Parliamentary.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2057, 7 August 1875, Page 2

Parliamentary.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WELLINGTON,

Friday 5.30 p.m. Sir George Grey called the attention of the House to a question of privilege, because a letter which Mr Bowen wrote to the Chief Justice stated that Sir George Grey had made a statement to the effect that, in his place in the House, he said the present Chief Justice had on certain occasions given a contrary opinion to that given to the Government on the question of the abolition of the provinces.

Mr Bowen replied that when he wrote the letter he had not the slightest doubt that the hon. member had made that statement. All ; on the Government benches understood his words in the same sense; and even on the Opposition benches it was understood in the same way, as one honorable member asked that both opinions should be printed in parallel-columns. He did not attach any blame to Sir George Grey, because he supposed that what he was saying was the fact. ! If he misunderstood him he was sorry, for it was no question of privilege before the House. A good deal of discussion ..followed as to the propriety of the course taken by the Minister of justice in not askirig Sir George Grey, before writing to the Chief Justice, whether his word had been correctly understood. ; Mr J. E. Brown distinctly understood Sir Geo. Grey as the Minister of. Justice did. He did not rely upon a reference to Hansard, because he observed a certain statement made by the member for the Hutt, namely, his suggestion that the Attorney-Generals' opinion should be printed in parallel columns was not found in Hansard at all.

Mr Luckie wished to. move, as .there was a difference of opinion as to whst Sir George Grey did say, that the shorthand notes should be referred to. Hansard could not always be relied upon as to literal correctness. Members sometimes altered their speeches. The Speaker ruled that such motion couW not be put.

The hon. member for Auckland City West explained that he did not use the expressions imputed to him, and that was sufficient.

Mr Fitzherberfc explained that he did not erase what was absent in his speech in Hansard.

The subject then dropped. Mr Beeves asked whether, in accordance with the provisions of an Act passed last year for the establishment of State forests, «a sum of £75,000 bad been set aside as a special fund for that purpose. He could find no trace of such an item. The hon. gentleman then proceeded to debate upon the advantages which the Colonial Treasurer last year pointed out would now form such a fund.

Major Atkinson said the Act had never come into operation, and no Minister had been appointed to carry out the provisions of the Act, and therefore the Treasury had not been called upan to make these payments. •

Mr Beeves moved to ask the Native Minister whether, in accordance with views expressed in his Excellency's speech at the close of last session, the Government have taken any steps to promote commercial intercourse with, or to acquire dominion over Polynesia? The hon. gentleman referred to what had been done regarding this subject last session.

Sir Donald McLeau said the Government had not given any further consideration regarding commercial intercourse with Polynesia, though they were fully alive to the importance of the subject. Mr Reeves moved to ask the Minister of Native Affairs whether it was the intention of the Government to utilise the services of Sir Julius Vogel during big sojourn at the German baths to obtain the services of verderers or other qualified professionals, to instruct people of the colony in the art of conserving.and planting forests? - , . ■'•■'■'".■' Sir Donald McLean said he felt his hon. friend and the House would agree that wherever Sir J. Vogel wa9 he would be found devoting his best services to the furthering of the interests of the colony. He had that day laid papers on the table stating what "Sir J. Vogel had already done respecting the conservation of forests.

Mr O'Neill asked the Commissioner of Customs whether he will lay on the table of the House a report and any correspondence there may be in connection with the Naval Training School at Kohimaratna.

Mr Reynolds said a most encouraging

report had been received, and ho would lay that and all other papers relating to the school upon the. table. Mr T. Kelly asked the Minister for Public Works whether it is the intention of the Government to complete the Wanganui railway by the construction of portions of it each j'car. - Mr Richardson said the line was one of the main trunk lines, and must be completed, and the Government intended to ask for as -much iribndy as could be spared from year to year for its extension,. and each successive Ministry would pursue a .similar policy until the completion of the line, but when that would be was tincertain.

The following bills wore introduced and read a first time:—Bill to Amend the Otago Waste Lands Act 187-2, Bill to Amend the Westland Waste Lands Act, Bill to Authorise the Corporation of Palmerstbn to Construct Waterworks.

Sir Dcnald McLean moved the second reading of the Uawke's Bay Volunteer Grants Bill. He said these men had done valuable service to the colony in kcepiDg in check rebel natives, and fully deserved these grants out of the confiscated land on the East Coast.

Mr Buckland said there were many persons in Auckland who had rendered gallant services in defence of the colony who had never received sixpence for their services. He hoped the Government would take some steps to obtain for those men the compensation they so well deserved.

Sir Donald McLean said the ment had taken some steps in the matter, though he was not prepared to announce if any definite results had been arrived at. Mr Murray opposed the system of Volunteer land grants altogether. • Mr W. Kelly said there were many persons in his district entitled to land, and hoped they would, be. allowed to take that land out of the confiscated land.

Mr Sheehan objected' to the system as a useless dissipation of the public estate, and a wrong to bona fide settlement, while it unduly led to landsharking. He would not object to rewarding servicos of the kind referred to, but let the reward be in money, and if they wanted land they could buy it. Mr Ormond said the services rendered by this able band of men were something extraordinary, and they well deserved the land proposed to be given to them. Mr Katenc agreed with the'member for Eodney that these Volunteers should be paid in money. If you give them land, give it also to the natives who fought on the Government side. They did more service than the white Volunteers. Part-, ing with their land in this way only led; to trouble.

Mr Carringtou" said, he understood this land had been previously promised, and a promise ought to be fulfilled, but he entirely objected to the system of rewards in grants of land.

Mr Macandrcw said the experience of Otago showed the unwisdom of granting land to persons who were not compelled to beneficially occupy it. Several of the members expressed opinions against the practice of rewarding :by grants of land as a waste of the public estate, and a retardation of settlement.

Mr Wales defended the Volunteers as fully deserving of being rewarded either in land or money, as was most convenient to the Government of the day. It would be monstrous to give these men forty acres and expecj; them to drag out a miserable existence upon it. Sir Donald McLean asked that the bill be read a second time. The Government would then consider the suggestions of lion, members that these men should be rewarded in money. The Government were anxious for a little time to consider as to the best means of carrying out the suggestions of hon. members. There was no doubt some of the men would prefer being rewarded in money, others in land, and it seemed reasonable that they should be allowed their choice. :.

The bill was read a second time.

Mr Richardson moved the second reading! of the Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Act, which introduces several improvements on the original Act regarding holding inquiries on boilers, and. inspection and fees, regulating steam pressures, &c.

The bill was read a second time.

Sir Donald McLean moved the second readme of Mr Ford's and others' Pension Bill.

Mr George McLean objected strongly to these pensions. If the .Native Minister thoughb ihese persons had a good claim upon the colony, let him put a certain sum upon the estimates, and if, upon investigation, the claim was found good, the hon. gentleman would have his support. Let him get a sum of money to buy an annuity for these persons, brit give no pensions. "; Mr J". Kelly, though generally opposed to granting pensions, said he was not in this particular case.

Mr Sheehan supported the bill, which provided for the children of those who sacrificed their lives in defence of the colony.

Bill read a second time.

A message was read from the Governor acknowledging the receipt of the address from the House of Bepresenlatives, requesting he would cause to be laid upon the table a copy of any despatch sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in reference to the opinion' of the AttorneyGeneral regarding the question of Aboli-. tion. The Governor informed the House that he. had written no despatch on either the bill or subject. i The House adjourned at 5.30 \ It is understood that after the Ministerial explanation of the Abolition Bill this evening, Sir George Grey will move the adjournment of the debate till Tuesday. It is not expected Ministers will raise any objection.