HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3773, 18 August 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. KKPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OTAOO LAND "DUMMYISM." The committee on Otago land " dummyism" brought up their report. It finds tho charge of alleged dummyisin on Messrs Gellibrand and Co.'s station to be fully proved, and that tho purchases avoi-c not bona fide. They recommend that they be cancelled, and possession of the land bo resumed by tho CroAvn ; also, that increased powers bo given to AVastc Lands Boards iv dealing Avith such matters, and that a Royal Commission be appointed to further investigate the other cases of alleged " dummy ism." QUESTIONS. y Replying to questions, Ministers said that a minute investigation Avas being made into Messrs Brogden's claims, Avhich Avould be completed beforo next session ; if carpet yarns could be mado in the colony tho Government Avould not admit foreign yarns duty free as at present; tho Government could not' favorably entertain the petition of the United Fire Brigades Association ; tho Government saAV no reason to interfere witli the Southland AVasto Lauds Board's action in pressing for arrears of rent of deferred payment lands ; tho Government Avould enquire into tho statement that 84 t *• artisans and laborers, representing 112 souls, could not find employment in Timaru, and desired removal by a Government steamer to tho North Island; there Avas no reason to believe that a light on Black Poiut Avould be preferable to ono on Waipapa Point; the GoA'erumcut Avould circulate copies of thcTasmanian Codlin Moth Act; provision should be mado Avithout altering tho law to provide for tho payment of liabilities of local bodies Avhich ceased to discharge thoir functions; the Sinking Fund Commissioners had agreed to lend tho Borough Council of Hawera ,£ISOO on good and ample security ; the accounts of AVaipaAva aud other County Councils had not yet been audited as required by law. THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

On the motion to go into Committee of iSupply Mr Bathgate moved, as an amendment, that tho Government, should purchase 2000 acres on tho main trunk railway (Middle Island), Avithin twenty miles of some centre of population, to found there a legislative capital whoro Parliament could

meet more conveniently than iv Wellington. He supported this in a long speech. Mr Rolleston doubted if the motion was serious. It was altogether outside the r ink of practical politic-'. Mr J. W. Thompson undMrMontgomory Hiipporfed the motion, and Mr Moss opposed it, all three, however, urging the necessity for a local legislature in each island. The amendment was rejected by o. to 20, and the House went into COMMITTEE OF SVITLY. Class lll.—Teasurv 7700:5, Property Tax Offico £11,7-30, Miscellaneous £2.3,81:!, and Public Trust OHie £300."), were passed. Class V., Postal nndTclograpliic—bovernl members urged that the officers of the Telegraph Department were very badly paid. Mr Macandrew objected to cheap press rates. Mr Hursthouso and Mr Duncan complained of the constant refusal to give telegraphic communication to country districts. Tho votes General Post Oflice £7-1.3.3, Chief Offices and Sub - Offices £111, (ill, Maintenance and Repair e.'UJ.S.jS, Telc-raph Cable Subsidies .£'>:;.3o, Conveyance of Mails by Sea £3*,010, Inland Mails £2.3,510, Carriage of Mails by Rail £1000, were passed. " Glass VIII., Education.—Head Office £212.3, passed.—Public Schools .£27Ui:S-3. Mr Turnbull moved a. reduction, first of £-10,000, and then of £20.000, on this vote. A long discussion ensued as to whether Education Boards were necessary, and the ages at wlich children should go to and leave school. Mr TimihiilVs amendment was lost by -17 to .3, aud the Public Schools vote was'passed as printed, also jNativo Schools £1-3,100, Industrial Schools £11,2, 0, and ihe 'Deaf and Dumb Institution £2:11.3. On tho vote £1.00 for Higher Education, Mr Hursthouso moved tostrike it out, as these schools were- maintained at the expense of the poor for the benefit of the rich. After discussion the amendment was lost by :\-l to 22, and tbo vote passed. Class IX., Native Affairs.—Thefollowing votes were passed, Native Department .COUS.3, Native Lands Court -10,1 17, Native Lauds Frauds Prevention £.3-10, aud Miscellaneous CoJO.

Class XII., Defeu"C—-Militia aud A'oluntecrs £22.235, passed.—Armed Constabulary £172,307. Mr Hutchison thought they could do Avitli half the polieo and constabulary, and he moved a reduction of £'25,000. Mr Bryce said constant applications were being made for an increase of police protection. As to tlic A.C, all the reductions wliich Avere safe wviv and Avould be made: but, although no general outbreak w:is again likely, it Avould be unsafe vet to reduce the force very largely. After Mr Bryee's statement, Mr Hutchison Avifhdrew his amendment, and the vote passed.— Stores and Magazines £3785, aud Miscellaneous £71 IS, Avere passed. Class XL, AVorkiug.Railways .CG31,000.— On the item, General Manager, £1000, being put, Mr Turnbull moved that it be reduced by £200. Mr AY. Johnston said Mr Maxwell Avas a most valuable officer; in three years he effected great reforms in the Avorking of railways, as they now earned £20,000 a year more, Avhilo concessions representing" another £1000 a year had been made to the public. Mr J. McKenzie, Mr Petric, Mr Duncan, Mr Sutton aud others complained greatly of railway management, Mr AVhite supported the vote as printed. The amendment Avas negatived on tho voices, and the total vote passed. Government Domains £1221, Public Buildings £30,050, and Miscellaneous £4025, avci-o passed. Progress Avas then reported, ancl tho Houso rose at 3.25.