GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1944, 17 September 1889, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Friday, The Council agreed to the amendments made by the House in the Native Lands Frauds Prevention Bill and the JNgarara and Waipiro Further Investigation Bill. The Council disagreed with the amendments made-by the House in the Selectors Lands Revaluation Bill. The West Coast Settlement Eeaervea Act Amendment Act Suspension Bill was passed. On Saturday, The Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Lands Claims Bill was 1 passed through Committee, read a third time, and passed. A free conference was appointed to consider amendments made by the House of Representatives in the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill.

The amendments made by the Governor in the North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Application Bill were agreed to. The amendments by the Governor in the Chattels Security Bill were agreed to. The report of the Free Conference on the Selectors Revaluation Bill were agreed to. The Property Tax Bill was passed through all its stages. The Requisitions Validation Bill was committed and reported with verbal amendments.

HOU3E OF SEPBESENTATIYES. On Friday, Mr Mitchelson moved that the amendments made by the Council in the Public Works Act Amendment Bill be agreed to, with the exception of the rejection of the clause giving the Bailway Commissioners power to lease for terms not exceeding 21 years, and the insertion of a clause giving Harbour Boards power to spend money in the construction of streets. —The motion was agreed to, and a Committee appointed to draw up reasons.

The Public Health Act Amendment Bill was agreed to. The second reading of the Regulation of Dairies and Inspection of Slaughterhouses Bill was negatived on the voices.

A message was received from the Governor recommending the House to amend the North Island Main Trunk Loan 1886 Application Act Amendment Bill by which the reference to land in the Taranaki district be struck out. After some discussion the debate was adjourned.

Consideration of the Native Land Courts Bill was then resumed a*d the Bill was reported with amendments. It was then recommitted and clause 19 struck out, and a new clause added..

The Licensing Act Amendment Bill, to validate licenses held; by married women and to give them power to transfer such licenses, was committed and passed without amendment; The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee. On Saturday,

Tbe Speaker read a letter from the Speaker of the Legislative Council of Western Australia, thanking the Parliaments of New Zealand and other colonies for their efforts to obtain responsible government for that colony. On the Premier's motion a resolution was passed acknowledging the Speaker's letter, and expressing a hope that responsible government would be granted to Western Australia at the next session ef the Imperial Parliament.

The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee, and the short title altered to " Requisitions Talidatioa Bill," to enable local bodies to make requisitions in amended form.

Amendments recommended by the Governor in the North Island Trunk Railway Bill were Agreed to.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Bating Acts Amendment Bill, to exempt schools within boroughs from rates. He said he intended moving in Committee to reinsert the clause providing for the exemption of Friendly Societies' lodge-rooms from rating, which was struck out by the Legislative Council.—After a long dieeussion the second reading was carried by 33 to 29.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Property Tax Bill, the object of which was Bimply to provide the annual amount required to supplement the revenue. He thought that it was unnecessary to say anything about the Bill, especially as the House had already voted the supply necessary for the purpose. Mr Barron said in Committee he should propose that the tax be reduced from Id to |d in the £.—The Premier said if such a reduction were carried it would mean a deficit of £90,000. The second reading was agreed to, and m Committee Mr Barron moved his amendment, which, after a short discussion, was loßt by 38 to 18. The Bill was reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. On the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Mr Larnach moved that in the opinion of this Heuse the sum of £2OOO should be granted to the daughters of the late Mr James Macandrew in recognition of his long and faithful public services to the colony, namely, £SOO for each daughter. He strongly urged on the House the desirability of passing this vote, and said that it was not too much to aek the House to place this small sum on the Estimates for Mr Macandrew's daughters, who were in ill health, and the money was very necessary for their sustenance. Mr Ballance seconded the amendment, which was carried on the voices. Mr Ballance moved that in the opinion of this House it is expedient there should be a dissolution of Parliament after the termination of the present session, and that the new j Parliament should meet for tbe despatch of business as soon as possible after the expiration of the present financial year. He said he wished to amend his motion by inserting the words " that the dissolution should take place as soon as the districts eould be arranged," instead of " after the termination of the present session." He explained tiiat he had not brought forward this motion as one of " no confidence," but merely to test the feeling of the House. There had now been three sessions of the present Parliament, and it was evident no useful work could be done till a change was effected by a fresh election. There had been a failure to carry any complete measure of policy, and it was his opinion that the country had lost confidence not only in the House, but in the Government. It was essential* that a G-overnmont should possess a majority in the House, but if the Middle Party were taken away there would be no Ministerial majority. The only remedy for this was a general election. As to the reduction of members to 70, he believed that there had been a complete reaction in the country on that question, and it was a most unconstitutional proceeding that such a reduction should take place in a young country. His opinion was that there had been a deliberate conspiracy on the part of the wealthy people of the colony to deprive the masses of their representation. Strongly as he felt on the reduction of members, he was prepared to accept it in order to bring about a dissolution. | In replying, the Premier said Go- ] vernmentstood exceedingly well with the country, and Mr Ballance knew it. Tbi whale duty of the Opposition appeared to be to try and kill the Government, but he pointed out that it was not their real duty. Their duty was to check the Government. The Government had been blamed for not passing more legislation, but he thought the statute book already too large. What the country wanted was careful administration of its affairs. The country was sick of elections, and wanted political rest. Not a single reason had been advanced to show the necessity for a dissolution ot Parliament. ■ The motion for going into Committee of bupply was carried by 35 to 30, and the amendment lost. At midnight progress was reported, and the House rose.