HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3315, 6 August 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PETITIONS, ETC.

Several petitions were presented and a number of questions aikcd.

THB BLBCTOBAL BOIL.

Mr Macfarlane had given notice to introduce a bill to purge the electoral roll of both islands, bat he asked leave to withdraw the same, as he found it would be impossible to do it this session. ' He hoped something wonld be 1 done In the matter next year. THI XOAH BILL The order of the day for the New Zealand Loan Bill to be committed was called on. ' - ■ ' •

The Premier moved that the House go into committee on the bill, and it was passed, clause by olause, with slight amendment. The schedule of the bill provides at follows for Fublie Works :— Immigration and purchase of native lands, and for defraying the costs, charges, and expenses of raising the loan authorised by this Act, £374,000; for Lyttelton Harbor works, in lieu of the amount authorised to be raised under the Lyttelton Harbour Works Loan Act, 1872, is amended by the Financial Arrangements Aot of 1872, £10,000; for redeeming the guaranteed debentures, £800,000; for purposes hereafter to be declared by any Act of the General Assembly, £360,000; total, £500,000. On the third reading, Mr McLean asked that no gentleman should be sent home for the purpose, of negotiating this loan. He asked for an assurance to that effect. The Premier promised a reply before the bill passed. Mr £. Wakefield said he felt that in allowing the bill to pass he violated his conscience because he did not believe in this iticessant borrowing, which must end in a terrible crash. He wished to place on record that he considered the whole proceeding reckless and extravagant in the extreme.

<■■> The Premier in reply, said the pledge asked for by Mr McLean could not be giren. The bill was then read a third time and passed. OBPBB OF BUSINESS. The Premier said he wished to state the course the Government proposed to adopt. They proposed to more the first reading of the Imprest Supply Bill, and the second reading at half-past 7, when any debate could ensue, as they were not ready with the schedules to the Financial {Statement. He would, he feared, be compelled to ask for a few day's delay, and lay the statement before the House on Thursday, as it was ratber a complicated one, and unusual in form. He proposed to go into Committee of Supply that evening to allow the hon member for Welling* ton (Mr Barton) an opportunity for introducing his business, ■ which was delayed on Monday, in reference to a request, and on that understanding, if the House assented, he would now more that they go into Committee of Supply, to proceed with the first reading of the Imprest Supply Bill No. 2. On behalf of Her Majesty, hia Excellency the Governor had recommended that the House do make profision for Supplies to the 30th of September next. Sir Wo. Fox said, there was no objection on bis side of the House, so far as as going into Committee of Supply was concerned, but they did object to any longer delay in bringing down the Financial Statement A fortnight ago, for

instance, they were ready to divide, and » week ago they had a large majority in the House, and yet these delays arose to enable the Premier to.»ddre»s the gallery,, and this delay continued. They wished to carry out his Excellency's command that no unnecessary delay should take place before the House dissolved, and would insist upon those terms being complied with at once. They did not place much value upon a financial statement, which might be made up for the hustings only, but they did want to see the figures without so much delay. They would feel it to be their duty to ask the House to fix a date when Parliament would reassemble. Members expected to get away this week, but these delays would not permit that, and they would decline to consent to further delay. T The Premier said, in using the words " financial statement," he did not refer to the statement so much as to the schedules which the clerks were hard at work preparing, and could not have it ready before Thursday. If it was assented to, the prorogation would take place on Friday.

In Committee, it was moved that writs for the new Parliament be issued'within three days after the House was dissolved, and made returnable within thirty days, the new Parliament to meet on or before the 20th Sept. Mr Bowen seconded the motion. Messrs Moothouse, McLean, Bees, and, DeLatour having spoken, ■ The Premier replied it was impossible for him to fix any dates on which the' election writs should issue.: They wished to give all parties fairness, and consider the country as a whole. They believed they possessed the confidence of the country, if not of the House, and they had to carry on under the influence of their predecessors, and were at a disadvantage, but intended to do their duty as they had.in the past by consulting the interests of the country at large. He did not wish to speak disrespectfully of the motion before the House.; but'tbe mover was a new man in the House, who had not sufficient acquaintance with the responsibility resting upon the Government, or the effect of a motion which was intended to influence them in such a matter. They ought to be free to deal with the interests of the colony at large, and not of any individuals.

The debate was cut short at the hour for adjournment, 5.30.