HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3388, 31 October 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2 30. TO SAVB THEIE FEELINGS. Mr Turnbull gave notice he would ask the Government if it was intended this session to introduce a measure to enable suitors in divorce courts to dispense with their attendance.

THE AUCKLAND COMPACT. , Mr Hislop asked upon what principle the Government intend to base the adjustment of the expenditure of public money in the provincial district of Auckland, and the remainder of colony in pursuance of present agreement with some of the Auckland members, and upon what works they intend to expend any money due to Auckland ; also the amount which they estimate will be due to Auckland. Mr Hall replied that he intended as far as practicable to base the adjustment on a principle fair to all parts of the colony. Particular works would be act forth in the Public Works Statement, and the amount had uot yet been made up. Keplying to Mr George, Mr Hall said it is the intention of the Government to place a sum of money on the estimates for the purpose of constructing a Ctyirt House at Warkworth, and a site has been purchased for the purpose in the town■hip. 'THE HEATHEN CHINESE. Beplyiug to Mr Gisborne, Mr Hall said the Government will introduce this session, a bill to regulate the immigration of Chinese into the Colony. FOB CANTEBBUBY. In reply to Mr Andrews Mr Oliver said the Government has placed a sum of money ou the estimates which will be available for the discovery of gold or diamondi in Canterbury provincial district. THE LATE GOVERNMENT AND THE ELECTIONS. In reply to Mr Ueetharn Mr Hall said he will lay before the House copies of all correspondence and telegrams referring to the alteration of the polling places at the late election!". A NICE TASK. In reply to Mr Gisborne Mr Hall aaid a return showing approximately the number of times beyond once that the names of same persons appear ou the electoral rolls of the . colony would be a difficult and tedious work, and one, in comparison with the information to be obtained, that would not justify the expenditure upon it. FBIBNDLY SOCIETIES' CONTIIBUTIONS. In reply to Mr Pitt Mr Hall said the Government would consider what action may be necessary for removing doubts which exist as to sufficiency or otherwise of the scale of money contributions of the members of many of tht Friendly Societies in the colony in order that such such societies may obtain the full benefits of registration under the Friendly Societies Act. A HICESSAHY MEASURE TO KEEP THE COMMONS FBOSI TIUPTATION. A Bill to prevent corruption in Parliament was introduced by Sir George Grey. MORE BAILWATB. Mr Murray moved that the petition of the citizens of Dunedin and settlers'and residents in Brighton, Wangaloa, and the surrounding districts for railway coil' structum be printed. The motion was opposed by Mr Ttm«

bull, but on a division tiie .motion was carried, ayes being 37 atut uoes 22. THE PAYMENT OF 3IEU3KBS. Mr Moss moved that in the opinion of House, it is desirable that the- Ltonorariuui members of the Legislature should be settled by statute. Mr Hall said the motion was one which the Government would support. He had been asked if the Government would introduce a measure for the payment of members, but tlie Government drew a distinction between the payment of honorarium, the latter was just sufficient to defray necessary expeuses, and to keep the House open to all daises of the community. Mr Pyke supported the motion, adding that he desired to see the question finally settled, so that members might not he | always coming up for no other purpose I than simply to secure a little cheap popuj larity. A member he knew of last session who refused liis honorarium and made a point of it when he went to his constituent-.-, but after the election that member had a claim Tor tho sum he bad previously refused.

Mr Moss suid his object was simply to get rid of the question which was perpetually coming up. He did not say what the amount should bo; he left that an open question. Ali he wanted was to save unseeming discussion which the question periodically provoked. The motion was put and carried. LOCAL SELF GOVEKMKNT.

Mr Sutton moreii that it is desirable that the system of. local self-government at present in existence should be so extended so as to provide for the efficient construction of all public works except railways, harbor works, and all hospitals and charitable institutions ; that in order to enable local bodies to carry oat iheir duties it is necessary that their revenues should be increased by the payment; monthly of ali duties collected in each district as stamp duties upon land, or succession duties by increasing the maximum of the general rates in case of counties; that steps should be taken to prevent counties and road hoards clashing; to more distinctly define the powers and duties of these bodies; that thfr Government be requested, as early as possible, to introduce a Bill for tho purpose of carrying these resolutions into effect. In the course of his remarks, the speaker said he was convinced the system of subsidies would soon have to be done, away, which he regretted ; and that, therefore, ail the duties payable in respect of land should be allocated to the local bodies to defray their expenses. The local bodies were much better able to collect that revenue than the Government. He fullr believed in the system of local 'self-government, and deprecated the permissive clauses in the Counties and other local Acts. He hoped the attention of the Government would be directed to this matter, and expressed an opinion that such a reform would be far more acceptable than all the Liberal .measures about which they had heard so much.

Mr Hall agreed with a great deal contained in the resolutions, but could not acreo with the proposals made in regard to Stamp Duties, etc. He was * great advocate for local self-government. They had superseded a form of Government which, with all its failures, worked well, and they had not jet established an efficient system in its place. County Councils nnd Boad Boards clashed in a manner which prevented- the usefulness of both bodies, but the whole subject was cne which the Government fully acknowledged as being well worthy of serious consideration. If the mover would not press the matter the Government would undertake to give the whole subject serious attention daring the recess.

Mr Shepherd moved a technical amendment to the motion so as to cut out the suggestion as to the source from which the increased revenue should be derived. Mr Andrews moved that the words Postal and Telegraph be added as a source of revenue. , Mr Sutton said he would withdraw the motion as he was perfectly content -with the assurance given by the Government tbat the matter would be attended to. The debate was adjourned.