PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1826, 29 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

[Br Teleqraph.J

In the Legislative Assembly yester a day afternoon a message was received j from the Governor stating that he had been pleased to recall Mr Buckley to j; the Council, who had forfeited his seat by being absent two sessions. 0 Leave of absenco was granted to Mr jj Robertson for one week. Mr Waterhouse obtained leave to t introduce a Bill for the punishment of i breach of trust in certain cases. t The report of the Petitions Com- ( mittee on the petition of Mr W. H. ( Tucker was referred to the Minister of j Justice. ] On the Government Insurance ( Association Bill Mr Buckley, in ( moving the second reading, argued | that it must be evident that the Government of the colony was unable to , carry on the insurance business as successfully as a board could conduct it. Mr McLean thought the measure a good one if several amendments were made in it, Mr Waterhouse would support the second reading of the Bill, It was a step in the' right direction, He considered tho provisions that the Board should be presided over by the Colonial Treasurer objectionable, He suggested that no better officer than theOontroller General could fill the chair, Sir G, S. Whitmore congratulated the Government on bringing in such a measure because the present system of management was unsatisfactory. Messrs Grace and Bonar supported the Bill. The Colonial Secretary alluding to the connection of the Treasurer with the Board, contended that if Government had to guarantee funds it should be represented by a Minister of the Crown, The second reading was agreed to, The Police Offences Bill, the Bankruptcy Amendment Bill, and the East and West Coast Eailway Bill were recommitted, and having been slightly altered were read a third time and ' passed. The second reading of the Greymouth ; Harbour Bill was moved by the Colo- • nial Secretary who pointed out the 1 objects of tho Bill were similar to the J Westport Bill, i Mr McLean thought the Govern- ■ ment could carry out the work much i cheaper than a Board. 1 Mr Waterhouse agreed that the 1 colony should do all in its power to develope the mines of the West Coast, l but thought if it could get all the i coal that was required from Greymouth t why construct large harbour works at 3 Westport. He would support the c Greymouth Harbour Bill, and oppose } the Westport Harbour Bill. Captain Fraser urged the establish? \ mem of a Central Gaol at Westport, . the convicts to develop the mines, He » hoped both Bills would be passed. i sir G, S. WlimiOttE Strongly sup- ,' ported the arguments of Mr Waterhouse, and pointed out the absurdity of spending £600,000 if they could get similar benefits for £IOO,OOO. „ Mr Reynolds said the Greymouth j coal was the best gas coal in the known i world, and 8s per ton more would be ■t paid lor it in preference to Newcastle ; t coal. This would show that the ; colony could compete against AustraI lia, It could not do this, however, until they obtained good harbors, . He j poiuted out that the West Coast conr tributed over a million to the Customs a Revenue,

In the Legislative Council at the evening sitting the Greymouth Harbor Bill was continued, Mr Bonar thought it would be a mistake to stop at one port instead of improving both. Mr Chamberlain supported the view of Mr Waterhouse.

Mr Richmond supported both Bills, and regretted the Government had not undertaken the works.

Mr G. A, Johnston supported tho Bill.

The second reading was agreed to, In the Westport Harbor Bill the Col. Secretary moved the second reading, explaining that it was indentical with the Greymouth Bill. Messrs Richmond, La'nniaiin, Bonar, Acland and, McLean supported the Bill, and Mr Wilson opposed the Bill. On division the Bill was read a second time, ayes 22: noes 5. Drainage of Mines Bill—

The Council went into Committee on this Bill, and it was agreed to with amendments reported, and the third reading made an order for the following day.

The Public Works Amendment Bill and Supreme Court Registrar (Taranaki) Empowering Bill were considered and amended in committoe, and tbo destitute Persons Amendment Bill was read a second time,

In the House 1 yesterday afternoon replying to questions tho Premier said the question of appointing a Royal Commission to enquire into the New Zealaud Currency law and the advisability of establishing a land bank was of considerable importance. He was not sure that a commissioner might notdo moreharmthangood, The matter would be considered during the recess, ihete being no available data in the colony on the subject. He said the question of maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions was the most difficult one the Government had to deal with, but it would receive attention in the recess.

Mr Wi Pere moved that Wahanui be heard at the bar of the House prior to the second reading of the Native Lands settlement Bill, which was agreed to, The second reading of tho New Zea.

land International South Sea Trading Bill was moved by the Treasurer, who said the acquisition of the South Sea Islands trade was of utmost importance to New Zealand. The action France and Austria were taking would have the effect of diverting trade from this colony, and it behoved them to use every endeavor to acquire this trade,

Mr Wakefield believed the trade at the present time was steadily increasing in a rational manner. The explanation of the Treasurer as to the formation of a company was very meagre, and although he contended it was no monopoly, yet he (Mr Wakefield) maintained it was one to all intents and purposes. Mr Trimble thought the Bill a most dangerous one.

Mr Thompson also opposed the Bill as in his opinion trade would better thrive if entirely untrammelled. At the evening sitting the South Sea Island debate was continued.

Mr Buckland, although not altogether approving of the Bill, would support the second reading. Mr Moss opposed the Bill. Hia advice to the Government was to leave the Island people to themselves, and if this was done the indomitable energy and perseverance of the people of New Zealand would carry out the trading to individual advantage and benefit of the colony. His advice to the Government was to attend to their i own business and endeavor to decrease the burden of taxation,

Dr Newman and Mr Garrick opposed the Bill.

Mr Maoasduew thought there was no time like the present for carrying out the Bill, and if it was placed beyond all doubt that no sum beyond £IO,OOO per annum could be guaranteed out of the consolidated revenue the Bill would! have had his support. The Treasurer said in reply he oould not see how any. honorable members could doubt that the colony could be pledged }o more than 110)000 per annum, With regard to the fear expressed that the company would crush a number of small vessels, all he could say if such a thing did happen it would be a good thing as these vessels were nothing more than traders in human flesh.

The House divided on the question of the second reading—Ayes, 28; noes, 39.

The East and West Coast Railway Bill was returned from the Council with amendments, The Treasurer moved that they be agreed to, which was carried. The amendments in the West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Bill were agreed to, and the third reading adjourned to the following day. In Committee tho Road Boards Amendment Bill was reported with several unimportant amendments. The Land Act Amendment Bill was passed through committeo and was reported with several amendments. Progress was reported on the Life Assurance Policies Bill, and the House adjourned at 2.5 a.m.