PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2805, 5 July 1890, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (BY TELEOKArH —PRKSS ASSOCIATION.) FRIDAY. Thk Council met at 2.30. The following bills were road a first time:—Coroners' Enquiry Bill, Thames Harbour Board Act, 1800; and Dentists Act Amendment Bill. Tho Mercantile Agents Bill was committed and reported without amendments.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FRIDAY. The House met at 2.:!0. Several now bills were introduced and read a first time. Tlio Supreme ("Joint Act Amendment lull, which provides for the appointment of additional judges, was introduced by message from the Governor. Mr Keddon moved that a reply be forwarded to His Excellency, informing him that the circumstances of tho colony and administration of justice did not warrant the colony going to tho expense of appointing a sixth judge, bespoke strongly against the Edwards appointment. Mr Russell suggested the amendment should be withdrawn and that the Bill should be allowed to bo brought in, when a full discussion could be taken on the second reading in the usual way. Mr Ballance thought tho Government should agree to have this question adjourned, as its discussion, even at this stage, would take up considerable time. The Government had taken a most extraordinary and unprecedented step in appointing this judge to preside over the Native Land Court, and the Opposition could not agree to tho appointment of an extra judge ; it was wholly unnecessary in tho present condition of the colony, and he warned the Government that if the discussion was not adjourned tlio Opposition would be compelled to opposo it at every stage. Mr Hislnp assorted that the Edwards' appointment was ptrfectly legal, and he challenged any lion, member to prove to the contrary. Mr Ballance said the Bill made a provision for Mr Edwards' salary and how, therefore, could it be legal. He urged the Government to agree-to report progress at the present stage. Messrs Fitchett and Fish supported the motion for postponement, and the latter moved that progress be reported. Mr Hislop said every member of the legal profession in this part of the country knew that the appointment of an extra jodge was necessary, and that the Government was losing money by work going on as it had been. Mr Mitchelson agreed to report progress and hoped when the Bill came before tlieni again it would bo discussed in a reasonable manner and not in a party spirit. Mr Samuel trusted that on the appearance of the Bill before the House a Minister would explain the whole circumstances, that led to the appointment. Sir G. Grey said this was the first time an effort had been made to place a judge upon the bench for whom no salary had been provided. There should bo no adjournment, and the matter should decided at once. A crime had been committed against the whole British race, and he for ono would resent that crime being committed by consent of the House, Mr Scobie McKcnzie believed the Edward's appointment was wrong. However, he advised Mr Ballance not to adopt too high a moral tone in regard to tho administration of justice and reminded that gentleman that he had at one time made a proposal in this direction, so radically vicious, that nothing had been heard like it since the time of the Stuarts, that was, that every decision of a Supremo Court judge should be subject to the revision of a Parliamentary Committee.

Mr Ballancc denied this and Mr McKenzie then quoted from a speech made by Mr liallance at Wanganui in March, ISS7, and added that when Mr Rdlance mado the proposal there was such a howl throughotic the colony that he at once dropped it, lie (Mr MclO.nzie) held that the proper time for discussion of a bill was on its second reading, and if it could then be shown ill it ill's appointment was wrong, good would come of it, hut as it was already made, it should bo validated. Mr Dallanee replied that the remarks quoted by the member for Mount Ida were not a cerect or full report of his speech. Mr Rce.es (St. Albans) deprecated the p.iitisan attack which had been made on Mr I'.allance by the member for Mount Ida. The < Ipposition did not desire to oiler any obstruction, but thej were determined to have a full discussion on this question. Mr Kussell, in reply to Mr l''isher, <iisclaimod having sprung any surprisu on the House in the introduction of the bill, as in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred there was no debate whatever on the first reading of a measure. As to Mr Kd wards appointment, the (iuvurniiicut were of the opinion that lie was absolutely a judge, and when the second reading came on they would be quite prepared to prove that he was legally ami constitutionally appointed. The debate was terminated by the ~i.:}[) p.m. adjournment. Too House resumed at 7-30. .Sir George Giey resumed tho debate on the introduction of the Supreme Court Act Amendment Mill. He believed the whole transaction was a wrong one and thought Mr Kdwards should retire from the Kench. Mr Uruce said it appeared to him the appointment was a perfectly just and defensible one, and he could not understand what political move the Government could have had in making it. Mr Kisher wanted to know why if the appointment was.legal, a Hill had been introduced at all. Mr lkyce deplored the fact thMf 'lie member of the Opposition displayed sjici a hostile attitude when speaking on this appointment. The Government had not made any explanation as to the circumstances of tho case, but the reason of that was solely because it was unusual to debate a Jlill on its first reading.

Mr Seddon characterised the whole thing as a job, and he hoped members behind the Government would not sanction it. Me would like to know out of what fund Mr Edwards' salary was being paid at present. Mr Peacock thought this discussion was at present irregular, and entirely unnecessary. Mr Fitchett reminded the members that during the discussion on tho Financial Statement, the Government were repeatedly charged with having made this appointment, and made no reply to it. He considered this appointment was a greater blow to the iuiiependence of the bonch than anything that had yet happened. Mr Bdlance said the position he had taken up was that the fullest information should be supplied to members on this question. Mr Bryce admitted there was a peculiarity in the present case, he knew nothing of tho intentions of the Government with respect to that. It seemed to him reasonable that, as an impeachment had been made against the Government, they had taken tho first opportunity of bringing forward a Hill in order that they might bo able to more fully to meet the charges made against them. Tho motion for reporting progress \vas= then put and carried. Mr Hislop moved that allegations having been made that dummyism has taken place in,regard to tho selection of land in the Canterbury district, that it be an instruction to the Waste Lands Committee to inquire into and report whether such dummyism exists, and what remedy should be taken to prevent it. Mr McKenzie, of Waihemo, moved that other places bo inserted in the motion as well as Canterbury. The motion with this addition was agreed to. Mr Verrall resumed the dobato on the Financial Statement, speaking against the Government policy. Mr Beotham thought the Premier deserved great credit for his Financial Statement, although he was sorry to say he could not agrco with the whole of it. The Statement, however, showed a thorough grasp of our position, and ho thought it would have great weight in tho home country, and bo very eagerly road. He failed to know why tho House should not perform good work and why il should be regarded as moribund. (Left sitting.)