PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2342, 9 July 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(United PRESS kmtmm.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

The Mining Company's Bill was wad ft third time and passed.

Mr Reynolds moved tho second reading of tho Harbors Act Amendment Bill, and in doing ao remarked that tho principal provision of tho Bill was to abolish Boards in cases where works had ceased to be undertaken.

Tho motion for tho second reading was agreed to. Thfe Council wont into Commit',eo on the further consideration of tho Natives Reserves Empowering Bill, Native Equitable Owuers Bill, Municipal Corporation Bill, and Local Bodies Luaus Bill, all of which were reported with amendments,, and the-Council adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Replying to questions it was stated that if tho Canterbury people provided a sum for a rifts range, the Government would famish an equivalent sum for the purpose. That if anv persons were found willing to undertake ostrich farming, the Government would assist, That no assurance whatever had been given that until Tawhaio gave his consent, no Court would be held at Kawhia or elsewhere in the King country.

Mr Sutter resumed tho debate on tho New Plymouth Harbor Loan Bill. An amendment for reading tho Bill that day six montlw was lost on tho voices, On the question that tho Bill be read a second time, Mt Bryce opposed it, Mr (t. F. Richardson would vote for the second reading. 'He believed that amendments would be made in Committee.

. Mr Montgomery opposed the Bill. Mi' Rolleaton said he should like not to vote nn tile Bill, as it was ono in which thore were such diverse opinions. Mr Samuel replied at some length to opponents of t'he Bill. The motion for the second reading was carried by 39 to 33. Mr Macaudrow moved the second reading of the Harbor Board Bill. Agreed to. Mr Stewart moved the second reading of the Waiinato Racecourse Empowering Bill. Agreed to. Mr Hislop moved the second of the Oamaru Harbor Board Bill, (she object of which was to eoiiwfctato certain • loans. Agreed to. Mr Garrick moved the second rftriing of the City of ChviskeWoii Munfoipali Offite Bill. It was merely to enable Ohrißtehurch City to borrow £6OOO for the erection of municipal offieeß, Agreed; to. Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Auckland Harbor <Board Loan Bill, the object of which was to borrow £200,000 for Harbor improvements. Agreed to', Mr Ballanc# moved the committal of the Wanganui Harbor Bill, explaining that it was to levy a rate for Harbor improvements.

Mr Bryce opposed the Ml, and was speaking at the 5.30 adjournment.

EvsNiNff Sitting.

On the House resuming, Mr Beetham asked without notice whether the timo could be extended for sending in voting papers of Government; Insurance Association.

Sir Robert Stoufc said there was no power to do so

The amondment made by Council in the Mines Act were agreed to. Mr Macandrow moved the second reading of the Public Advances on Land Bill. Although more properly a Government measure ho pleaded with the House to consider the niattor seriously and he was prepared to face any amount of ridicule, if ho could only get tho subject taken up in earnest. All must admit that the agricultural and pastoral interests were greatly crippled by the high rate of interest, and this bill set forth a very simple and intelligible plan whereby the credit ni the state could be so applied that ad> vances on land micht be so obtained at a much lower rats. He detailed the machinery of the olauses, the precautions taken to guard the security of such advances. . No one would be allowed to borrow more than half tho value of his land up to tho limit of £2OOO, and the rato of interest was to bo four and a half per cent. Advances wore to be payable in New Zealand, debentures Convertible into stats promissory notes,

Mr Kurr thought the Bill would have been useful if made law forty .years ago but it was too late now when people were .already burdened with debt. Ho thought Mr Maumdrow was having a joke with the House, but he intended to vote for the Bill in order to seo what cme of it.

Sir R. Stout said practically tho Bill proposed the issue of a new paper currency, and it would not give relief to people who most wanted it, namely, those already heavily mortgaged. The great objection was that it imposed a new *nd dangerous function on tho State and oponed up a long vesta of poriloug innovations. No provision was made for the expense of working tho Bill, and ik was another stop in the direction of making people look to the State for everything. At most these advances would lower the rate of interest for a few years only. Mr Ivess was disappointed als the Premier's adverse criticism, and con* tendod it was a proper duty for the State to undertake. The system 'vss in force elsewhere with excellent results. Mr Scobie McKeniie dwiied Mr "viacandrew's proposal was the same as those quoted by Mr Ivess. The Sill really meant advancing money to some people at the expense ot others. The mischief had beon caused in the past by the facility with which inoney could he borrowed, not by the high ralo of interest, and by inflated prices given for land, fall in produce and olher legs important factors. Ho took general objection to all the Bills introduced this session toe what he called encouraging borrowing and urged the House to throw this ono out at once,

Mr Duncan supported the measure. Mr Brqce did not approve of the debenture clause; but would move for the second reading, Mr J. 0. Buckland said the paper currency proposed in the Bill would be taken up by rich men and used by'them to pay their debts as had been done before in New Zealand by members in this very House,

Mr Walker spoke at length in support of the Bill, for which he gave great credit to Mr Macandrow.

Mr Joyce thought if relief was .to be tjiven to farmers it should be in cash, not debentures.

Mr Cowan also was disappointed at the attitude of the Government. Settlers must, have relief, and that, soon. He would vote for the Bill with some tions.

Mr W. F. Buckland said the Bill was really the outcome of. the borrowing policy, and would have to be taken m hand sooner or later. He would vote for the Becond reading as he could uot see any possible harm could come.from it. Mr Barrow said that what was A.B.C. toMr'Macandrew was 1.0. U. to other people. Those who had money to lend ought to vote against the Bill. Mr Taylor opposed, and Mr Hateh supported the Bill, but not in its entirety. Mr Steward said Mr Maoandrew had

earned the thanks of die agricultural community for the honest attempt to telieve them from their difficulties.. He' supported his'endeavors.

Mr Pearsoii gave it his, qualified approval, but was afraid state borrowing for private individuals might injure our credit in the London market. The people who most wanted relief were those already heavily mortgaged. Mr Hursthouse disliked the debenture clauso, and could not support the second reading,

Mr Macandrew thought the length of tlie debate most significant and gratifying, tie was willing to consider certain amendments in Committee. The House divided—ayes 32, noes 18. The Bill was .read a second time, and the House adjourned at 12 40 a.m.