HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5554, 23 July 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

j Wellington, July 21. Replying to questions, it was stated — . That long service medals for the volunteers would sh6rtly be presented. > That Government could not introduce any legislation for the application 'of the unused .surplus of the Kaitangata relief fund to relieving sufferers by tha volcanic eruption, as it was not right that Parliament should interfere with money subscribed by charitable persons.

That Hansard could not be sent beyond j New Zealand like newspapers, as every j ■ copy would result in a loss to the colony of three pence. That no bill would be brought in this session for abolishing grand juries. Some discussion ensued on the question of granting permission for the purpose of holding a conversazione in the Parliament buildings on Saturday week for organising '< a fund for the relief of sufferers by the volcanic eruptions. Several members objected to the Parliament buildings being used for that purpose. The Speaker eventually put a motion for permission to grant the use of the buildings, which was carried on the voices. M'Arthar resumed the debate on the Public Works policy. He criticised the statement in detail and, referring to the North Island Trunk line, said it would take 10 or 20 years to complete at the : present rate of progress. Regarding the much discussed question of liabilities, it was not creditable to any Government that pretended to have a masier of finance in the Cabinet. Ministers were at variance as to the actual amount of money available. He contended that such lines as the Napier-Pal merston ought to be pushed on at once to completion to make them pay properly. It seemed as if everything that could not be got rid of any other way was to be thrown on the North Island Trunk Loan. Menteath thought that though the Government policy did not carry out their views as originally expressed,, still it met the wishes of the great mass of the people. Borrowing should be continued, because the great mass of the electors felt the benefit of that course. The proposals this year were in the direction of economy, but, we should have to go through a great deal of financial trouble before Government ' recognised the necessity of reorganising their local government scheme. J. W. Thomson contended that the Government policy was more acceptable than it would have been, simply because during the recess the country had been frightened with the magnitude of the proposals they were led to expect. Ministers had been going about the country preaching all sorts of doctrines, including protection. He proceeded to review the presessional speeches of members of Government, and was still speaking at the adjournment. Thomson continued by saying that he was sorry to see Richardson beginning to show an aptitude for ingenious arrangement of figures. The Treasurer had got credit for writing that part of it referring to the' liabilities. They ought to have more information about the lines on which it was proposed to spend money. In his opinion a million would be quite- sufficient this year. He wanted to know whether another loan would be wanted next year, for the money in hand would not last two years ; and if they had to face another loan they ought to know now. Smith said that Ormond had complained of Government not pushing on the Hawke's Bay lines, but it was owing to the action of Ormond, himself and Russell, that the contract had not been let years ago. Members might complain about lines not being completed, but they knew very well that if the attempt were made to push on ,any one line there would be an outcry 1 ftom the rest of the colony. He maintained that the present was riot the time for encouraging any immigration other than men with capital. He traversed Ormond's statements and criticised his votes during the last two years. Government had only to bring in a small bill of two clauses to obtain that gentleman's support, one relessing his property from taxation and the other allowing him to buy native land at his own price without restriction. White said Smith seemed to think his special mission in the House was to pitch into Ormond, and they were getting tired of it. In summing up the net result of what they had heard about the financial position, he contended that it amounted to this : the new loan was already half anticipated and the; North Island trunk loan heavily mortgaged. They had contingent liabilities on the native lands of £200,000 unprovided for, and had bought £300,000 worth of plant, rails, &c, before it was needed. He laughed at the idea of the northern railway being finished by 1890. He denied that any intention of carrying on railway buildings with vigor was disclosed in the Public Works Statement. Bruce said we wasted a great deal of money, but he was not in favor altogether of stopping borrowing. He objected, however, to the vast scheme shadowed out in the recess by the Treasurer, though he gave him credit for being anxious to promote the welfare of the colony. He defended Bryce from the accusation of distortion and discoloration by Ballance. He considered that now the land had been acquired along the trunk line the construction should be pushed on. He reviewed the administration of Government at length, and urged that there were no party lines at present. He advised the people of the colony to put their shoulders to the wheel themselves, instead of looking to the House for help. Wi Pere denied that Dr Buller had influenced his vote. The principal reason he supported the Government for was dissatisfaction with the late Government, and Bryce in particular. Let us have one big loan and done with it; The colony could consider how the interest was to be paid afterwards. ; Scobie M'Kenzle considered the Treasurer had done more damage than anyone { else to the credit of the colony. He had deliberately set himself during the , recess to instil the idea into people's mind that prosperity was only to be restored by a gigantic loan. He stigmatised this as an atrocious doc- . trinev A new system of public works had been entered on, and lines were put on schedule now. They had once never dreamed of making to an advantage rail- . 'ways like the Otago Central, which had ! been commenced eight years ago, and was still lingering on. There was a balance of £432,000 in favor of that line, which ought to be completed to a workable point. He hoped soon to see a change in the personnel of the Government, and with the influx of new ideas in a better direction. Peacock favored moderate borrowing, but objected 1o the manner in which it was proposed to expend money, i Levestam stigmatised Bryce's arguments as contradictory, and snid the reason M'Kunzie Government was because the Otii ,'o Central w;^ not pushed on. Fulton moved the adjournment of the debate till Friday, and th<j Housfe rose at 12.60 a.m. *