PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2506, 2 August 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telkguaph.—PßESS association.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WEDNESDAY. The Speaker took his seat at 2.30. The Joint Committee on the working of the Sheep Department reported that it had utterly failed in its functions and recommended that the culony.be divided into six sheep districts, each having a responsible inspector. The Hon. Mr Richardson moved the adjournment ot the Council in order to vindicate his character relative to certain statements contained in Mrßusden's book, and after speaking for nearly two hours the debate was adjourned until to-inorrow. The Council rose at 5 p. in. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Leave of absence for another week was granted to Mr Dodson, on account of illness, Mr Lance brought up the report of the Sheep Committee, stating that it had made a very exhaustive enquiry, and taken a largo amount of ovidenee on tl'.e scab question. He referred to it at some length, alleging that great dissatisfaction existed with respect to the management of the department, the head of which was not fit ffcr his position. He moved that the report be laid on the table. Mr MuKenzie (Waihemo) moved as an amendment that the Government be requested to give effect to the recommendations of the committee. After some discussion, the motion as amended was agreed to on the voices. Mr Kelly brought up the report of the Native Affairs Committee in the petition of Arthur Owen to the effect that the charges made against the Chief Judge and officers of the Native Land Court were not substantiated. Mr Hamlin moved that the evidence be printed, and the presentation of the report deferred till next day. Mr Kelly saw no reason for the amendment. Sir H. Atkinson and Mr Ballance thought Mr Hamlin's request a reasonable one, and the amendment was agreed to. Replying to questions, it was stated that it was proposed this year to pay local bodies subsidies out of ordinary revenue, and not out of the tea duty. That it was not advisable to terminate the forty-eight hours weekly task of linemen on the Government railways at noon on Saturday. That no unnecessary harshness was used in handcuffing the Chinese arrested in the gaming house in Wellington recently. That if the Auctioneer's Bill came before the House this session, provision would be inserted in it, requiring auctioneer's to keep a register of the brands of sheep sold by thom, and of the names of persons to whom they are sold in order to check sheep stealing. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30. The Customs Duties Consolidation Act 1882 Amendment Bill was read a first time. The Premier moved the second reading of the Crown and Nativs Lands Rating Act Repeal Bill and pointed out it had been understood that besides cutting down services such luxuries were to be lopped as could be dispensed with. The Government did not claim they would actually save the whole amount now levied under the Act, but the time had come when local bodies must bear their share of the burdens, and there was no doubt while the Act existed, it meant extra taxation upon the country generally. It had been rightly urged that some connties had got the lion's share nf money, and this was particularly the case on the West Coast. Many counties, especially the goldfield districts, had heavy charges thrown on them for maintenance of main roads, etc., and it would be necessary for the House to consider how these districts should be enabled to obtain revenue in place of that which they were going to lose. He personally would not be averse, if the Goldfields members desired it, to hand over the gold revenue to local bodies. With regard to native lands a compromise had been effected. He had concluded to withdraw the taxation proposals from the Native Land Bili and the Amendment Bill they were discussing, so as to amend that portion of the Act relating to native lands. Mr Seddon contended that no necessity bad arisen for the repeal of the measure, which had done much towards colonising the outlying districts of the colony. It was not the fault of the local bodies that the land fund had fallen off, consequently they could not be blamed if the Consolidated Revenue had to find the money. Mr Ballance thought Mr Seddon had made out very strong cases, and advised the Government to accept his proposals, or otherwise road-making and settlement would be practically stopped in certain localities. Mr O'Connor considered the Bill a mistake. Mr Hutchinson congratulated the Government on their action in reference to Native Lands. Dr. Newman said the whole colony had been over-taxed for years to pay rates to the West Coast. Messrs Kerr and Graham opposed the Bill. Mr Grimmond hoped the Bill would not be passed until some provision was made to enable bodies to carry on their functions properly. Mr Reeves (Inangahua) compared the Premier's attitude to that of a father murdering his own child. Mr Beetham said if the Government handed over the gold duty the money ought to be expended under their supervision. Mr Walker considered the repeal of the Act without any substitute would be an act of injustice. Mr Kelly supported the measure. Mr Guiness would like to see the Bill thrown out, wereituot for.the conciliatory tone of the Premier. [Left sitting.]