THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 856, 31 August 1871, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tuesday, August 22. The Speaker took the chair at halfpast two o'clock. ttEW MEMBERS. Mr Vogel, Mr Reader Wood, Mr T. Henderson, and Mr Buckland took the oath and their seats. PETITIONS. Mr Creighton presented a p6tition from the inhabitants of Auckland City-, asking tho House to pass a bill embracing the provisions of the Permissive Bill. Mr Thompson presented a petition from cerfcaininhabitants of Otago, praying that the House would not interfere with thecontinuanco of the educational system of Otago. Mr Curtis presented a petition with reference to the obtaining of gas for the City of Nelson. Mr Brown presented a potitiOA from certain miners in the Province of Otago, praying for the reduction. of the gold export duty. The petitions were ordered to lie on the table. TllE MOTUEKA ELECTION. The Speaker announced that he had received a communication from the learned counsel of Sir David Monro, waving any claim of right on the ground of irregularity, and pointing out tho authority on which he had acted as he had done. The authoritv given was in Cushing, a very well known author on parliamentary law, who stated a case in point in which the House of Commons had heard a case on the floor of the House. He continued that he was staggered on looking over the case as there stated, but on investigation of other records relating to the same occurrence, he discovered that the case in Cushing was not correctly stated. After describing to the House the course pursued in that case, the Speaker stated bis opinion that the course adopted by that House was in perfect accordance with the practice of the House of Commons. Therefore, he did not think it necessary that he should accept any waiver from the counsel of Sir David Munro, aud he should direct that the proceedings should continue in the course already laid down. The Chairman and members of the committee to hear the case were then sworn in. PAPEBS. Mr Gisborne laid on the table a number of papers, which were ordered to be printed. LIEN ON CONTRACTS FOE WORKMEN'S WAGES. Mr Steward asked the Colonial Secretary whether it was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill at an early day, giving workmen a lien over money dua by a contractee to a contractor, on the principle of the Act passed by the Victorian Parliament in December last, and intituled the Contractors' Debts Act. His object was not only to ascertain whether the Government intended to introduce a bill of the nature described, but also whether it would be so extended as to include sub-contractors. Mr Gisborne said the Government had such a bill in preparation, aud Would be glad to receive any suggestions the hou. member might make. THE FRANCHISE. Mr Steward asked the Colonial Secretary whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce early in the session, an amendment of the Registration of Electors Act, 18b6, with a view to giving increased facilities to persons entitled to the franchise, as regards the placing of their names upon the Electoral Roll ? Mr Gisborne said the Government ment had under consideration a bill embracing the provisions mentioned by the hon. member, and also a great many other points. The G-overnment believed it would be well, at the eai'liest possible moment after the present session, to introduce a bill to consolidate all the Registration Acts of the colony, which should embrace, under heads or chapters, the different mattei's coming within the scope of such a bill. LIGHTHOUSE FOR TORT CHANNEL. Captain Kenny asked the Colonial Secretary why the lighthouse had not been erected at Tory Channel Heads P Mr Gisborne said the G-overnment, during the recess, in cousidering the question of erecting the lighthouse, did not consider it advisable in the face of the decline of revenue. The expense of erection would be £4OOO or £SOOO, and the cost of maintenance about £6OO per annum. After the present session the Government would consider the matter again. LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE MANUKAU. Mr O'Rorke asked tho hon. the Colonial Secretary when the lighthouse, imported more than two years ago for tho Manukau Harbour, was likely to be erected ? Mr Gisborne said the apparatus was sent up in August last, and a survey of the bar was held, but up to May the survey was not completed. Many other works of a more pressing nature had been on hand, but as they were now completed the matter would be taken up. He might point out that the light would be of no use in guiding vessels at night; in fact it would rather mislead them. LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF PROVINCIAL COUNCILS. Mr Hall asked tho Colonial Secretary whether the Government intended to propose any measure for the purpose of removing the doubts which now

affect the legislative powers of Pro;, vincial Councils, sd as to obviate the\ necessity for the renewal of the Act of the General Assembly validating Pro. vincial Acts and Ordinances ?

Mr Q-isborne said the Government proposed to meet the difficulty by the introduction Of a Highway Boards Act. He did übt think it would be neeessary to introduce a validation act after this session-, because he thought the bill ib was intended to introduce would have the effect of keeping r)'rovincial legislatures within their proper bounds. To show that it was possible to keep provincial legislation within its proper bounds the Ordinances sent up from the Provincial Council of Wellington had been found to be entirely free from those legal difficulties which seemed to be such prominent features in the legislation of other provinces. NELSON CROWN LANDS LEASING ACT. Mr Curtis moved the second reading of the Crown Lands (Nelson) Leasing Act Amendment Bill. In explanation of its objects, he stated that it was to facilitate the obtaining of leasehold arid freehold land by persons of the poorer class. The bill was such a one as it would be very desirable should be in existence in the coming stage of the history of the colony. Mr Shephard spoke at some length in favour of the bill, and was followed on the same side by Mr Ficzherbert aud Sir David Monro. The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. NELSON LOAN BILL. Iti committee Mr Curtis moved; " That in the opinion of this committee it is desirable that provision should be made to enable the Superintendent of the Province of Nelson to raise a loan not exceeding £30,000.'"' The hod member explained that the City of Nelson had not reached Sdch importance as to sustain the weight of a mayor and corporation, dhd the Board of Works which had been found sufficient to perform all the necessary work of .the city-, had no power to borrow snch an amount. Mr Gisborne said the Government had no opposition to offer to the bill, but it must be distinctly understood that the amount borrowed should be in no way chargeable to the colonial or provincial revenue. Mr Macandfew, Mr Fitzherbert; Mr Reeves, Mr Reynolds, Mr Thompson, and Mr Shephard spoke in favour of the bill. The resolution was pdt and carried. On the House resuming, the chairman reported the resolution, and the bill was ordered to be taken into consideration next day. THE EDUCATION BILL. Mr Fox, on the motion for leave td introduce a bill to make better provision for the further education Of the people, said that he would prefer that the introduction of the bill should be postponed, and in answer to a question stated that he would probably give notice of its introduction about the end of the week.

THE PROFFERED COALITION; (" Nelson Examiner," August 20.) It is no secret in Wellington that a seat in the existing Cabiuet has been offered to Mr Stafford, and refused by him. Whether Mr Stafford's refusal has been dictated by a consciousness of his own strength and Ministerial weakness, or by his unwillingness to accept the responsibility of his wouldbe colleagues' actions, or by the determination to construct a party iri opposition with sufficient cohesion and discipline to attempt the rescue of the country when it awakes to a sense of its position, we have no means of knowing. Whatever be the case, we rejoice that Mr Stafford has had sufficient firmness to refuse his countenance to the present Ministry and their doings. No doubt, within the Cabinet Mr Stafford's presence would be salutarily felt as a check upon that reckless speculation, and reckless expenditure, which however, though he might check it, he could not arrest. But when lenders begin to be chary of fresh loans and clamorous for interest, when the day of reckoning has arrived, if Mr Stafford were idem ified with a spendthrift administration, no politician could be found in the present Housd of sufficient eminence and experience to rally round him a party to enforce the rigid economy and stern retrenchment which, necessary as they are now, will be trebly necessary if the existing Administration lasts ever thd present session, Besides there is a loss, as France has proved by her tail, months' agony, worse than the loss of material wealth, of credit, even of armies—the loss of confidence in all leading men. Were Mr Stafford to take office' with the present Ministry, however good his motives might be* many would set it down to mere love of power, and more to a low greediness for the loaves and fishes of office. It is well that the public should know where to look for a man superior to those allurements. For to extricate the colony from the slough of despond into which its present leaders are reck= lessly plunging it, a statesman will be required in whom the country can repose the fullest confidence. By en ; tering the Cabinet, Mr Stafford might indeed delay the downward plunge; Standing without it, standing on firm ground, he may possibly be able to reach out a helping hand, and favoured perhaps by circumstances, and backed j by public confidence, help to raise the j state from the miry abyss into which it is being recklessly or selfishly drag- g ged by over-sanguine or self-seeking 1 politicians] |