PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XV, Issue 3724, 19 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph,—special Reporter.]

. WELLINGTON, this day. Double-Banked Legislation.

A singular state of affairs has arisen here this session through the weakness and lack of adroitness of the Government. Bills on one subject are brought in by the Government in the Council and into the House by a private member. They meet one another in|their passage through the Legislature, and not nntrequently traverse one another. Sir W. Fitzherbert on two occasions has called the attentioa of the Council to the subject, the last time to-day, pointing out what grave Parliamentary diflioultiea would arise if the practice were persisted in. The complexity comes about this way : Hills are brought into the Lower House, and are forced through there, despite the opposition of the Government, who content themsblves with Knowing they can get them thrown out in the Council. It ia easy to see that this, sooner or later, will induce a collision between the two Houses that cannot be easily overlooked or overcome; in fact, and in theory, no Government should continue in oilice and see Bills pasi either branch of Legislature against its will, yet this nas happened several times these last two years. But the Law Practitioners Bills promise now to bring these difficulties to a climax, as Sir George Grey's Bill is 'going up and Mr Whitaker's Bill coming down. Sir George Grey's Affirmations iv Lieu of uaths Bill is up in the Council, and Mr Whitaker's Bill down in the House. When a private member at Home succeeds in passing a Bill on a public measure through the House of Commons, the Bill, when it goes to the House of Lords, has the Government imprimatur upon it, and cease virtually, though not actually, to be a private Bill. Here no such practice is observed, and Bills go from ouo House to another like fatherless children. These things could not happen with a Government possessed either of a majority in its lobby or safficient prestige and ability to lead the House. The Council grumbla about their being placed in an uncomfortable position, but it is easy to Ece who it to blame.

Prevalent 111 Health

111 health amongst the members, owing chielly ta bad ventilation, is spreading. At ten o'clock' at night there is barely half a Housa. Messrs Dodson aud fish are the lateit additions to the sick brigade, Among the reporters only 3 or 4 remain at any one time.

Another Huge Kaihvay Job,

Mr Travers, lawyer, has written to the "Times" condemning the proposed line of railway from Blenheim to Canterbury as subserving "no purpose whatever except that of adding enormously to the already great wealth of the 17 or IS persons who own the whole country through which it will pas»."

Auckland University College.

A message was received from the administrator of the Government yesterday transmitting the Auckland College Bill and recommending the-appropriation of £4000 per annum. The Bill is very like last year's. Sir G, Grey is moving for Government house and grounds for lectures atid professors.

A Parliamentary Joke.

The following was handed in by one of the Bouse messengers to the reporters in the gallery : —"That in the opinion of this House the leader of the Opposition, as represented by the hon. member for Akaroa (Mr Montgomery), has shown a want of abilt ty to appreciate his own hopeless condition, uud the House, therefore, recommends that the hon. gentleman should at once actjlikcj Davey Crockett's cooa and 'cmne down.'"

Government Expenditure at Ban-

giawhia.

The following questions, affecting your dittrict, were asked yesterday: —Mr Harris : If, in accordance with a premise maio by the late Minister of Public Works to the late highway board of Kangiawhia, the Government have caused an inquiry to be made into the mode of expenditure of the sum of £300 paid to the above board towards making a, road from Te Awamutu to the I,'unui Kivcr, and what is the result of each inquiry ? 2. If uo such inquiry has taken place, will the Government take immediate steps to hare nn inquiry made as to whether the above sum has been expanded in accordance with the object for which the some was paid,

The Hon. Mr Johnston answered that £200 had beou paid by the board on the certificate of their engineer. A complaint had since been made that such sum was not oxpended in accordance with the agreement. The Government have already instructed one of their officers to inquire into tbe matter.

Traffic Mates on the Kainara

J&ailway.

Mr Tole asked tho Minister for Public Works if he will cause the scale of charges for the conveyance of goods on the Auckland and Helensville Railway to be revised, witk a view to rendering them leas oppro«ive than at present, especially upon an extension of the fish canning industry recently established at Hclensville. The Hon. Mr Johnstone replied that the rates were in his opinion sufficiently low at present, and did not think they could very well be altered.

Quarters for Policemen.

Mr Tole asked the Minister of Defence if ho will cause sufficient allowance for house rent to be made to such married policemen in Auckland, as are not furnished with free quarters. Mr Bryce said that there were at present 30 married men in Auckland, and if they were furnished with free quarters it would amount to £900 a year. If that wa3 granted, applications would come in from all parts of the colony, which, at a rough estimate, would cost Government £4,400.

Waste of Time.

In the House this afternoon about an hour was wasted as to whether the expenses of a Maori residing at Riverton should be paid for attending the Native Committee. It was estimated that the cost of the debate amounted to close on £75, sufficient to pay the passages and expenses of all the Maoris in Kiverton. —Tne debate was ve.y acrimonious. It arose on the following report of the Native ! affairs Committee:—The petitioner*, who ate Southland natives, pray that Crown grants might issue tor aomc native reserves, and the committee reported that the evidence of Mr Alexander Maskay is to the following effect: -That the petitioners have no legal claim to the several reserves, and that he had received small fishing casements to be given to them at- Otatari and at the mouth of the Wairoa.—Mr Daniel moved to refer the report back to the committee, on the ground that it bad refused to send for witnesses necessary to prove it further, in the course of the discussion, in which Messrs Joyce, Sheehan, Grey, Seddon, and several others took part, it was elicited that the only witness examined was Alexander Mackay. It was contended that Mr Mantell, who purchased the block, could have set the matter at rest, and to enable the committee to examine him, the House was disposed to send the matter back, Messrs Daniel, Sheehan and others still contended that native witnesses should be sent for, although admittedly to prove their own case, on the ground that they were too poor to get justice otherwise. Mr Feldwick moved an addition to the original amendment on the question that the report of the committee do lie on the table, to the effect that witnesses should be sent for. Col. Trimble opposed, and was backed by the Government, whose whips at once began _to baat up supporters. The Opposition whips were inactive, not deeming it,a party question. The &4bate continued till the Government men werp collected. The Speaker declared the noes had it. A division was demanded on the question of the words* mo/cd to be added, which resulted in a tie, 42 to 42, the Speaker giving his casting vote ju favour ot the noes, on the ground of saving ex» pense. The amendment to refer back was carried on the voices. Had the Opposition been in force, the Government would have sustained another of the minor defeats so common this session. ,'" '

Questions.

In replying to Mr jyIaCANDBEW, Mr Kollestosi said that a very long dispatch on the subject of dire6t steam communication with England had been received from the Agent-General, which was being printed for distribution amongst bon. membdrs, The Government would submit prop'bsals to the House. "

Replying to Mr Stevens, Mr Bryce said that, subject to ratification" of Parliament, a provisional agreement with Messrs Studholme, M-jorhouse, and Co', for a lease to them of the Murimotu block had been made, and would be found in the Parliamentary papers for 1875. ,

.Replying to Mr UTKVEHS, Mr RojiLESton said he considered the Volunteer Land Claims Commissioners had adhered to the terms of their commission in the enquiry

Keplying to Mr .WILSON, Mr JOHNSON said that when the Government had called for tenders for the manufacture of railway rolling stock in tho colony, the cost was found to bo prohibitive ■.

Keplying to Mr LEVIN, Mr DICK promised to consider the propriety of offering a bonus for the first 100 tons of wattle bark, suitable for tanning purposes, grown in the colony.

Another Adverse Move Against

Auckland.

It is ■within my knowledge that strong efforts will be made in selecting the route for railway extension from Te Awamntu, to have the central route chosen, so as to keep Auckland trade as much out of the West Coast as possible.

Auckland lopics.

Paora Tuhaere, of Orakei, has been ill, but is now moving about again.

Mr.Tole has given notice for the appoint nient of a station-master at Ellcrslie.

Mr A. McDonald has introdnced a Gis borne Harbour Board Bill.

The Land Bill,

The debate on the Land Bill is still dragging wearily along. Eighteen members have new spoken, and there appears no chance yet of a division taking place. The general opinion is that it will be referred to the Waste Lands Committee, and will afterwards die a natural death.

The speakers yesterday were Colonel Trimble, Messrs Hutchison, Peacock, Shepherd, Stevens, Shrimski, and Turubull. Mr Peacock expressed entire disapproval of the Bill as a measure applicable to the whole colony, but would vote for second reading, as the Bill was only to be brought into operation in particular districts. —Mr Stevens made a good speech. During his remarks ho said it was a fallacy to suppose that people could not make a living out of bush" land. There were large quantities of such land that he should never wish to put a plough to. If the bush was felled at this time of the year, a lire stick put into it next, and a little eras.? sown, settlers need not want anything better or more profitable, it was absurd to suppose that all the land in New Zealand waa no good unless it was ready for the plough, and men could not, therefore, make a living out of it. He held that any man who understood grazing could make a better living than a farmer, but he would like to see both classes go band in hand.

The debate was adjourned after mid night.

Eight Hours Bill Rejected,

In the Legislative Council yesterday atternoon, Mr Geo. McLean moved the second reading of the Bight Hours Bill, and in doing so said the iSill only made what was usage law. The .Eight Hours system was a benefit both to the employe and employer. Mr Holmes considered the Bill was not a boon, nor was it required. The Eight Hour system was only in use among tradesmen. Domestic servants, shepherds and others were not bubjected to the eight hours system. It should protect farmers'wives and daughter*. He would be asaamed to put the Bill on the statute btok. He moved that it be read that day six months.—Dr. Mien did Dot knew whether this was a liberal njoasure calculated to be a necessary part of the tenons wsrk of building up a young nation. We had imported labour at great coat, and wore now asked to restrict its beneficial operation. He bad great pleasure In .supporting the amendment, as there was no desire in the country for passing such a Bill.—Mr Wilson was at a loss to understand how the Bill could bo opposed. Its rejection would confirm tho impression that the Council was opposed to aught that would benefit the working classes. It was an expression of opinion and nothing more. It could create no trouble betwten labourers and their employers.—Mr Stevens would be no patty to put the Bill on too statute book, as it had no legal value.—Dr. Grace thought the Bill would increase the number of loafers and sea lawyer?, of whom too many were now in existence. He would oppose the Bill in the interest of the working clashes. The Bill would only benefit lawyers of an inferior class. — Mr Williamson said be would vote for the amendment, but he could not understand why farmers' wives and daughters should be protected.—Captain Fraser pointed out tho difference between men working for themselves aad working for others. In the former case eight hours' work was enough. —Col. Brett a aid if the Bill passed, farmers would only get eight hours' work from their men.—Mr McLean said there was no use in taking up the time of the Council, considering the way in which the Bill had been received,—Mr Robinson said it would be necessary for cmployere to contract with their labourers in writing.—The Bill was finally thrown out.—The following is the division list,:—For the Bill: Messrs Dignan, Fraser, Henderson, McLean, Pharazyn, Robinson, Scotland, Sir G. Whitmore, and Mr Wilson. Against the Bill: Messrs Brett, Grace, Gray, Hart, Holmes, Menzics, Miller, Nurse, Oliver, Peacock, Pollen, Keynolds, Richmond, Stevens, Whitaker, Williams, and Williamson.

Reform of Legal Procedure.

The following uninteresting legal document was brought down yesterday: -Heport of the Select Committee on the Supreme Court and other Bills: The Committee have carefully considered the several Bills prepared by tie Judicature Commission (excepting the Local Courts Bill), and have had the advantage in so doing of the assistance of Mr Allan Holmes, by whom the bills and code were drafted for the Judicature Commission. They desire to express their obligation to that gentleman for having, at scran inconvenience to himself, travelled from Dunedin to Wellington expressly on this, and for his zealous devotion to it during his stay. Without his valuable aid the labours of the committee would have been useless. We rccommoud the omission of rules 515 to 552 inclusive from the second schedule to the Supreme Court Bill, on the ground that those rules relate to matrimonial causes. By the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1667, section 5, power is given to the Judges of the Supreme Court, or any three of ihem.to make rales concerning the practice of pleading and procedure under that Act, and from time to time to alter such rules and regulations, Kulea 515 to 552 above mentioned would therefore be in accordance with law it they were made by three or more of the Judges of the Supreme Court, but, if made ,by Parliament.as patt of an Act, a necessity would arise for the reservation of that Act for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. For the same reason the commutes recommend the omission of clauses 12 to 16 inclusive in the LawjAmendment Bill. The alterations suggested by the committee in the Supreme Court Bill, the Court of Appeal Bill, the Law Amendment Bill, and the Criminal Law Bill are, with the above-mentioned exceptions, either purely formal, or such as in the opinion of the committee are unnecessary. In order to carry into effect the intention of these Bills, the committee have to report to the House that the" Supreme Court Bill, the Court of Appeal Bill, the Law Amendment Bill, and the Criminal Law Bill arc, in the opinion of the ommittee, desirable to be passed forthwith, with the alterations suggested by the committee. The committee has not fully considered or revised* the LoGal Courts Bill of the code appended thereto, and their reason for abstaining from undertaking this task is that they consider that the great alterations proposed by this Bill rerjwre further consideration than would appear to have been given to them by the Cammission, or ispossible during the limited time at the disposal of the committee, 'Ihey therefore report to the House their opinion that it is not desirable that this Bill should be further proceeded with io the present session of Parliament ; and that, in the recoss, the Bill should be further considered by the Government,—Kdwakd Connolly, Chairman, July 17, 1882."