HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4512, 21 June 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

' WeliMngtomv Yesterday:" Sir George Grey gave notice of,a bill to replace the Imperial statute known as the Constitution Act Amendment Act. He also gave notice of a bill to exempt charitable bequests from legacy duty. Leave of absence until 3rd of Jane war granted toMr Pilliett on account of illness, and for a fortnight to Mr Hobbs on urgent private affairs.

Replying to questions, Ministers stated that provisions would be made this year for a light in tbe French Pass, and a beacon at Taekson's Head, want of funds having prevented its being done last year.

Government had been considering the propriety of compelling all Insurance Companies doing business in the colony to register under the Companies Act. Under the existing law dogs must be registered in the County where the owner resides, or has his place of business.

The West Coast Railway Commissioners' report would be presented in a few days. The Tophouse route, Nelson to West Coast, was not within the scope of the Commissioners' inquiry, as it was already sanctioned, and a portion provided for. *■

No cases had arisen under the Tea Examination Act, and there was no reason to suppose adulterated tea was being imported. In future all tenders for. leasing West Coast native lands wouldi-w'dpened in public. Did not believe the highest offer was ever refused.

The sand hills at Dunedin would be placed under, the .management of a Domain Board. « : • • '

Government would be prepared to assist Mr Thompson, of Dunedin High School, in publishing a manual of botany for the use of the New Zealand schools if, on examination, the work would prove snitable. It could be printed at the Government office here; Government did not intend this session to amend the Licensing Act by returning to the system of nominated committees; Government did not propose to further interfere with the disposal of educational reserves in Otago. It was proposed to continue the free immigration to single, in addition to nominated immigration; would ascertain if locomotives and rolling stock could be manufactured in the colony at prices not greatly in excess of those imported, and, if so, would order them.

NBW BILLS.

The following new bills were introduced and read a first time :—Evidence Amendment (Hutchison), Hokitika High School (Fitzgerald), St. Peter's Church, Caversham (Barren), Shopkeepers Hours of Business (Green), Timaru Race-course (Sutter), Murihiki Native Reserves Grants and Autunutn Native Commonage (Bryce), Massey Frauds, Dunedin Southern Market Amendment, and Taranaki Ironworks Land Bill Amendments (Fish), Mining Companies Act Amendment and Affirma tionsand Declarations (Rolleston), Gold Duties Abolition (Seddon), Geraldine Waterworks (Postlethwaite), Libel (Tole). Major Atkinson said Government would not assent to Mr Seddon's introducing a bill to provide for the payment of mem* bers of the House of Representatives, as he intended to introduce a bill to provide for payment of members of the General Assembly. Several unopposed returns were ordered, and the motion of Mr Macandrew," That the House should meet at 11 a.m., and not sit after 5 p.m. daily," was, on Major Atkinson's motion, referred to the Standing Orders Committee. <

Mr Seddon resumed the debate on the Address-in-Keply. He charactsrised the Speech as a sham. He condemned the conduct of the Government in regard to roads and bridges, especially on fc'ae West Coast. The action of Government in regard to the Inangahua and Sehryn elections was most improper, aud showed how the Government majority was secured.. He severely condemned the recent appointments to the Council. Beference should have been made to the Education ActJ:o theelectionofWaste Land Boards, as to whether the present unequal taxation and property Tote were to continue. Was th 4 leasehold qualification to be refused F The House had a right to information ou these and other important questions. He condemned the Government for neglecting goldfield interests. Mir Suttoo challenged the correctness of

Mr BMhgqtp's stitera-nts as to the ex'^t 3 eof depression among the industrial

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Mr Hutchison, as hiring been in W*oganui at. the time, and having had ample opportunity for kno<vin? the facts, ex pressed utter disbelief in the charges m^e by MrHasden in his history a?ain<t M«* Bryce. He expressed his conviction with the greatest plaasur •. as it «ris well Vnown hewss no admirer of the Native Minister's policy- He considered! the Speech exceptionally barren, and especially resrretted f he. ab« pnee 'of native land reform. He would like to see the G"**» ernment the sole purchaser of native lands.

Mr Watts said his constituents had not. *3 Mr Seddon's hqd, required any explanation about the Winecanui Bridge. They were .quite, satisfied «s they had got tbti' money As Mr Fish had gnt th» largest bribe of last session—the £200,000 for the Otago harbor—he ought in com-; mon gratitude to have supported instead of abusing the Government. Mr J. MoKenzie charged Government with maladministration during the recess. This was apparent in theircentralising the Property Tax Assessment"™ "Wellington, from which gre»t inconvenience and injury had resulted. He quoted instances of this in his own district where the valuation had been reduced by £100.000. The railway management was exceedingly bad, and the land administration was most unsatisfactory. There was great difficulty in getting land for settlenipnt, and the Minister of Lands was afraid to open the eonntry. 'Mr Bracken thought the deaths of Messrs Seaton arid Butberford; late members of the House, should have been alluded to in the Speech. Mr Holmes recapitulated the accusations made against Ministers of corruption and maladministration, and was astonished to find they made no effort to refute them. They should be hurled from their seats covered with eternal infamy. He condemned Major Atkinson's tone toward Mr Montgomery and the recent appointments to the Council Chamber, as adding another unnecessary burden to an already overtaxed people. On this account he would support making the Council elective.

Mr Pearson pointed out that Mr Holmes, who now so virtuously condemned influencing members by a vote for works, in an address to his constituents stated that if the Opposition bad the control of the public purse they would soon have made their minority a majority. He A\i not approve of all the Government bad done by any means, but he preferred them to the Opposition. He warmly supported the West Coast railway. Mr M. W. Green desired to disassociate himself from the charges of national corruption launched from his side of the House aea inst Minist<»rs He entirely disapproved of them, and did hot think those who made them really believed what they said. If Government did right he was prepared to support them. To divert the £180,000 authorised last session to a West Coast line would be to treat further with public creditors ; he wonld rather support a new loan for ttie purpose. The Address in-reply was then agreed to.

Major Atkinson promised on Friday to state when the Financial and' Public Works statements would be made, and also to make a general statement as to die Government business.

A question having been raised daring the debate ns to the legal position of Road Boards owing to delays in elections, Major Atkinson, for public information, stated that the Crown Law Officers had carefully considered this point and were quite confident that the Road Boards were not in any difficulty whatever.

iThe House rose at 12.55