HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4915, 10 October 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Sir George Grey gave notice to move that the system pursued by the Judges in the Native Land Court of refusing to grant re hearings is calculated to produce great hardships to the natives, and that it is necessary inquiries should be made with the view of providing such relief, as might seem desirable. Replying to questions it was stated that Dr Hector's hand book of New Zealand would be supplied at cost price, and other facilities would be given for its circulation at Home. —Government would not deal with the electoral laws this session, consequently the leasehold qualifications would not be provided for.—Government would be willing to appoint a non-paid commission to inquire into the unemployed question in Canterbury.— The framework for composite carriages , would in future be got in the colony, and the importation from Home discontinued.— Government intended to carry out the recommendation of the Goldfields' Committee re petition of Thames and Te Aroha Goldfields that the Act of 1873 be amended so as to remove the labor tax levied on the working miners.

The Gishprne Harbor Board Bill passed through Committee, and was reported with amendments.—The Gold Duties Abolition Bill was read a third time and passed.—The Dog Registration Act was read a second time.

Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State Bill. The bill was to provide Parliamentary TJnder-Seeretaries who are to be unfettered by permanent Undersecretaries. By appointing these secretaries, they would have a knowledge of the affairs of the country to bring to bear upon deliberations which would be of great service to Parliament; each Secretary would be a representative of the people.—Mr Grigg objected to the bill as throwing an unhealthy patronage into the hands of the Government. —Mr Stout would not vote against the bill, but in Committee he would move in the direction of having the number proposed to be elected reduced. By the appointment of such secretaries, the work of Parliament would be greatly facilitaled.—■ Mr W. F. Backland moved that it be read that day sis months.—Major Atkinson said the bill would throw immense power and influence into the hands of the Government of the day. He did not think the present was a desirable time to propose a change. •*- Mr Montgomery supported the amendment.—Sir Julius Vogel urged that the bill be read the second |time on the understanding that it be altered in Committee ; all the members of the Government had to hold several departments, and if' the bill was carried Government would insist upon the number of Secretaries being reduced to two instead of four. He believed, with that change they would be enabled to study better economy, and, at the same ,time do much better work.—Mr Macandrew ob jected to the bill as inopportune, and would prefer to see the number of Ministers reduced rather than increased. Mr Rolleston argued that the real work of the Secretaries would be to act as whips for Government, and for administrative purposes they would be absolutely useless ; he would vote against the bill.—Mr Dodson considered the Jlill i^ncalled fcjr, and he would rote against it—Mr Gillios had to some estent sympathy with the bill, but would vote against it.—Mr Stout denied that these appointments would be likely to lead to corruption. The geographical position of the colony was an argument in favor of the bill. Here th.ey had no centre asm MelJjQu.rn^a.nd Sydney, the result be}ng that Ministers were bound tp bp a great deal away from the 9 Beat of Government.—Messrs Sbrimski and Guinness spoke in faror of the bill.— Messrs T. Thompson and O'Connor opposed it, on the ground that extra work devolving on Ministers should be handed

over to local bodies.-—Mr Holmes objected to the bill as giving too much power to Government.—Sir George Grey, in reply, said they bad been told that the House was ao corrupt and abominable that it would be dangerous to take this step. Why,.if Parliament was so corrupt, j did these gentlemen remain in it ? Civil j servants were as much political agents as any Under-Secretary could possibly be, and he had heard that these same civil servants had used with effect tbeir influence with members of Parliament j against the bill.—Mr Turnbull supported the measure, but thought time should be given to members to consider it. This day. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary Bill was, on a division, struck out by 33 to 25. Sir George Grey's election of Justices of the Peace Bill was also struck out on division by 32 to 21. The Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill passed its second reading, and Sir George Grey's Constitution Bill was dicussed and further consideration of it postponed. The House rose at 1.10 o'clock a.m.