PARLIAMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 253, 26 May 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, May 23. ADDRESS IN REPLY.

Mr. Peacock moved the Address in Reply to the Governor's Speech. He held himself quite free and unfettered in dealing with all measures to be introduced. The experience of last year's legislation in the matter of election reform had so far been satisfactory, bat he hoped they would see fit to restore the leasehold frauchise. He hoped the direction of local government legislation would be to add to the dignity and importance of the local bodies, rather than to the increase of their numbers, and trusted that legislative functions would be strictly confined to Parliament. The agricultural leasehold proposals were not altogether satisfactory, and he spoke in favor of the importance of more fixity of tenure as an inducement for the establishment of homes. Native land legislation, he trusted, would be of a nature to preserve the interests of the natives themselves. He hoped they would be prepared to give full credit to the Native Minister for the admirable part he had taken in settling the native difficulty. He looked with some alarm on the loan proposal, but if given effect to it should be allocated in such a way that all parts of the colony would receive due consideration, and past injustices be remedied. Mr. Rutherford seoonded the motion. The recovery of the colony from commercial depression had been slow, but he looked upon it as sure. He spoke in favor of the leasehold proposals, and thought they would remedy many of the defects attending the deferred-payment system. The Bill to abandon Te Whiti's trial he expected would have an early passage. The railway returns fully justified the loan proposal.

Mr. Montgomery admitted the improved prospects of the colony, bufc the improvement was due to larger causes than any connected with administration. When depression again returned, he hoped the Government of the day would not be the first to take a gloomy view of matters, and thereby aggravate the evil. The Bill re Te Whiti was a departure from the spirit of British law and justice, and could only be justified by proof of overwhelming necessity.

Major Atkinson congratulated the House on the formation of a regular Opposition under one leader. He also congratulated the late Government on its successful administration. If nothing more could be said about it than. Mr. Montgomery had said there was nothing for him to answer. He denied any intention of ignoring the House in asking for information direct from the looal bodies. They might all benefit by information and advice of the kind. It would take all the wisdom of the whole country to frame even a moderately successful scheme of local government. Of course the Opposition thought they could conduct the business of the country much better than the Government, but he was quite prepared to try conclusions on that point. Mr. De Lautour was strongly opposed to further borrowing, and ridiculed the idea that any legislation could guarantee honest administration. If a loan was obtained, it should be spent in opening up the public estate and promoting settlement — spent where it would yield a profit, irrespective^ localities. He bad no faith in thfrjjMromised measure for leasing lands, for itwas contrary to their whole past conduct.

Mr. Sutton was alarmed at the idea of further borrowing, and was disappointed that there was no reference in the Speech to taxation. Proposals should have been made to provide for any new loan by the taxation of property benefited by past expenditure. The Property Tax should be increased. Very Blight alterations would render the present system of local government satisfactory. Mr. Holmes severely criticised the Governor's speech and the actions and policy of the Government.

Mr. Te Wheoro condemned the action of the Government at Parihaka. Te Whiti and the natives were there perfectly quiet. Sir G. Grey would move in the direction of having a Domesday Book compiled to show the great estates that had grown up. He had no faith in tho late repentance of Ministers in reference to leasing land. What they wanted was a land tax, and a land tax they would have. The Parihaka demonstration was intended simply to influence the elections, and was, at the time and under the circumstances, most improper. He strongly condemned Mr. Whitaker's occupying the Premiership and a seat in the Legislative Council. Mr. Joyce moved, "That in the opinion of the Eonse it is desirable that the Premier should be a member of the House of Representatives." ' '

Mr. Feldwick seconded. Mr. Dick said it was quite a common

thiujr at Home for the Premier to be in the Upper House.

Thursday, May 25. Ministers, iv reply to questions, snid : — They did not intend to introduce any Bill to amend the Education Act.— They would move for a committee to amend the Bankruptcy law ; and bring in a Bill to amend the Licensing Act, not affecting the principle, but to make it more workable. NEW BILLS. Mr. Stewart gave notice of a Bill to amend the Gaming and Lotteries. Act, and Mr. McDonald of one to repeal it altogether. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. Macandrew's motion that the House always rise at 12.30, was, on Major Atkinson's suggestion, referred to the Standing Orders Committee. ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN. On the motion of Sir G. Grey, seconded by Major Atkinson, an address congratulating the Queen on her escape from assassination was adopted, and ordered to be cabled to her Majesty. ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr. Feldwick resumed the debate, expressing regret that no amendment had been proposed, and censuring the Government for the delay in calliug Parliament together. Mr. "W. Green stated his determination to vote on each question on its merits, irrespective of party. He blamed the Government for their action regarding the Bale of the Otago runs, and for the delay in the meeting of Parliament. He objected to the Premier being in the Upper House, and to the Government ignoring Parliament by appealing direct to local bodies re local government. He warmly approved of their native policy. If there was to be more borrowing he hoped there would be a land tax and an increase of stamp duties to meet the interest.

Mr. Hursthonse ridiculed the idea of Mr. Green 'remaining a party by himself, and defended the actian of the Government in regard to the Otago runs. As to the local Government, all that was wanted was some scheme to supply money to make roads and bridges without local taxation. Let the Government find the money and leave the local bodies to Bpend it. He was opposed to any further borrowing at present, and thought a great deal of what had been borrowed bad been wasted.

Mr. Fergus urged greater attention being paid to goldfields' interests. He did not object to further borrowing to complete public works which were likely to prove remunerative. He was not at all annoyed at the Premier being in the Council. He had no fault to find with the leasing of the Otago runs, and was not in the least slighted by the Government having asked advice from the local bodies.

Mr. Fish thought the debate a waste of time, as there was no opposition to the Address. He defended the action of the Government about Otago runs, and approved of the local government circular. He doubted whether there was any real profit from the railways, for the rolling - stock was in bad order and deficient in quantity. A commission was wanted to enquire into the whole system of management, and there should be a Minister of Railways as well as one of Public Works. He did not object to the Premier being in the Legislative Council, but did object to Mr. Oliver being there. The vacant portfolio should be filled up. He approved of borrowing to finish the railway lines. Mr. J. C. Brown criticised the speech at some length. The Committee was then appointed to Erepare the Address, which was prepared, rought up, and adopted. It was, as usual, a mere echo of the speech. The House rose at 12.25.