HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4082, 21 August 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. In reply to Sir George Grey, Mr Stout said that as this ivas a private members' day he saw no reason why business should not proceed despite the no - confidence amendment tabled. Replying to Mr Seddon, Mr Montgomery said that tho Government had intended to bring down a bill to amend the AVestland Education District Subdivision Act. Replying to Mr Smith, Mr Montgomery said that no instructions had been given to the registration officer of Hawke's Bay to refer all claims for registration to the police. Replying to Mr Guinness, Mr Richardson said that the vote taken for tlie construction of the Greymouth harbor ivorka had been exhausted, and that ivas the reason tbe ivorks had been stopped. Tho matter Avas under consideration with the vicw_of making further provisions. FIRST READINGS. The following bills were introduced and read a first time:—Bill to amend the Licensing Act, 1881, Amendment Act, I£S2 (Shriraski) ; bill to confer additional poifers on the Kaiapoi Domain Board (Richardson); Manukau Harbor Board Bill (Hamlin) ; Caversham Drainage Bill (Barron) ; Otago Harbor Board Empowering Act 1875, Amendment Bill (Ross) ; Pensions Bill (Shrimski); Invercargill Reserves Leasing Bill (Hatch) ;_ bill to abolish plurality of voting at election of members for tho House of Representatives (Barron); Police Offences Bill (Stout); Married AVomcn's Property Bill (Stout) ; Timaru Market ReserveLeasing Bill (Turnbull) ; bill to extend the hours of polling at Parliamentary elections (Barron) ; hill to provide for the disposal of unclaimed lands (Wakefield); bill to prohibit the introduction of certain animals into the Chatham Islands (Wakefield) • Mines Act. 1877. Amnnd.»..»..t-.T..ii .a.-.,......'

MOTIONS CAREIED. • The following motions were carried: — For a return of existing endowments for secondary and university education irr_he colony (Seddon); for a return showiii"- the approximate value of school buildings teachers' dwellings, Sec. (Moss); for°a return showing the number of Armed Constabulary in each of the North Island districts, also the number of Maoris in each district (M'os.).

HANSARD. Mr Seddon moved that Hansard should be sent free to County Councils, Borough Councils, and Road Boards. Mr kursthouse moved as an amendment Lrameno. ment, that a charge be made for Hansard to public bodies to cover the cost ot printing, bl The Amendment was carried on the voices. Mr Fulton moved, as a further amendment, that the free list for Hansard be abolished with the exception of one copy to each member. ..,___ i The question was put that the amendment stand part of the motion—Ages, 31; noes, 43. The original motion as amended was then put and carried. SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. In view of the no-confidence amendment Mr Stout said that the Government Avould not proceed to move for the election_ of the sessional committees of ivhich notice had been tabled except such committees as were of an urgent character. _ The Library, House, and Standing Orders Committees were appointed. __ The House adjourned at 4.30, and resumed at 7.30.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. Mr McKenzie (Mount Ida) moved the Address in Reply. Ho was glad to see that there were no abstract questions to be dealt Avith, as it took time to refer to the naturalisation of the land and federation. He expressed satisfaction at the attention giA-cn in the speech to the mining industry. He thought the gold duty should be abolished, and grants given in aid of prospecting. He favored the appointment of a Minister who Avould devote his whole time to mining interests. With regard to the settlement ot the land, ho ivas in favor of the leasing system. He agreed ivith the public works policy sketched in the speech, and hoped to see it carried out. Tho Otago Central route was a matter of public importance, as it would be the means of the opening of hundreds of thousands of acres, and settlers had been induced to take up settlements on the promise that this line Avould be constructed. He felt great satisfaction at the proposals re public works in the North Island, and repudiated the idea of the North v. South. He favored tbe improvement of local government, commencing ivith the counties, which be thought ought to take laro-e duties. If empowered ho thought tho°counties could administer tho Education Act, and give valuable ideas re the land question. He Avas not altogether in favor of a land tax, and maintained that, as land Avas not the only source of wealth in the colony, it should not be mado to bear the Avhole burden of taxation. Ho favored borrowing as they borrowed for the construction of substantial works, and they Avent hand in hand Avith the advancement of local industry and production. He would like to sec all unfinished aa-orks completed, so that tho attendant revenue might bo realised. He would not refer to the native question, as ho was ignorant of the details. He Avould move that a respectful address be submitted to His Excellency. Mr Walker (Ashburton) seconded, and agreed Avith a greater portion of the speech but could not altogthcr agree with the substitution of a land for a property tax. The property tax was just as touching on all accrued wealth. Ho favored a change in railAvav management. Mr."Thomson (Clutha) moved, as an amendment, that the Ministry as at present constituted does not possess the confidence of the House. He said the Government were not well-assorted :it Avas a meeting of extremes. The Premier and Colonial Treasurer Avere the principal members of the Ministry. Both had been absent niany years, and he said they differed as light from darkness. The Premier Avas a Radical of the Radicals, Avhile the Treasurer was a Conservative. He characterised the speech as oiie of promise to all and sundry, and he looked on the speech as an insult to the House and the country. He might go on for long, but tlio Treasurer was in delicate health, and he (Mr. Thomson) might say things Avliich he might bo sorry for. He concluded by moving tbe amendment. Mr. Haich seconded, and followed in a similar strain to the last speaker. Ho said tho amendment of the Licensing Act, and no mention of tho immoral results of sweeps, were serious admissions on tho part of tbe Government. He eulogised the policy of Mr. Bryce Avith regard to tho native question. Hit Avas the wish of tho West Coast members he Avould vote Avith them in obtaining tho abolition of the gold duty. He censured the late Ministry for their action in raising the grain tariff. He believed that an attempt ivould be made to interfere with the present education system, but he would oppose any such intention. Tbe Premier rose amid applause. He looked upon the mover and seconder of the amendment as tools in the hands of the party of ivhich Major Atkinson Avas the real "leader. He believed tho member for Clutha ivas acting conscientiously, and that ho ivas doing what he believed to be his duty Mr Thomson held opposite views on certains questions. He referred to the English Cabinet in proof of the assertion tha° there must be a coalition. They Avere told that the speech was only promises, but what speech ever contained more than promises. The Government had only been sworn in on Saturday, and had come down with a speech, and now, before they were able even to enquire into tho late administration, they Avero confronted by this motion. Was this a denial of right because there Avas something to conceal ? He had found out that ono important department of the Government had been carried on by non-official correspondence. In connection with the direct steam service, immigration, and the Agent-Generalship, certain records ivero not to be found. The Harbor Board and Education funds were exhausted. Ho severely criticised the late financial administration, and stated, ivith regard to the public works policy, he had found irregularities. The late Government had failed in everything they undertook. The colony had spent a million and a half per annum instead of a million, Avhich Avas a breach of understanding Avith the English creditors. From tho North to the South the natives Avero discontented. If the House decided they wore not to look into the affairs of the country, the responsibility would rest with the House. He contended that the Government had been met by personal grounds on this motion. Ho ivould not ask for an adjournment, and would not have lobby intrigues, nor would the Government give any Avrittcn pledges. He Avould challenge the House to divide at once, as it was necessary in the present state of the country that a Government should bo formed at once. Ho said there were three parties in the House, one led by Sir George Grey, tho second by Major Atkinson, and tho third was hoisted and turned always.

Mr Grigg opposed a division being taken in tho face of the statement made by the Premier. They should not be carried away by such a gilded statement as they had just heard. J_r J. C. Buckland favored the Government being alloAved to dovelop their policy and bring down a financial statement. Mr Wi Pere and Mr Samuel ivcre of a similar opinion. Mr Gillies opposed the Government, after which a division Avas taken, Avith the following result: —

Ayes, 52. Atkinson Lcvestam Bruce L r ockc , Bryce Macarthur Buchanan f^\ ooil 1\ l 1 Buckland (Franklin Mitchelson North) M°at Cadman Moss Conolly Newman Cowen O'Conor Hargavillc Ormond Dodson £ c f ock Fitzherbert I J'kc Fraser Reese Fulton Richardson Gillies (Mataura) G- re y Rolleston Grigg Ross Guinness Shcphard Hakucne - Smith Hamlin To Ap Hatch (teller) Thomson (Auckland Hirst (Wallace) North) Hobbs Thompson (Clutha) Hursthouse (teller) Hurst (Waitemata) Tole Johnston lurn bu 11 Joyce Wakefield Lake Wilson Noes, 33. Allwris-lit M'Millian Ballance Montgomery Barron M ™ , Bevau O'Callaghan Bradshaw Pearson Brown Wi Pere

Buckland Richardson (Waikouaiti) (Kaiapoi) Coster Samuel Duncan Seddon Gore Shriniski Harper Steward (Waimatel Holmes Stewart (Dunedin Lance West Larnach Stout Mackenzie (Mount Sutter Ida) (teller) Turnbull M'Keime (Moe- Walker (teller) raki) White (Sydenham) Pairs. Ayes -Toes. Beetham Fisher Whyte MacandreAV Russell Vogel On the motion of Mr J. W. Thomson the following were appointed a committee to draw up the Addrcss-in-Reply as amended:—Messrs Hatch, Gillies, Dodson, and J. W. Thomson. The address was tabled, read, and adopted. The House then adjourned until 2.30 next day, when the Premier will announce the intention of the Government. This day.

The House met at 2,30. RESIGNATION OF MINISTRY. The Premier announced that this morning he had placed the resignation of the Government in the hands of the Governor. He would, on the House rising, move an adjournment till Tuesday. He had done this on the recommendation of Mr Thomson, who had been sent for by the Governor.