HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4511, 20 June 1883, Page 2

HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2;30. «jA/reryjJi&rp;e number of questions and ;4tt* J'mbtion: were giveny' amongst .them was one by Mr Beetham, in favor of the 6olonies taking concerted action to - secure a fair representation in the Imperial Parliament. In reply to Mr Ivess, Ministers stated that a bill would be introduced to amend the Registration of electors' Act, 1879, and the attention of the Judges would be introduced to the necessity of making regulations uader the Election Petitions Act to prevent excessive charges. The, following bills were introduced and read a first time:—Local Courts Bill, Tenants Fixtures Bill, Prisons Bill, Bankruptcy Bill (Minister of Justice), Chattels Security Bill, Mortgages Release Bill (Peldwick), Fisheries Bill, Impounding Bill (Colonial Secretary),, Stamps Act Amendment Bill (Sir G. Grey), Coroner's Act Amendment Bill (Mr Steward). On Mr Bracken's motion a return was ordered of the price per inch paid by Government to papers for contract adver-i tisements, and the prices at which other papers had tendered at- •»; '■'.-.■■' ' THE ADDRESS IN-REPLY. Mr Shaw moved the Address-in Reply. He asked their indulgence in discharging the responsible duty devolving on him. The range of subjects treated of in the Speech was too wide for him to follow, and he would confine himself to a few points. There was not data yet available on which to found an opinion as to the advisability of Pacific annexation, but if British interests could be advanced peacefully, they should aid it. He was sure the House would endorse the Governor's thanks to Sir Win. Fox for his services on the West Coast. A vote of thanks should also, he thought, be given to Mr Biyce for his Native Policy. They should not remain quiet under the false calumnies contained in a recent work against him and others connected with the history of the colony. He thought the importance and extent of the gold mining industry was scarcely sufficiently recognised. If one fourth?, of the expenditure on promoting wool-growing had been spent in promoting a old mining the return would have been far heavier. As a gold fields member he rejoiced to see the industry noticed in the Speech. When, last session, the House wisely m~.de provision for the temporary continuation of the 'Frisco mail contract no one cou'd have anticipated that by this time, through the pluck and enterprise of their fellow colonists, a 43 days' direct service would have been established. He hoped that when the present contract expired satis* factory arrangements might be made to subsidise the enterprise. The chef difficulty of reforming the Upper House . would be in the details. He was glad to s?e that the present disgraceful bankruptcy law, which encouraged knavery and foily, was to be amended ; radical reform was necessary. He hoped provision would.be made to reach the criminals who now were outside > any law—tbose who deserted their wives andchildre >. Reform in the local Courts system wes aim urgently required,—the present system' was 50 years behind every other civilized country, and the bill of lest session even would not bring us within 20 years of other countries. The County Courts syste:u should be adopted here es it had been in almost every other civilized country. He hoped Government would even now s.;e its way to adopt this system. : . Mr Lee seconded the Address. Mr Montgomery coincided in the remarks made absut His Excellency, The Speech, however, was one of the most barren ever offered to the Legisia ture. It contained more words and|le?s matler Jthan any be had known. :He strongly condemned the delay in catling • Parliament together. As to the direct steam service the Ministry could not have expected any Base man to tender under such conditions. Government last session kept back the estimates to secure support by giving votes to favoured districts Contrary to distinct promises under i the Roads and Bridges Construction Xct. The House would insist on having! the Estimates down in good time this session. Ministers might express an opinion on the reform of the Council, but they dare not peril their seats by bringing in a | bill although if the opinions did not suit they could be changed. He objected to the recent appointments to the Council, especially of men who bad bsen rejected by constituencies. The olony would not be controlled by Wellington influence, land if it were not reformed speedily land thoroughly .the Council would soonj be swept away altogether, and possibly: the scat of Government be removed. Mr Batbgate strongly condemned the Speech for its barrenness. He denied that the colony was in a prosperous condition as represented therein. There was a growing, financial depression increasing in intensity every week, but the Speech proposed, no form of relief. Since the present Government took office the colony had not enjoyed a day's Commercial prosperity. He advocated a free breakfast fable. Proper means were not used to induce settlers with capital to come here. We wanted an exhibition of our own, not to join other colonies in one. He believed the leasehold system of settlement would proves great success. Sir G. Grey said that as Government did not seem inclined to speak, he would confine his remarks to one subject: the great injustice done to a family which had deserved well of the colony in regard to opening Kawhia. That family had; almost by fraud been deprived of their property at JCawhia. The Government, in a private name, had bought the land without letting the owners know how valuable it was likely soon to become, and! th« House should cot allow such a transaction to pass. ■ , i , Major Atkinson said he was disappointed in Mr Montgomery's speeches : there was really nothing to answer. The Kawhia transaction was simply that certain land being offered for sale by auction the Government had bought it, and the House last session had approved i . Everyone knew Kawhia must soon be opened. Tfcr House had not met in May, because in spite of every effort the building was not ready. If Mr Montgomery and Sir Geo. Grey wanted a new system of taxation they should have moved an amendment on the Address, and hare settled the question at once. He defended Mr Brandon's being called to the Council. It was absurd, also, to contend that rejection by a constituency should bar leading men ittS^tA§&m

Oouncil. The Government bud- all their i business r^ady and hoped to have a short session. It would rest with Mr Mont gomery to say whether this should be so or not. Government were willing to try conclusions at any time, or on any subject, 3<j as to get on with the real work. „ Mr Fißu complained that Maj ir Atkin son gave no indication of the policy of the| f'uturn. He strongly c< ndeatied the tone of the Treasurer, aud also tver-cent appointments to tbe Council. The Opposition would not allow the Treasurer to ride rough-shod over them. - Mr J. W. Thompson complained of the delay in calling the house together. It was a farce being asked to consider the estimates after half the money was spent. Mr Joyce pointed out that the constituencies always looked to their members to get as many money votes-, as possible. Ministers should bring down their Estimates and resist all pressure to alter them. ■ , Mr oeddon moved the adjournment of the debate, and the, House rose at 11.40.