PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2893, 29 January 1891, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, (BY TBMiGRAI'II.— PIU.S* ASSOCIATION). TUKSDAV. Thk Council met at half-past two. There was a fair mi rubor of spectators present, including Lady Onflow Ihe Governor was attended by Im u-w A.I >.(.■., Captain Gntliri, and the local Consuls. VICE-HWJAIj SI'KKOII. His Kxcelluncy read the following speech : — IiONOUAISLK. GknTI.KMKS CI , rill-: Li:i:l-i----r.AiivK Council ami i ; knti.k.m ks ok thk lIOI.'SK OK IiEI'KKSKSTATIVKSj — t rt .gr.-t that I have I.een ohliLV.l to cil fur your attendance at an unusual, and probably to most of you an inconvenient, <r.ason. The general rloction having taken placa, inr lato advisors riomiiod it nrcfisviry that, having rogaid to the uncertainty of the strength of parties, Parliament should he called together at tho earliest possible opportunity, but prior to tho opening >f Lailiainent they tendered their resignation and a new administration has been formed.

GkSTLKMKN OK THE HOUSE OK IvKI'KKSKNTA TIVES,—

As you aro aware, Intimates wero p:is-rd during last session of Parliament providing for '.he expenditure of tho lourrent financial year and my advisers propose to make exhaustive enquiry into the financial condition of the colony, in order to submit proposals which they believe will be satisfactory, framed with duo regard to economy, and with such reduction of expenditure as tho position of the country demands, without impairing the efficiency of tho public service.

Honokable Gknti.kmkn (iv thk Jjkowlativk Council, and Gknti.kmk.n of THK HOi;SB OP fIKI'RESKSTATIVKS,—

My advisers propose that a measure, dealing with the administration (if the public hinds of tho colcmy, .shall, after careful consideration, lie subinitted to you in order t.i remedy the defects proved to exist in the present state of the law. They also believe that a Department of Agriculture can be made productive of great practical utility _ without entailing any unnecessary additional departmental expenditure. They also propose to submit to you measures which they trust will improve tho relations of labour to capital, and promote the cause of industrial progress. My advisers consider that earnest attention should be sriven to the development of the vast mineral resources of tho colony, and believe that much can be done to further the mining interests at a moderate cost. J. propose that after a suitable recess- you should proceed to the consideration of these and other important measures far the public benefit, which will be submitted to you, and I assure yor oiiny earnest desire to cooperate with yon, in your efforts to promote the welfare and prosperity of the colony, and I pray that your labour may, by the blessing of God, conduce to the well-being and happiness of the people. After the reading of the speech Mr Lowen was sworn in. Mr Buckley having announced the, formation of the New Ministry, the Council adjourned at three p.m.

WEDNESDAY. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Hon. H. Phiirnzyn cava unticc to move that the Government be. asked to put a sum of £10,000 on the Estimates to provide a brick building for the Parliamentary library. , , A motion by the Hon. P. A. Buckley that the Hon. W. Uaillio be appointed chairman »i committees was carried unanimously. , , Hon. M. S. Grace in a short speech moved the Address-m-lleply- Hu congratulated Sir H. Atkinson on his election to the Speakership and said the policy disclosed in the speech was admirable. Hon. T. Eraser seconded the motion Hon. H. Scotland deprecated a moribund Government making additions to tha Council. Hons. Sheppard and T'harazyn defended the appointments which were necessary to enable thn Council to carry out the work committed to them. Motion was agreed to on the voices and the Council adjourned at 3.20 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUESDAY. The Houso met at two p.m. The Speaker reported that he had waited on His Excellency and claimed the usual privileges on behalf of the House. He repeated his grateful acknowledgments of the honour the House had done him by placing him in the chair. Messrs Mackenzie and Auckland were sworn in. After attending the other Chamber to hear the Governor's speech, Mr liallance announced the formation of the new Ministry, and read the list. He mentioned that Mr Ward would have charge of the Postal and Telegraph Department, and that the vacant portfolio would be filled in a day or

The Speaker was directed to issue n writ for tliß Egmont seat, vacated by bir H. Atkinson. . , Great amusement was caused in the House by Mr Fergus giving notice to ask the (Government what steps they intended to take to carry on the construction of the Otago Central Railway? Mr iiees gave notice of an address ot sympathy with Sir George Grey on his enforced retirement from public life. Mr Ba'lance gave notice to move next sitting day that Mr \V. C. Smith bo appointed Chairman of Committees.

Mr Fish gave notice of motion traversing the Governor's action in the recent appointments to the Legislative Council. The Speaker said he would have to look into the matter before he could allow such a notice to appear on the Order 1 aper. His present opirion was that the motion could not be put. Mr Palmer gave notice to move the Address-in Reply to-morrow. Mrßryce asked what was the meaning of "a suitable recess" used in the Governor's Speech. . Mr Ballance said lie would explain loThe House rose at half-past three till toWKDNKSD.YY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. air Buckland gave notice of motion that the ballot bo substituted instead of division of the H-mse. The Speaker ruled that Mr lushs motion censuring the Governor, of which notice was given yesterday, out or order on the ground that the Governor was re.ponsible for his acts to the Soverign alone, and not to the colony. If objections were taken to his proceedings appeal could always be made to the Crown through the Secretary of State. . Mr Kolleston asked the Premier what the course of business was to be and when they contemplated tho prorogation or adjournment of the House would be.

The Premier said he hoped to finish by the end of next week, but it would largely depend on *he members themselves. Hie Government did not intend to iiitrodnej any extraordinary legislation. The House would probably meet again some time in May, and the Government believed it would be more convenient to have a prorogation than a long adjournment. In reply to Mr Mc\rthur, Hon. J. bullancesaid that the honorarium was provided for by Act. and members would get half the honorarium for the second session. He wont on to say that the present duvernment were not responsible for this session, in fact they had provided against it by a specified agreement, that the Ministry should resign if defeated at the elections without calling the House together, and it was not his fault that this had not been done. . , . , In answer to questions, it was staled that arrangements would be made to have a New Zealand representative at the I'ederal Convention ; that the Government would give due consideration to the propriety of calling another native member to the Upper If nnee; that His Excellency had been advised to postpone the Auckland Hospital enquiry ni order to Rive time to enquire into the composition of the Commission, but the coiinr-ol had not interfered with the Government; but in the opinion of the Government, iicithur Dr. Hassoll nor Dr. Giles seemed altogether the proper persons, from their position and personal relations with the accused, to deal with the enquiry, and they desired to have time to look fully into the matter; that no funds had been provided under the last l.mn f<>r completing the northern line from KkcUhuna to Woodville, but the Government consider the question a matter of policy and would give it their attention ; that the question of diverting funds from the Te Arolia and IVurose railways to finish the Kotorua line would receive attention ; that every effort would be uiad'i by the Government to effect a reconciliation

ii.-twcrti thu Lite employee:, and It.idway I' iiiis>ionors that each iipphiM'-ioii I'j i'i creased pay and piom.itioJi ulioulil I"' ,1 "'" ..villi on i'-i merits and th" 'i"v. n -nt would d. in \:e*l to promote li ...".ny l>-twer-il tin- employees and i:.'- ' ' sion»r»;and tlmt the ( Lira n:.e.|it w ■■.■■! cnileavoiir t. have thu tpriMin.il i"in' in X..w Zeiland i.f the prop.- d <' >■■ < iM " racincdilf. Mr I!. T. Thompson moi-.-l i..r <■ ■)•■< ■ ■ the letter adiire--! l.y !o.- I'' l ' I'-'".' ' : '' Mr Ma.i- on I)• c-i.,i.--; !■)::.. I! ■ ■■■'"■■'•■ t'ri-.:d Ihe. -t iteineiiK thei.an a- ~..md-i. •■- iiuieiid..,-. and :. —( 1.--.1 t li.it I." had I ■.villi. .Hi. avail to i;et tie: l.ile I' , " 1 Hl'ie "' '■' h, l ld:ini ; iir|uirVliit.ihi-ir:,ir.- ■ .i,/am '. : !■•■ 1;,t,, l'roperl,y-t.-. C..mn::--i ■■-'■ orl >' ■■■ ■ I h-n-" , l i.,v,:d'wh..i. he ..!!••:;■ !. I!- ■-■■■>■ :■■ ■ , !,„, t -ml.- Sir 11. A'].::.,, l- e ,; : .liict ii« cowardly and inn,, inly, ln.t w■Checked l.y t he Speaker. Mi- i;,,. ...it ..ill an Mtar.l; made . n .n ~1,-wit 1,,,., u |.| .-eoil ..n :'.!:e., !•■: l!r ~0,i,.,,d,,1M, Tli.iuipson"s l-..-tuivi..'ii- UviUini; him uuh avoiding the opportunity which the late Mr Speny's relation" were ready t.i (,'iv,: him in a Oonrt of law of trying to prove his accusation, and h<! spoke in terms ~f

MrSperry'spro'oity and honour The l'mnier said th- letter had not yet been found in the ottici.il records.

The motion wns hkit.bl to. A was app.jintcd to •Hγ quire into and report in thru.; weeks, on tho present position of the New Plymouth Harbour Hoard. . Mr Roes niuverj that this lions" d.-sirns tn place mi record its deep icirr.!- at the .iifmced irttiiement, from public hi"_ ot .Sir Ciiorpe (!rey, and to f/mvey to Inn. an assurance, of its hitfh appivaal ion of that lone industrious and hriiohci»nt career, which has been duvnted to the !,. .-t

intcVnsts of New Zealand iiml «t\wi portion. ~f Lhr, iMupiia. Iμ a bri-f hut stirnni? spnccli Mr Kecis paid liipli tuoute to the ahilili.'s and career of Sir Ceor».:. The l'l-.-inii-r fi-ipporti-d thn motion, lie was an old colleii|,'Us ..f Sir (ieonre Krev s and he c.nicnrrnd in the edinir ition of ln> character. Though simietiiiiiw it w,.s m-ei-.-i-

s.try to (litter fr.un liiiu it w:is thiit his in iUvos w«rc alwuys pure, lie mentioned that, in a slinrt time the niiiU'rupliy "f Sir C!o(.r(,'i: would apiiom from the pen of Mr Kaoa. Mr Rollestim sni'l thu cennral verdict ■ibout Sir G. (irey, whatever iiiifnrenci« of opinion people inight li:ivu had with linn, was that Ileal ways had at heart the (,'it:at,<;.sl good of the greatest number. lie. wns a man of culture, who hud madu his naiiici in many ways, and hu (Mr Kollnston) deMrnd on an occasion like this to add his testimony to

the Renial respect felt for :i man hkis Sir G. (iroy, who was rnliritiß from public life. Messrs Seddon, Seobie MeKenzio, W. Hutchison, E. St. Smith, .1. W. Thompson, Sauuders, Shera, C. Mills, Pinkerton and Bnick also spnlto brieny in testimony of their appreciation of Sir (J. Croy. The motion was carried by acclamation, and the Speaker was directed to have too resolution engrossed and forwarded to .Sir The I'reinier moved that Mr W. C. Smith be appointed Chairman of Committee. Mr Jackson Valmor, as an independent irember, moved that the position be not lilled up till next session. The anioiidnißiit wiislost by !« to At this hour, tlie 0.00 adjournment arrived and interrupted the business. The House at 7.30 p.m. Jackson l'almnr moved the Address- , in Reply, and .said that if the Government developed the policy in accordance with the Governor's npoeeh, they would obtain the support of many members like himself, who wore independent. ltafamiiß to retrenchment, he said a Iloyal Commission should be appointed to impiiio into the Civil Service thi-niißhout the colony. The Government, in dealing with the 1 mil laws,

should see that Native Lands wen; taxed, and that those lands bo opened up. Jlc favoured the repeu! of the L'ropcrty Tax, uiiil if the Government could prevent a conflict between labour and capital, they would desire well of the colony. Mr Pinkerton, in seconding tho motion, justified the recess asked for by the G.n-ern-ment, to enunciate their policy. ]Io Imped the Government, in dealing with the land laws would consider the small farmer.--, as tho moans of overcoming ll» a unemployed dillieiilty, and every encouragement should be given to tho farming interests. The Property-tax, he thought, fell heavily on small farmers, and he would favour its repeal, lie. commended the Government for establishing an Agricultural .Department, and attributed the late labour struggle to the purchase of cheap labour, and this would have to be remedied before the dilficnlty was solved. The Government would have his hearty support in devising a scheme of settlement between labour and capital. Mr Newman commended the Governor on tha briefness of his speech and said it would be bettor if he brought down no speed), as it only led to unnecessary wiuugling. He drew the attention of the Government to tho monopoly of the coal mines to the increased price of that article. Ho thought Sir 11. Atkinson would have been wise to have resigned after the election and allowed the Governor lo call Mr V> illaiKio. lie thought the Government should give soin'3 indication of their native land policy, and their policy of opening up tho country. He spoke as a lnumlier of the Opposition, and hoped when Mr ballance left oilice there would not be a large deficit, and he hoped tho Premier would not introduce a system of taxation that would lead to a deficiency. Mr Smith said he would support the lirepent Government, aa he believed they would support measures ho would bring forward for tho encouragement of tho mining indiistries. Hon. Mr Ballance congratulated the inwerand seconder, and said the Government would give attention to the proposal for a Royal Commission to enquire into the civil snrvice, and also to the suggestions respecting small holdmps. As to tho L'ro-perty-tax, the Government pledged its repeal, but could not go into that question fully at present, but he hoped that when the Financial Statement is brought down it would be found that the Government had not neglected that great question. He claimed that tho Government were entitled to tho recess asked, and so tho elbrts of the Government would bo to give effect to election promises. Mr Scobio McKenzie attacked the speech, and said there was little to expect from tho present Premier, as on former occasions whan leaving ollica there had been a defecit. Referring to the lime asked for by the Government, he pointed out that in ISS", when the finances were in a deplorably bad state, Sir H. Atkinson only asked for a fortnight, and that was objected t.i by those who now asked for four months. He saw no reason for the delay. He thiught it was the duty of the Government to introduco a Bill to validate Judge Edwards appointment, and thought the Government should have had a policy ready after the attacks that had been made on khe l.ite Government, and it was no reason to delay the graduated land tax for four months when it was to the absence of this that the Government attributed the exodus from the colony. He asserted that the country was ag-unst tha Government, but it was the accident of the unfortunate labour struggle that had put them in ollice. Mr Hogg said MrMcKenzin's speech was full of inconsistencies, tin -J referring to the land administration, tho late Government eaid it had led to gambling transactions all over the colony. Hβ defended tho labour representatives from tho aspersions cast on them. Mr Pryee thought four months was too longft delay, and that such a claim was withont precedent. The necessity for two sessions had not been shown, and the I lovcrnmont must bn hold responsible for the expense. If, however, the Government were determined t« take four months he hoped they would not make it a prorogation, but an adjournment. Mr Reeves (Christchurch) elnracleiisod Mr Newman as an economist who wanted a largo amount of money spent in tin: North Island. Referring to Mr McKcnme he said he at times had boen a strong supporter and strong opponent of both Vogel, and Stout, and Atkinson, and hoped that next session he might be found supporting tho present Government. Ho was proud to see the position taken up by the labour party, and by their fruits would thoy be known. As to the recess asked for there was a gre.it dill'erence between now and in ISS7. There had been a shoit session at. that time, which was not the case at present. Hβ ventured to say that when tho land policy was brought dowu it would be found to meet tho requirements of the colony and put a stop to dummy ism. The Government did not intend to stand still, but if the majority wished them to remain inactive, he hoped they would pay them the complimcni/ of asking them to leave ottice. Tho reason the late Government had not called Parliament t.iKi:t!it.-r was in order that their chief inielit bo certain of his position ; that a position might bo found for the member for Halswell, aud that he might make appointments

in ll.e Legislative Council, lln sli'iiiKly .■Mirl-nii.-! tho adion "f the Vre opt m lem .iiii t ; an "lh L -er after tlie e]e;:tmiis. ■""I ne ■„!;.■.I lii.' Home Iμ trust, lli.'lii and K> v " 1,1,.i,i ill. lv...rvt:iiii! Li mal.me a P"h>:y. T.M'.v would biinz .1..-All ■. hlionil ii-licy \vl. ; "'. >v.,»i.i ii..l decniv; their -nppnrl'T*. Mi |i:iiic.ni movpil the Ktij.mrinii'-nt "I 1.1,.. .|,.|...... and ill.' II Mils.; adjourned at Iμ. i;. p.in.