GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XII, Issue 862, 2 October 1855, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

"Wednesday, Sept, 12, (Continued ) New Zealand Conpafi'/'s Debt. The Hons,e having proceeded to the next Order of the Dsy, the .- djrurned dchate on the report of the Select Committte on the New Zealand Company's Debt, Mr. Tr wers moved the adoption of the report, in the terms of ids morion of yesterday. Mr. Bit own pointed out an omission in the address. A resolution had been affii tried during last session, clearing the Province of Auckland from bsing, in justice, liable to pay any proportion of the New Zealand Company's Debt. It was admitted to be a charge on the Southern Provinces alone, yet it was proposed that the sum to be paid by way of compromise should be secured on the geneial revenues of the colony. He would suggest, that in the address should be embodied a re-affirmation of the resolution of last session. Mr. Travers had no objection, but thought it would be an act of simple surplusage. It was a most inconvenient practice to re-affirm previous affirmations. Mr. Sewf.i.l agreed that it was objectionable. He would go further and say that, not Anckland only, but the whole of the Northern Island should, in his opinion, be held liable for a share oi the New Zealand Company's debt until they gave a quid pi o quo by relieving the Middle Island from all liability to contribute any proportion of the funds required for the purchase of native lands. ► This. was an unpalatable opinion, no doubt, but it -wptMtte found that there was a good deal of equity in it. He therefore considered that it was not desirable to intio . duce a clause into the address which would tend to take the responsibility entirely away from Auckland. Mr. Porter thought that the proposed amendment was unnecessary, as the House had already decided the point at issue. A question suggested itself to him, whether the sum it was proposed to pay by way of compromise was inclusive or exclusive of the sums already paid the Company. The matter might remain, too, in its present state for twelve months, and the offer of £150,000 still be open. Major Greenwood said that the suggestion of the hon. member for the City had been characterised as an iteration, and as having a tendency to weaken the case of the colony against the Company. He would be quite willing to chance that. The proposed addition to the address was most desirable, and he trusted the hon. mover would adopt it. Mr. O'Nkill could see no harm whatever in re-affirm-ing a former resolution of the Howe. He was not at all surprised at opposition fiom the hon. members who represented the Middle Island, as the lands there were all, or nearly all sold, and they knew well enough that Auckland would have to pay the lion's share of the contributions to the Company. But it was most desirable that all doubts should be removed respecting a liability which AuckUnd had no right whatever to incur, and he congratulated his hon. colleague on having brought this matter before the House. Mr. Carleton said that a burnt child dreaded the fire, and, for the same reason, he had a wholesome dread of the words " general revenue." He recollected what these words had done before. To the use of these words Auckland had to ascribe the fact of her being involved in this matter at all. It would be recollected that Sir George Grey had been appealed to, and had given his opinion that the whole colony was liable. It was true that he had changed that opinion, but not till he was looking for popularity—till he was endeavouring to get out of the colony with eclat. By way of treating for the suffrages of the people of Auckland he had characteri&ed this payment as a very draadful thing, sinking the fact that he was the very person who did it. It was by the use of these vciy words " general levenue" that he clinched the nail. The bane was bet 01 c the House ; the antidote had b^cn suggested by thr hon. member for the city. A long discussion ensued, and, as mentioned in our summary at the time, attended by consideiable irregularity. Mr. Brown embodied his suggestion in words. Mr. Trwlrs submitted what he thought an improvement, to which Mr. Brown was willing to agree. Majoi Greenwood wished the amendment to have a retrospective operation, and would therefore propose the addition of the words " and of all such sums as have already been paid by "that Province." Mr. Sewtll would only consent to any amendment if the words were added, — " upon the final adjustment of the public finances of the colony." To relieve the general revenue from being the security offered would be to neutralize all that already been done. Muoit G keen wood had only one objection — the indefinite time at which this final adjustment was to take place. Other amendments were proposed, and the debate continued at considerable length. It was ultimately adjourned till next day upon a division, in which Mr. Travers was the only dissentient. Estimates. The House then went into Committee upon the Estimates, and voted the following sums : — £ H M S. Pandora 1854 500 Additional salary to Resident Magistrate, Auckland - - 100 Housekeeper General Assembly 100 Russell Resident Magistrate - 1 50 Ho wick ditto ... 175 Onehunga ditto ... 75 Wanganui ditto 75 The House then resumed. Legal Estates Bill. The Crown Lands Purchase Legal Estate Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Thursday, 13th. Loan Bill. The Loan Bill, having in view the borrowing of £50,000 for the purchase of Native lands, was then considered in Committee. After a long discussion, it was thrown out. The Appropriation Bill. Having been considered, and passed in Committee, tho House resumed, and again went into Committee for the contideration of Message No. 65, Which covered an estimate for the costof postage labels, press, and freight. The House resumed, and the Chairman of Committees announced that the Committee had agreed upon the following resolution :— " That this House, not having before it sufficient information relative to the item for postage labels, press, and freight, mentioned in the Messige of his Excellency the officer administering the Government, No. 65, must decline entertaining it this session." This resolution having been confirmed, The House adjourned.