PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2091, 10 September 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(UNITED press association.)

WEDNESDAY, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2,30.a,m. The Napier Gas Bill was read a. second time Mr MniiEß moved that it was desirable to abolish the £SOO exemption, in the Property Assessment Bill, he alluded to the large amounts of revenue that would be derived by adopting this course, which .he considered a necessary one in the present state uf public finances. Mr Peacock seconded, and the Colonial Secretary opposed the motion, holding

that the proper place to discuss it was at the hustings. Mr Lahman.v supported the motion, and Dr Grace thought that no exemption Bhould ever have been admitted. After further discussion the debate was interrupted by the Orders of the Day at 4 o'clock. The Public Revenues Bill was read a fust time, as was also the Public Works Bill.

The Colonial Secretary briefly moved the second reading of the Property Assess" ment Bill, Mr Miller moved the adjournment of the debate pending the fate of his motion. The adjournment was negatived by 19 to 16, and the Bill was then read a second time. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a second time without discussion. The Hospital and Charitable Institution Bill was recommitted, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

TheHousemetat2.3op.m. Mr Hamlin, Chairman of Committee, took the chair in the absence of the Speaker. Replying to questions, it was stated that :st.eps. would be taken to ascertain whether Sir Joseph Hooker would publish a second edition of tho New Zealand Flora.

Mr Stout introduced a Bill to amend tho Municipal Corporations Act.

.Mr Tole introduced the Suprem e Court Reporting Bill,

Mr Stout, moved that this House form itself into a committee of the whole tomorrow to consider the granting of a subsidy to the Australian cable. Mr Buchanan resumed the debate on Captain Rusaell's amendment on going into Committee of Supply, that the Public Works Estimates should be reduced by £500,000, and Mr Moss' amondment that it is not advisable to suddenly stop publio works already in progress, He pointed out the critical condition of the colony, and Biiid the Treasurer had failed to improve the condition of the country. He supported the amendment of the member for Hawke's Bay.

Mr Daegaviue feared the member for Hawke's Bay had allowed - himself to be led into a false position by the motion he had brought forward. He said if the motion were carried, which he hoped it would not be, it would lead to the stoppage of most important publio works, throwing a large number of people out of employment. Colonql Trimble considered Mr Dargaville's speech the most localised, in the narrowest sense of the word, he had ever heard delivered in the House. He altogether differed from the statement that if the amendment were carried it would result in throwing many men out of employment. He thought there were many items on the estimates that might well be struck out, such, for instance, as the vote of £IO,OOO for Highland crofters and £3OOO for a gaol at Wanganui, and many others.

Mr Lanou denied that the Canterbury members had gone into opposition, What had happened was this—They were suddenly subject to a fit of economy, and they felt they were treated with but scant courtesy by the House over the East and West Coast railway. They were always being told that the Colony could not afford such works as those, but " Hope deferred maketh the heart sick," and the Canterbury members were now very sick indeed. They were determined that, as justice 'had been denied them, they would'do their utmost to prevent any public expenditure in other districts,

Mr Montgomery said the remarks of the last speaker as to the intentions of the Canterbury members were not. very oreditable. He pointed out that when the North Island Trunlj Railway wa« under discussion the South Island members had cheerfully submitted to the duty that was asked for in order to ascertain whether the constructions of that line were feasible or not. At the same time, he was prepared to show that Canterbury was entitled to her railway, and he thought he could do this better by pointing out the rights of that district to have the railway constructed than by telling the House they mjist construct it, He would not, however, be & party to stopping the progresi of works jn o%r districts merely beoause Canterbury had not received justice in the matter of her railway,

Messrs Cowaji, Hobbs, and W, F, Buckland having spoken, the debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTINO. ■' The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The debate was continued, Mr O'CallAghan moved as an amendment that reductions shall not affect roads and bridges, Mr HuitSTitousE supported the pond' ment,

Mr Garrick thought the last amend, rnent was worth considering, and he expressed the opinion that there would be no successful Government until the East and West Coast railway had been constructed. He strongly objected, to centralism, and said it was a curse on the colony when the Act abolishing the provinces was Bigned,

Sir J. Vogel said-it would saye time if Captain Russell would accept Mr O'Calliphan'B amendment,

Captain Russell declined to do so,

Sir J. Vogel said the would discuss the question, but not as a party one. So far anhecould see, they were to take half a million off the railway estimates, The meaning was that the following amounts were at stake;— Huntly branch, Lll,600; Helensvjlle,

L 20.000 ; Hamilton ■ Grahamstown, LIS,000; main trunk line, L65,000.j East and West Coast railway, L 149,000; Napier - Woodville, L75,0Q0 ; • Picton Southwards, LBOOO ; Central, LVO,000; Waimea and Switzers, $10,000; additional open lines, L 30,000; and by stopping work in shops they would be able to knock off Li 50,000 on rolling stock.

Captain Rbssell denied he wished cessation of Publio Works this year, and argued it was absurd to say something could not be taken off the estimates for Roads and Bridges.

Major Atkinson said if a reduiton were made there would be ample woflrfor the employment of as many men as were now employed, and there would be no necessity for thoGovernmentto close the workshops.

Mr Scobie McKenzie moved tho adjournment of the debate. i Messrs Turnbull and Samuel opposec tho adjournment.' On division, the motion for adjournment was carried by 45 to 2, and tho debate adjourned until 7.30 p.m. to-day, The House rose at 2.30 a.m.