HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1710, 21 June 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MlM'l I I. \M.(M i, Petitions weic pi evented fiom Catholics m Dunedin and Jnvcicaigill, puling foi modilications of tin 1 Education Act. —Mr Beetham, gave notice to move, that in the opinion of the Hou^e tlie colonus should be f.iirly lepiesented in the Imperial l\uliament — llcpl.v ing to Mi Hutchison, jSJ i Dick the Govern ment was not awnie of any necessity loi in<-tiuetii>g the public vaeunatois touching the natuie ot the I.v niph used, &c. — Tlip usual sessional committees weie appointed. vi w t*.i r i,s. The follow ing hills w t ic intiodticcd and rend a fhst time : — Local Couit.s, Tenants FiNtun's, i'nson, Bankiuptey (Mi Connolly). Cliattvls, Siutties, MOl teases Heleav' (Mr Kolduick). Fishci ies" Jtill, Impounding.' Bill (Mi Dick) ; to amend the Stamp Act, ISSI ("m G Giev) ; to pio\ide ior the payment of eoioneis" Junes, and othei wise amend the Loionei>i Act, IS(>7 (Mi Stowaid) W)1)KI -^ IN KI'IM.Y Mr Shaw mo\ed the Addiessa-in-Reply, and geneially endowed tlio views expressed in the Governors' speech. Kefeuing to the Native Ministci, he dcpiecated stiongly the attack undo upon that gentleman in Rusdi n's histoiy. He hoped an cfloit would be made to amend the bnnlwuptcy laws, and also the law relating to wile de.seition. Mr Lee seconded the motion. He urged the continuance of immigiation on the nominated system, and spo\e in favoui of n colonial exhibition in London. Mr Montgomeiy paid a high com,i!imenc to the peisonal woith ot the Goveinor, but said the speech was the mo'-t barren he had ever lieaul. It did not explain wby the House Ikul not met in Mny, though tho finaneiiil yoav was changed to nrliuit of tlun being done. Jrfc was not snipiised that no tendcis had been received for the duett niuil seivieo, uon^ideiing the condition* with which the tendci was cld»gcd. lie condemned the action of the (!o\ ci iimcnt last veai in delaying the estimates, ami eh iri/ed them with liiaKing piovision ioi f.ivouied distiicts lcpiescnUd h) suppoiteis. He instanced the Taicii and Hamilton budges, money for which was voted in diiect opposition to the •== p 1 1 it of the lioads and Budges Cotistt notion Act. He defied the (!o\t iiimeut to In ing in a hill to alter the constitution of the Council as it would cudaueei the position, and chnigcil them -\ith lev. ci ing the tone of that chamber by intioducing men who had been lejected b\ coiHtitueneies. "Wellington was too stiongly lepiesented in it. and unless ladical changes weie made it would have to be swept away altogether. No point of policy upon which the Ministiy might stand or fall Mas set foith. Mr Bathgate said the speech was disappointing. Ever since the picscnt G!ovciiinient took ollicc the pio^penty of the colony had been decreasing. Instead of going about lecturing on paupciism the Treasmer should 1 educe taxation, and thus lelieve the present depression and stagnation. He believed in the leasing system of the Minister for Lands. Sir G. Giey alluded to the opening of I£awhia, and said the owners ot the occupied by the township had beSßßi^ided. They had been driven awav^^^Rcs of tiouble, and instead of leturV^^Rillowed the land to be put up to auct^Kand the Government bid for it in a 'nV^ e name. Majov Atkinson said the transaction referred to by the previous speaker had l)cen before the House, liefeinng to the complaint about the House not meeting in May, he said the leason was the business was not ready. He challenged the Opposition to proceed with the discussion of Mr Montgomery's motion involving the question of taxation at once. Mr Montgomeiy's speech tended to lower the tone of tho House as accusing members of being bribed. The House, and not Ministers carried the votes referred to. He defended the action of the Government in this respect, and also with regdid to the composition of the council. He regretted that the Opposition was not more united, so as to do its duty more fully. The business of the session was ready, and unless obstructed by the Opposition, would be put forward at once. He challenged the Opposition to try conclusions without delay, as the Government wished to have a short session. If the Opposition obstructed, Government would call on their supporters to proceed with the real business of the country, irrespective of anything the/lion, member for Akaroa might say or do. Mr F«U and Mv J, W. Thompson

followed on the Opposition side, and on the motion of Mr Seddon, thu debate at 11.40 p.m. was adjourned.