HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4812, 11 June 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. Sir George Grey gave notice of motion for a bill to regulate the admission of per* sods to the practice of the law, and Mr Seddon of the introduction of the Gold Duties Abolition Bill.

In' reply to questions, Mr Bryce said the restrictions hitherto placed on the alienation of lands vested in the natives had been done at the request and- in the interests of the owners, with the exception of one case recommended by the West Coast Commissioner, Sir Wm. Fox. —Mr Mitchelson said Government would shortly be in a position to make a formal recommendation to the House as to the route of the North Island Main Trunk line. He hoped to make the Public Works Statement in a fortnight, and the report and maps would be attached to it, if not previously published.—Major Atkinson said the Government did not consider a penalty of £500 had been incurred by the Bank of New Zealand neglecting to send in the quarterly returns of its assets and liabilities to Government. The detailed reports of branches had been sent in in time, and it was a question whose duty it was to prepare the general abstract.

The following bills wore introduced and read a first time :—Land Act 1877 Amendment (Rolleston);- Married Women's Property, Alienation of Land, Local Courts, Bankruptcy Act Amendment, Supreme Court (Conolly); Auckland Harbor Board, Timber Floating (Mitchel son); Otago Harbor Board Empowering Act 1875 Amendment, Regulation * of Elections Act 1881 Amendment, Representation Act' 188! Amendment, and Parliamentary Elections (Dick); Pensions (Shrimski); to amend "The Anatomy Act. 1875" (Fulton); to amend "The" Auckland College and Grammar School A-ct, 1877" (Dargaville).

THE ADDJtESS IN-BEPLY.

Dr Newman moved the Address-in-Reply. He agreed with most of the Speech. In such a colony as this it should not be necessary to deplore the existence of depression. The outlook in regard to wool, and wheat was not satisfactory ; it would be necessary, therefore, to put our soil to more varied uses, so as to increase exports, while decreasing imports. He praised the New Zealand Shipping Co. for establishing direct steam service. He deprecated any encouragement of immigration of labour under present circumstances. He believed the State should retain all its unsold land, although that already sold should not be resumed; he approved of the Govern men (aland policy, and believed it would promote, tfttlement. The right of pre-emption over native lands should never have been relinquished and should be resumed. The falling off in the Customs revenue was, rather satisfactory^than otherwise. He sup ported the policy of Federation and hoped it, would soon cover the empire. He approved of the extension of the hours of polling, and the making of the cities each one electorate. He also advocated female franchise.

Mr JM. W. Green seconded the Reply, as the Speech indicated a broad and liberal Dplicy. He approved of a eon*

tinuance of nominated immigration, urged the encouragement of manufactures, and supported the perpetual leasing system. While the alienation of land was permitted the acquisition of large estates could not be prevented. The native land policy shadowed he approved of, and supported Federation and Annexation, with' the consent of the islands to be annexed. He reserved to himself full liberty to criticise the details of Government measures when brought down.

Mr Steward objected to the speech, rather for what it omitted than anything it contained. The country could not trust Ministers with the carrying oul of their own proposals, and the best thing they could do would be to retire from office. Session after . session they brought _ forward proposals of magnitude, national j insurance,refortn of the Council,charitableinstitutions, &c, which were not carried; and never should if again introduced. TI.-.6. Government had for years retained office by intrigue and finesse. He entirely i-epudiated the policy attributed to his side of the House as desiring to destroy the unity bf the colony. In every point of administration the present Government had failed to deserve the confidence of the colony. He criticised the various, speeches made by the Premier during the recess, especially in regard to the existence of the depression. He blamed the Government for encouraging the pension system in connection with the Civil Ser« j vice reform. The Government policy had been all along one of dissolving views. The feeling of the colony was in favor of his motion, whatever the decision of the House might be; let Government, if they doubted this, dissolve and go to thecountry, after passing the absolutely necessary, measures. In view of the Indian competition in wheat he strongly condemned the Government for raising railway freights. He had not sought to move this amendment,—he had been asked to do it as an executive officer of his own party, and be felt it his duty to comply. He maintained ho had as much right as Sir G. Grey or anyone else to move a resolution of this kind, but he did not aspire to the Premiership. This motion would leave tbe question of future leadership open ; all he wanted was an immediate appeal to the country. He moved as an addition to the Address, " That this House has no confidence in the Government." ,'

Mr Levestam seconded the amendment. He condemned immigration of any kind, and wbs opposed to, Federation. He believfd the Government could save £300,000 a year in railway management, and £100,000 a year in education. He condemned the Government for not pro» posing a better system of local Government, and also for omitting all reference to a reform of the Legislative Council. The Premier had in Dunedin complained of the gaols being overcrowded, but the Nelson gaol, which could accommodate 30 prisoners, had only two in it. The debate was adjourned till to-mor-row, and the House rose at 10.15.