GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2722, 9 October 1894, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

legislative council,

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS BILL,

It was decided to insist on the Council’s amendments in the Laud for Settlements BUI.

ADVANCES IO SETTLERS BILL,

The debate upon the second reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Bill, to which Mr Stevens had moved an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, was resumed by Mr Bowen. He felt assured that if the Bill became law it would have the effect of making money dearer. He also objected to the Bill because the electors had not expressed an opinion on it, and because the borrowing powers which it conferred on the Government would lower the credit of the colony at Home. Mr Kelly thought that Mr Steveus had taken too gloomy a view of the affairs pf colony. Things might be bad iu the South Island, but in the North Island business was prosperous. He strongly supported tne Bill, as he was o! opinion that the present was the most opportune time to aM&t farmers .by a scheme of this kind. Mr Oliver contended that the margin proposed in the Bill was too small, and the provision for an assurance fund was not sufficient to meet the losses that were ■are to ensue. Mr Montgomery denied that the Bill would make money dearer. He hoped that the Council would not throw out the Bifl, which the people at large were desirous should become law. The country was daily increasing iu prosperity, and the people were surmounting the difficulties which stood iu their paths. Mr McLean thought that there was much to bo said both iu favour of and against the Bill, and therefore he should not vote for the amendment, Mr Morris did not think tfva Bill would do very much harm, and he should support the second reading. Mr Jeuniug* supported the Bill, and defended the Government from the accusation that they wore destroying the ■elf-reliant policy of the late Premier, Mr Ballance. He objected to the proposal to lend money up to two-thirds of the value of land as being too high. Mr Stewart said that there had been no more disastrous business in the colony during the last fifteen years than money lending, and therefore he objected to the statement of the Colonial Secretary that the Bill had been brought iu with a view to put a stop to the extortion of the money-leuders. The debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. The Counc : l remmed at 7.30 pm.

Mr Stewart continued speaking against the Government Advances to Settlors Bill MrKenrpointed out that manufacturers, by reason of iho protective tardf, and the timber industry, by being granted railway facilities, were being assisted by the State, And he failed to 930 why .objection should

be raised to farmers who were being assisted by the State. 1 Mr Whyte regarded the Bill as a measure of wholesale buying and selling of money by the State, and believing this he would vote against the second reading. Mr McGregor spoke strongly against the Bill, which would create a class of shufflers and a class of persons who would seek either repudiation or reduction of their interest. There was no saying where this scheme would end, for the lending of £3,000,000 would merely prove as a sprinkling of water upon thirsty

ground. Mr McCullough in supporting the Bill said that he considered this borrowing scheme of the Government would not add to the indebtedness of the State. Mr Bolt strongly supported the scheme. It was better for the workers to serve the Government than to be in the clutches of lending syndicates. Mr Bonar thought that the Bill should have a fair trial, and ho would support it, at any rate, as far as the third reading stage. In the course of his reply Sir Patrick Buckley repeated that one of the principal reasons why the Government had brought in the Bill was in consequence of the almost insupportable burden in the shape of interest, whidh private institutions had charged small farmers. Mr Stevens’s amendment was then rejected by 14 to 13, and the second reading agreed to. The following is the division list:— For the amendment (13). —Reynolds, Stewart, Williams, Barnicoat, Swanson, Pharazyn, McGregor, Acland, Stevens, Ormond, Bowen, Whyte, Peacock. Against the amendment (14). —Baillie, Whitmore, Bonar, McCullough, Kerr, Kelly, Jenkinson, Taiaroa, Feldwick, Rigg, Dignan, McLean, Montgomery, Buckley. Pairs.—-For: Shrimski, Holmes,Oliver, Grace. Against: Bolt, Morris, Kenny, Jennings. _ - At 10 p.m. the Council adjourned till Monday at 2.30 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The House met at 7.30 p.m. on Friday. CONSOLS BILL. The Consols Bill was received from the Legislative Council with amendments. The Speaker said that he considered that the amendments made by the Council in clause 4 of the Bill, reducing the term of repayment from 40 to 20 years, was an infringement of the privileges of the House. The Council, he thought, had not power to make an amendment of that kind.

Mr Ward moved that the House disagree with the amendments made by the Council in the clause, and that a Committee be appointed to draw up reasons for disagreeing. He said that a Governor’s Message would be brought down later on, reducing the amount under the Bill to half a million extending over two years. The motion was agreed to. NATIVE LAND COURT BILL.

The Native Land Court Bill was further considered in Committee.

In clause 135, dealing with native land prohibited, the Premier moved an amendment to the effect that, except as provided for in part 4 of division 2 of this Act, it shall not be lawful for any person other than a person acting on behalf of the Crown to acquire any native land. Captain Russell strongly objected to the preemptive right. The Premier urged that it would be much better for the natives themselves and for the colony that all native land transactions should go through the Government. The Premier’s amendment was carried on the voices.

The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. On the motion of Mr Parata a proviso was inserted to the effect that nothing in this Act should prevent the leasing of land in the Middle Island. The clause as amended was added to the Bill by 34 to 19. The remaining clauses passed without material amendment. Several new clauses were added to the Bill, and the schedules were passed without alteration. LICENSING BILL. At 1.25 a m. the House went into Committee on the Licensing Bill. Captain Russell protested against going on with a Bill of this kind at this hour. The Premier suggested that they might go on till 3 o’clock at any rate. Mr Carncross moved that the chairman leave the chair. After some discussion this was lost on the voices.

Mr Graham then moved to report progress. On clause 3 Mr McNab moved an amendment to provide that in case the sale of liquor was prohibited by a national option poll, the permission allowed ito perfumers, etc., to use alcohol should cease.

Mr Reeves looked upon the amendment as nonsense. Its effect would be to prohibit alcohol for medicinal or scientific purposes.Mr Button said the amendment prohibited the sale of alcohol by chemists and druggists.—(No, no) —It was clear that it would, and he would be no party to that. It was carrying the joke too far. At 2.30 a.m. Mr Buchanan moved that progress be reported. He did bq as a protest against late sittings.—Lost, At 3.15 Mr Allen moved that strange be ordered to withdraw from the galleries. —Lost by 30 to 21. A further motion by Mr Buchanan do report progress was negatived by 31 to 17. Mr McGowan at 3.40 moved that the chairman leave the chair. He said he did this with the intention of disposing of the Bill for this session. There was no urgency in the matter as the Bill now before the House did not come into operation for two years. This was discussed at very great length and eventually »( 5.15 was put and lost by 33 to 7.

At 7 20 a.m. a motion to report progress was last by 22 to 16, and Mr McNab’s amendment to clause 3 was immediately put and carried by 20 to 18. Mr G, J, Smith moved to strike out snb-septlou 3 of clause 3 in order that sellers of wine, pidep. f> r perry from New Zealand grown fruit jp (wo-gallon quantities might not bp exempted from the local option poll. This was debated at considerable length.

At eight o’clock Mr Mackenzie moved to report progress saying that the temperance party intended to go on all day. After discus don this was lost by 21 to 19.

Several other proposals for adjournment were negatived, but at 9.10 a.m a motion by Mr Duthio that progress bo reported was parried by 23 to 22. native lands. The Native Lands Court Bill was reported with amendments and ordered to be considered next sitting day. The Licensing Bill was ordered to be considered on Monday. A motion by the I’xeinior that the House on rising adjourn unti 1 2.30 p.m. on Monday was lost by 27 to 23.

On the motion of the Premier the House rose at 10,45 a.m. until 7.30 p.m. on Monday.