PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4815, 14 June 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pbe Pbesß Association.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. We^ington, Yesterday. All other business was postponed on account of the political crisis, and Mr McLean resumed the. debate on the Address, He strongly advocated the new native land policy, which, if adopted as proposed in 1877, would have put the North Island in a far better position than it is now. The abuses of the present system were very great, and only big capitalists could buy native lands, H>

ridiculed the threatened dangers of Federation, and said the risk from 'convicts must be seriously considered, and action taken. On the Northern Trunk Railway question party feeling should be forgotten, and that route adopted which would most rapidly advance the North Island. He defended the action of Government on' the grain tariff, and said it was Canterbury votes which had caused a political railway by Blueskin to be made. He blamed the Government for ever reducing the rates. He augured great prosperity to the North Island when there was a good native land policy and the country was opened up by railways. Government could go to the r country in a ripe old age, and with a grand record. He thought it was well that Governments should not last too long; and if another fairly, able and practical Government could be formed, a change might be beneficial, but if there was a new Government he hoped if. would when leaving office have as creditable a career as the present Ministry to point to. He laughed at the gloomy fears of some as to the colony's prospects. The present slight depression was ephemeral, and would soon pass away; he considered the outlook most eneourging. It would take a very great deal to kill a country like this, and with ordinary care we had nothing whatever to fear. Captain Fraser spoke strongly condemning the Federation proposals.

Mr Waterhouse contended most emphatically that the depression was not of the temporary nature ,the Government thought, but that its effect would be felt for tens of years. The depression was due to our haying-long been living in a fools paradise; to the reckless extravagance of many years, which had caused an enormous inflation of land values, and a fictitious prosperity. The average value of land would have to go down to about half what it is now. Frequent changes in legislation caused such a loss of confidence in the value of property that many sold out so as to be free from anxiety in regard to it. It would not be justifiable to make the Northern Trunk .Railway seeing, that nearly all the land was in native hands. He was opposed to perpetual leasing. He approved of native lands being managed and disposed of by the Land Boards, and was in favor of Federation, which he hoped to see ultimately • realised. As to reforming the Council, what was wanted more than the reform of Parliament was the reform of the constituencies, for while a state of affairs continued in which the electorates thought the highest statesmanship was the getting of a bribe, there was little to expect from reform of either House. He advocated such a change as would prevent so many little petty local objects being matters for decision by Parliament. Mr Eeynolds attributed the depression largely to so many local works being executed from the Public Works Fund. As an instance, a bridge was about to be erected at a cost of £30,000, which not half a dozen people wanted, which a dray would not cross once a week, and which would be a monument of the folly of Government. He gave other instances of needless or extravagantly expensive public works, such as new public buildr ings at Oamaru, big enough for the largest city in the colony. He opposed the erection of a new Supreme Courj, in Dunedin, which was not wanted at all. Through our public and private extrava gance we,are sending out of the colony as interest 10,000 sovereigns every day. Perpetual leasing would undermine the prosperity of the colony, and ultimately through political pressure, the freehold would be given for nothing. If the colony would spend one million in opening up the West Coast ooal fields, it would pay ten times over, and would be re» couped in five years. Taxation on property should be all expended by local bodies on local work, so that the objects of politicians should not be confined to roads and bridges.

Dr. Grace spoke in the highest terms of the administrative services of the Minister of Lands, and supported the perpetual leasing scheme. To redace the cost of education all reserves in the colony should be put into one fund for the common schools. Half-a-million a year for education was far more than we could afford, and shotild be reduced by half. Private schools should be encouraged under State inspection. There was now a ridiculous straining after high standards, to the physical injury of our people; Our administrative system of Government was needlessly complex; with more simplicity and less friction the cost would be largely reduced. Unless we are far more economical and careful, the time will come when we should not be able to pay our interest. As a first step the number of members of the House and of the Council should be largely reduced. The last Bepresentative Bill was most iniquitous, and the essence of all folly; when their representatives were scrambling for local objects the number of members was greatly increased. The debate was adjourned till Tuesday, and the Council rose at 4 p.m.