GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2157, 31 January 1891, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Couneil met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednebdu/. r THE PABLIAMENTAEY LIBBAEY. Mr Pharazyn gave notice to move that the Government be asked to put the. sum of £IO,OOO on the Estimates, to provide brick buildings for the Parliamentary Library. CHAIEMANSHIP OE COMMITTEES. _ Captain Baillie was appointed Chairman of Committees. THE ADDEESS IN EEPLY. Dr Grace moved the address in Eeply. He congratulated Sir Harry Atkinson on his election to the Speakership, and said that the policy disclosed in the Speech was admirable. Mr Eraser seconded the motion. Mr Scotland deprecated a moribund Government making appointments to the Council. Mr Sheppard and Mr Pharazyn defended the appointments. The motion was agreed to on the voices. On Thursday, Mr Downie Stewart and Mr James Fulton were Bworn in, THE BANKING CGNTBACT. _ Wr Stevens gave notice to ask if the Government will continue the contract on which the banking of the colony was carried on. THE PABLIAMENTABY LIBEABY. Mr Pharazyn moved his motion re building for the library, and it was carried by 16 to 8, fIOCL3E OF EEPBESENTATIYE3. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. THE BALLOT. Mr Buckland gave notice to move that the ballot be substituted for divisions in the House. OUT OF OBDEE.

The Speaker ruled Mr Fish's j motion censuring the Governor (of which notice was given yesterday) out j of order, on the ground that the Governor was responsible for his acts to the sovereign alone and not to the colony. If objection was taken to his proceedings appeal could always be made to the Crown through the Secretary of State. THE COURSE OE BUSINESS. Mr Eolleston asked the Premier what the order of business was to be, and whether they contemplated prorogation or adjournment of the House. The Premier said that he hoped to finish by the end of next week, but it would largely depend upon members themselves. The Government did not intend to introduce any extraordinary legislation. 'J he House would probably meet again some time in May, and the Government believed it would be more convenient to have a prorogation than a long adjournment. In reply to Mr Macarthur, the Premier said that the honorarium was provided for by Act. Members would get half the honorarium for the second session. He went on to say that the present Government was not responsible for this session; in fact, they had provided against it by a specific agreement that the Ministry should resign if defeated at the election without calling the House together, It was not his fault that this had not been done. QUESTIONS. In answer to questions it was stated that arrangements would be made to have New Zealand represented at the Federal Convention ; that it was proposed to give due consideration to the propriety of calling another Native member to the Upper House; that His Excellency the Governor had been advised to postpone the Auckland hospital enquiry in order to give time to enquire into the composition of the Commission; that the funds had been provided under the last loan for completing the Northern Eailway from Eketahuna to Woodville, but that the Government considered the question a matter of policy and would give it their attention; that the question of diverting funds from the Te Aroha and Penrose Eailway to finish the Eotorua Kailway would receive attention; that an effort would be made by the Government to effect a reconciliation between the late employes and the Eailway Commissioners; that each application for increased pay and promotion should be dealt with on its merits, and the Government would do its best to promote harmony between the employes and the Commissioners ; that the Government would endeavor to get the terminal point in New Zealand of the proposed Canadian-Pacific cable.

THE LATE ME SPEEEY. Mr R. Thompson moved for a copy of a letter addressed by the late Premier to Mr Mair on December 10th. He characterised the statement therein as slanderous innuendos, and asserted that he had tried without avail to get the late Government to hold an inquiry into his charges against the late Property Tax Commissioner, and would have proved what he alleged,

He was proceeding to describe Sir H. Atkinson's conduct as cowardly and unmanly, but was checked by the Speaker. Captain Bussell defended Sir Harry Atkinson, and the Premier said that the letter had not yet been found on the official records. —The motion was agreed to. NEW PLYMOUTH HABBOB BOABD. A Select Committee was appointed to enquire into and report in three weeks on the present position of the JSew Plymouth Harbor Board.

SIB GEOBGE GEEY. Mr Kees moved that the House desires to place on record its deep regret at the enforced retirement from public life of Sir George Grey, and to convey to him an assurance of its high appreciation of that long, illustrious, and beneficient career which has been devoted to the best interests of New Zealand and other portions of the Empire. Mr Eees paid a high tribute of praise to Sir G-eorge. The Premier, Mr KollestoE, Mr Scobie McKenzie, Mr Seddon, and others supported the motion, and it was carried with acclamation, and the Speaker was directed to have the resolution engrossed aud forwarded to Sir G-eorge Grey. THE CHAIEMANSHIP OP COMMITTEES' The Premier moved that Mr W. Smith be appointed Chairman of Committees. Mr Palmer, as an independent member, moved that the position be not filled up till next session.—The amendment was lost by 32 to 29. The matter was interrupted by the 5,30 adjournment. THE ADDEESS Iff BEPLY. j

The House resumed at 7.30 p m. Mr Jackson Palmer moved the Address in Eeply, and said that if the Government developed a policy in accordance with the Governor's speech, they would obtain the support of many members, who like himself, were independent. Eeferring to retrenchment, he said a Eoyal Commission should be appointed to inquire into the Civil Service throughout the, colony. The Government in dealing with the land laws should see that the native lands were taxed, and that these lands were opened up. He alluded to the repeal of the property tax, and said that if the Government could prevent a conflict between labor and capital, they would deserve the well wishes of the colony. Mr Pinkerton, in seconding the motion, justified the recess asked for by the Government. He hoped that the Government in dealing with the land laws would consider the small farmers, As a means of overcoming the unemployed difficulty every encouragement should be given to the farming interests. The property tax, he thought, fell heavily on the small farmers, and he would iayor repeal. He commended the Government for establishing the Agricultural Department. He attributed the late labor struggle to the prevalence of cheap labor, and said that this would have to be remedied before the difficulty was solved. The Government would have his hearty support in devising a scheme of settlement between labor and capital. Dr Newman and Mr Scobbie McKenzie criticised the speech, and hoped there would not be a deficit when Mr Ballance left office. The latter saw no reason for a four months recess. He thought that Government should have bad a policy ready after the attempts which had been made to oust the late Governnment, and saw no reason to delay a grsduated land tax for four months when it was to the absence of this tax that the Government attributed the exodus from the colony. Mr Bryce also attacked the speech. The Premier congratulated the mover and seconder, and said that Government would give attention to the proposal for a Eoyal Commission to enquire into the Civil Service, and also to the suggestions respecting small holdings. As to the property tax, the Government were pledged to repeal it, but he could not go fully into that question at present. He hoped that when the Financial Statement was brought down it would be found that the Government had not neglected this great question. He claimed that Government were entitled to the recess asked, and said that the effort of the Government would be to give effect to election promises. Mr Smith and Mr Hogg supported the Government. Mr Eeeves (Christchurch) characterised Dr Newman as an economist who wanted a large amount of money spent in the North Island. Eeferring to Mr McKenzie, Mr Eeeves said he at times had been a strong supporter and strong opponent of Togel, and Stout and Atkinson, and he hoped that next session he might be found supporting the present Government. He was proud to see the position taken by the Labour party, and by their fruits would they be known. As to the recess asked for there.was a great difference between now and 1887. There had been a short session at that time which was not the case at present. He ventured to say that the land policy to be brought down ,would be found to meet the requirements of the colony and put a stop to dummyism. The Government did not intend to [stand still, but if the majority wished them to remain inactive he ho£ed they would pay them the compliment of asking them to leave office. The reason the late Government had *not called Parliament together was in

order that their chief might be provided with a certian position; that , a position might be found for the member for Halswell, and that the late Ministery might make appointment in the Legislative Council. Ho strongly condemned the action of Ihe late Premier in remaining in office after elections. He asked the House to trust them the necessary time to mature a policy which would not deceive their supporters. Mr Duncan moved the adjourment of the debate. The House adjourned at 10.45 p.m. On Thursday the House met at 2.30 p.m. ANSWEBS TO QUESTIONS. Eeplying to questions it was stated that Government would communicate with the Agent-General, an<? request him to furnish all information with respect to securing better markets in Europe for New Zealand frozen meat; that the Manawatu G-orge Bailway would be opened on Tuesday, 10th of February; that the Government proposed to proceed with the classification of the Civil Service during the recess, and that a Bill would probably be brought down next session for the classification and regulation of the whole service; that the Government intended to go into the whole question of the incidence of taxation during the recess but he (the Premier) could uot give absolute promise now that the property tax would be abolished; that there were no records in any of the Goverment Departments of any cablegrams having passed between the late Government and the Agent-General relative to the retirement of the latter.

Eeplyingto Mr Rhodes Mr McKenzie said he would make inquires into .the best means of mitigating the small birds nuisance, and if necessary bring a bill to deal with it. In reply to Hall Jones, who asked whether any complaint had been made of alleged dummyism in respect to the sale of land in South Canterbury recently held at Christchurch, and, if bo, whether the matter would be inquired into, the Minister of Lands said a serious complaint had re&ched the department duiing the last few days, and he had instructed the officers in charge of the department to make inquiries into the matter, air Ehodes asked the Minister of Lands whether, in case any future appointments to the Canterbury Land Board were made, be will have a Commissioner from South Canterbury appointed, and was informed in reply that at present there was no vacancy, but as soon as one occurred the matter would receive consideration. THE CABINET. The Premier informed the House that Mr Cadman had joined the Ministry, and had taken the Portfolios of Native Minister and Hospitals and Charitable Aid. THE ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr Duncan resumed the debate on the Address in-Eeply, and was followed by Mr Moore, who spoke against, and Mr Kelly (Invercargill) who spoke in favour of the speech, Mr Eolleston, after alleging great inconsistency on the part of the members of the Government, concluded by stating the Premier had asked for three or four months to prepare the Government measures, but he maintained that if their policy was not prepared beforehand, they were not fit to carry on the Government and proposed the following amendent to the Address : —" To assure your Excellency that the adjournment ot the House for a suitable recess, instead of its formal prorogation, wonld be in the interests of true economy, whilst saving expenditure in payment to members, which would not be justified by the time occupied m dealing with the business which is proposed to be submitted to us during the present session.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adj our merit* The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Premier, in replying, said he accepted Mr Kolleston's amendment as a no-confidence motion. A financial statement had recently been issned by the late Treasurer, but only that day a voucher had been presented for £II,OOO which had not been provided for in that statement, and which was largely for salaries. He did not know how many more payments of this kind would have to be made. Messrs Saunders, Bryce, W. P. Reeves, Fergus, Thompson (Auckland), Rees, Thomson (Bruce), Duthie, McKenzie (Clutha), Sir John Hall, and others having spoken, the amendment was then put and last by 35 to 24, and the Address-in-Reply was carried. The House rose at 12 20 a.m.