GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 64, 14 August 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(JPcr Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph

Agency.') Wellington, August 13. In the Legislative Council, The Hon. Dr Pollen moved the second reading of the Canterbury Water Supplv Bill. The motion was seconded by Hon Colonel Brett, who felt sure the Canterbury people would esteem it the greatest boon ever granted by the Council. The Hon Captain Fraser supported the motion. The Hon Mr Robinson called attention to the arbitrary powers vested by the Bill in the Superintendent of Canterbury. He hoped they would be remedied in committee. The Hon G. Buckley suggested that the measure should be referred to a select committee owing to the objectionable powers it contained. The Bill was then read a second time. The Select Committee of the Legislative Council on the Civil Service Act Amendment Bill, replied as follows: —"That, inasmuch as the existing law relating to the civil service, was the result of a labored investigation by a commission, it is not desirable to alter the law without a similar investigation, and that a commission be appointed during the recess to enquire into and report upon the working of the Civil Service Acts." fc Hon Dr Pollen has given notice that he intends to move the adoption of the report. abolition of north island provinces. In the House of Representatives to-night, The Premier rose, amid applause, and introduced the resolution. He said the action the Government was now taking had been causedtby the debate on the Forests Bill. The figures which came out showed the enormous amount of expenditure which came, directly or indirectly, out of the colonial purse. This made a great impression upon him. There was some doubt as to the sufficiency of the arrangements for the North Island for this year, and also for the following year. It had been for some time apparent to him that the Government was compelled to finance not only for itself but for many of the provinces. In considering the subject he arrived at the conclusion that there must be one province, or no province at all, for the North Island. He had long felt that some large change was necessary. Years ago he was a very warm supporter of separation, but circumstances had since made that im possible. He was in favour of coalition, but believed still in large provinces, to enable the island to be p:operly settled and its works carried out upou a large and comprehensive plan. The General Government would be obliged to undertake a large share of that work, and it would be impossible to carry out these works amongst the jealousies of local legislation. It was made clear that it would be better at once for the Government to be its own financier, than to be financier-general for so many Governments. He had become so thoroughly .sick of this invidious position, that he preferred that the whole question should be fought out, and a plain understanding arrived at. The hon member for Parnell, who had given the subject great consideration, had proposed to bring down resolutions, but the question was so large that it was better to make it a ministerial one, it was only the moderation of the Government itself, and not the fear of opposition, which induced them not to bring down a Bill, but the simple resolution. During the three years ending June 30th, 1874, there was spent in this island out of colonial funds, £2,387,000, while the whole provincial revenue, including the laud fund, amounted to only £448,000. These figures showed that it was impossible that the Government could delegate such large spending powers with any justice to the taxpayers of the colony. He referred to the motion of the member for Rangitikei, in the year of stagnation, that Superintendents should lake the charge of public works. Well, anything at at that stagnant time was better than the way things were going on, but the relatioj of the General Government with the provinces now was entirely different. He would ask them to look at the map of the North Island and see the amount of roads and works maintained. The divisions of the Island were, not suited politically or geographically, the only object apparently being the distribution of political power among a few persons. He admitted that more suitable men could not bo got to cany on affairs of the provinces of the North Island, but they were obliged to confess that their efforts were fettered by the respective jealousies of each other. It was the financial relations of these provinces, however, which were the real grounds of complaint. Year after year they had to come dowu with devices for enabling them to carry out their' functions, constantly to make their roads, and near other charges out of the consolidated revenue. Was there over to be a» end to this? He flatly denied having any designs upon the local land revenue, but it wasliigh time the North Island should meet the expense of its public works out of its land revenue, and get its system of finance 'adjusted. The Hon. the Premie) then detailed at length the amount of the various provincial services, and the amount to

which Government assisted. The capitation allowance brought out the evil strongly. The total cost of the North Island's services last year was £58,000, while the capitation paid by the colony was £BB,OOO, and the appropriations for the present year were £BB,OOO, whilst they are proposing to give a capitation allowance for the year of £93,000. Was it not the duty of the Government to insist upon certain duties to be carried out, notwithstanding the powers of the Provincial Governments. It seemed to him that the divisions of the revenue should be the following :—Local revenue, goldfields revenue, land revenue, and revenue of the colony. The land should be appropriated to pay the interest upon the debt of executing public works, such as harbors, and the other revenue employed for local purposes. It was not intended to impound the revenue of any of the provinces. There was nothing ulterior or sinister concealed in the resolutions. They merely considered it advisable to assume the control of those functions, which should be properly performed. He meant by local Goverment that when they altered the present system, they would introduce a system of local control and place it in the hands of the people. The Timaru system might be abundantly introduced and materially defined. The districts of the North Island seemed fitted for that system. It was also desirable that there • should be only one land law instead of four. It was time one comprehensive land law should be brought down. With respect to dealing with existing Superintendents, he thought in regard to one at least his life long services should entitle him to a provision for life. He did not think any compensation was called for to Executives. But the other Superintendents should be paid to the end of the terms of their office, With regard to the compact of 1856, any departure from that would be dishonest, and any arrangements to be made regarding the North Island must be in accordance with that compact. Owing to the feverish dread of Otago and Canterbury that their lands would some day be attacked, they were realising them as fast as possible. lie thought in Otago and Canterbury they did the work of government well, and if the people were satisfied with the way their local affairs were administered, they could see no menaces in these proposals. Why should not Auckland's children be educated as well as those in the South. The North spent 8s lOd per head on educating their children, and the South spent 16s. Either one was extravagant or the other wretchedly off. The gaol and other services of the one, cost 10s Id per head, and of the other, 19s 6d. To the objection that the work was too much for the Government, he thought they could get on very well with a resident minister at Auckland, and a Government agent at Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. Without being more extravagant, he thought this would be more efficient than the old plan. It was an undoubted fact that the gaols and lunatic asylums of the North Island were a disgrace to the. colony, and education was sadly behind. All of these services were carried on by a succession of expedients. He looked upon the provinces of .Nelson and Westland as having a good future before them, on account of their mineral resources ; but time had come to look thoroughly into the whole goldfield question. By giving the North Island one province, they would remove all provincial prejudices, ensure the efficiency of its services, and carry on the public works policy without opposition, and give facility in adjusting the finance. When the Government obtained the possession of this island, and nursed its land revenue, they would find they could carry out the functions and duties of Government more effectually. Nature, probably, had never been more bountiful iu her gifts to any other island than the North Island, which could support a larger population than the Middle Island. He considered that the present proposals might have been properly brought down four years ago, when the Middle Island was asked to undertake the important works which it did. On such a great question as this the Government would not be satisfied solely with an expression of the opinion of the House. [Hear, hear.] He denied that he lutd changed his opinion, or that anything of a personal or ambitious nature induced him to take this step. It was solely upon public grounds that the Government voluntarily undertook so large and difficult a struggle, and which might lead to the severance of political alliances which had lasted for years ; but the question he felt, must, for the good of the country, be faced boldly, and at once. [Applause.] Mr O'IiORKE made a personal explanation. He wished to say, that he had been no party, and could be no parly, to the scheme. Had he voted for it, he would have deserved to be called a base political traitor, and although there were eminent political apostates, happily he could not imitate them. If the scheme were carried out it must result in a failure. He could not alter his political opinions iu the twinkling of an eye. He would never have joined the Ministry if he thought his hon colleague had in his copious armory the dagger to stab the political life of Auckland. The resolution contained as much as it was possible to condense of all that was offensive to Auckland. He had no personal grounds or any objection against his colleague. He had always been courteously treated. The Premier had entered upon a voyage of which no man could sec Ihe end. (Loud applause from the opposition). The Hon the PREMIER said he owed theHouse an apology for a member of the Cabinet making such an exhibition. His colleague had never by a single word iutimated to himself or his colleagues that he disapproved of the policy. It was quite a surprise. Mr Reeves moved the adjournment of the debate till Monday,

In reply to Mr Taiaroa, asking whether Government would give effect to the report of the committee on the non-fulfilment of promises to the natives of the Middle Island

Sir Donald McLean said, he would next week devise means for arranging the difficulties, but was entirely opposed to any arbitration being introduced in the matter.