PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2089, 8 September 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(united press association.) MONDAY, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

The Hon, the Speaker took his seat at 2.30 p.m.

The Colonial Secretary introduced a Bill entitled " The Costley Bequest Act, 1885." The Property Assessment Bill and another Counties Act Amendment Bill were received from the House of Representatives and read a first time, The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill was re-commifcted and reported with amendments. The Eating Act, 1882, Amendment Bill was committed. Progress was reported, and leave granted to sit again, The Auckland Railway Land Compensation Bill was read a third time and passed. The Property Law Consolidation Bill was committed, and progress reported, The Council adjourned at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tho House met at 2.30 p.m, Mr Richardson introduced the Rail' ways Authorisation Bill,

■ Mr Stout moved " That in the opinion of this House it is inadvisable for this colony to join the Federal Council of Australia under the existing Federal Council Act,", Ho said he wai desirous there ihould be some kind of federation more powerful than was provided by the last bill passed by the convention, He referred at length to the Federal Council Bill, and said it did not contain the provision which was suggtsUd by the New Zealand Government. He felt convinced that federation would have to be effected, but that it should be an English, Australian and New Zealand Federation, He would suggest, to save the time of the House, that Messrs Macandrew and Beetham move their resolution* at additions to hi* (Mr Stout'*) motion,

Mr Macandrew mov<d "that in the opinion of this House the time has come when efforts should be made to unite the whole English speaking people throughout the world in one grand political confederation, having for its object mutual defence against foreign aggression, the maintenance of peace, and the promotion of the brotherhood of nations. That a respectful address be presented to His Excellency the Governor, requesting that he may be pleased to transmit this resolution to the Queen, in the hope that Her Majesty may still further distinguish her illustrious reign by endeavoring to bring about a conference that shall represent thewhele of the British Dominions and the United States of America, to meet either at London or Washington, to consider the question of a political confederation as hereinbefore mentioned." He spoke at some length on the question of the advantages of confederation with the Imperial Government and the United States.

Mr Bbetham then moved his resolution " that in order to secure the permanent unity of the empire, some form of federation is essential; that 110 schemo of federation should interfere with the existing rights of local Parliaments as regards local affairs; that any scheme of Imperial federation should oombme, on an equitable basis the dependencies of the empire for the maintenance of common interests, and adequately provide for an organised defence of oomraon rights," Major Atkinson said he was glad to hear tho Premier was of opinion that federation of some sort was necessary. He only wished that the hon. gentleman had brought down & different resolution, mors in accordanoe with his views on the question. He spoke at some length on the subject, aud then moved an amendment, " That it is undesirable during the present session, and pending further consideration by the peoplo of the colony of the important issues involved, to adopt legislation having for iU object to join Now Zealand in the Federal Council of Australasia."

Mr Rolleston supported the federation proposal, and largely sympathised with the member for Port Chalmers in his object to attain Imperial federation Mr Montgomiry objected to the proposal altogether, as he saw no necessity for it at present. As for defence, he contended the colony should be protected by oruisers to cope with an enemy's fleet.

Mr Bamanoe agreed with the amendment of the member for Egmont, as it afforded them more time for consideration of the important question, He thought the time would come when federation of the world would be effected, but it would not be for some time yet. He thought the whole question of federation should be postponed for a few years to see how it worked.

Mr Conolly strongly supported the federal scheme, and said he could not support the Premier's resolution. Major Atkinson's amendment was then carried on the voices. Mr Macandrew's amendment, and tho resolution as a whole were carried. The House rose at 5,30,

svjnjng Bmm Replying to Major Atkinson, Mr RiCttUDSON widths Public Works estimates would probably ba taken the following evaning.

The Publio Works Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Publio Revenues Bill wits also read a third time and passed. Sir J, Yoorii made an explanation it tba S«k ftgseto sail St

Baid no tenders had been received, but that representations had been made by the local company and the representative of an Amerioan company, and if the terms altered, they would probably enter into an agreement. Complaints had been made by tome that the passage was too quick, and he had extended the time until Wednesday at noon for making additional tenders, and had substituted a twenty day service instead of eighteen or nineteen. On .Wednesday he would be able to tell the House the result of the extended time, fle also called the attention of hon. members to papers laid on the table re the question of cable subsidies and the reduction of the present rates. He moved that the House go into Committee on Thursday evening to consider the question of the renewal of subsidies,—Agreed to. On the motion for going into Committee of supply, Captain Sutter moved to go into Committee six months hence. After a short discussion the motion was r ejected by 35 to 33. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Lance moved that efficient steps be. taken to. stamp out scab in sheep wherever it existed. Sir Julius Voqel said the Government wquld place a sum on tho estimates for the purpose, and the amendment was withdrawn. Mr Mosa moved that retrenchment is desirable, and to effect the members of both houses should be reduced with corresponding reduction in-Ministers and Departmental expenditure; also that an ample economical and self-dependent system of Local Government should be devised.

The Premier agreed with the request for a reduction, but pointed out the difficulty of carrying the motion into effect. The amendment was negatived on the voices.

The House then went into Committee on the estimates. Clause 1, Legislative votes Clerk of Council, £6oowas reduced by £100; Clerk by £SO. Mr Fulton moved to omit tho item Chairman Public Petitions Committee, £IOO. Amendment negatived on the voices. Mr Fulton moved to omit the item Chairman of Natives Committee, £IOO, Amendment lost on division by 34 to 22. Mr Hursthouse moved that the item Chairman of Gold Fields Committee be omitted, On division, tho item was struck out by 34 to 28, Mr Fulton moved to omit the item Chairman of Waste Lands Committee, LIOO. After some discussion the item was put. Ayes 26, noes 26. The Chairman gave his casting vote with the noes. Mr W. F. Buckland moved to reduce the amount by L 99. On division the amendment was lost by 25 to 22, Mr Duncan moved that the item be reduced by LSO. This was carried by 25 to 21. The vote as amended was passed, Class 2, Colonial Secretary's Department, L 221,568. Passed without alteration. Class 14, Colonial Treasurer's Department L 62,280. Passed without alteration. Public Trust Account, L 4275. Mr Holmes moved to reduce the amount by Ll5O, so as to leavo the vote the same as last year, Amendment negatived, and item passed. Progress was then reported, and the House rose rose at 3.40 a.m.