HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3735, 5 July 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Ministers, replying to questions, said care would be taken to survey all practicable routes for tho North Island trunk railway, so as to select the best; tho Government believed that when land was taken for a railway to pass through the compensation covered the cost of fencing the line; better accommodation for tho public would soon be provided at the Napier railway station ; the Government did not intend to amend tho Iftr/ so as to extend the hours of polling at elections, $r j;q provido that every person should only have one vote for tho House of Representatives; the Government wore not aware of the necessity to amend tho law relating to mining for other minerals than

gold ; harbor masters were now authorised to detain vessels if overloaded ; the railway lino from Hurunui to tho "West Coast waß being surveyed via Cannibal Gorge, and v fresh party would bo put on from Reefton, so as to get the survey completed in four or five months; the Government would not try the method of railway management proposed by Mr S. Vaile of Auckland, nor did they propose to reduce the price of return tickets ; tho system of laying permanent way invented by Mr Otway of Auckland -was not deemed suitable ; a section of the Coke Bay railway would bo opened as soon as possible ; it was not practicable to create a new land district for tho Nelson southwest goldficlds, but additional facilities would be givon to residents thereon ; the Government, did not intend to deviate from what was the clcs'.r intention of the Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Act, that no person should get over 250 acres ; tho Government did not know of auy complaints having been made about Mr James M'Donald, Sheep Inspect of South Canterbury, and he had been asked to retire, sis his age and infirmities rendered him unable to discharge his duties under the llabbit Act; the net cost of the San Francisco service to the colony was only £4000 per year: the Government ■were simply creditors of tho Duntroon Rail - way Company, and had nothing to dowith an arrangomont made with the counties of Waitaki and Waimate as to' the traffic! bridge across the Waitaki and Kuron; provision was made in the estimates for heavy rails on the Duntroon railway. RETURNS. A large numbor of unopposed returns were ordered. NEW BILL, Mr Dick introduced the Adulteration Act Prevention Bill which was read a first time. PENALTIES I'OR ABSENTEE MEMBERS. A motion by Mr Barren, that members forfeit five guineas per day from the honororium if absent during the last ten days of tho session was rejected on si division by 32 to 25. SHIP APPRENTICES. A motion by Mr Daniel in favor of making all ships registered in New Zealand carry a certain number of apprentices in proportion to tonnage was opposed by Major Atkinson and Mr Shephard, and was lost on the voices after some debate. HANBA.ni). Mr Feldwiok's motion, on the report of the Debates Committee, that the number of capics of Hansard allowed to each member should bo increased from 12 to 20, was carried by 42 to 2G. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Mr Montgomery gave notice to move that the existing system of central government has failed to realise the results anticipated, and that the promises and engagements made at tho time of the abolition of the provinces have not been fulfilled. That, in consequence of this centralising; policy, much discontent prevails throughout New Zealand. That, to secure economy and efficiency in tho administration of local affairs, it is necessary that all such local affairs, including public works, should bo withdrawn from the control of tho central government, and be vested in local governing bodies elected by districts having a community of interests. He understood that tho Government would allow this motion to come on on Tuesday. Major Atkinson said that, as Mr Montgomery did not desire tho motion to bo regarded as one of no-confidence, although it might have that effect if carried, the Government did not wish to stop ordinary business while it was pending, and they would allow the hon. member to bring- it on on Tuesday if the House desired it. Tho House here rose, and resumed at 7.-30. LOCAL OPTION EXTENSION BILL. Mr M. W. Green moved the second reading of the Local Option Extension Bill. Mr Fish moved the adjournment of the debato for three weeks. Mr Sutton and Mr Lovcstam opposed the bill and Mr J. W. Thompson supported it. The motion for adjournment was carried on a division of 32 to 30. ANNEXTION ANn CONFEDERATION. Sir Georgo Grey moved the second reading of the Annexation and Confederation Bill, pointing out lioav the colony was situated in respect to the Pacific Islands, the danger of foreign occupation of them, and the benefits which would accrue from a union. The bill simply enabled tho Governor to act in emergency when Parliament was not sitting, as tho sovereign could uMi at Home. It enabled full enquiries to bo made for submission to the Imperial Government, with a view to action. Major Atkinson would not oppose the bill although he thought it gave the Governor general power to do what he should not do without tho express sanction of Parliament. In such case lie suggested that the bill should be referred to the Committee on annexation already appointed. Sir George Groy was willing to accept the suggestion, and tho bill was read a second time and referred accordingly. AFFIRMATIONS IN LIEU OF OATHS. Sir George Grey moved the Affirmations in Lieu of Oaths Bill, which proposed to abolish all oaths. The motion was earned without debato. shopkeeper's hours of closing. Mr M. W. Green moved the second roading of tho Shopkeeper's Hours of Closing Bill. Mr Fish denounced the bill as tyrrannical and unfair, and moved that it bo read that day six months. Mr Fergus, Mr Lcvestam, Mr Sutton, and Mr Hutchison opposed the bill, which was supported by Mr Joyce, Mr Seddon, and Mr Petrio. Mr Whyte thought the power of twothirds to shut up tho other third might be usefully employed in that House. Tho amendment was carried on a division of 41 to 21, and tho bill was thrown out. SALE OF GOODS BY RETAIL. Mr Bathgate moved the second reading of the Sale of Goods by Retail Bill, its object being to abolish the system of indiscriminate credit by abolishing the power to recover such debts. Mr Munro moved that it be read that day six months. Tho amendment was carried by 40 to 18 and the bill was thrown out. CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL. Sir George Grey at considerable length moved the second reading of the Constitution Act Amendment Bill, tho object of which was to abolish tho Legislative Council. He contended that a second Chamber was not only unnecessary but dangerous to and obstructive of useful legislation ; that its existence unnecessarily hampered members of tho House in their efforts to promote the public welfare, as all measures had to be framed and modified so as to find a chance of acceptance with the Council, and that tho existence of a noininatod body controlling the action of the representatives of tho people was out of harmony with the spirit of our institutions. The Upper House inEnglandhad obstructed and delayed every spirit of reform, but it was not so bad as our Council, as its members were not engaged in business, whilo those of the Council were as bankers, heads of money lending - companies, and in other ways enabling them t» exercise monetary influence over tho members of the Hoii.sc. Tho way members passed from one Chamber to another, and then back again, was a violation of constitutional law. Experience with Provincial Councils and in South Africa, and many parts of Europe, showed that a second Chamber was quite unnecessary in the Legislature, and that this colony would be better off if the Legislative Council was absolutely abolished. Major Atkinson opposed tho bill. The mover had failed to show any good cau;;c why it should be passed, and if the question ■was to bo dealt ivith at all it was too largo a subject to be legislated on by a private member. Sir George Grey said this bill was the outcome of a life's thought and convictions, but singularly enough he never brought it down until the Governor's speech announced the intention of tho Government to propose a measure for the roform of the Council. No Government could submit to interference of this kind by any private member, and he called on the House to support the Government. He replied at some length to Sir George Grey's charges against the Council, and stated that the Government Bill for the reform of that body would soon be down, but that the Govermeiit did not propose that any change should actually be made until the question had been submitted ' to the people at the next general election. Mr Moss, as a Democrat, opposed the bill, holding that a .second chamber was necessary to the safety and liberty of the people. Ho would, however, rather abolish the Council thiui see it elective. Mr Levestam would also rather abolish the Council than make it elective. He opposed the bill. Mr Thompson (Clutha) thought, if bettor men had been appointed to tho Council, there would have been less outcry against

hat body. Some change was no doubt necessary. He had not yet made up his mind what—and could not support the bill. ' . Mr Fish also thought some change necessar -.*, but not such a radical one as the bill proposed. Any change should be tentative, and perhaps the best to make would be to limit the term of oiHce to say ten years instead of life. Mr George would vote for the bill simply to see how the Council would deal with it. •Mr Holmes was not prepared to accept the bill as it stood, but it might be amended in committee. Mr Kelly would object to an elective Upper House, and thought the best plan would be to limit the tenure of office, and have the members to represent certain districts as in Canada. They might then either be nominated by the Crown or elected by the House. Colonel Trimble thought an elective Upper House would be too powerful and dangerous. If the members were chosen by the House, and for a limited period, a good revisary chamber would be secured. " Mr Montgomery believed in the necessity for a second" Chamber, and could not support the bill. No change should, however, be made without an appeal to the country. Sir George Grey .replied expressing a strong conviction 'that the people of the colony wore with him, and that his bill would ultimately become law. The House divided, and tho second reading was negatived by 3') to 11. The following is the division list: — Ayes, 11 Bracken Grey Bucli.num, J. Harris Daniel Smith DeLautour Svanson Fold wick Tole George Noes, 35. Allwright Montgomery Atkinson Morris Barron Moss Beet-ham Munro Buchanan, "W. C. O'Callaghan Connolly Peacock Fitzgerald Pearson Fulton Prtrie Green, J. Postlcthwaite Green, M. W. Rolleston Ilurstliouso Suttcr Kelly Sutton I Larnach Thomson, H. Leo Thomson, J. W. Mackenzie, F. W. Trimble Mcil wraith Watt McMillan Whyte, J. B. Mitchclson Pairs. Ayes. • Noes. Hutchison Wynn-Williams Turnbull Wright Bathgate Mason Cadnian _ Dick Seddon Brown, J. E. Sheehan Whitaker Taiaroa Hurst McKciizic, J. Johnston, C. J. Holmes Johnston, W. Ivcss Lcvestam White, W. Wilson, J. G. Dunnan Bryco Joyce Shaw McDonald Stevens Brown, J. C. Fergus The Bill was thrown out, and the House rose at 1.10 a.m.