HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2172, 10 June 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY.

< The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr Mom, Sir R. Stout said there was no power to prevent French convicts coining to the colonies in trading vessels. An Act was already in force prohibiting the importation of convicts, but that did not apply to foreigners. Mr O'Connor moved that a committee be appointed to consider and report upon what retrenchment may be made in the expenditure connected with the Legislature, the committee to consist of the Premier, Major Atkinson, Messrs Garrick, Barron, Dargaville, Levestam, Thompson, Brown, and thf mo\ er. Agreed to. Dr. Newman moved, "That in the opinion of this House no contracts for works out of the loan should be offered to the Maoris alone, but should be open alike to Europeans and Maoris. Lost by 39 to 37. Mr Wilson moved that special settlement regulations be so altered that a three months' residence during any year from the 3rd to the 6th after occupation shull be sufficient to comply with them. Mr Bruce warmly supported tho motion. Mr Ballance hoped the motion would be withdrawn.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 present. Col. Trimble entirely agreed with the motion. Capt. Russell also supported the resolution, and Mr O'Connor opposed it. Mr Kerr supported th« motion, but suggested that six months' residence be inserted instead of three. Mr Beetham aha agreed with the principle of the motion, but moved an amendment that six months' residence be inserted. Mr Wilson accepted the amendment. MrOrmond supported the amendment. He said he should like to have seen some steps taken by which these lands were disposed of to bona fide settlers. He knew of many cases which were not bona fide, and where land was taken up for settler's speculative|purposes. It was not all possible to carry out those settlements in the same manner as under the Provincial Government. He spoke with some knowledge of the subject, having been instrumental in initiating a special settlement scheme in the 70-mile bush. The reason why those settlements were so successful was because of the local knowledge brought to bear which could not possibly be the caso under a central Government. Sir H. Stout hoped that both motion and amendment would be withdrawn, as it would tend to destroy the special settlement scheme. The foundation of their land system should be to provide for the occupation of land. Mr Hursthouse did not believe in the special settlement scheme at all. He thought it was a " fad " of certain politicians. After further discussion Mr Beethams amendment was put and lost by 35 to 34. The following were appointed on Mr Ormond's motion, {a |Select Committee to jnquire into and report on the subject of investments by the Government Insurance Association in land purchases, and also to report generally on the working of the institution : — Messrs Montgomery, Gore, Mackenzie, Macandrew, Holmes, G. F. Richardson, Stewart, Levestam, Fraser, and the mover, Dr Newman resumed the interrupted debate on the question of setting apart reserves for Charitable Aid, Education, and Harbours. He moved to strike out the word " Harbours " from the motion, but leave was refused, and the motion was put and lo*t by 3G to 22. Sir G. Grey moved that the report of the Pacific Island-* Committee be considered at half-past 7 next day. Agreed to. Mr Brown moved in the direction of retrenchment, to the effect that the Government should appoint two practical experts to enquire and report as to possible saving without impairing the efficiency of the Civil Service. He explained that he did not want an all-round reduction in the number of offices. He had been informed by a high official in the Railway Department that a saving of £00,000 could be effected in that Department alone. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Friendly Societies Act Amendment and the Fish Auction Bills were read a second time. Mr Ivesß moved the second reading of the Land Association Bill, which, lie remarked, had been carefully drafted by a number of gentlemen interested in the subject. It had been hoped that the Colonial Treasurer would have taken the matter in band according to his promise at Auckland. Mr Ivess proceeded to detail the provisions of the measure at length, explaining that it was to enable land owners and others to raiso money with facility upon the security of their landed property. Sir Julius Vogel thought the House should havn more time to digest the details of the measure, and suggested its postponement. This was done, and the motion was postponed for a fortnight. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Land for Settlement Bill. He explained its features at length. Several members joined in the debate, which was proceeding when the telegraph office closed.