PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 154, 2 July 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY

(By TELEGEAPH—PABLIAMENTAET BE

POBTER.)

WELLiNGTOir, Wednesday. ELECTORAL REPRESENTATION. On the question of the introduction of the Premier'a Bill to amend the Representation Act this afternoon, there is a shorb debate on representation matters.

Mr George Hutchison eete tha ball rolling by asking that, before permission is given for tae introduction of this Bill, members should have full particulars of ite provisions. It is common rumour, he informs tha Bonae, that tho Premier has some scheme by which fche work of the Representation Commission will be rendered unnecessary. If such a scheme is propoaod by the measure, membors should know its purport as soon as possible, so that the work of the CommicsioD may nob be retarded. There is no doubt that the North Jalasd ia entitled to three more members in the House, bub if the South Island representation is not to bo interfered with, then the North Island is entitled to more than three additional members. Captain Russell follows with the statemenb that there is a great principle inTolved in the eubject of the Bill, bo great thab it should have been mentioned in the spaech from the throae. He has heard that it is intended to abolish the automatic ra-adjustment of representation, and ho wants to know if such ia the case, thongh the Repreeantation Acb may nob be wholly repealed. He has heard, further, that Ministers intend to regulate tho allocation «f seats in future.

The Minister for Lands-: "Yon are wrong." Clutba McKenzio hopes tfeab the Government intend to repeal the present crude and unworkable Representation Act, and that they will bring in a measure which will taks into coutidaration areas and interests. Some districts, he points out, are of such ample proportions that they call for more physical strength than brain power on the part of the candidates. Mr Lawry heartily'endorses Clutba's remarks, and compares his district, the smallest in area in the colony, and which, be says, ho can romp round in twenty minutes, with that of the member for Bay of Island*, who has to travel 700 miles in ordor to address his constituents.

Dr. Newman objects to Ministers cutting and carving the constituencies to euib themielves. Ab present, many districts of the colony are enormously under represented. The growth of the North Island over and above the South is about 40,000, which should give about four extra members.

Tho Hon. McKenzio comments on the unusual course pursued in discussing a Bill on tha motion for its introductien, and says bad the Premier known that there was to be a discussion he would bare been present. He assured members thaft there in bo caueo for alarm, for Government are quite alive to the necessity of having representation matters properly settled. There wan no intention to prevent the proper representation of the colony ; indeed, the Government's proposals aro in the direction of facilitating this being done. Aa to tho question of delay on tbe part of the Commission in commencing it« labours, he eaya that he bae received a inenao. from theSurveyor-Geaeral, who writes that it i« impoaeible for the Commission to start its labours till tbe details of the census are more complete than at present. These details the ttefjiatrar-General expects to have complete within ten days. The discussion closes, and permission is given for the introduction of tho Bill.

MR .lAMES MACKAY'S CHALLENGE,

Miniotora next answer questions, there being o»er sixty on the order paper. The first question is put by .Mr Pirani to the Hon. CadmaD respecting Mr Jumes Mactfay's challenge to the Minister to repeat outside the Houiie what lie had naid within its walls in connection with Mr Mackay'e dealings ac native land purchase agent. The Hon. Mr Cad man answers in tho Scotch fashion by asking a question. Has Mr Pirani any authority from Mr Mackay bo oak this quowtion ? to which Mr Pirani nays "No." Mr Cadtnan states th»D ho bas never attacked anyone, and if his questioner knew the facts of the case he wculu perceive that ho (Mr Cadtnan) was only defending himself from attacks by Mr Mackay. He advises Mr Pirani to rapeas outbids tho House certain remarks ha had made respecting a Wellington medico, bur Mr Pirani interjects that he has published the remarks referred to in his paper, and hum nobphieldGd himself behind Putliumentary privilege*. Before discussion closes Mr Pirani Oakea the opportunity of assuring the Minister for Railways that in putting the question he had no intention of reflecting either upon the truthfulness of tiie Minister's allegation againeo Mr Mackay or of casting any slur upon the Minuter himself. For no member of Ministry has he greater admiration, an opinion which he thinks members generally will agree with.

ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE BILL,

Ab the evening sitting the Hon. Mr Steward, in hi« usual dignified und stately manner, moves the second reading of the Elective Executive Bill. This in the third time that the Major has performed this ceremony, and, aa may be expected, hois quite at home with his subject; nevertheless, he quotes too much from books and pamphlets, which tires bis heareri considerably. The Premier disapproves of the Bill, and quotes from the speeches of Sir It. Stoub before he was knighted to show the b!o«s----ings of party government. Amidst the sarcastic laughter of members he asserts that England owes her greatness to party government. The argument from Switzerland he rebuts by quoting a statement made by Davy that the Swiss radicals contended that the reform woe hindered thero by the operation of the elective executive and referendum.

Mr Saunders doesn't think the Bill goes far enough. He supports tho principle of the Bill.

Measra Earnshaw, W. Hutchison, O'Regan, G. W. Russell, Hall-Jones and Colling epeak in favour of the measure, and Mr Hall speaks against it.

Mr Button supports the measure, as does also Sir Robert Stout. Several other members speak, and on divieion tho second reading of the Bill is carried on the casting vote of the Speaker, the division resulting : Ayes, 23 ;. noes, 23. Tha Houss rose at 1.35 a.m.

PETITIONS,

Tho Hon. Thompson haa presented a petition on behalf of Michael Mulloy, who aska for rodrees on account of the action of the Government land purchase agent by which ho is a loser to the extent of £1,400.

YV. G. Gnrrard is petitioning the House for an inquiry into his grievances. The Hon. Thompson has presented a petition on behalf of Samuel Southerby, who &skM for cancellation of his tender for sub-lease ot a section in Mechanic's Day, or compensation for the loss of the same.

KOTORUA DRAINAGE,

Referrint; to tho prevalency of typhoid foyer as Rotorua, the Hon. McKenzio said the Government had received information redacting tho matter, and ib was intended to Rbk tho House for a sum of money for the purpose of putting the township in sanitary oonHition. A drainage scheme waß alco in preparation, and proposals would be made far tho better administration of municipal affairs at Rotorua.

AN INEFFECTIVE UPPER HOUSE.

The recent division in the Legislative Council on the Anti-Asiatic Bill has afforded a great demonstration of the ineffectiveness ©I that Cbamber as at pres&nt constituted, and hae supplied strong arguments for the xelorm of. ifca constitution. Of 45 members on the roll only 31 taokpart in the division, and only 33 were present in Wellington at the time. The absentees Bince the opening of the present session are the Hcspa. Maogregor, McCullough. Smith, Morris, Oliver, Drmoad, Peacock, Reynolds, Shepherd and Wahawaha. At least two of these ?entiemen are incapacitated from attendance on account of ill-beaith, while the *atne disability probably operates in the case of several others. Three members, Messrs McCulloagb, Oliver and Smith are absent in England, while the others are probably attending to prirate business or pleasure. Mr Oliver was absent all lasb session, Mr MeCullougb and Mr Wahawaha for the greater portion of it. Ik is contended that these councillor* who cannot attend to their duties, or who are absent for a session, oughb to be compelled to make room for men who would do the work required.

ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.

A matter of considerable importance waa brought up by Mr O'Regan to-day in connection with the Advances to Settlers Act. He asked if it were trne that borrowers under that Acts deduct the amount of their mortgages from land tax assessments of their properties If this were so, be pointed out that the colony would annually lose large sums which -would otherwise be collected under the land tax, as it practically meant that the Advances to Settlers Department paid land tax on mortgages under that Act. There waa thus an inducement to borrow, as It exempted them from tuo land tax.

The Premier, in reply, pointed oat that the Bill limited the amount which could be advanced ko £2,500; consequently, 90 per ceot. of those obtaining loans were exempted under the Land and Income Tax Act.

This statement waa mefe with the remark, " Tbab won't eatiafy me," from Mr O'Regan. ■ Mr Flfttman was informed by the Minister of Lands that though it was illegal for the Board under the Advances bo Settlers Act to return valuation fees it was not illegal for such fees to be returned when no valuation was made. Applications were made aad valuation fees enclosed for advances on lauds which the Act did not provide for advances being made upon. It vr&a theee valuation feea which had been returned.

RAILWAY CHARGES ON FRUIT.

Replying to Mr Pirani the Hon. Mr Cadman said id would be impossible to approximate railway rates for the carriage of fruit to ordinary-sized fruit cases.

BANKS AND LAND PROPERTY.

In asking if the banking legislation proposed to be introduced this sessioa will contain a provision preventing banks or Other financial institutions holding landed property longer than three years without raalising on the came, Mr O'Regan drew the Premier's attention to the legislation in force in Canada prohibiting banks holding landed property for more than seven years, and ho expressed opinion that in the be?t interests of the colony similar legislation should be passed. The Premier, in replying, Bnid this opened up a large question. He admitted that it was sot desirable that financial institutions should become land owners. At the same time there were banking institutions io the colony which would be placed at a disadvantage in coanpefcing with foreign banks, which are permitted to hold land. Ho admitted thab it would be a right thing to do, but there were serious difficulties in the way.

HANSARD.

At a meeting of the Reporting Debates Committee ib was resolved to recommend the Government to appoint three additional Hansard reporter^, and discontinue the amanuensis system now in vogue. Ministere will, it is undorstoorJ, make appointments after consulting with the head of the staff. The Committee will roporb agaiasb the proposal to accommodate Hansard reporters on the floor of the House.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Mr O'Regan is introducing a Bill to amend the Weights find Mossurea Act, 1808, co U8 to authorise the inspection and stamping of delf weights, which are not recognised under the oxisting law. The new measure proposes to exempt inspector* from liability in the event of the breakage of weights in the process of stamping,

JOTTINGS.

The system of attaching letter receiving boxes on trum cars has not been appreciated by the Wellington public. Only 428 letters were posted in those boxes for the past week. The> Railway Committee apppointed Mr Tanner Chairman.

Replying to Mr Lang, the Minister for Lands said that the question of the erection of a bridge over the Waikato River at Tuakau would bo considered when the estimates were before the House.

As to compensation for fiiea caused by sparks from locomotives, the Minister tor Railways is prepared to grant euch where it can be proven that they were so caused.

Mr Millar is asking the Minister for Marino whether he will instruct the Harbour Master at Kaipara to hoist a signal every ti.Jo time as to the state of the bar. The Public Petitions Committee, reporting on tbs petition Jefl'rey Ellingham, of Ponsonby, and 47 others,' who pray that the Licencing Committeemen be not allowed to tender.far any work in connection with the liquor trade, refer the matter to the consideration of the Government, but, as it is one of public policy, they bavo no recommendation to make.

Mr Massey moved the adjournment of the House on accounb of tha unsatisfactory reply giren to hi* question respecting the claim of J. H. Field, of Auckland, in connection with the printing of electoral rolls. Members of tbo Petition Committee, whichrecommended payment of the claim, express their regret that the Government have not acted according to the recommendation, j The Premier said that the Government have removed all objections to the matter being decided by Magistrate's Court.

Mr Button to-day presented a petition on behalf of 82 employees of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company praying that the Societies Benefit Bill shall not apply to the Society connected with that Company. In the Legislative Council to-day the Hon. I'eld wick meved the eecond reading of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1886, Amendment Bill, the object of which, he Raid, was to give municipal corporations the same privileges as possessed by county councilß in connection with tbe closing of roads or streets which are useless to the public. The Hon. W. D. Stewart suggested that any person dissatisfied with the proposed closing of a street or road eheuld hare the right of appeal. The second reading was agreed to without diasenb.