PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1422, 5 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(Bv Telegraph.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

In the Legislative Council yesterday the Married Woman's Property Bili, and Bills of Exchange Bill were read a third time and passed, The Council then adjourned till Friday.

HOUSE OF KEPRESENTATIVES. In the House, Ministers replying to questions, said that care would be taken to survey all praefcicabie routes for the North island Trunk Eailway, so as to select the best. They believed that what land was taken for the railway to pass through, the compensation covered the cost of fencing the line. Better accommodation for the public would soon be provided at the Napier railway station. They did not intend to amend the law to extend the hours of polling at elections, or to provide that every person should only have one vote for the House of Representatives. They were not aware of the necessity to amend the law relating to mining for other minerals than gold. Harbormasters were now authorised to detain vessels if over-loaded, The railway line from Hurunui to the West Coast was being surveyed via Cannibal Gorge. A fresh pivty would be put on from Keefton end, so as to get it completed in four or rive months. The Hon Mr Dick introduced the Adulteration Act Prevention Bill, which was red a first time. A large numberof unopposed returns were ordered, It was stated by the Hon Mr Dick that the net cost of the 'Frisco service to the colony was £4,000 per year. A motion by Mr Barron, that members should forfeit five guineas per day from their honorarium if absent during the last ten days of the session was rejected on division by 32 to 25. The motion by Mr Daniel in favor of making all ships registered in New Zealand carry a certain number of apprentices, in proportion to their tonnage, was opposed by the Hon Major Atkinson and Mr Shepherd, and lost on the voices. After some debate, Mr Feldwick's motion on the report of Debates Committee that the number of copies of Hansard allowed to each member be increased from 12 to 20, was carried by 42 to 26. Mr Montgomery gave notice of motion that the existing system of central government has failed to realise the results anticipated, and that the promises and engagements made at the time of the abolition of the provinces have not been fulfilled; that in consequence of this centralising policy much discontent prevails throughout New Zealand; that to ensuro economy and efficiency in the administration of local affairs, it is necessary that all such local aflairsi, including public works, should be withdrawn from the control of the Central Government, and be vested in tho local governing bodies elected by districts having a community of interests. He understood the Government would.allow this motion to come on on Tuesday, The Hon, Major Atkinson said that as Mr Montgomery did not desire tho motion to be regarded as one of noconfidence although it might have that effect if carried, the Government did not wish to stop ordinary business while it was ponding, and they would allow the lion, member to bring it on on Tuesday if the House desired It, EVENING SITTING. Mr M. W. Green moved the second reading of the Local Option Extension Bill,

Mr Fish moved the adjournment of the debate for three weeks, Messrs Suttqk mid Levastam opposed the Bill. Mr J, W. Thompson supported it, The motion for adjournment'was carried on division of 32 to 30. Sir G. Grey moved tho second readingoftheAniioxatioiiand Confederating Bill, pointing out how the colony was situated in respect to the Pacific Islands, the dangers of foreign occupation of them, and benefits which would accrue from union. The Bill simply enabled the Governor to act in emergency when Parliament was not sitting as the sovereign could act at home. It enabled full enquiries to he made for submission to the Imperial Government with a view to action. The Hon Major Atkikson would not oppose tho Bill although he thought if it gave the Governor general power to do what ho should not do without the express sanction of Parliament in each case. He suggested the Bill should be referred to the committee on annexatiou already appointed. Sir G. Grey was willing to accept the suggestion, and the Bill was read a second time and referred accordingly. Sir G. Grey moved the Affirmation Bill which proposed to abolish all oaths. The motion was carried without debate,

Mr M.W. Green moved the second reading of the Storekeepers' Hours of Closing Bill. Mr Fish denounced the Bill as tyrannical und unfair, and moved it be read that day U months. Messrs Fergus, Levastasi, Sutton, and Hutchison, opposed the Bill which was. supported, by Messrs Joyce, Seddon, and Petrie, Mr Whyte thought the power of

two-thirds to shut up the other third might be usefully employed in that House.

The amendment was carried on division of 41 to 21, and the Bill waß thrown'out.

Mr Bathgate moved the second reading of .the Sale of Goods by Retail Bill, its object being to abolish the system of indiscriminate credit by abolishing the power to recover such debts,

Mr Munro moved it be read that day 14 months. The amendment was carried by 40 to 18, and the Bill thrown out. . ' '

.Sir G. Grey, at considerable length, moved the second reading of the Constitution Act Amendment Bill, the object of which was to abolish the Legislative Council. He contended that a-( second Chamber was not only unneces- V sary but dangerous to and destructive of useful legislation; that its exiatenco unnecessarily hampered members of the House in their efforts to promote the public welfare, as all measures had to be passed and modified so as to find a chance of acceptance with the Council; and that the existence of a nominated body controlling the action of the representatives of the people was out of harmony with the spirit of our institutions. The Upper House in England had obstructed and delayed every species!of reform, but it was not so bad as our Council asits members were notengaged in business, while those of the Council were, as Bankers, heads of moneylending Companies, and in other ways, enabling them to exercise monetary influence over the members of the House. The way members passed from one Chamber to another and then back again was a violation of constitutional law. Experience with ■Provincial Councils, and in' South Africa and many parts shewed that a second Chamber was quite unnecessary in the Legislature, and that the colony would bo better off if the Legislative Council was abso- . lutely abolished,. After the usual adjournment, Major Atkinson'opposed the B£>. j The mover had failed to show anygsd cause why it should be passed, and if the question was to be dealt with at all it was too large a subject to be legislated on by a private member. Sir G. Grey said this Bill was the outcome of a life's thought and convictions, but singularly enough he never brought it down until the Governor's speech announced the intention of the Government to propose a measure for the reform of the Council. No Government could submit to interference of this kind by any private member, and he called on the House to support the Government He replied at some length to Sir G, Grey's charges against the Council, and stated that the Government Bill for the reform of that body would soon be down, but that the Government did not propose that any change should actually be made until the question had been submitted to the people at the next general election, Mr Moss, asademocrat, opposed the Bill, holding that a second Chamber was necessary to the safety and liberty of the people. He would, however, rather abolish the Council than see it made elective.

Mr Levastam would also rather abolish the Council than make it elective, Ho opposed the Bill.

Mr Thompson (Milton) thought if better men had been appointed to the Council thuro would have boon less outcry against that body, Some chango was no doubt nece=sary, he had not made up his mind what, and could not support the Bill.

Mr Fish also thought some change necessary, but not such a radical one aa the Bill proposed. Any change should be tentative, and perhaps the best to make would be to limit the lerm of office in, say, len years, instead of life

Mr George would voce for the Bill, simply to see how the Council would deal with it,

Mr Holmes was not prepared to accept tho Bill as jt stood, but jt might bo amended- in committee. 1

Mr Kehv would object to aiucleptrvs? Upper House, and thought the best plan would be to limit the tenure of office and liavo tho members to represent certain districts, aB in Canada. They might then either be nominated by the Crown or elected by the House. /: Colonel Trimble thought an decrao Upper House would be ton nowei'fiilwd dangerous, If tho members were choSeV* by the House and for s limited period, a good revision chamber would be secured. Mr Montgomery believed in the: necessity for ti second chamber, and could not support the Bill. No change should, however, be made without an appeal to the country, Sir 6. Grey replied, expressing a strong conviction that the people of the colony were with him, and that hiß Bill would ultimately become law. The House divided, and tho second reading was negatived by 35 to 11. The Bill wsb thrown out, and t[]e House rose at}.lo a.m.