HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2190, 22 July 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY. Tim TTouho mot at 2.150 p.m. Replying to questions, it was stated that long service medals for volunteer* would bo shortly presented ; that Government could not introduce legislation for application of ihe unii-ed «in plus of the Kaitangata R"lipf Fund to lehcviug the sufFereis by tbu \olc.mic eiuption ;•,.-. it w.va not i ij?ht ' that Parliament .should interfere with money s inscribed b}' charitable persons ; that ii T ansard should not be sent beyond New Zealand like newspapers, ns every copy would result in loss to the (jointly of thres pence ; that no bill would be brought in this session for the abolition of grand juries. Some discussion ensued on the question of granting pei mission for the purpose of holding a conversazione in the Parliament Buildings on Saturday week for the organisation of a fund for the relief of the sufferers by the volcanic eruption*. Several members objected to the Parliament Buildings being used for that purpose. The Speaker eventually put the motion for permission to grant the use of the building, which was carried on the voices. Mr McArthur resumed the debate on the public works policy. He criticised the Statement in detail, and referring to the North Island Trunk Line said it would take ten or eleven years to complete it at the present rate of progress. Regarding the much discussed question of liabilities, it was nor creditable to any Government that pretended to have a master of finance in the Cabinet that Ministers were at variance as to the actual amount of money available. He contended that such lines as the Napier-Pal merston ought to be pushed on at once to completion to make them pay properly. It seemed as if everything that could not be got rid of another Avay was to be thrown on the North Island Trunk Line. Mr Mentieth thought that though the Government policy did not carry out theii viows as originally expi eased, still it met the wishes ot the great mass of the people. Borrowing should be continued because the ;;reat mass of the electors felt the benefit of that course. The proposals this year were in the direction economy, but we should ha\e to go through a great deal of financial trouble before the Government recognised tho necessity of their local government scheme. Mr J. W. Thomson contended that the Government policy was more acceptable than it would ha\e been, sitnplv because during the rec jt-sj t-s the country had been frightened of the magnitude of the proposals they were led to expect. Ministers had been going about the country preaching all xoits of doctrines, including protection. He proceeded to review the pre-se.ssional speeches of members of the Government, and was still speaking at the adjournment. (Left Sitting.)