HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5971, 1 November 1884, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

.-, The House met at 2.80. qnmnoit*. Beplyißg to Mr Pyke as to whether it is t ttfl mteatioa. ofthe Government to place a earn on the Sup&iemeatary Public Works JEatonates for the formation of the Crook- •- afes section of the Waipihi-Boxburgh - Bailwayline, The Hon. Mr Bicbaedbok said it would mk be necessary to place a sum on the <Btim>tee for the purpose. fegtying to Mr G. F. Biohardeon, as to W&er tie Government will during the Vtm erase a preliminary survey to be **4s <£ the Seaward Bush Bailway line, felt Olenunika to Mataura, and thence to fcaftinatß junction with the Catiin's •BBfuway, and a report to be prepared »|ai|aformation of this House of the jjMlibd character of the agricultural ~-J?£pteefc lands which will be rendered *»aaebytheline, ="- -tie Eon. Mr Bichabssok said he was ■»* jwpared to give the promise required. to Mr Duncan as to whether *«e«evernment will, during the recess, **wasorvey to be made of the line of aphrey np the WaitaM to the Lake 'wraitsy, and a report of the quality and t qwffltitj of the land to be settled upon on - *tta eide of such routes, and whether the . •Kμ faculties would be extended to a _ fltamaoy to form such line as is now given .:*» the East and Weet Coast BaUwayComPaoy of tbe Middle Island, ~ The Hon. MrHicHAßieoN said the Department would not be able to prepare the information required. If a flying survey ! would be sufficient, Government would not ,; tfcfeet to it. 'I .• Beplying to Mr Hamlin as to whether, r ,-ia view of the recent application of the \Bbrthern Shipping Company to have - fjading lights placed at the Manukau r.': Juade, the Government win notify the of the Government on the tf Select to the Company, p". :' « Hon. Mr Stout said the Government f'.. steaded to have a special report made on tbesabject. If that report were favorable, ' we work would be carried out. Beglying to Mr Guinness as to whether - *ac Government will take steps to have fvfcdicsl sittings of theßesident Magis"ttefa Court held at Brunnerton, where were is a population of about 1700 inhabi«ta now resident . The Hon. Mr Tou raid he did not think $cc was any necessity for opening a - Bcsh Court at Brunnerton, but he would ~: : csaefaftQQ enquiries to be made. r fi ~3^y Jn g toMr Guianess, as to whether : - * B eQoreraiaeat will place a sufficient sunk S3* to pay the salaries of Sgttekrkaof the Licensing Committees since their appointment by the been performing their duties ***«» receiving any salary, jm Soa> * OM said the Government -2L?** «c their way to pay these ; vS**, The fees were all invested in the ****fcoaies. ym *SgringteMrMeMffian,whythe road m ffli the Christehurch and Hokitika J y;sj J fear months, and if "Minintorn wfn arrears paid up and to 7§»Boetad.payments in future, ' i r*teteLJr ffl f Bichasdsow said lie 1 ™ vaae> •* the request of J : '-^^ en tk/aaeelres. He would - 33KS* payments in future. - - WriiiZ? *° Qnnond *■ to whether ■fcS 11 "*,'? 31 ■* ***** **» direction hi rr* &» fewn Hap»r via the

fgprge as to psorbio for thu? railway, going ir?xa TVWoaYilie v of ■■>cnrß3!«it, ana ht tteconceesktvtaaioAfor voald fcesocmuedwith. Bapijjeg fej Sir Ormosa, whether the *j GwerEfteflfc will preside, 02 the supple>~,fcr i.-ak:rsjuchaltera. Im*" «' Ue.-qpuc.-nsse fcnSaißg' »t ftek la**r.J, '*s' i i9&j» available for : fe<*' ?a" «&«' p~. scz t unsuitable a -Urt.itic'iej&ni, > . .Thet-"#iK"3K Losses*! the matter was , bow ajuawr ecfagukva&paX «*$ instruction* bad hem g>w: let fartsier lor ik« 0 . ■*(.»•!•}§■• , ■ } ■Kigiylo.g to M&ior- gt«/^££wliether JE'.ae car 1/ T-β made to * ihepayai-'ri - zz?xa.r « t due to con*tx&eu>s£ /or weeks without the I dd»y rch*oh has v ("he past, i>e Hi-j, -t£r 3Lcbai esoy. promised to Jook into tne mattec Replying to Mr Leveetam whether the Government will, with a.view to encourage local industries, modify the conditions attached to the Wellington-Napier contract for cylinder castings, and other works of a similarnature,'so as to enable local mann,iac£urera to compete for those works, ex:tend the time in which each works hare to 3» executed, and reduce the penalties to a reasonable amount, The Hon. Mr Bi«habdxoit said he was prepared to relax the conditions. He had already given instructions to extend the time, but he did not think the penalties imposed were too high. Keplying to Mr Hatch, The Hon. Mr Bicbakdsoh said that a large number of railway employes would be required on the Prince of Wales* Birthday, but arrangements would be made to allow as many men as possible to nave the holiday. Replying to Mr o*Conor, as to whether the Government will have the site for a bridge over the Boiler, at Lyell, selected and specifications prepared before next., session. The Hon. Mr Eichakdbon promised to comply with the request. . Beplying to Colonel Trimble, The Hon. Mr Ballajtch said he would consider the report of Sir William Fox, recommending that £4000 be applied to fencing the 1"M" of the Ngatiratieri and make proposals upon it next session. Beplying to Mr Seddon, Sir Julius Vookl raid there was no objection to establish telephone communication with the Hokitika Hospital, Gaol, and Asylum, but the Government could not undertake to connect the residence of the medfcri officer in charge of the institution. In replying to Mr Holmes whether it is true that the late Ministry of which Mr Bollestonwßß Minister of Lands, allowed a syndicate in Wellington, of -whom his colleague was one, to buy a huge tract of Maori land in the Middle Island, extending from West Wanganui Inlet to the Turuiwiwi Biver, which land is of an auriferous character, and a portion of which was a proclaimed goldfield, The Hob. Mr BALLANCseaid there was no evidence in the department to chow that the late Minister of Lands had anything to do with the matter. Application had been made for a tract of land consisting of .100,000 acres, which according to the report on it was not very valuable land. Beplying to Mr Guinness The Hon. Mr Ballanct said it was not the intention of the Government to take any steps to set aside the sale to the Westport Colliery Company of *50 acres of land at Wallsend, Grey river. . MB BOLLMTOH DC EXPLANATION. Mr Bollxkstoh moved the adjournment of the House to make a personal explanation with reference totheWestport Colliery Company. This question was dealt with on s> previous day in such a manner as he had to complain of. Three Ministers in their several capacities had done their best to make him a delinquent of the worst description, and that he had been giving away the lands of the people in a most unjustifiable way. The Premier had said that he (Mr Bolleeton) had done a very illegal action, but he considered he had acted within the law in the action he had -takes. *The Ac* gave *he Mintete* for the time being full power to act as he had done. The Premier had: had taken ft course which ought to be made known to Parliament. The Minister for Public Worka bad also quoted the case of the coal, mine to show that the late Minister of Lands had acted very improperly in giving away land to this Company till the last five years of their lease. Then the Treasurer had inferred that he (Mr Bolleeton) had done thin act to benefit a colleague; that he was mixed up in a nasty transaction to benefit his friends. The Treasurer had further accused him of gross carelessness. The Treasurer had also said that the time at which this was done was when the Ministry was going out of office, but the fact was the lease had been transferred months before the Government went out. The whole question as to the transference of the lease had in (previous sessions been explained to Parliament. The Government had to deal with the j whole queetion, as a matter not only of common sense but of common justice, and he [did not desire to shrink from the re* sponeibiiity he had incurred. The Minister for Public Works had stated that he had put a provision into the lease to protect the leßsees. Mr Bolleston then read the conditions of the lease, and went into the whole matter at considerable length. The Treasurer, he thought, had gone out of hie way to make a very naety insinuation. Hβ wished to inform the House that he had been guilty neither of carelessness nor corruption. The Treasurer was constantly endeavoring to browbeat the House. £v (Mr BoUeston's) trannactienß with companies were perfectly open and straightforward, and his character would bear comparison with that of the Colonial Treasurer. Sir Julius Voces said he had no regret for what he had said with reference to the member for Geraldine. He hoped he would take to' heart the lesson he had i given him. That hon. member always , spoke as if he were a very superior being. He had frequently made most unwarrantable charges against him (Sir Julius Vogel). He did not wish to impute any corruption to the hon. member; he had merely said he had taken part in a transaction which had benefitted a colleague. He should like to know what public service the member for Geraldine had rendered. He was a distinguished member of the great barnacle family, and always prophesied ruin to the colony;' when he himself was not in the Government. As to the aocut ration of the hon. gentleman that he had come back to New Zealand to take office, he ridiculed the idea in his state of health, as he did not know whether he would live till next session. He had come back without the slightest intention of taking office, but when he found the condition the colony had been brought to by the hon. gentleman and his friends he consented to join the Muusbr. He had no desire whatever to hold office, in fact he was holding it at a great sacrifice, but he considered that in consequence of his having done so confidence was already would merely add thai; he ventured to tViiwV big memory would live in New Zealand longer than that of the member for Geraldme. The Hon. Mr Stout was sorry the member for Geraldine had taken up the matter in the light he had done. Asfaras he was concerned, he had merely stated he had done an illegal action in granting the lease, and it should have had the sanction of Parliament. He said that in violation of the terms of the lease, Mr Bolleston had given the Company 150 acres of land, which was most unjustifiable. He charged the late Minister with having violated the ArawsoH denied that Sir Julius Vogel, with hie magic wand, had ™*t°*** the country to great prosperity. On the contrary, the action he was present would sink the country'-into *sej«y aad disaster greater' than 'ever before existed. Hβ felt proud to be a member of the Government that included the member for Geraldine. Hβ considered; the imputations the Treasurer made'against that hon. member were most unworthy. He should like to know what Sir Julius -Yogd had done for lie country, He took

the opportunity of warning the country that they were being led on into a course which would surely end in disaster, and it was only through the policy of the present Colonial Treasurer. Mr Sjixdoh thought Major Atkinson had little to thank the late Minister of Lands for, as he it was who had caused the downfall of the Atkinson Ministry. Mr Bsto said that although he never expected to be in office again in the colony he would always look back with pleasure to the fact of his association in the Ministry with Mr Bolleston. He could not help being; struck with Sir Julius Vogel'a persistent habit of nagging at his opponents, whilst at the same time he would not deny him the possession of great ability and resources. This habit was unfortunately only too readily followed by the Treasurer'e soppdrters. He defended the member for Geraldine as to the lease in question. Mr Gillxbs said he could not sit silent and hear any man accused unjustly. He was greatly surprised to hear Mr Bolleston accused of unduly favoring the Westport Company. His experience of that Company had been just the opposite, as he considered that the late Government had not assisted the Company to anything like the extent they might have done. Mr Bbown, referring to Mr Brjce'e remarks, considered the late Ministry had done the country a great wrong in not resigning before Parliament met, and so saving expense to the country. He thought the late Minister of Lands acted most injudiciously. Mr BoLLXSTON merely wished to Bay he thought the Treasurer had had a useful lesson taught him by the debate, and he hoped he would profit by it. The Treasurer had inside the House and out of it made most uncalled for i&Binuations against him and the Government of which he was a member, which he thought very unworthy of the position he held in the House. The motion for adjournment was then withdrawn. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. p.m. GOVXBNHXNT BTJSIOTtSe. The Hon. Mr Stoot noved—"That the House, at its rising to-day, do adjourn till to-morrow, at 11 a.m., for the transaction of Government business only." Agreed to. ' TIBET BBAXKNOS. The following Bills were introduced and read b first time:—The Property Tax Bill and the New Zealand Loans Bill. WAHANUI. The Hon. Mr Ballancb informed *he House that it was proposed that Wahanui should be heard at the bar of the House to-morrow, at eleven o'clock. BKKTBOOT BILL.J The Beetroot Sugar BUI was read a third time and passed. WXBTLAND BOTTCATIOK DISTBICT. * The Westiand Education District Subdivision BUI was read a third time, on a division. Ayes, 35; noes, 24. OONSOLIDATBD STOCK BILL. Sir Julius Voozl moved the eecond reading of the Consolidated Stock BUI. He said the object ef the Bill was explained in the Financial Statement. The Bill has been framed to give relief to the consolidated revenue. It was also intended that the conversion of stock should be carried on in the most beneficial manner possible. Sir Julius Vogel referred to the whole position of the permanent debt and sinking fund at considerable length. He explained that the operation of the BUI was to suspend the pressure of the sinking fund, and to convert the loans outstanding on the 31st March into inscribed stock. He pointed out that a great deal of power was put into the hands of the Colonial Treasurer by the BUL After detailing the provisions of the BUI, he said the Government desired to give expression to the opinions expressed by several members of the House on the previous occasion. The proposal would enable them to do without extra taxation, to remit half the property tax, and to propose for the future a finance unburdened with funded debt to be converted into a floating debt. Major Atkinson said the first question he would ask the House was what was the ■-Bm :; -i»ted :j that the Treasurer either in the Financial' -Statement or on. the present occasion had not given a good reason for the passing of the BUL The , BUI really authorised the House to adopt that very old and bad principle of borrowing to.pay our debts. The House, if it adopted the BUI, would throw, away the opportunity of framing the finances on a right basis. He thought it would not be' the last they would hear of this. Everyone knew that in London New Zealand is regarded as a most extravagant colony, and it may be said with truth that they were now shirking a responsibility which they had incurred. There had been no pretence to examine taxation at all. The Treasurer had said he must restore the property classes to their [proper position, and do away with the obnoxious property tax." If he thought the object of the Bill was to relieve the colony in a legitimate way he would be found supporting it, but it was really intended to pay off the debt by further borrowing. He submitted that before the Bill was passed some better reason should be shown for it. When the Treasurer took office he undertook to put the finances on a better footing, but was the present BUI to be considered a relief? He thought the H*use should be informed by the Treasurer how soon he meant to make the inscriptions. He could not understand how the public debt would not be increased by the operation. He certainly thought it would be increased and not reduced. They should wait for the ordinary operation of the Stock Act to relieve them of their burden. A most objectionable feature in the BUI was the power given to the Treasurer to deal with the money entirely, and another objection was the large amount which the Treasurer would be able to raise on his own responsibility, even so much as twenty millions. He had trespassed on the House at greater length than usual, because he felt so strongly on the matter. He felt they were going into most dangerous ground, and very little might cause a serious disaster. He hoped the House would reject the BUI, because he thought it was the greatest blow that had ever bees aimed at the credit of New Zealand. He moved that the Bill be read that day six months. Mr Moss was glad to see that the member for Egmont had at hut realised the fact there were disputable questions in the Financial Statement. He objected to the BUI bef ere the House, and criticised its provisions at some length. He said section 10 of the BUI gave the Treasurer extraordinary power. It gave him power to raise three millions of money, which would enable the Government to come down next session and say they had bo much money there was no need for taxation. The Bill proposed to convert no less than seventeen millions of debentures. He hoped the BUI would be materially altered in Committee. Sir Jtjliub Voexi. denied that the Bill proposed to seize the sinking fund. He also combatted the assertion that the Bill authorised borrowing to pay the debt. The motto of the member for Egmont appeared to bs to wait tQI something turned up, but he thought they need not wait. It was perfectly right to convert the accrued fund as it was accruing, as there was not a single colony that had paid off its debt. There was nothing in the argument that the credit of New Zealand would suffer by the proposal of the BUI. As regarded the absolute liabilities which the Government had to deal with, the authority of them rested with the late Government. These obligations amounted to ten millions more or less. He referred in detail to tie arguments adduced against the BUI, and said it was impossible under this BUI that the would be increased, except in clause 4, which related te the guaranteed loans. If it were thought desirable he would not object to the Governor in Coundl being inserted in clause 10 instead of the Colonial Treasurer, to issue theeeven years debentures. There would also be no objection if the Bill went into Committee to limit the power «f <3olonial Treasurer, under the BUI to any amount that,the House might thmk fit He trusted the second reading of the W ,rould be carried. He desired do full jnettee to the manner m which the member

forEgmonthad dueharged the dutieso* leadef of the Opposition all session, and also Vthe way a? 11 **™ had criticised the BUI now before the House. _• ~ Mr Babbon eaid, as the leader «f tae Opposition Bad proposed an amendment which was tantamount to a vote of J Bo *: 0 * confidence, he. could not vote for tie amendment, but he reserved to himself the right to criticise the BUI in Committee. Mr MoHTeoioaT spoke to the came effect. The Miction for the second reading was then put and carried. The following is toe division list:— ■ Ayes, 48 — Messrs AUwright, Ballance, Barron, Bevan, Bradshaw, Brown, Cadman, Cowan, Duncan, Fraser, Gamck, Gillies, Grigg, Guinness, Harper, Holmes, Johnston, Joyce, Lance, Larnach, McKenrie, J. (Mceraki), McMillan, Montgomery, Moss, O'Callaghan, O'Conor, Orcnond, Wi Fere, Pyke, Eeeee, Richardson, E. (Kaiapoi), Bichardson, G. F. (Mataura), Boss, Samuels, Seddon, Shrimski, Smith, Steward, W. J. (Waxmate), Stewart, W. D. (Dunedin West), Stout, Sutter. Taiaroa, Thompson, T., Tole, Turnbull, VogeLWalker, White, W. (Sydenham). Noes, 15 — Messrs Atkinson, Sryce, Buchanan, Bucklaad, W. F. (Franklin North), Fergus, Hakuene, Hatch. Hirst, H. (Wallace), Hobbs, Lake, Mitcheleon, BoUeston, Thomson, J. W. (Clutha), Trimble, Wakefield. TIHBEB FLOATING BUI.. The House went into Committee on the Timber Floating Bill. The Bill passed through Committee with verbal amendments. OTHKB BIIILS. The Impounding Bill was further considered. Wandering at large on roads elicited a long discussion. Mr Guinness moved to strike out after the words "in any road" the words " fenced on both sides." The amendment was negatived. In clause 45 providing a penalty for illegally impounding cattle. The Hon. Mr Stout moved to strike out 'the words relating to imprisonment for six months. Agreed to. In clause 46, penalty for lesser offences, The Hon. Mr Stout moved to strike out " penalty not exceeding £5," with a view of inserting "penalty not exceeding £10," and to omit the portion of the clause relating to imprisonment for one month. Agreed to. In clause 48, party using cattle without consent of owners, to insert the words "while impounded." j Agreed to. A new clause was added to the Bill proyiding that sections 5 and 6—no damages in respect of unfenced lands, and occupier. of fenced land may sue for trespass rates j or actual damages—shall not have operation within the districts of Nelson, Marlborough, Otago, and Weetiand. Special provisions were inserted for those districts. The Bill was reported with amendments. The House went into Committee on the Biver Boards SilL Progress was reported. The House rose at 1.25 a.m.