HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4886, 6 September 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Sir Geo. Grey gave notioe of a Bill for the abolition of postages on newspapers ; Wi Pere gave notice of a Native Lands Law Amendment Bill in the direction of bringing Native Lands Courts near to the blocks of land when being put through, to prevent the Chief Judge hearing first the claims, and thereby placing him in an awkward position in relation to the second hearing; and to reduce the fees chargeable in Land Courts. —The Minister of Public Works gave notice of a committee to consider the North Island railway route, consisting of Sir G. Grey, Messrs O*r« mond, Atkinson, Bruce, Fitzherbert, Gore, Johnston, Mitchelson, Morris, White, and Richardson. He would ask that this committee be appointed on Wednesday. In reply to questions, Mr Stout ex plained that immediately on the intelligence of the Lastingham wreck becoming known, a vessel with all necessary assistance, including a corps of bushmen to search for the men who got ashore and had disappeared, was despatched to the scene of the wreck; an opportunity would be afforded for the discussion of the Federation and Annexation Bill adopted by the inter-colonial conference; the Gray mouth harbor works construction was under the consideration of - the Government, and would be mentioned in the Public Works Statement.; Government saw no necessity for providing pecuniary assistance for the abatement of the kea nuisance; it was not proposed to provide a pecuniary reward for the discovery of a tin mine in New Zealand. j

The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—Maori Representation, Foreign Co.'s, Local Courts, Bankruptcy Act Amendment, Spencer Be9toration of Water Rights, Tauranga Harbor, Seamen's Representation. ■ The following Bills were read a second time;— Married Women's Property, Electric Lines, Police Offences Consolidation, Mortgagees Belease. Extension, Pensions.

Mr Shrimski moved the second reading of the Licensing Act 1881 Amendment Bill. Mr Hursthouse moved the second reading that day six months, The House divided: For second reading, 29; against, 38. The motion for the second reading was lost. . . Mr O'Connor continuing the discussion on the second reading of the Mines Act, 1877, Amendment Bill, and he hoped the provisions of this small measGre would, in justice to the mining districts, meet with the approval of the House.-—Mr Ballanoe and Mr Wakefield .supported the second reading, the latter . said the Government should not assume that by abolishing miners' rights, business licenses, and duty on gold that the local bodies would be in as good a position as before. The revenue would bare to be

made up in some other way. The gufli business had not to pay any duty on their product, and it was only fair that the miners should also receive the same concessions. —. Mr Fergus hoped for a brighter future for goldfields than had been their lot in the* pastMr Grigg and Mr J. C. Bcickland would oppose the second reading, and Mr Menteith said the gold miner whs the pioneer of opening up the counter, and should receive every assistance ; he gave the bill his most hearty support.—Mr Bevan was glad to see that Government-were ready to assist this most important industry. If proper roads were opened up to settle* ments, success was sure to follow.—Mr Guinness supported the bill.—The Pre« mier said this revenue was County revenue, and it was only fair the County should be beard on the subject. If they took it away he could not sac what was to be done, as the consolidated revenue was already taxed to its utmost. JHe thought it should be left permissive with local bodies.—Mr Hursthouse, whilst supporting the goldfields members in the measure, would not agree to the sweeping away of the gold duty. Mr Seddon replied briefly, after which the second reading was earned. .Mr Shephard moved'that Mr W. J. Steward be appointed Chairman of Committees. HethoaghtMrSteward possessed all the necessary qualities, and that he had sufficient resolution to enforce order.—Mr Fulton moved as an amendment that Mr Hamlin be elected to the office. He moved this in no party or hostile spirit.' He thought it would be censuring Mr Hamlin unless he was to be re-elected, and this was his reason for nominating that gentle* mam.—Mr Joyce seconded.—-Mr Smith thought party feeling showld not be introduced into the question. In his opinion the late Chairman had given great dissatisfaction.™Mr Fergus characterised Mr Hamlin's past career as impartial this, he was sure, both sidles of the House would agree with him in; he regretted having to vote against him.—Mr Thompson and Mr Fraser would vote for Mr Hamlin. The Premier objected to a continuous Chairman as much as ho did to a continuous Ministry. He thought it was the duty of the House to hare these positions changed. It was a Ministerial question. Me thought Mr Steward was equally to well fit'to fill the chair asi Mr Hamlin.— Mr Fitzherbert would follow Mr Hamlin's supporters into the lobby.—Mr Grigg supported the amendment. —Mr Levestam spoke in favor of Mr Hiimlin, who had, for the past- three years, carried out his duties faithfully.—MrHursthousethought Mr Hamlin fit and proper to place in the chair.—Mr Hatch supported the amendment, and Mr Seddon opposed it.—Sir J, Vogel believed Mr Hamlin had filled the office in an efficient manner in the past. ! It was not casting a slur on the late Chairman to appoint another gen* tleman to this position in the new Parliament, and. be would support the original motion. It must be admitted, even by the hon. member for Egmont, that in the present financial state of the^ colony it was necessary to have a strong Government, and he (Vogel) was glad to be able to state that, each day they were obtaining fresh evidence of additional strength. It would not, however, strengthen the Government if Mr Steward was defeated, and he asked those gentlemen who wished to see a strong Govern* nient to rally round "hi» party an 4 giro them their support in this question, which was one of considerable importance.—On a division the original motion was lost by 26 to 40.—Sir George Grey moved, as an amendment, that the election of Chairman of Committees be adjourned until the House has a chance of considering whether it is desirable to alter the Act fixing" the salary of the Chairman.—The amendment that Mr Hamlin be appointed Chairman was earned on the voices, and tbe House adjourned at 10.30 until 2 p,m. on Tuesday. » . " ...