HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4823, 24 June 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wehington, Yesterday

The House met at 2.30

Sir George Grey resumed the debate on the gumfield leases... He had been charged by Government; vrify having, while acting as Superintendent* of Auckland, been a party to the granting of a lease over a large area of gumfields country. He had that day received from Auckland the papers which showed that he had not; the whole negotiation took place between the Commissioner 6f Crown lands and the Gorernor-in Council. These documents showed that he had been unjustly blamed. He had that day received a letter signed by 16 diggers, asking him to do all in his power to prevent the issue of large leases in these fields. He complained of the conduct of the Minister of Public Works in threatening that in consequence of the action taken in this and other matters against the Government, that he Would take his revenge by unseating at least three members who had voted with him. As a matter of fact Mr Mitohelson took his seat upon the Land Board—the very body who had to judge as to the illegality of this transaction on his part. It was notorious that over and over again persons of this sort, who had wrongfully acquired wealth, had found their way on to these benches.—Mr Dargaville also complained of unfair dealings in the administration of these gumfields on the part of the Waste Lands Board of Auckland.—Mr Bolleston said that when these large leases were provided for, the whole administration of the waste lands of Auckland vested in the Superintendent and the Waste Lands Commissioner. It did not proceed from the Central Government. In these circumstances, it was absurd to say that this was not the action of the Superintendent. — Sir George Grey's motion for the production of the papers connected wHfr the^tftrifields was agreed to. :

The House then went into Committee of Supply,,,, The resolution for £43,000, as honorarium, was put.—Mr Holmes moved that the amount be reduced to £21,000. He argued that it would be unfair to rote the full amount, seeing that the session had not exceeded eleven sitting days. The. average duration of a session was three months, and the proposed reduction was only fair under the circumstances. —Mr Peacock seconded, and sup* ported the amendment. He argued that the honorarium should not be looked upon aa pay for services, but simply as a refund for necessary outlay.—The amendment was negatived on the voices.—Mr Hurst moved that the amount be , reduced to £100.—Mr Seddori said that this proposal was from wealthy men. He had never known these men leave the surplus amount in the hands of the Treasurer, or even give it to charitable institutions. It was a contract made with members that they should, be ..paid £210 per session.—Mr Trimble spoke in support of the amendment! 1 He was in favour of payment of fmembers, but under the circumstances he thought £100 sufficient.—Mr Fish oppoted, contending that the amount fixed was really settled by law. Those who did pot want the full amount need not take it.—Mr Moss objected to the reduction. The honorarium was necessary to prevent a monopoly of political power by the rich. Members of the House could enter into no contract with the Government, and in other ways were under disabilities.—Major Atkinson admitted that members rather lost than gainecfbj sitting id Parliament, but the amount of honorarium would coverall expenses. He thought £150 a sufficient sum to do this. The House had never affirmed the principal of paying members, and as the session was only three months, the reduction should be accepted.—Sir George Grey opposed any reduction. He thought it w««ld be a breach of faith not to pay the full amount. —Major Harris would support a reduction if Ministers reduced their salaries .—Mr Stevens supported the reduction, and thought £150 a sessions sufficient to pay all expenses. They shqujL not be provided with public money ia^ fight Iheir elections. Mr Swanson thought if the honorarium was paid at all it should be raised by a special tax. The House then divided, when the amendment for reducing the amount was negatived by 35 to 25.

Division List:—Ayes, 25: Atkinson, Beetham, Bryce,. W. 0. Buchanan, Cad. man, Dick, Driver, Fulton, Hobbs, Holmes, Hurathouse, W. W. Johnston, Leveetam, Locke, Mitchelsop, Newman, Peacock, Fearseo, Postlethwaite, Rolleston, Shepherd, Stevens, Swansonj! White, Wilson.—Noes: Batbgate.Jßraeken, J. C. Brown, Daniel, DeLautour, Dodson, Feldwick, Fish, FitzgoraldrGeorge, J. Green, Grey, Harris, Hutchison, Joyce, Kelly, Larnach, Macandrew, F. W. McKenzie, J. McKenzie, Montgomery. Moss, Munro, O'Gallaghau, Petrie, Pyke, Seddon, Shaw, Sheehan, Steward, Tawhai, H. Thomson, J. W. Thomson, Tarnbull, Watfc. The remaining votes in Supply were then put, agreed to, and reported, and the House went into Committee of Ways and' Means. This day. I In Committee tke Public Revenues Bill w»e considered, and after considerable

discussion on various points, was reported, and passed the tljjird reading. ' Major Atkinsjfo. said it was intended io prorogue to-m^rfcow, and dissolve, if #O8sibl«» on Wednesday, but it might be Saturday *$ the polling places had to he fixed. Tfoe'Wrjts would name the 22nd of July aftne diy fou, the general election, so tHe nominations would probably take place about the 16th. The New Parliament would be called "together on the 7th of August. With regard to' appointments to the Legislative Council, they would make none unless they bad to call someone there to represent the Government. As to the Agent Generalship, the Government had, the mail before last, written to Sir Dillon Bell expressing, sat-| isfaction at the way he'performed the 1! duties, and asking him to retain office for | two years from Ist January- next. No ' answer had yet been receive!. _: I Messrs Pish. J. C. Brown, Seddon, and j Sir G. Grey wished to bind Government ' to more specific provisions; as to appoint- i ments, especially political ones,- but Mr ' Montgomery expressed himself satisfied. ' ■ Major Atkinson said he fully recognised the right of any Government to re-, move the Agent-General. \ After a long discussion the Bill was passed, and a motiou carried to have prU vate and local bills brought up at present stages next session.. • t ' The House rose at 1.25, till 12.30 today.