GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2100, 18 September 1890, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On Monday, FEDERATION RESOLUTIONS. Sir Frederick Whitaker moved that the federation resolutions passed by the House be agreed to, and that Sir William Fitzherbert represent the Council at the Conference, the Governor being given power to appoint a substitute should any of those elected be unable to go. After a short debate, in which Dr Grace, Mr Pharazyn, and Mr Richmond took part, the resolutions were adopted. The Council rose at 8.45 p.m.

HOU3E OF REPRESENTATIVES. On Monday, THE STRIKE. Mr Perceval gave notice to move on going into Committee of Supply: “ That in the opinion of the House, with a view to settling the dispute between wage payers and wage earners in the colony, the Government should at an early date invite employers of labor and labor association delegates to attend a conference in Wellington for the purpose of discussing their difficulties,” Mr Perceval said the employers as a whole were, he believed, anxious to deal fairly with their men, except such firms as Nelson Bros., who were evidently determined to crush out unionism. He was sure the majority of unionists were not desirous of pushing matters too far, and would like to see some settlement of the difficulties.

Mr Allan in seconding the amendment hoped the conference would be held at the earliest possible date. Mr Mitehelson said ha recognised the unfortunate state of affairs now existing in the colony owing to the labor strikes. The Government censidered they would be acting rightly m accepting Mr Perceval’s amendment, and would do all in their power to arrange a settlement satisfactory to both sides.

Mr Ballance expressed satisfaction at Mr Mitchelson’s reply. Bethought no time should be lost in arranging for a conference, but pending its decision the strike should, in his opinion, be brought to an end and the men advised to go back to work till some settlement was arrived at. The debate on Mr Perceval’s amendment was continued. A large number of members spoke. On a division being taken Ivir Perceval’s amendment was carried by 51 to 11.

COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of Supply for further consideration of the supplementary estimates. Judge Edwards’ salary—£l62l. An amendment was moved by Mr Reeves (Inangahua) to strike out the vote.

Mr Seddon asked the Government to withdraw the vote as it now stood and reintroduce it as a salary for Commissioner Edwards and not as Judge Edwards. Captain Russell said that the whole of the circumstances connected with this appointment from first to Jafct showed that the House had no true appreciation of the position. He reviewed the circumstances connected with the appointment, and said that Mr Justice Edwards was regarded as being fully qualified to fill the office. The Government believed that the appointment was strictly and constitutionally made. If it could even be nroved that the appointment was not technically correct, which he denied, the Government had acted as they had done solely for the welfare of the colony. Mr Ballance considered that Mr Edwards was no Judge at all, that be was, on the contrary, a usurper, and eat on the bench illegally and unconstitutionally. He (Mr Ballance) was favourable to the salary being voted for Commissioner Edwards, and that it be reduced to £IOOO. A lengthy discussion ensued. Captain Euasell agreed to amend the vote so that it should provide for salary for Commissioner Edwards and not Judge Edwards. The alteration in the estimates was brought down by Message from the Q-overnor. Mr Taylor wished to know whether the alteration would prevent Commissioner Edwards acting as Judge, and on being answered in the negative, he protested against the whole thing. The debate was interrupted by the 5 30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.80 p m. After another lengthy discussion the word * Judge ’’ was struck out of the item. Mr Eeeves (Inangahua) withdrew his motion to strike out the vote and substituted a reduction of £lOsl. The amendment was lost by 36 to 26.

Mr Taylor moved to reduce the vote by £B7l. The amendment was lost on tha voices.

Mr Ballance moved to reduce it by £SOO.

The amendment was lost by 34 to 27.

Mr Duncan said that the time had now arrived for decisive action, and he was prepared not to allow another item on the estimates to pass unless this vole were reduced, even if he had to stay there till next month.

Mr Ballance said that the retention of the full salary for Mr Edwards was a distinct breach of the agreement made between Mr Bryce and himself.

Captain Russell said that Mr Ballance had distinctly stated to the House that if the word “ Judge ” were struck out he should abide by the decision of the House. There would, therefore, be a distinct breach of faith on Mr> BrllanCbV part • ! if he' did not snppott’the Gbvernraent inihe matter. He was quite, prepared 1 te* ' accept*a reduction of £SOO on the vote. Mr Seddon asked if the reduction was ,; to'be taken as ‘a h' indication that Mr Edwards*should’ not*act as J udge.

Captaih :, Bussell it 'was an indication of anything^‘Mr 5 Seddon chose to call it.

On:the House resuming after'the supper adjournment* spbke at length against the 1 vote arid - said that lie was prepared’‘to stay there till the fourth of next month to protest against it. ! At 5 11.40 p.m l .! Mr, O f Connor tl 'drew attention to the fact of strangers being in the Housed iall the galleries were 1 cleared; 1 while' 'Mr Fish was addresaingtheHouee:On Tuesday, COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.

The galleries were opened! “kt 2.30 p.m. The discussion was still continued on the vote for Judge Edwardsi’ salary, the motion under debate "being that the Chairman do leave 1 the chair. Mr Ballance suggested that this motion should be disposed of in order that the Government' should make an exolanation as to the course they intended pursuing.' The motion for leaving the' chair was’withdrawn. Mr Mitchelson said that the Government recognised that’ members were anxious to bring the session to a close as q uickly as possible, and ’ they 1 had therefore 1 decided, without“prejudicing Judge Edwards’ appointment' 1 in any wav, to reduce the vote of £1620 by £123. He wished to inform the House, however, that seeing that Judge Edwards had been appointed a Judge of the Supremo Court and Commissioner of the Native Land Court; it was absolutely essential that the whole bf his’salary should ba paid, and the’ Government would, therefore, take on themselves the responsibility of providing for it but of unauthorised expenditure. Now that honorable members opposite had entered a strong protest against the ' appointment ' of Mr Edwards as ‘Judge, * he (Mr Mitchelson) hoped that they would allow the 1 remaining 1 business "to proceed.

In reply to Mr Kerr, Mr Mitchelson said that the arrangement come to was i meant to apply only to this year. The question of J udge Ed wards’ appointment- as Judge would be left for next Parliament.

Mr Ballancei ; said i that the House should be satisfied with the statement of the Acting Premier. The Opposition had made every ipoaaible protest against the appointment, and he; thought they might how allow the business to go .on. As to the way ,in which the £125 struck; off was to be made up, that was a question for the Government; sand they would 'have to take all the responsibility. Captain;Bussell moved that the vote of £1620 be reduced by £125.. 'lhe motion was' agreed ; to, and the vote so reduced ; was carried lbyi'3B to 7.

Proportion of cost, of; the erection of a lighthouse. on;the s.nareßr-£4000. : Dr Newman, thought,! that in the present state of the colony, and with, the prospect of a deficit .next year, this item should be postponed i for the present. • , Mr Fergus said that he hoped the vote would not be required this year, but if it were struck out it would be a breach of faith . with the other four colonies w;ho had agreed to contribute towards the erection of the lighthouse.

' The vote was agreed to, i Working Men’s Mr Thompson (Auckland North) moved that the vote be. struck^out. The amendment was carried by 29 to 15.

Mr Ballance moved to strikeout the item, advance payment on account of security for the costs on appeal to the Privy Council in the case of Poaka and others and Ward and others.

The item was eventually reduced by £275 with the consent of the Minister. Mr Monk moved-to omit the item £SOO, for liabilities* on claims for damage at Eumara sludge channell.

Carried by 29 to 28 Purchase of Lyttelton ; Harbor Board’s shed No. sr-*£lo,ooo. Struck out on the voices. : The House rose at 5.30 p m. The House resumed at 7.30 p m.

The remaining items on the Supplementary 1 Estimates were considered and passed without alteration. The House rose.at 12.20 p.m. till 10 a.m. the following day.