LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3488, 11 September 1882, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Saturday.

THE LOAN BILLS,

Mr Stevens deprecated the Loan Bills being divided into two parts. He failed to understand why a country with such a fine climate, and abounding with such rich resources, should borrow at a higher rate of interest than other British colonies.

Mr Oliver was surprised at so much opposition beiDg given to the loans, and assured the Council that the colony could not get along without borrowing. Mr Miller, while upholding the present Government for their honest management of public affairs, said he could not conscientiously vote for the three million bill. He did not believe a direct railway line from Picton to Christchurch would connect the two places more than at present, because most of the travelling public would take the steamer between Wellington and Lyttelton. Messrs Wilson, Holmes, Fraser, Reynolds, and Peacock also spoke against the second reading. Mr Robinson spoke at considerable lergth in favor of the bills, saying he knew most of the lines proposed and approved of them. The only one he did not know and had any doubts about was the Central Otago, and as his honourable friend Mr Holmes had stated this was really the best line of all he was content to accept that assurance and vote for the loan although Mr Holmes would not. Mr Dignan supported both bills. Dr Menzies expressed regret that borrowing could not be dispensed with for another year, but he could not oppose the bills, as the Government declared them necessary. Mr Bonar Btrongly supported further borrowing. Mr Mantell did not approve of increased loans but was prepared to yield his convictions to the strongly expressed opinion of the representative Chamber. . Mr Wbitaker in replying said he did not think the amount proposed to be borrowed was at all unreasonable. He was quite sure that the whole of the railways would pay interest on the cost of their construction. In conclusion he hoped to see all political distinctions and political boundaries done away with. The Council divided on the North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Bill. —Ayes, 24; noes, 9. The following is the division list: — Ayes, 24. Ackland Martin Baillie Mantell Bonar M'Lean Brett Menzies Buckley, P. Miller Dignan Oliver , Grace Pbarazyn Gray Robineon jHart Whitaker Henderson Wigley Johnson Williamson Lahmann Wood Noes, 9. Fraser Scotland Holmes Stevens Peacock Whitmore Peter Wilson 'Reynolds The Council then divided on the New Zealand Loan Bill.—Ayes, 20 ; Noes, 13. The following is the division list: — Ayes, 20. Ackland Lahmann Baillie Mantell Bonar Martin Brett M'Lean Buckley, P. Oliver Dignan Pharazyn Grace Robinson Hart Whitaker Henderson Williamson Johnson Wood Noes, 13. Fraser Reynolds Gray Scotland Holmes Stevens Menziea Whitmoro Miller Wigley Peacock Wilson Both bills passed through committee, and were read a third time and passed. THE LAND BILL. A committee was appointed to draw up treasons for the Council insisting on its amendments in the Land Bill. BILLS. The following bills were finally passed :—Colonial Inscribed Stock Loan, Roads and Bridges Construction, Customs Duties Consolidation, Mining Company's Registration Validation, Counties Act Amendment, Auckland Museum endowment, Otago Harbor Board, and Fencing Act Amendment. The Gisborne Harbor Board Bill was read a second time and passed through committee. The Council adjourned at 11.4-5.