HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5501, 19 October 1901, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WSLUNGION, Oot 17

The House met at 2 30 p m The following Bills were introduced by Governor's Message, and were read a first time:—The Military Pensions Act Amendment Bill, the Local Bodies Goldfields Public Works and Loan Bill, the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill, and the State Coal Mines Bill

The Payment of Members Bill was alio introduced by Governor's Message A division was called for on bhe motion that the Message be referred to the Com' mittee of the Whole

The motion was carried by 33 votes to 25 votes* The following is tbe division list:—= Ayes (33)— Arnold, Barolay, Bollard, Camcross, Carroll, Colvin, Duncan, Field, Fisher, Flatman, Fraser L D, Gifedder, Hall-Jones, Hogg, Hordsby, Houston, Hainan, l^awry, Laurenson, McGowan, McKeczie R s MeLaohlan, McNab, Miller, Mills, Napier, Palmer, Parata, Seddon, Steward, Tanner, Ward

Noes (25)—Allen J, Atkinson, Beonet, Buddo, Co'lins, Fowlds, Fraser W, Graham, Hardy, Harries, Hubcheßeo J, Lang, Lethbridge, Massey, Mackenzie I', Meredith, Mock. O'Meare, Pirani, Rhodes, Russell G W, Russell W R, Thorns m R, Thomson J W. Willis

I. Committee of the Whole on the several Bills, Mr James Allen asked the Premier whether the amendment to the Military Pensions Aot would make provision for the men who had been incapacitated ia the South African campaign, although their it juries had not been actually received in action

Tne Premier said that the present Act was nob confined solely to men who had been wounded io battle: It would cover the case mentioned by Mr Alien, Mr Pirani and Mr Allen interjected that the Premier was mistaken on that point. The Premier replied that he would look into the poinf. He was oerUinly under tbe impression that the law at present wonld enable pensions to be granted to men who had been incapacitated in South Africa, although not actually in fighting. In reply to Mr Thomas Mackenzie, the Premier said it was nob the intention of the Government to render any assistance to New Zsalandtra who were nob members of tbe various Contingents Ia regard to the State Coil Mine Bill, ths Premier said thab tbe report of the officials on the besb site for a State coal mine would be circulated among members On the motion in Committee o the Whole for leave to bring in the Payment pf Members Bin, another division was pallet? fpr, tha motion betDg carried by 33 votes to 24

The Bill was read a first time on tha voices

The Acting Speaker read a communication f:om the Controller and Auditor General The Premier moved that the correspondence be referred to the Public Accounts Committee

After a shot b discussion, the motion wal agreed to ou the voices The Local Bills Committee recommended that the Waimate H.spital Dietriob Bill be nob alio wad to proceed, as the Standing Orders had nt been ctmplied with

Ab 4 p.m, Sir Joseph Ward moved that tha House go into Committee of the Whole to consider the mail resolutions, and an animated discussion followed until the ad' journmenti

Wellington, October 18

The House met ab 2.30 pm.

Mr A L D Fraser asked the Postmaster General whether his attention has. been called to a Press cable from Melbourne, whioh had appeared in that morning's papers, giving extracts from an article in the Melbourne Age on the attitude of' New »aland in regard to the Au.tralisln-New Zealand seobion of the Pacific OabjSJ ' " Xi In rep'y, Sir «J G Ward"etste_* that the article generally was incorrect, He pointed out (1} Thab the Queensland telegraphs new > were Commonwealth telegraphs, and were nob controlled by the Queensland Government ; (2) That there was no necessity for New Zealand to have another cable from Sydney to Auckland. The Pacific cable sections of the New Zealand.Norfolk Island, and the Norfolk Island-Queensland gave an alternative rente, and a more efficient cable circuit between New Zealand and Australia even than the one from New Zealand to Sydney, the length of the cable sections being shorter and capable of doing more work; (3) The New Zealand Government would have no control ever tbe Pacific cable except through Its representative on the Board; (4) Generally ib was absurd to suggest thab cable business from any part of Australia for the Pacific cable should everi pass over a cab'e to New Zealand. Even If there were half a drz.n cables available, such a route would only be taken in tbe event of the Queensland.Norfblk Island one being interrupted or overloaded ; (§) The pars' graph about New gsaland at her own expense, providing tha stpff for the Pacific cable aud the landing place in New Zealand, was equally absurd and incorrect. ' Mr Hatcheson asked Bii J G Ward when he expected the Pacific cable would be in working order; Sir J G Ward said be hoped within twelve months from date. The Land Tax and Income Tax Bill, and the Government Railways Department! Classification Amendmenb Bdl were brought down by Governor's Message, and read a firsb timo. •,; In reply tfl a question, Sir Q Ward »a$ the Government Railways SjitpbrAnnqatloft Bill would he circulated this session, and sent to bhe various railway staffa for oon. sideration. j The Waimate Hospital District Bill, No. 2 (Majar Steward), was introduced and read a firsb time: ... Mr Seddon informed the House that if the Payment of Members Bill passes, ib would cornea into operation ab e^ce, ■ ! Qa tl^e potion of Mr Sedqon, the Sgeakfe was directed to isiqe his warrant to fjfg Clerk of Writs to make oi|t a new writ fof the election of a member of the House foe Patea. , Leave of absence for a week was granted to Mr Hanan on accoun. of ill health, and for a similar term bo Mr Stevens on account of urgent private business. The amendments made by the Legislative Council io the Money H|rstff agree J toi '< '.*."> The delate on the _iail proposals wef resumed by Mr Wilford, and was continued until the 5 30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7 30 p m Mr McLachlan said he would vote for the discontinuance of a service that was totally alien to us, If these boats only asked Si a year he would not give J>

Sir Joseph Ward Impressed on the House the necessity for this colony taking united aotioii with the Commonwealth and the Imperial Governmenb in order to seoure an ess. end ment of the American shipping laws; Mr Seddon said the trouble in connection with the present service had been the cutting out of the Union boats. The colony could not improve on the San Francisco service. Mr Millar moved that the specified term of the San Francisco contract (three years) be etruok out. (This was put and carried without discusaion by 36 votes bo 28. Mr Millar then moved that the term be one year, Sir Joseph Ward strongly opposed this proposal. He said ib would bo almost im* possible bo enter into a contract for one year. He suggested two year?. Captain Russell urged thab ab leasb a two years' contract be granted. Mr Millar's motion to make the contract for one year was carried by 33 votes to 30, Sir Joseph Ward then moved to extend the term bo eighteen months, Mr Seddon said there were good reasons why: this extension should be made, and he asked the House to assent to iti

A division oo Sir Joseph Ward's motion resulted in a tie—ayes 32, noes 32. Major Steward gave his casting vote for the ayes, and declared Sir Joseph Ward's motion carried.

The term of contraot is therefore fixed ab one and a half years. Mr Joseph Ward moved an addition to the paragraph specifying the rates to provide tbat the minimum amount payable be £15,000 and a maximum £20,000. This was carried by 38 votes to 26, and the whole of the resolutions regarding tho San Francisco service passed without further amendment.

The Federal mail service resolutions were igreed to oa the voiofis, with' a verbal amendment,

. The whole resolution passed ab 12 45 am, and were reported to the House ac amended. Ihe following is the division list on Mr Millar's amendment to strike out a portion of the paragraph authorising the Government to enter into » contract for the renewal of the San Francisco service:—For motion (28)—AHeD, E G, Arnold, Atkinßon, Barclay, Buddo, Collins, Colvin, Ell, F.aher, Flatm»n, Fraeer, A L D, Gilfedder, Graham Hornsby, Hutcheson, J. Laurenson, MackeDz'e, T, McKenzie, F, McLacblan, McNab Meredith, Miller, Parata, Rhodes, Russell, GW, Smith, GJ, Tanner, Wilford. Against motion (35)—Bennett, Bollard, Camcrosa, Carroll. Dueein, Field, Fowlds, Fraser, W, Hall. H»ll«Jones. Hardy, Heke, Hjrries, Hogg, Houston, K'iihu, Lang, L&wry, Mills. Lethbridge, Masgey, MoGowan, McGuire, Monk, Napier, Palmer, Pirani, Russell, W R, Seddon, Thompson, R, Thomson, J W, Ward, Witheford.