HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2488, 21 June 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

J WEDNESDAY. , The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Seddon complained that all tho papers connected with the removal of the members of the West-port and Ureymouth ' Harbour Hoard had not been laid on the ■ table as ordered by the Mouse. t Mr Eisner said all the papers referring to this matter had been laid on the tablo with the exception of somo confidential correspondence between the Engmeer-in-C'hief and the (iovcrnment. Mr lleevos (l.nangahua) moved the adjournment of the House, and in doing so censured the Government for their action. Mr Seddon contended that tho House I should be put in full possession of all tho ' facts connected with this matter. Mr Mitehelson justified the action of tho [ Government, and said when the proper : time arrived he should not shrink from the position he had taken up in advising the Government to remove the members of those Harbour Hoards. ' Mr Guinness spoke at some length on the question, and said Parliament should have been consulted before the members of tho Greymouth Harbour Hoard were removed from their olHees without any reason beinp, given by the Government for such removal. He hoped the Minister for Public Works would not shelter hiiiT-elf behind a report that was not allowed to seo the light_ of da\'. After further discussion, tho motion for adjournment was lost. Leave of absence for ten weeks wars granted b-i Mr Pearson on account of illness, to Sir J. Vogel for a month, and to Mr Allen for one week on urgent private business. Replying to questions it was stated that the only information in possession of the Government with respect to tho loan was (hat it had bean floated at £'.)? U>s. Tho usual charge for Iliatini/ it was 1! percent, but full information would not, be available, for some time to come. That the question of appointing Supremo Court Judges was still under consideration. That Mr McC'aihim had been temporarily appointed to travel and lecture on butter making and other dairy interests at £(> per week, exclusive of travelling expenses. That tho Government had endeavoured: to get the Chiuwa Couioreuco postnouesi

until .Mr Oliver's arrival in Sydney, but the reque.-t was refused. A lengthy discussion took place on the question', asking reasons which had induced the Government to circumscribe the boundaries of the port of the Thames. The reply was that the Government considered the extension of the limits of the Harbour Board's jurisdiction up the river was unjust to settlers, who were not benefited by it, That it was not intended to complete the Manawatu Gorge line for summer traffic this year, as the line was hung up like others till it was decided what amount ol moni-y should be spent this year, and it was intended that the expenditure on the line slmuld last over three years till 1801.

That it was not intended U extend the small grazing system of land settlement. That steps would be taken to carry into effect General Schaw s recommendation as to rifle clubs, and there were now twenty-four rifle clubs in the colony. That steps \iould be taken _ to prevent sly irrng-seliing as much as possible. That government had no immediate intention of stopping the importation of stoats and wen.-eK That the question of uniting districts from which jurors can be summoned would be considered during the recess. That justices who let their properties for immoral purposes should be deprived of tin: commission of the peace. The House rose at."..150. The I (ouse resumed at 7..'i0. The Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill was read a second time with little discussion. DKAI'lf OF Till: K.MI'KUOII. Hon. Mr Hislop, in the absence of the Premier, moved, without notice, a resolution expressive of regret at the death of the Emperor of Germany, and of condolence with the Dowager Empress Yictoria, one copy to be sent to tiic latter, and one to the Prime Minister of Germany. Ho alluded briefly to the character and ability of the dead monarch, who as soldier, statesman, and patriot, had shown his heroism and many good qualities. Mr Lance, in seconding the resolution, referred to Ihe eagerness with which the sad tale of the Emperor's last moments had been read daily, and to the anxiety of the people even in this distant part of her mother's territory, testifying to their sympathy witli the widowed Empress. "The motion was then put and carried. The House went into committee on the Land for Settlement Bill. Clause .": The Governor may purchase or takeland for settlement.

Mr Jlichardson, in answer to a question, said ho was opposed to the Hill altogether, and to test the feeling of the House, he would move that sub-section, allowing private land to be resumed by the (lovernor, lie struck out. A lengthy discussion followed. Mr Sediion thought tho Bill would have to be abandoned if the amendment was carried. I [on. Mr Hislop supported tho Bill. Mr Beeves (St. Albans) would like to see a comprehensive m.;:isnre brought down for tho resumption of all groat estates, but could not look on such a half-hearted measure with Favour. Messrs Stewart and Fitchett spoke in terms of praise of the Bill. Some of the members complained that the whole, principle of tho Bill was now being deb ited over again. Mr Peicival advised Sir Ceo. Grey to be content for the present with taking power to purchase land, and not to jeopardise the Bill by insisting on sub-section '2. providing for taking any private laud so long as compensation was granted. Mr Samuel earnestly deprecated_ unsettling tho tenure of laud by legislation such as this, and moved that the Chairman leave the chair.

Mr 8. Mackenzie also spoke against the Bill, and pointed out anomalies. A lengthy discussion went on for some time, and Sir G. Grey intimated his willingness to allow valuators to be appointed previous to resuming the- land, and also to give up sub-section "2. Mr Samuel still vigorously opposed proceeding with the measure, and was accused of wishing to stonewall the Limitation of otes Bill which was lower down on the Order Paper. This he strongly resented. [Left sitting. |