HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2391, 5 November 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY. questions. lf.Kri-.YiVf: to questions it was stated that the question of introducing a Bill for settling old soldies and volunteer’s land claims was under consideration ; that t‘44,000 had been spent on the road from Nelson to Westport and Greymontli during the last seven years, and in the present circumstances of the country it was impossible that such enormous sums of money could continue to be spent; tdiat the question of leqisl ation for allowing mining on privateJ properties would be considered during the recess; that the police would receive instructions to put down rowdyism during election time. nA i i.wav KM I’I.OVBKS.

Hon. Mr Mitclielson explained that he had not stated a few days ago, as reported, that railway employees would be compensated in case of sickness, what he said was exactly the opposite. SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of Supply, when an Imprest Supply Ml for £350.000 to £175,000 Consolidated Fund, and £75,000 Public Works Fand was carried through all stages. The House rose at 5.5 p.m. JIIDLAKI) RAILWAYS.

The House resumed at 7.39 p.m. The Premier moved his resolution re the Midland Railway Company’s contract, pre mising his speech by briefly detailing the history of the railway.

Sir .Tulius Vogel also entered into the history of the undertaking, dwelling at some length upon the difficulty which had cropped up, and of preventing the mining industry from being interfered with. He considered the 750,000 acres, which it was proposed to set apart, would be available for the purpose. Mr Stewart said it was apparent the company was likely to fare very well through the outbidding of parties over the railway. Mr K. Richardson denied that there was anything to justify the assertion that parties were outbidding one another for political support of this railway. He con gratnlated Government on their efforts to bring the matter to a satisfactory c inclusion.

Mr Hutchinson said that there should be mutuality. Mr Menteath said these new proposals showed the company was too weak for the task it had undertaken. Mr Percival said they were not asked to guarantee money, but only to make up value in land, and even that was limited in area. Mr Taylor said it was within his knowledge that one block of fifty thousand acres along the railway line had been applied for at £2 an acre. Mi Guinness said the alternative blocks were of vital consequences to the settlement of tne West Coast. Sir G. Grey trusted the House would pause before committing itself to this new departure. He viewed with alarm the tendency to alienate huge areas of land. Mr Hodgkinsoii supported the proposal to refer the contract to a Select Committee. Mr Fulton had grave doubts whether this would lie the last, concession asked for by the Comp my. He moved that a committee he appo'ireii by tlief tove-iiiinent to consider the qne-tioii, and bring down their report at as early a date as possible. Mr Turnbull saw little use in relegating the matter to a committee. Mr Blake believed that very few members knew what they were talking about. Mr Valentine said the effect of the alterations would be to shut up ail the land in the railway district for a definite time.

Mr Seddon condemns! the proposal ti appoint a committee.

Major Atkinson, seeing there was no chance of finishing that night, thought it better to adjourn. If the (Jovernment on consideration approved of the appointment of the committee, they would be prepared to accept it. The motion was agreed to, and the House rose at 11.30 p.tn.