PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2317, 10 June 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(United Pbks> Association.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Mr Buckley in reply to Mr Miller stated the Government would lay a return on the table showing the amount collected under the Property Tax with and without expenditure. Mr Buckley replying to Mr Williams said the Government was fully alive to the Inspector's report relative to the overcrowding of tho Auokland Lunatic Asylum which was described as becoming positively disgraceful. The matter was of the utmost importance. He was aware that there were many persons immured in asylumß who were sane, and who should not be detained. However, he trusted that very shortly this state of things would be amended, and would not occur again.

Mr Menzies moved that in tho opinion of this Council every school committee should have power to cause the Bible to be read in its school daily, without comment.

After a lively debate, the Council divided on the motion, which was carried, ayes 20, noes 14. ■ The adjourned debate on the motion re the address to the Queen relative to the Kermadec Islands being annexed to the Colony, was further adjourned to Tuesday next. The Native Owners Equitable Bill was read a first time.

Tho, Charitable Trusts Bill was considered in Committee, and the Council adjourned till next day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2,30. Replying to Mr Moss, Sir Robert Stout said there was no power to prevent French convicts coming to the Colonies in trading vessels,. An ant wasalroady in force, prohibiting tho importation of convicts, but did not apply to foreigners. Mr O'Connor moved that a Committee be appointed to consider and report what retrenchment may be made in expenditure in connection with the Legislature, Committee to consist of tho Premier, Major Atkinson, Messrs Garrick, Barron, Dargaville, Levestam, T. Thompson, Brown, and the mover. Agroed to. D'r Newman moved that in the opinion of thiß Houbo no contracts for works out of loan should be offered to Maoris alone, but should be open alike to Europeans and Maoris, Lost by 3!) to 37. Mr Wilson moved that the Special Settlement Regulations be so altered that a three months' residence during any year from the third to the sixth after occupation shall bo sufficient to comp'y with them.

Mr Bruce warinly supported the motion. Mr Ballancc hoped the motion would be withdrawn, He said he had received no complaints on the matter, and there was no occasion for the motion at tho present Hmo.

Colonel Trimble entirely agreed with the motion,

Mr Russell supported the motion and Mr O'Connor opposed it. Mr Kerr supported tho motion, but suggested that six months' residence be inserted instead of three.

Mr Beetham also agreed with tho principle of the motion, but moved an amendment that six months' residence be inserted. Mr Wilson accepted tho amendment. Mr Ormond supported the amendment. He said lie should like to have soon some steps taken by which these lands were disposed of to bona fide settlers. Ho knew of many cases in which they woro not bona fide settlers and wero land was taken up for speculative purposos. It was not at all possible to carry out these settlements in the same manner as under the Provincial Government. He spoko with some knowledge of the subject, having been instrumental in initiating the Special Settlement Schomo in tho Seventy Mile Bush. The reason why these settlements wero so successful was because of the local knowledgo brought to bear which could not possibly bo the case under a central Government.

Sir R. Stout hoped. both motion and amendment-would be withdrawn as it would tend to destroy the Special Settlement Scheme. The foundation of their land scheme should be to provide for the occupation of land. Mr Hurathouse did not believe in the Special Settlement scheme at all; ho thought it was a fad of certain politicians. After further discussion ■ Mr Beotham's amendment was put and lost by 35 to 34. The following were appointed on Mr Ormond's motion a select Coinmittoe to onquire into and report on the subject of investments mado by the Government Insurance Association in land purchases; and also to report genorally on the workin? of the iiintitutions, Tlio Committoo to consist of Messrs Montgomery, Gore, M. McKenzie, Macandrew, Holmes, G. F. Richardson, Stewart, Lovestam, Fraser, and the mover. Mr Brown moved for a return showing the amount of goods traffic which was carried on the Lawrence line of railway for delivery in the interior of Otago beyond Lawrenco durin? the last two years ending the 31st March 1886. The motion was lost by 27 to S!2. Dr Newman resumed the interrupted debate on the question of setting apart reserves' for charitable, nid education, and harbors. He moved to strike out "and harbors," but leavo was refused. The motion was put and lost by 3G to 22. Sir George Grey moved that tlio roport of the Pacific Islands Committee be considered at half past soven next day. agreed to. Mr Brown moved in the direction of retrenchment to the eftect that Government should appoint two practical expert accountants to inquire and roport as to the possible saving without impairing the efficiency of the Civil Service. Ho explained that he did not want an all tound reduction of ten per cent. He had been informed by a high official in the Railway Depa'tmem that a saving of £50,000 could be effected in that department alone. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.