PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2273, 15 July 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PEESS ASSOCIATION TBLBQBAM.J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Thubbday, July 14, The Council met at 2.30 p.m._ Leave for the rest of the session was given to the Hon. H. B. Russell on account of illhealth. Replying to the Hon. W. 8. Peter, The Hon. F. Whitakbb eaid the question of the extension of the traffic bridge was loft to the Geraldine and Ashburton County Council, Government having no responsibility in the matter. Mr Blair’e report had boon sent to those bodies. The Alienation of Land Bill was read a second time after a short debate, and then referred to a Select Committee, chosen by ballot. The Council rose at 5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thubbday, July 14, The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE OF MOTION. Dr Wallis gave notice that he would move that the time had come when the members of the House of Representatives should be annually elected, and the members of the Legislative Council be elected by the people of the colony. eepobt.

The report of the Commissioners re the Otago Central Railway was laid on the table, and

On the motion of Mr Pykb that it, together with the evidence taken therein, be printed, The Hon. J. Hall objected to the latter portion of the motion. The report was ordered to be printed without the evidence.

questions. Replying to Mr Beeves, The Hon. Major Atkinson said that the Inspector of Machinery did not use at present tho;patent Icck-up valves. The cost would be from £ls to £2O per lock. However, Government was considering the matter with a view to greater security, Replying to Mr Reeves, The Hon. W. Rolleston said it was not the intention of the Government to appoint an Inspector of Mines for the west coast of the Middle Island. Steps would, however, be taken for rendering the existing inspection more efficient, and extending it to gold mines.

Replying to Mr Andrews, The Hon. J. Hale said on only one Sunday, and that only for a few hours, had railway servants in Canterbury been employed taking stock. That day was selected, being the only one of the week when the rolling stock was not in use. Railway porters in Canterbury during the grain season required to be in attendance long hours, but as a matter of fact they were not made to actually work for more than eight hours per day. Replying to Mr Pyke, The Hon. W. Rollbbton said that while Government recognised the reservation of lands to provide for the Otago Central Railway, as stated in the schedule to the Public Works statement, 1877, they had disposed of part therof for settlement purposes, believing that that would afford the best guarantee that could bo given for the ultimate construction of the work. About 30,000 acres bad been so disposed of, but it was never intended to lock up this land from settlement. Replying to Mr Sutton, The Hon, Major Atkinson said that Government was in course of making certain changes in the subject, and these would probably include the making of adhesive stamps of one description available for all purposes for which stamps are used. Replying to Mr Hamlin, The Hon. T. Dick said that Government had at present the services of a competent analytical and agricultural chemist, and they saw no necessity for the appointment of another. He referred to Mr Skey.

Replying to Mr Karris, The Hon. W. Rollbbton said it was not their intention to introduce a Bill this session dealing with Volunteer land scrip. Replying to Mr Stevens, The Hon. J. Hall said that Government was now in the position of a landlord who held that extent of property when it would not pay him to insure it. Consequently as policies fell due they were allowed to lapse. The value of Government buUdings was a million and a half, exclusive of £600,000 worth of school buildings. The insurance offices demanded most exorbitant rates, and

it would pay hotter to replace two or three buildings a year than to insure. A Membbb—ls the library insured. ' The Hon. J. Hall—No. 1 Mr Macandebw-No insurance could re- J place it. The Hon. J. Hall—l was just going to say so. The insurance company asked £2 5s per cent, on this building and the library. J Replying to Mr Barron, The Hon. T. Dick said the order tele- 1 graphed homo for calf lymph had been 4 despatched in a great hurry before they had ! time to inquire whether or not a supply could 1 be obtained in the colony. They had since ! ascertained that at leant a portion of the ' supply could be had in the colony, and they would avail themselves of this as far as possible, but the cost of sending home was ' very alight compared to the importance of procuring a proper supply. Replying to Mr Collins, The Hon. W. EollestON said that as already announced, Government was making provision for forming roads through waste lands, and that the forest lands in Rai and Whangamo Valleys would be included in the scheme, so as to complete the trunk line road from Nelson to Blenheim. NSW BILLS. The following Bdls wore introduced and road a first time New Plymouth High School Act, 1878, Amendment (Mr Kelly), Timaru Water Race (Hon. W. Rolleston). BILLS PASSED. The following Bills, passed through committee, were reported without amendment, road a third time, and passedWaitara Harbor Board Loan ; Taranaki County Councils Act, 1878, Amendment. SECOND BEADING. The Timaru Mechanics’ Institute Act, 1877, Amendment Bill was read a second time and agreed to. WELLINGTON HOSPITAL. Mr Andrews moved for a return of the amount expended in the building and furnishing of the Wellington New Hospital, specifying the contract price of the building, particulars and amounts paid for extras (if any), amount paid for furniture and furnishing respectively ; also, the value of prison labor expended on the site and works, and any other expenditure in connection with the same. —Carried. INSPECTOR OP PRISONS’ EEPOBT. Mr Jones moved —'‘That there be laid before the House any correspondence or report, confidential or otherwise, which may have passed between the Government and the Inspector of Prisons in reference to the gaols of the colony or officers thereof, and which has not been laid on the table.” The Hon. T. Dick said it was scarcely fair to ask that a confidential report should be produced. If that principle were to be affirmed, officers would be chary about making such reports, and the Government equally chary about asking for such reports, and in that way the general efficiency of the service would be impaired. Mr Gisborne demurred to the doctrine that because an officer marked his communication “ confidential ” it was to be exempted from publication. If, however, Ministers were prepared to vouch that the publication would be prejudicial to the public interests, then the matter would be otherwise, and the confidential character of the communication should be respected. The Hon. W. Rolleston said it must bo obvious that communications of this kind should bo held to bo confidential. It was i cceaaary that the efficiency of subordinate officers, and the general character of individuals, should bo discussed. Manifestly it would be improper to publish such documents. . Mr Reid supported the motion. This officer in his report had made some extraordinary recommendations ; for instance, that i no information should be given to the press, and that naval and military officers should be appointed in the place of men who wore in the colony and amongst them. It was very necessary that the communications of such an i officer should bo closely scrutinised, t Sir G. Grey demurred to the immunity E proposed to be given to this class of reports. If men’s characters wore assailed, and I they were not to bo allowed to answer or even know of such reflection!, groat in- ) justice and gross abuse might be perpetrated. Mr Andbews supported the motion, and

in doing so criticised adversely the proposition of the Prison Inspector, and concurred in the opinion that the confidential communications of such a man demanded to be carefully watched. Mr Lbtestam spoke in support of the motion. The Inspector was paid a high salary, and the colony ought to have the advantage of this man's experience. Moreover his report as published was of a nature to create suspicion respecting the wisdom of his recommendations, and as such they should not be sheltered on this plea of secrecy. Then again his proposals to withhold information from the Press still further strengthened the suspicion alluded to. The Hon, J, Hall did not understand that the communication contained charges against any one, still it might contain information which it would not be prudent to publish. Unless the principle of confidential communications was recognised then important information valuable to the public service would be sure to be withheld. Mr Hutchison said the impression abroad was that the inspector had made a charge against officers under the plea of secrecy. He was glad to hear from the Premier that such was not the case. Ha understood the Government to contend that the inspector was justified in making confidential communications regarding the qualification or fitness of officers. He contended that such communications should not be confidential, but that they should be made known to the persons affected by them. What was known about this inspector, whose report showed he was destitute of all knowledge of human nature, was calculated to excite grave suspicions respecting his confidential communications.

Mr Whitakbb said that apart from the fitness or otherwise of the inspector, ho thought it was of the utmost importance that the Government should have the right to say whether or not certain communications were or were not confidential. In Native matters this principle was recognised, and very properly so. The contrary might involve the colony in serious trouble. He would move as an amendment the addition —" Provided such publication be not in the opinion of the Government detrimental to the publif interests."

Mr Pykb challenged the Government fo say whether this report was so vile that it could not be produced. On no other grounls could he interpret this desire for reticence on the part of Government. Mr Tubnbull criticised the publisied report of the inspector, and gave it as hie opinion that he was a very weak minded aian indeed. He agreed that the Governnent should protect reports under certain circumstances. He thought it was very newssarv that they should hear more about thisman’s reports. He would move that th< word “confidential” be struck out, leaving all reports and papers to be produced for inspection.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. NOTICE OF MOTION. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Andrews gave notice oi motion in favor of constituting a special section in the Government Life Assurance repartment, to which only total abstainers ihould be admitted. MAORI MEMBERS’ SMBCHES. Mr Tawhai moved—“ That the speeches delivered by the Native members and reported in ‘ Hansard, ’ be translated into the Native language.”—Carried. SECOND BBiDING, Mr Toih moved the second reading of the Auckland University College Bill. He explained that the main fsature of the Bill was the financial proposal, which was made with the view of placing this establishment on a footing equivalent to that of similar establishments throughout the colony. The Hon, T. Dick said the Government had corns to the conclusion that the time had arrived when it was due to Auckland that the College should be placed on a better footing than it had hitherto occupied. Mr Eubsthouse said the colony could not afford to pay £4OOO per annum for the purposes indicated by the Bill. In committee he would make every possible endeavor to get the appropriation clause disallowed. Mr Maoandbew would like to see the New Zealand University located in Auckland, instead of being a mere myth as it was. Ho would support a motion in the House that the result indicated would eventually be given effect to. The effect would be that the endowments belonging to that establishment would go towards its support. The motion was put and carried. BILLS PASSED. The following Bills, passed through committee, were reported without amendments, read a third time, and passed:—Affirmations in Lieu of Oaths’ and Otago Harbor Board Leasing. TIMARU HARBOR ENDOWMENT. Mr Turnbull moved the second reading of the Timaru Harbor Board Endowment Bill. Hon. J. Hail opposed. The policy pursued for some time had been to refuse making enormous grants of land in the name of endowments, and this was an attempt to infringe that policy. The proposed endowment consisted of a landed estate of 100,000 acres, worth at least £2 per acre. If it was a work of colonial importance, the course to follow wos to bring it up in the form of a vote. Moreover, the district appeared to have resources within itself sufficient to do the work proposed, Mr Wakefield pointed out that the Bill proposed to give borrowing powers which were absolutely required, and to which ho understood there were no objections. He suggested that the Bill be read, and in committee the endowment clause could be struck out if it were thought advisable. The Hon. J. Hall assented to the proposal of the previous speaker, and the second reading was carried. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Bunny moved the second reading of the Wellington College Reserves Confirmation BUI. Carried. The Drainage BUI was reported, read a third time and passed. Mr Tole moved that the House go into committee on the Surveyors’ Institute Bill. The Hon. W. Rollbbton objected, contending that certain amendments promised on the second reading had not been made. The House divided on motion—Ayes 30, noes 29. The House then went into committee on the Bill, and, after considerable discussion, progress was reported. On adjourned debate on the question that the House resolve into committee to consider an address to His Excellency, asking him to place on the estimates the sum of £IOSO, claimed by H. W. Parnell for service rendered and money expended in the performance of his duties as immigration agent in Belfast for the province of Auckland and the colony, Mr Kelly said that upwards of £4OO had been awarded to Farnell as compensation for losses alleged to have been sustained by him, and he had given a receipt in full of all claims.

Mr Moss contended that, compared with what had been paid to others engaged to form special settlements, the sum awarded was insignificant. Mr McLean moved that the debate be adjourned till this day six months. The motion was carried on the voices. LICENSING BILL,

The House went into committee on the licensing Bill. Clause 106—Mr Pv’KE moved that the fee of £SO be reduced to £25 where the population of the borough does not exceed 1000. The House divided—Ayes, 21; Noes, 36. Mr Pike moved that the fee be reduced from £4O to £3O. Negatived. Mr Geoeqe moved that the fee outside boroughs be any sum not exceeding £25. Negatived. Mr Pykr moved that the amount be £2O instead of £25. The question was put that the sum as printed stand—Ayes, 37 ; Noes, 19. Mr Reeves moved that progress be reported. Messrs Fyke, Weston, and Wallis, denounced the Bill as having been reduced to a perfect chaos, through the indiscretion of the temperance section of the House, and intimated their determination to oppose its passing the third reading. The motion for leaving the chair was negatived on tho voices. Mr Speight moved that the rest of the Bill should be passed as it otood, and that its opponents should rest their strength on the third reading. Mr Andeews moved that progress be reported. The Hon. J. Hall opposed reporting progress in consequence of tho threats used by the opponents of the Bill. He was willing to

keep them to their word, and sit till four in the morning. Sir W. Fox hoped that after the disgraceful scenes of the last two nights, members would support his motion to abolish Bellamy’s when he next brought it forward.

Dr. Wallis said it was a private members’ night, and the Licensing Bill had come on unexpectedly after many members had left. He denied that any members present were not in a condition to temperately and fairly consider the Bill. Progress should be reported. Mr Wbston indignantly repudiated the aspersions oast on members by Sir W. Fox. The Bill had become a scandal, and should be thrown out. He, although a young member, would not submit to such aspersions as those Sir W. Fox had thrown on the House.

Mr Pykb also protested against the language used. Mr Bebyks strongly condemned Sir W. Fox’s intemperate remarks, and the Premier’s evident loss of temper. Sir W. Fox’s remarks were a disgrace to the House, and the Premier should be ashamed of himself.

The motion for reporting progress was lost on a division, by 33 to 18. Mr Sheehan said that there had been scandalous scenes enacted. The Premier was evidently nervous ; he had been up enjoying himself, and evidently wanted some rest. There were some members of the House, who would bo sufficiently indicated by the term “ temperance option,” who had taken a course similar to that of the Premier. The Chairman was judge, and he had not required to call them to account, and he pretested against the unjust aspersions cast on them. Ho could tell them that they were bound to see that no more business oonld be done that night. In that case the duty of the member in charge of the Bill was to give way, otherwise members like himself, who desired the Bill to pass, would appose it. The Premier might keep them till 6 o’clock, as he threatened, but he could tell them that they ' would do more in an hour to-morrow than could be possibly done at that sitting. Mr Pykb said the previous speaker had not put the worst aspect on what had transpired that night. It was the Chairman who had been insulted. It would go forth that he had allowed to pass unchallenged scandalous scenes. The Premier ought to apologise, otherwise ho ought to be treated as such conduct merited. The Hon. J, Hall said he did not think Mr Pyke knew what he said, and amidst corrections from Mr Pyke and Mr Reeves, repepeated what he said. The Ohaibman was about to put the motion for the restoration of the bottle license, when Mr Reeves moved that subsection 2 "for a club house £20,” the amount bo £3O. Ayes, 43 ; noes, 8. Mr Pitt’s motion for the restoration of subsection 4, "For the bottle license, £40,” was then put. Ayes, 42 ; noes, 7. Mr Olivbb moved that section 3, wine license £l, be made £lO.