Evening Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3393, 6 November 1879, Page 2

Evening Sitting.

The House resumed at 7.30.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. Tbe House went into Committee of Supply.

Mr Oliver said Government were anxious to push on certain works "xith a view of providing work for unemployed. He went on to .explain that a sum of £24,000 had been already spent on works for this purpose in the Middle Island. They had to find employment in this way for 2C30 in this Island, and moreJ demands were constantly being made for labor. The wages per week amounted to £4,000. What they would ask for was an authorised expenditure of £'50,000. They believed the money would be sufficient to meet the present exigencies, and as the season was advanced the men now employed on these works would find other employment for themselves. He concluded by moving that the Government be authorised to spend the above named sum on works for the purpose indicated. Mr llichardson expressed hope that Government would not commit the country to the construction of any "ymtk lof which they had not full particulars of cost for completing. Mr Hislop stigmatised the reference made to the unemployed as an attempt to curry favor with a certain class in the colony, and in doinir so reminded the Colonial Treasurer that on a former occasion he repudiated the idea of spending money for the express purpose of finding work for unemployed. Mr Bolleston said that what they asked was for money to meet an exigency, and they would spend that money in the best way to meet the exigency, having a due regard always to the character and utility of such works. If the House took the responsibility of refusing the sum asked, then the responsibility would rest with the House.

Sir G. Grey blamed the members of the present Government with having taxed the working men in bygone time to find labor for them, instead of taring the wealthy classes for the purpose. He scouted the idea of Government pretending to be the working man's friend and patron. Col. Trimble said the statements made by the last speaker were most discreditable. He went about the country talking about the working man and his grievance, and here in this House he attempted to rouse up that cry in a most uncalled for manner. He deprecated this constant appeal to the passing of the motion. Mr Macandrew asked what steps had been taken to plant village settlements along the lines of proposed railways : he thought that was the true solution of this labor problem. Give them a day or two's work on the line to assist them in establishing themselves on these village allotments.

Mr Eolleston said Government had already commenced a system, and their whole policy would then be that they meant to prosecute that class of settlement. He quoted from a telegram sent Home by the late Premier stating the Colony was able to absorb 600 ablebodied men, and that telegram had been suppressed. Sir G-. Grey said he simply sent Home that offer in the belief that it would not be accented. He only did it as an example to the Home Government, well knowing that that Government depended for her commercial greatness to the supply of cheap labor. The member for Clive had just made a most insulting romark under his breath to him. He could tell the House that that gentleman tried to bribe natives for the purpose of securing the title to their land. He believed if these GOOO persons had been sent out and settled on the land as he proposed, and the wealthier classes taxed to find labor for them, it would be to their advantage no less than the advantage of the colony.

Mr Hall appealed to tbe members to bring tho rebate to a close, and allow the work to go op. Tho vote was then put and passed without further opposition. BILLS. On resuming, tbe Lyitelton Harbor Board Bill was read a third time, and passed. Sir Gt. Grey moved the second reading of the Native Reserves Vesting Bill. Mr Bryce opposed the motion on the ground that it wai impolitic at present. Mr Seddon sard ife would do a serious injustice to the West Coast, and suggested the Bill sbould be withdrawn, and a more comprehensive measure brought down nest session.

Mr Masters also opposed the motion, acting that the town of Greymouth was built on one of these roßerres, and if passed considerable injury would bo done to the interests of the town.

Mr Gisborne suggested the adjournment of the debate, which was adjourned till this day week.

TN COMMITTEE. The House went into Committee on the Auckland Consolidation Bill, which was reported with amendment.

Mr .Header Wood moved, tho second reading of the Auckland College and Grammar School Bill. The motion was put and carried. The House went into Committee on the Auckland Improvement Commissioners Transfer of Powers Bill. Mr Jiumln) stated that as t!:o Chairman was about to visit Wellington inreft-renco to this matter, he moved that progress be reported, which was done. Mr Bunny moved the second reading of the JjVairarapa Eace-eouree Bill, which wasrpuf. and carried. Capt. Russell moved the second reading of the Hawke's Bay Eivers Act Amendment Bill. The motion was put and carried. The House went into Committee on the Christchurch Brill Shed Bill. The House was left sitting at 1 a.m.

(Per PflEsa Agency.) The business duriug the latter.part of tho sitting was of no general interest. The Auckland Loans Consolidation . Bill was committed and reported on, leave being given to sit again. .

The Auckland College and Grammar Schools Bill, of which Mr Wood moved. the second reading, caused a long discussion.

Tole and Swanson supported the Bill, „ Hurst and the Minister of Education' opposed it. Wood having replied, the Bill was ordered to be committed next day. The Auckland Improvement Commit* sioners Bill was taken info committee, and immediately reported on, with leave to sit again. The only other business was the second reading of the Wairarapa Race Course Bill, and after they had committed the Christehurch Drll-shed Bill, the House adjourned at 1.10.