GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 333, 27 August 1898, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

FRIDAY. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND " A " SHARKS.

In reply to a question by Mr Ormond, the Minister for Education said all the " A " shares in the Bank of New Zealand were held by the Government.

BILLS PASSED. The Wellington Harbour Board and the Corporation Empowering Bill was read a third time and passed. DIVORCE BILL. The Divorce Bill was considered in Committee. Clause 9 was amended in the direction of providing in certain cases that a woman may be made to contribute from her earnings to the support ot her husband . The Bill passed the committee stage. FIRST OFFENDERS. The First Offenders Probation Act Amendment was passed through cumniittee with the verbal amendment recommended by the Statutes Revision Committee. BANKING BILL. The Banking Bill was committed. On the motion of the Minister for Education, an amendment was agreed to directing that the new directors assume office on December 31st, 1898 Mr Bonar moved that the number of directors to be appointed by the Governor in-Council be reduced from four to three. Negatived by 22 to 9, and four agreed Several verbal amendments were made in the clauses down to No. 8, compensation to the President. On arriving at this section a long discussion enmed. Mr Macgregor moved in the direction of killing the clause with the expressed intentiou of allowing Mr Watson to go to law if he had any claim. After a long discussion Mr Macgregor's amendment was negatived. The Council adjourned till 7.30 at five o'clock. The Council resumed at 7.30. In committee on the Banking Bill, Mr Shrimski moved that the compensation to be given to the President be reduced to £2500. This gave rise to a long debate, but was fiually negatived by 22 to 9, and £4500 agreed to. On the motion of the Minister for Education, a clause was added providing that the President should not be entitled to recover more damages from the Bank than he would have been entitled to recover from the Crown if he had been removed by the Goveinor-in-Council ; also that in any legal proceedings the Bank shall be entitled to avail itself of any default on the part of the President, which would have been a defence to an action for wrongful dismissal, if the dismissal had been occasioned by such default, coming to the knowledge of the Bank. An amendment by Mrßigg to expunge the provisiou regarding the ineligibility of members of the Legislature being directors was negatived. Other amendments of a verbal character were made and progress reported at Clause 14. The Council rose at 10 o'clock. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. FINANCIAL DEBATE. The Financial debate was resumed by Mr Smith, who said he had not troubled to dissect the tables in the Financial Statement, as if the mistakes were pointed out the Colonial Treasurer had a majority behind him which would forgive such a mistake, on the promise that such would not recur again. A Chairman of Directors who brought down a Financial Statement with such misleading statements as those contained in the Colonial Treasurer's Budget would not long be held in position. He was amazed that the Treasurer, who professed to be in favour of local industries, should propose to give a percentage preferential duty on British goods. The tariff was imposed chiefly for revenue purposes, and secondly to encourage local industries, but it was not a protectionist tariff. It was just as painful for the manufacturers of the colony to haveJdieir throats cut by an Englishman as it was to have them cut by a German. The more he saw of the legislation of the present Government the more he was of the opinion that they knew nothing about what they were dealing with, and Ministers supported any catch cry in order to secure thenposition on the Treasury benches. Mr Carson said if the police force was improved and reorganised the crdeit would be with Mr Taylor. While complimenting the Treasurer on the brevity of the Financial Statement, he urged that in order to shorten the debate the leaders of both sides of the House should speak in the first week, and the rank and file would not be so anxious to speak. Referring to last year's surplus, he said the credit balance wa3 undoubtedly £521,000 ; but the balanse or surplus for the year after leaving out what had been brought forward from the previous year was £166,858. He complained that the vote for public school buildings had not been expended. Speaking of the Parliamentary library buildings, he said the Government's attitude with respect to the amount required to do the work was a gross, deliberate and intentioual deception of the House. In connection with the control of the railways, he said that he had supported the Commissioners when in office, but, as lie objected to constant changes, he would not at present vote for the railways being handed over to their control again He advised that a comprehensive report should be obtained from a competent Commissioner as to the present state of the railways. Referring to the administration of the Government, he pointed out that it had been more severely condemned by the supporters of the Government than by the members of the Opposition. Mr R. Thompson said if the Advances to Settlers' Department was to be continued, its operations should be confined to lending money to Crown tenants, as other property-owners would borrow money as cheaply from private lenders as from the Government. He refcried to the enormous increase in departmental expenditure during the past three years, and said unless its growth was brought within bounds there would be a reaction. The population of the "colony during the past ten years had increased by less than 21 per cent, and had almost become stationary. If they went on increasing the public debt and failing to attract immigration the colony would be landed in difficulties. He contended that the proposed meddlesome legislation had something to do with checking immigration, and as an instance of such legislation he cited the State Fire Insurance Bill, which he descrihed as the most vilhuious Bill ever invented by the mind of man. With reference to public works, he considered the Government should give the House an opportunity to express an opinion on the question of borrowing the necessary money to complete the best paying lines in the colony. Whilst giving a general support to the Government's land policy, he assertlPthat the producers would demand and would have to be given freeholds in place of leaseholds. The Government would have to pay more attention to administration, as that was their weak point, and less to legislation. Mr Kolleston, as a point of order, drew the Deputy-Speaker's attention to the fact that it was intended to publish in Hansard a map showing the effects of the gridircning system. He complained that to do so would be using Hansard for political purposes. The Minister for Lands claimed to be heard on the matter, and as the 5.30 adjournment had arrived, the Deputy-

Speaker said he would call on him at 7 30. THE ABUSE OF lIANSAIiD. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m. the discussion on the point of order raised by Mr Kolleston was resumed by Hon. McKenzic, who contended that no point of order could be raised on a speech which had been delivered two days back. He had distinctly stateil when he produced the map that he intended to have it inserted in Hansard, and fh« point of order should have been raised when he made the statement. The Deputy-Speaker said the point of order could be raised on a speech which had been delivered two days back as long as it referred to a debate which was proceeding. He pointed out that the contention contained in the point of order was that Hansard oould only report what wa3 said, not what was exhibited. Hon. AlcKc zic said the opposition to the priuting oi the map in Hansard was evideutly owing to a desire that the information which it contained should not be made public. Capt. Russell said the Minister's statement as to the publishing the map was at the time it was made considered as only jocular. If it were allowed he wculd put maps by the dozen in Hansard, aud he pointed out that printing such extraneous matter would bring Hansaid into contempt. The Deputy-Speaker ruled that no breach of privilege had yet been committed, and it would be for the Reporting Debates and Printing Committees to decide whether the map should be published, and he would request the Chairman to call a meeting as early as possible to discuss the matter. Capt. Russell asked the DeputySpeaker to order that the publication of Hansard be delayed until the committee had met. The Deputy-Speaker promised to take the matter into consideration. FINANCIAL DHIIATE. The Financial debate was resumed by Mr Carncross, who warmly defended the Government control of the railways, and said the time was past for comparison between the Government aud Commissioners' control. He approved of the free carriage of lime for agricultural purposes, and predicted that, before long dairy produce, intended for bona Jidc export, would be carried free of charge to the nearest port of shipment. A noteworthy fact respecting the criticisms of the Budget by the Opposition was their admission that there was an actual surplus. He urged the passage of the Local Government Bill and advocated the Legislature Council fsform. With reference to the charges of corruption in the Civil Service, he contended that Mr Pirani should have given the names in order that the persons com plained of could be removed from the service, if the charge were found to be true. Mr Hall-Jones, referring to the personalities indulged in during the present debate, said if members were permitted to make such speeches the Speaker would have to sit with asix-ohambered revolver within his reach. Speaking of Capt. Russell's amendment, he characterised it as a rat-trap which had been successful in catching the only three rats in the House. Respecting the alleged corruption in the Civil Service, he said Mr Pirani would have to bring forward something much stronger than the charges made last night before his request for a Royal Commission would be entertained. He reviewed the speech of Mr Taylor at considerable length, and pointed out that lastsessionthatgentleman had voted fourteen times with the Government and eighty-one times against them, He warned members that there was a combination of members in the House to prevent any useful legislation being passed this session. Respecting the statement that the surplus had been manufactured by under-estimating repenue, he pointed out that in 1897, Customs duties were over £17,000, and a prudent treasurer had to take these possibilities into consideration and must also keep a margin. If this were not done he would not be doing his duty to the colony. Respecting the North Island Main Trunk Railway, he said if he had funds it could be completed iD two years ; but it would be admitted that good work had been done with the funds at his disposal. Mr John Hutcheson referred to certain necessary alterations required in the law relating to seamen. Although he was not inclined to describe the administration of the Minister as lax, he tousidered that the person at present holding that office could not have any technical knowledge or experience of the department which he controlled. He would as soon break stones as take office under the public service, as the acceptance of such a position was calculated to take the self-reliance and manliness from the person who accepted such a position. He considered that the policy measures would not get proper consideration this session, and the result would be that only two or three imperfect measures would be passed. (Left sitting at midnight).