Bill and the Chrietcharch Drainage Reserves Bill were read a second time, I The Native Land Administration Act Repeal Bill wan ordered to be committed. On resuming ofter the 5 p.m. adjoit rnment the Council went into Committee on the Native Land Administration Act Repaalßiil. The Native Land Court Bill, and the Maori Real Estate Bill were read a third lime and paused. The Building Societies Amendment Bill was read a second time. Tiie Governmont Loans to Local Bodies Bill was committed, slightly amended, and reported with amendments. Mr Olivor moved the second reading of the.Otafio Central Railway Bill.—Ths debate, on the motion of Sir Frederick Whitaker, was adjourned to next day. Tho Council at 10.40 p.m. adjourned.

HOUSE OF KEPRESENTATIVEB. In tho House on Wednesday, after 2 a.m.,

The amendment for the formation of two Boards was negatived and clause 5 was passed.

An amendment was carried in clause 34 making granting of licenses for selling of spirits, etc., by a Commissioner, subject to the approval of a Licensing Commissioner.

At 4.30 the Bill was reperted., The House again went into Committee to consider the clause of dealing with the salaries and allowances of Com mission ers. The Minister of Public Works moved that the Chief Commiseioner receive £ISOO, and each of the other Commissioners £IOO per annum. The Premier' and Mr Ward expressed the opinion that the.salary was too 'small, but after a short debate the proposal was carried.

A motion that 'be Vaile system be given a trial on the Waikato line wfc3 lost, and the Bill was then reported with amendments and the third reading Bet down for next sitting. '

The House rose at 5 a.m. and met again at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questious, it was stated that a new valuation for property tax purposes would be made next year, but it would probably not be ready before fresh taxation would have to bo imposed ; that it was shortly intended to open up lands reserved for railway purposes in South Canterbury, but three months' notice would have to be given before taking this step. ' The Premier laid Government found it impossible to consider the report of the Joint Rabbit Nuisance Committee, owing to the press of business, but they thought that wire fencing having been authorised Hhould be put up, and they would arrange that the wire required for the additional length should be ordered by telegram. Mr Ruasell pointed ont that the unauthorised expenditure incurred by the late Government in sanctioning the erection of forty miles of fencing was a very seriuus question.

Mr Lance said that the expenditure of a small sum by the late Government prevented a serious loss. Mr Kislop moved the second reading of the Public Bodies Powers Bill,—Agreed to. The Pharnucy Act, Amendment Bill was committed, read a third time, and passed. ; ; ' '■ ■'■ , On the motion for the third reading of the Government Railways Bill Mr T. Thomson moved for the re-committ»l of the Bill to insert a new clause for: giving the Vaile system a trial for twelve mouths on the Auckland and To Awaraatu Bailway.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment, and oa resuming at 7.30 the motioH fop recommittal was lost by 52 to 24, and the third reading was carried by 56 to 18.: _ v ' On the motion that the Bill do pass, Mr Seddon made a final protest against the JSill.

Sir Joliua Vogol said the whole responsibility for this measure rested with the Government. He thought the Bill had little chance of being successful, although it hud his best wished for its suc00S8.

After several oilier members had spoken the Bill was passed on the voice?. Sir Julius Vogel asked wbother it was intended to lake the second reading of the Loan Bill that night. Major Atkinson said he would ask for the sfcond rending, but should not prpgs the Bill till the Committee of Supply had decided what amount it would give to Government for expenditure on pub'io works.

Sir J. Vogel the adjournment of the debate on the Loan Bill till next day und this was agreed to. * Major Atkinson moved the second rending of the Property Tax Bill. Mr Smith proposed an amendment that in the opinion of the House in lieu of the proposed property tax there should be levied a land tax, exempting all improvements, or an income tax with a fair exception. ; Tin Premier, Sit* Julius Vogel, and others urged the withdrawal of the amendment. Finally the amendment was lost and the Bill was read a aacond time on the voices.

The House rose at 1.40 a.m. JL'he House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. Replying to questions, It was stated that Government had no knowledge of the proposal of the New South' Wales legislature to increase the import'duties on New Zealand products; that there were no regulations at present prohibiting Civil Servants from being members of Education Boards ; that the question of increasing the rate of pay allowed to cemmon jurors wou d be taken into consideration during the recess. A lengthy discussion took place over the report on the petition for a rehearing of the Porangahau (Hawkes Bay) block. Mr Hutchison's amendment for referring the report baok to the Committee for further consideration was lost, and the report was referred to the Government for consideration. Mr R. Reeves obtmed leave to withdraw his motion to impede an import duty of 2s 6d per ton oo all imported coal. bir Julius Vogel, at half-past 4 o'clrjok, hoped the debatu on tho Loan IJill would b<s postponed till the evening sitting.

The Preminr objected, and a motion for the f\d|our,ntoent was lost. Sir Jjulius Vogel, then mado a strong attack on f>e Goyernrn.en.t pro.poaa.K condemning the manner in, wbjcu the North laland Trunk; ii.ae, was to be Qawwd out.

He thought the Otago Central line would be useless until completed to Middlernareh, The sum of £30,000 set down for the un» employed was less than bad been spent in any one year by the Provincial or General Governments. There was ne necessity for the continuance of large expenditure on harbor defence. Half-a-mitlion, in his opinion, was sufficient for public works at present. lie considered that Government was placing the colony in great danger by giving a guarantee not to borrow further until 1891. - Mr Fisher replied that Sir Julius Vogel'a attempt to reduce the loan was delusive. ■ ■ Dr Fituhett. then moved as an amend* mant to the motion that after the words j " that the Bill be read a second time " be insetted "that it is d.sirible the loan should not exceed £600,000." Dr Hodgkinson seconded the amend* ment. The Premier said that it was impossible for Government to accept the amendment.. Wheu in Committee Government would. bo glad to explain the various works to be constructed out of loan. If the House then thought that certain works should be delayed, Government,would be prepared to reduce the loan by that amount, but they could not limit expenditure to half* a-tnillion, and he wished it to be under* stood that Government took a dire.t stand upon that point. Sir Julius Vogel had misled the House as to the position of afFoiru. He reminded the House that £1,300,000 cash had to be provided by. April next, and there was no Jess than £99G,000 out at present in deficiency bills. He deprecated the sudden stoppage of public works, which would throw 1500 men out of employment.

Sit- Geo. Grey, Mr Scoble Mackenzie, Mr Reeves (St. Albans), Mr Walker, Mr Fish, and Mr Feldwick spoke against the Government proposals, and Mr Barron for them. > [Left sitting at 2 a.tn,]