GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 333, 27 August 1898, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THURSDAY. The Council met at '2.30 p.m. BANK SHARK'. Mr Ormond gave notice to ask the Minister for Education whether any of the " A " shares created by the Ranking Aci, 1894, have been sold or are they held by the Government MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE. The debate on the second reading of the Municipal Franchise Reform Bill was continued by Mr Rigg, who thought the measure did n?t go far enough, and intimated he would move in committee to include lodgers. Mr Oliver and Mr T. Kelly generally approved of the Bill as it stood, and txpresscd a hope that the result would be a marked improvement in municipalities. Mr Shrimski opposed the Bill and adversely criticised its proposals. The Minister having replied, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. The Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill, to extend the borrowing powers of the Act of 1894, gave rise to considerable discussion. Mr McGregor led in opposition, and Mr Twomey and Mr T. Kelly in support of the Bill. The debate was eventually adjourned till next day. The Council rose at 4.45 p.m. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE POLICE COMMISSION. The Minister for Defence, in reply to Mr Smith, said the printing of the evidence . taken by the Police Commission was not yet completed, and he could not say when the report and evidence would be placed before the House. THE EUDGET DEBATE. . The Financial debate was resumed by Mr Kaihau. Mr Rolleston, referring to the statements made by the Minister for Lands the previous night, said he wished to put on record that they were incorrect. It was not Sir George Grey's Act of 1873 which had stopped gridironing, but an Act passed by himself in 1873. Sir Geo. Grey's Act had dealt with pre-emptive rights, whilst his (Mr Kolleaton's) Act dealt with gridironing. He had been accused of attempting, but failing to stop gridironing. but it was not a question of trial as he had initiated the whole step because he thought gridironing was very improper in connection with land administration. He quoted at some length from the journals of the Provincial Council of Canterbury, showing what his action had been in the direction of stopping gridironing. In referring to the map showing the effect of gridironing, Mr Rolleston said its production by the Minister for Lands was beneath the dignity of a Minister, and his implications had been most unfair, as nothing had been done by those who acquired the lands shown on the map which was not lawful- He had not intended to speak on the Financial debate, and considered it was a cruel wrong that the whole question of land administration hud remained stationary without any attempt being made to remedy the existing evils under which hundreds of settlers were suffering. He had never seen woise political corruption than that connected with the Government Land Valuation Act, and speaking of the Lands for Settlement Act he contended that the prices of estates acquired under it should be decided by a judicial tribunal. Mr Lang said the Government had no policy, i»nd that when the Opposition was twitted on their want of a policy it was an endeavour to get them to formulate a policy, so that the Government could use it for themselves. Mr McNab said the greatest complaint against the Government land valuation was the apportionment of the total \alue to the unimproved and improved value, the valuers having reduced to a minimum the value of improvements. He did not consider the large number of forfeitures and surrenders under the present administration as compared with previous administrations showed the land policy of the Government had broken down. He spoke approvingly of the improved farm settlement system ; but urged that the Government should give assistance to the establishment of dairy factories in the vicinity of these settlements. The reduction of the rents of Crown tenants would have to be considered this session, or during the recess, as at present much dissatisfaction existed on the niatter.

Mr Pirani said a Minister of the Crown in the present debate had reached the lowest depths of personalities in introducing on the floor of the House the name of a woman he did not know. One noteworthy fact respecting the finances of the colony was the enormous amount of money at the sole control of the Ministers of the day, and it was time the country knew of it. In the Estimates for the present year the amount set down for contingencies was £144,320, and other amounts, regarding which no definite information could be obtained bv the House, and over which it had no control, brought the total up to over halt a million pounds., The public accounts were now simpler, as compared with some years ago. because they gave IeBS information. In 1898 the Colonial Treasurer had underestimated the revenue by £312,000, and in 1897 by £264,000, aud he (Mr Pirani) predicted that for the present year the underestimate would be at least £208,000. The expenditure had been over-esti-mated in 1896 by £65,000, in 1897 by £67,000, and he (Mr Pirani) assumed that for the present year the over-esti-mate would be £60,000. Instead of the gross surplus at the end of the present year being £433,000, he was of opinion that it would be nearer £658,000. He considered it was robbery of the Savings Bank depositors for the Government to reduce interest by one-half per cent, to add £15,000 to their surplus. The state ol affairs revealed by the Police Commission respecting the police force was not a circumstance compared with the state of corruption existing in the Civil Service, and if the Premier gave him ft Royal Commission to-morrow to inquire into the Civil Service he would bring out some facts that would astonish the country. He referred in general terms to some of these cases of alleged corruption.

Mr Seddon ashed Mr Pirani to give the names of the persons to whom he referred. Mr Pirani said he would not be a party to hand any person into the power of the Premier, but would give the names and facts before a duly-qualified tribunal. After the conclusion of Mr Pirani a remarks, Mr Seddon said he did not want the names of these persons, but asked him to giva him sufficient information so ♦.hat he could traoe whether what had been stated had transpired. , Mr Taylor said : 1 will give the names. Mr Pirani said every fact he had stated was on the records of the colony, and some of the cases had been under the Premier's own notice. Mr Wilson raid that in all probability the member for Palmerston had been misled will) respect to the Civil Service by the tittle-tattlings of disaffected Civil servants. Referring to the Financial Statement, he said the cost of living had been increased by the alteration of the tariff, and the aim of the Liberal party should be to devise some means to reduce the cost of living to the people of the colony by reducing Customs duties. To make up for the revenue thus lost, the land tax exemption should be lowered,

and economy exercised in the public service. He warmly advocated the periodical revaluation of Crown leases. As to the statement that co-pi* al f>>r in vestment in gold mining had been dtiven away from the colony, lie expressul Ida opinion . that this was preferable to it being invested in wild eat schemes He asserted that at no other time had there been more commercial activity and prosperity in Wellington than at present, and to say the industries of the colony were depressed was arrant nonsense.

Mr lay lor said that the appointments to the Civil" Service, which had been complained of, had been necessary in order that " the solidity of the Liberal party " should be maintained. The exigencies of party had necessitated the appointment to a position of trust of a person who a few months ago had, he alleged, disgraced himself by drunkenness at the Governor's table. He cited several other cases of a similar nature, and gave a general indication of who the persons were. Referring to the Emerson inquiry he alleged that it was worked in the interest of party, and that a report had been submitted in the direction deBired. He (Mr Taylor) was not surprised that the lawyers of Wellington had recently petitioned for the removal of a magistrate .from the Bench. He was proceeding to reod a certain letter written by Mr Ward in connection with his private business ; but the DeputySpeaker ruled it out of order. He was attempting to aive a resume" of the letter, when Mr Ward again raised a point of order; but before he had stated it, several members rose to a point of order, and complained that Mr Taylor had applied the term, "you miserable coward," to Mr Ward.

The Premier moved that the words b* taken clown, which was accordingly done.

Mr Taylor then made an explanation and withdrew the words complained of, and after some discussion, a "motion, moved by the Premier, was carried on the voices.

The Deputy-Speaker conveyed the resolution to Mr Taylor, who was brought into the Chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Mr Seddou moved that the resolution be not entered on the journals of the House. Mr Taylor said he would prefer that the motion was not moved. Several members suggested that the niotion be withdrawn. The motion was negatived on the voices.

Mr Taylor resumed bis speech, and contended that it would be to the future benefit of the colony if the Government abstained from borrowing half a million, mentioned in the Financial Statement. If the colony was to be prevented from slipping into a slough of despond, it was the bounden duty of the House to destroy the influences which were making for the corruption of democracy. Mr Fisher made a warm personal attack on Mr Taylor, and characterised his speech as the most disgraceful one he had ever listened to. inferring to the Police Commission, he said the evidence of no respectable person had been taken by it. He criticised at some length the statements made by Opposition speakers during the debate, and especially dealt with the speech of Mr Scobie Mackenzie. The House rose at 1.55 a.m.