Parliamentary Gossip.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 213, 6 September 1895, Page 3

Parliamentary Gossip.

iIOTESFROi THE GALLERY

SIR GEORGE GREY.

RECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICES.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PARLIAMENTARY RE

PORTER.)

Wellington, Thursday. When the House meets this afternoon after disposal of some preliminary business, we geb to the Premier's motion to place on record the House s appreciation of services gendered by Sir Geo. Grey to the colony. It is with pleasure, mingled with regret that he is sure is shared by every member of the House, that the Premier rises to move the motion. He bad hoped Sir Geo. Grey might have been kept in touch with the colony's political life till his death came, tab ib had been otherwise fated. Sir Geo. was one of tho foremost men of the colony, end hia career was an example to the whole English-speaking world. M r Seddon points (buHhab Sic Geo. was appointed Governor in 1845, the same year that he (Seddon) was born. After brief glances ab his Australian exploring experiences, Mr Seddon fefers to the fact that the right honourable igeutleman to-day stands higheab in the estimation of the people of the colony. Then comes a tribute to Sir George Grey's legislative foresight. He gives warm words of praise regarding Sir George. Grey's acbion when the measure for the abolition of the provinces was fought in the House. He expresses the opinion that tbe abolition of the provinces had been a very greab mistake. He passes Sir George's experiences in South Africa, and regrets the tardy recognition of the Home authorities of Sir George Grey's qualities. He touches on Sir George's subsequent career in the colony.—as Superintendent of bhe Auckland Province and its' representative in the House, later on as Premier of the colony, end again, still later, aa Auckland's representative in tbe House. As Premier, Sir George's legislation was at the time considered ultra Radical, but it was now recognised to be in the best interests of the people. The Land Aeb, one man one vote, nnd triennial Parliaments, Mr Seddon taentions amongst the many reforms introduced by the right honorable gentleman. Re sums up this portion of his remarks by saving that the history of the Liberal party in tbe colony dates from tbe time when Sir George Grey was* Premier. He tells us that ib has been suggested that Sir George should be kept in active touch with the political life of the colony, and he hears with, pleasure thab ib is bhe inbention of the

right honourable genbleman to visib the colony and he hopes the report is true. He h was sure he was echoing the wishes of the people of New Zealand that Sir George should come back and end his days fiD-ongsb bhe people that loved him so much. Difference of opinion might exist amongst members respecting Sir George aa a politician, but no difference could exist in regard to'him as an explorer, as a governor, aa a man of letters, and as a private citizen. He is our greatest man, Mr Seddon concludes, and has proved himself a lover of the, people. The Auckland , people, particularly, were grateful bo him for the valuable presents he had made bhem, ,and which had been of greab benefit to the peeple in thab parb of the colony. Personally, the Premier had always looked up bo Sir George as hia first political lead-er, looked to bim with respect and confidence, a confidence thab'*ha"d rieve'r been shaken. Sir George had been misunderstood in some matters, bub all he had done had been wibh'rbe purest of motive-"and with the ardent desire for bhe good of his fellowmen.

Air Seddon's conclusion is received with subdued applause, and the Leader of the Opposition, Captain Ruesell, rises, and desires to add his eulogium to the Premier's tribute yfco Sir George Grey, whose name • will, in the annals of the colony, be an historic one. The Captain indulges in coraparsions between the state of political ideas when Sir George entered on political life and when he left it—autocracy, the predominant feature then, democracy now. A life devoted to the services of the Empire, he says, a heroic one. It had been a great power in New Zealand at alt times and in all objects. As an autocratic ruler, as a constitutional Governor, aa a responsible Minister, and, lastly, as the tribuno ot the .people, he had played a distinguished parb and in bhem he bad the love of the people. No public man will probably again have the opportunity of playing so many and varied parts, and playing them so well. Some one might, with equal success, attempt ono of them, but no one could successfully deal with all. Sir George had been a model to us of Parliamentary eloquence and courtesy. The Captain hopeß Bincerely thab Sir George will not be severed from' the Government of the colony, and says all Sections in politics and every colouiat would hail with pleasure the intimation, if it were made; that he bad been asked to accept a _eat in the other branch of the Legislature. A chorus ef "Hear, hears," follow this ebatemenb, and the Captain, continuing, concludes by affirming that in days to come . tvhen a standard of eloquence "would be eought, none bebter could be found than that presented by the right honourable gentleman. The member for the Norbhern Maori district desires humbly to add his quota of fcraise, and does so in the belief that Sir George .has gained the respecb of all tbe iiabives in tbe colony. »tAw V on*s iollow f">m Mr Mills, and -ar W. Hutchison gives us a speech in so r solemn and serious a tone that it mighb ;have pasßed for a funeral oration. Sir ' George, to him, is the embodiment of Tennyson's "Ulysses," and he gives us a few lines from the poem. Mr Saunders has a few words to say on *he most useful part of Sir Geo. Grey's ,„ life. It is curious to note that when the presenb Premier had hardly begun bo play >marbles,SirGeorge-managemenbinlß4s,we are told, converted the colony from a state of anarchy, bankruptcy, arfd non-prosperity into something quite the reverse in the -pace of twelve months. He (Mr Saunders), waxes eloquent over the courage displayed Jjy Sir George in asking the Home Governmenb to set aside their proposed constitution for the colony, and M his drafting a constitution. The only mistake made by the Homei Parliament had been in striking oub the provision for appointment of Legislative Louneillors by provincial councils, which Utt c given an opportunity to abolish the Upper House by abolishing the provincial councils. He tells the House he would gladly at j Rrea t e r length refer to other points in Sir George's political life, bub recognises thab the debate should nob be too probracbed. Sir Robert Stout follows, and refers to the fact tbab both Sir George and he had entered the House in the same session, thab session which saw the great struggle for the retention of the provinces. The present Waa not an occasion to bring up a matter in Which he differed from the Right Honorable . ,<genbleman, and he goes on to point out ,; some of Sir George's prominent characterise . t'cs, the chief of these being his love of the ! -native race, not only in New Zealand, |,; nub also in Australia and South ;| • Atrica, and his desiro thab justice || / should be done them. His appreciation of ;. | thenecessiby of education in democracies, i|.. j ana his efforts nob only in respect of f|, / Primary but of higher education, was !,*•' s^y?l?l' strong characteristic. He vouches I w ,ir George's love of letters and i_Ur.ce,

and tells us a short anecdote of Sir George, who, on reading in a suggestion book in the Dunedin Athenasum that a newly-published book by Tyndall, on "Sound," was deßirod, immediately cent Home for it. Sir Robert concludes with an appreciation of the example given by Sir George of political conduct, the effect of which, he thinks, he will never forget. Sir George had always been anxious of promoting the good of the -people as a whole, and his life had been one devoted to the best interests of the colony. The Hon. Mr Carrolls tells us of the regard, affection, and interest Sir George has always shown towards the native race, with the shaping of whose destiny he had had a great deal to do. The ideals to which Sir George wished bhe Maori race to aspire had been lofty ones, and if he had been able to decend to details, his schemes for their bebbermenb would have been of greab benefit. Sir George was the' most prominent man in the history of the colony, and his career had been a noble and greab one.

As an Auckland resident of over 30 years, Mr Crowther tells us he feels more than he can say to us on the present occasion. He approves of the speeches made by the Premier and by Captain Russell, and thinks the present occasion has beon used to very great advantage. The motion is then put and unanimously agreedjto,and tbeSpeaker informs the House thab a copy of tbe resolution will be sent to bhe Right Hon. Sir George Grey.

PRIVATE-. MEMBERS' PRIVILEGES.

This matter disposed of, we have another motion for consideration, in which Governmenb proposed to take Wednesdays from private members. Web/aye some lively discussion. The greaber /lumber of those speaking are in favour of t/he motion, and desirOtos that Government business should be disposed of with' despatch. Major Steward wants to give members a rest until Wednesday next, and desires to add an amendment bo the motion to that effect, bub. Mr Speaker rules ib out of order.

Clutha McKenzie thinks the House should settle down to work in earnest, but puts in a word for two or three libble motions he has on the order paper, and wishes to deal with.

The hardship of the uncertainty about bhe tariff is dealb with by Mr Dubhie, and Doctor Newman ironically tells us bhab the Premier could manage bhe tariff through bhe Committee better even than the Colonial Treasurer.

We have a probesb from Sir Robert Sbout aboub many things, the chief amongsb them being the Standing Orders, which have broken down and stopped discussion when it was most necessary and desirable. This brings the Premier to his feet, and, in a few minutes, we hear something aboub the useless trash with which Hansard overflows. Abolish Hansard, he says, then members won't talk so often. Why, the flow of speech in the present House is unprecedented, and is greater thab when there were ninety members in the House. He is proceeding to refer to the private members' measures on the Order Paper, when the Speaker informs him he fes oub of order. He tells members that if they wish to stay till Christmas the Government at least will have no objection, but would undertake to find plenty of work for them.

Sir Robert Stout calls for a division on the motion, and gets 16 to vote with him, as againßt 42 who vobe for bhe mobion, which passes.

LABOUR MATTERS,

Before we have recovered completely we are plunged head loremost into labour matters.

The Hon. Reeves has a little Bill to amend The Industrial Arbitration and Conciliation Actj and wishes ifc to be committed.

This is not easy, however; The second reading having been passed pro forma, members thirst to make their second reading speeches on the motion for committal.

The Bill is a harmless thing in itself, the Minister explains unavailingly, and is only to correct several technical errors in the Acb.

Messrs Clubha Mackenzie, Allen, Dutbie, Green, and Marsden Thompson cannot let the opportunity pass of telling the House thab the country is sick of labour legislation, and bhey do so at greab length.

The Premier trys to bring common sense to bear on the position, but without effect,

Messrs Hogg and Tanner also get up, and return the blows of the Opposition, and are still ab it when we adjourn for dinner.

On re-asaembling at 7.30, we have a speech from Dr. Newman, who is very much opposed to the Bill.

The Minister then replies, and tells the doctor that he should nob talk Socialism to his constituents, and then come to the House and oppose labour legislation. As to the other objectors, he quietly informs them that if the present Bill were not passed the Act would come into operation notwithstanding, but, he says, the Bill ia only to provide that associations of employers might be registered under the Act, a highly desirable provision, he thinks even the Opposition will agree.

We find that the Opposition have been firing blank cartridges, for the motion for committal is'not opposed, and we go into Committee on 410 less than six Bills, the last of which bears the sensational title, Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amondmenb Bill. Members smile, and we guess bhey have made up their minds to block the sensation.

ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION.

However, we sbarb with Mr Reeves' Bill to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, which supplies food for debate for some time. The first four clauses pass unamended, bub clause 5, providing bhab though the relationship of employer and employee has ceased, a dispute on a question ot wages may be preferred except three months after the existence of the relationship, raises considerable discussion.

Mr G. J. Smith moves thab the term be reduced to one month.

After some discussion the Minister offers a compromise of six weeks, and this is agreed to.

The remaining portion of tbe Bill goes through without amendment.

SALE OF GOODS BILL,

Tbe Committee then tackles the Sale of Goods Bill, which is in the Premier's charge. We have a short discussion, and bub little opposition. CORRUPT PRACTICES PREVENTION BILL. This Bill Mr Seddon pilots. Mr Pirani runs foul of clause 3, providing that only the candidate shall pay his .election expenses. It is legislation run mad (he says), and no wonder there were differences in tho Ministry as to its proceeding. VVhy, no man could run an election without being unseated if people 1 were mean enough to get up a petition.

Purity of Parliament is the Premier's line in replying. Members who have time after time advocated purity of Parliament, when they get an opportunity to make provision for ib oppose it, As one who can talk with authority as to whab passes in Cabinet, be says there was no difference among his colleagues respecting the Bill. The Minister for Education objects to the declaration, it is true, but he is in favour of the principle of the measure.

Mr Bell gives us a short dissertation on the honesty of members of the House of Commons, none of whom would tell a lie.

This meets with cries of " Oh, ob," and laughter, and he amends his remark, and says they find it difficult to tell lies. Mr Hogg swoops down like a vulture on the Bill, which he saysis full of snarea and dangers to candidates and their friends.

Ib deserves tbe condemnation of members, and he hopes they will supporb his motion, that progress be reported, and thus extinguish this purity run mad. The Premier tells Mr Hagc he has a short memory. Had he not read of the disgraceful scenes in connection with the Waitemata election a few years ago. Ib is to meet such cases, which cannob be overlooked, that the Bill is introduced.

Mr Massey is glad to hear the Premier acknowledge that the candidate concerned had no knowledge of what was done in connection with tho Waibemata election. He inbends supporting the Bill, but thinks a candidate's election expenses should be limited to £250 ab mosb. He also thinks a clause should bo introduced limiting the interference of Ministers in elections.

The Hon. W. P. Reeves asks Mr Hogg to withdraw bis motion, bub he remains obstinate, and is supported by Mr Pirani,

We are treated to a legal explanation of the Bill by Mr Bell.

It is Riccarton Russell's intention, he tells ua, to vote for Mr Hogg's amendment. The Bill is full of pitfalls and snares for candidates. Besides, the existing law is quite competent bo cope with matters like bhose that happened in connection with the Waitemata election.

Mr Earnshaw says eomething thab brings Mr Hogg bo his feeb again. "It's a thoroughly bad Bill, sir, and the sooner it's oub of its misery the better." So Iho goes on, till the Chairman tells him to confine his remarks bo the motion that progress be reported. " Yes, sir," comes quickly, " that is exactly what I am doin^. The Bill's title should be altered to ' Man-trap for Candidates.' "

Again the Chairman stops him, and tells him that he ia nob giving reasons for reporting prog reas. "I rule that," eaya Mr Joyce, who is Chairman pro tern,

The ever-ready Mr Hogg quite agrees with the Chairman's ruling, and sits down.

Mr W. Hutchison thinks the Bill is lesa important than some of the private members Bills, which he accuses him of having snoered ab.

The Premier Bays no valid reasons have been adduced. Those who voted for Mr Hogg's amondmenb would, of course, bhereby inbimabe bhab they did nob care aboub tho purity oi Parliament. He would leave them to the tender mercies of their constituents. Ab for that part of tho country which he represented, they did nob know whab corruption waa.

This was mot with load laughter.

At least, he continues, we have had no' disputed elections. Those who opposed the Bill, he concluded, feared the passage of the Bill.

Maraden Thompson thinks the Premier's last remark is an intimidating one.

Has the Premier never heard, asks Mr Tanner, of a certain goldtield election ab which a cerbain dead Chinaman waa polled under the name of McTavish. Ho advises tho Premier to bring in a consolidating bill next session dealing with the whole question.

Mr Crbwther did nob like reporting progress ab such an early stage. He did nob set himself up as ono of these Simon Pures (with a significant look ab the Premier), and he had done all he could to win his election by running outside bho Acb, and nob being caught.

This evokes a storm of laughter and applause. He asks the House to leb tho Bill proceed until members understand ib bebter.

On division, Mr Hogg's amendment is negatived by 36 votes to 24.

Mr Pirani immediately movea, " Thab the Chairman leave the chair," another motion to kill tho Bill.

The Premier gets up to speak, bub is groebed with cries of" Tfme, timo,"and tho supper adjournment is taken.

On resuming after supper, Mr Flatman tells us bhere should be a clause in bho Bill prohibiting houße to house canvassing. Captaiu Ruseell, who ia the only representative of bhe recognised Opposition in the Chamber, suggests that all bhe clauses in the Bill bo struck except No. 14, which limits election expenses.

Thia bhe Premier is willing to nccepb, bub points oub thab so mo othor clauses aro necessary to give effecb to the clause mentioned.

Ashburton's chosen eeos in tho Bill a something nob abated thab would sap the independence of people.

On the other hand, tho member for the Thames advises tho Premier to stick bo tho measure.

The Premier accuses Mr Pirani of obstruction ab this stage, which is, of course, denied by the member for Palmerston.

Then comes a discussion on the differences, if any, between bho Premier's Bill, and ono introduced by Mr Scobio MacKenzie, of. which bhe Premier said thab a man who broughb in Buch a Bill Bhould havo a halber placed round his neck and brought bo bhe bar of the House. Thia matter being cleared up, Clutha Mackenzie thinks the Bill should provido thab for a candidate to promise a billet should be made a corrupt practice.

At laßt the vote ia taken on Mr Pirani'a motion, which ia defeated by 33 votes to 24.

After this wo sebblo down to business, and a few unimportant amendments are made in clauses four and five,

When clause 6 is reached, Mr Pirani quotes for our delectation the Premier's remarks on this clause on the occasion when tho Bill waß introduced by Mr Scobie McKenzie, in which he stated that it was craftily drawn in order to trip candidates.-

The Premier moves thab bhe clause bo excised, which ib is.

Mr Ball bells bhe Premier bbat he ought to report progress. Neither bhe House nor bimself (Mr Hall) were in a humour to go on with the Bill.

The Premier conciliates Mr Hall, bubanother broadside comes from Captain Russell, who sees in the Bill an attempt to disqualify all members except the Premier, who had the honour done him of being returned unopposed. Tho Premier would then be the only representative in the House and supreme dictator.

Once more work continues, and unneces sary clauses are struck out.

We geb bo clause 14, limiting election expenses, and the Premier moves thab the limit should be £200. This is agreed bo on tbe casting vote of the Chairman, and ultimately progress is reported on the Bill.

THE UNCLAIMED MONEYS BILL ia our nexb bask.' Promptly Clutha McKeozies moves to reporb progress, as it is now nearly 1 o'clock. The Premier endeavours to smooth matters by telling members thab neither the Undesirable Asiatics nor bhe Liquor Bill will be broughb on bhab nighb.

The House negatives the motion,-and we gallop through the Bill, and reporb progress on the other two Bills.

The House then resumes, and bhe Sale of Goods Bill, bhe Bill to amend the Industrial Conciliation and Arbibrabion Acb, and tbe Unclaimed Moneys Bill, pass their final stages.

THE ADJOURNMENT,

On the motion for adjournment, Major Steward moves an addition tbab the House adjourns til! 7.30 on Tuesday. Mr R. Thompson objects. The Premier is in the hands of members though there is plenty of work to do. The voices decide in the negative, and the House rises ab 1.15 a.ra.

JOTTINGS,

Business in the Council this afternoon was of a meagre description. The Servants' Registry Office Bill was considered in Commibtee, but was not completed. A Dunedin local bill passed its second reading, and tbe Council adjourned till next Tuesday. The A bo L Petitions Commibbee, report' ing on bhe petition of James Grix, of Ngaruawahia, asking for a refund of money paid for Government-land, states that tbe petitioner has no claim'against the colony.

Reporting on the petition of W. EL Taipua and eleven others, who allege that tbe agreement relating to tbe Thames goldfield has been broken, in consequence o£ which bhey are heavy losers, and praying for relief, the Native Affairs Committee re< commend thab ib should be referred to the Governmenb for favourable consideration, and bhab effecb should be given bo the recommendation of the Goldfields and Mines Committee last year on the same subject. The Public Aecounbß Committee are investigating charges against Briscoe, McNeil and Co. in respect of bhe manner in which they have carried oub a Governmenb conbracb.

The M to Z Petitions Committee has no recommendation to make in connection with the petition of Alex. Stewart, of Auckland.

Mr Massey ia asking if inquiries have been made regarding the alleged destruction of native birds on the Little Barrier Island, and, if so, with what resulb.

Mr Lawry wanbs bhe Governmenb to follow the same procedure respecting the Dilworth bequest as in a similar case of the Costley bequest, that is, that the trustees be relieved in the matter of stamp duty, amounting to £13,000, claimed by the Department. Unlesa this is done, ib is stated the trustees will be forced to mortgage the property. It will be remembered that Sir Maurice O'Rorke introduced a measure to exempt tho Dilworth bequest from the operation of stamp duty, bub, owing to tho fact that private members' days have been taken by the Government, there ia little chance of its being passed this session. Mr Meredith is to move that the Government Bhould inbroduce legislation dealing with bhe question of the Inebriate Homes.

The Governmenb are bo be requested by Mr McNab to procure information, to be circulated in country districts, aa to the danger of communication of anthrax to persona broughb in conbacb with infected mabber.