PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11929, 28 June 1899, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, June 27. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.50 p.m. ADDRESS IN REPLY..' The Hon F. H. Fraser moved the address in reply, thanking the Governor for his speech at the opening of Parliament. He advocated a more watchful care being exercised over the Maoris by the Ministry, and greater support being given to the Volunteer movement. Ho viewed with satisfaction the setting up of a commission of inquiry to investigate the marine scandals. He trusted that the Government would proceed with the acquirement of land in the vicinity of cities for the establishment of workmen’s villages. Referring to the recent Rakaia disaster, Mr Fraser said he thought that' all locomotive drivers 'should be abstainers from the use of intoxicating liquor. The Hon D. Pinkerton briefly seconded the motion for the presentation of an address. He supported Mr Fraser’s remarks with reference in volunteering. The Hon G. Jones and_the Hon S. E. Shrimski thought <hat it would be an injustice if it went abroad that Carter, the driver of one of the trains, was under the influence of liquor at the time of the Rakaia disaster. Both gentlemen said that there was no suspicion that he was otherwise than perfectly sober. The Minister of Education agreed with the remarks made by Mr Jones and Mr Shrimski. The Hon F. H. Fraser explained that he had no intention of reflecting on Carter, but he had been speaking in general terms of the necessity for sobriety. The Hon G. M. M’Lean referred to the leading points of the Governor’s speech. He c-ntemned the working of Conciliation Boards and some of the operations of the Advances to Settlers Office. He also thought that the old age, pension scheme would have to be amended. The Hon .J. M. Twomey- defended the policy of the Government and also Ministers against the charges levelled at. them in connection with the marine scandal. The debate was adinurned, on the motion of the Minister of Education. THE LATE SIB JULIUS VOGEL. A vote of condolence with the family of Sir Julius Vogel was agreed to. The Council rose at 4.45 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, June 27. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at, 2.30 p.m. THE JONES CERTIFICATE. In reply to Captain Russell, the Premier said that Judge Ward and Dr Giles would be a Commission to inquirejnto the alleged marine scandal, saying that the scope of the inquiry would be full and exhaustive. He expected the report in a month. . LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Hons J. M’Kenzie and J. G. Ward. THE LATE SIB JULIUS VOGEL. The Premier moved a resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the late Sir J. Vogel. He referred in detail to the great services rendered by Sir Julius to the colony, a record of which any man might be proud. He particularly eulogised the Public Works and Government Insurance schemes. Sir Julius Vogel’s services as Agent-General were also landed by the Premier. Captain Bussell seconded the motion, agreeing with the eulogium passed by the Premier. The motion was agreed to, and the House adjourned at 4.10 p.m. till 7.30 p.m., out of respect to Sir J. Vogel’s memory. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. ADDBESS-IN-EEPLY. Mr Stevens moved the Address-in-Reply-He congratulated tho Governor on his successful tour through the colony, and the loyalty displayed by the people. He re-, gretted the serious loss of life in Samoa through what, he thought, was a misunderstanding between the Powers who had the

control of the islands. He approved of fostering the volunteer movement, but deprecated the raising a standing army. No time should be lost in effecting railway communication between Wellington and Auckland by the shortest route, that now authorised by Act of Parliament. With respect to the Maoris, he hoped that efforts would be made to assimilate the Native race to the Europeans with regard to laws and social customs. He congratulated the Government upon passing the Old Age Pensions Act, but contended that the regulations should be relaxed so that residents of twenty years in the colony should be entitled to a pension. He defended the Land Settlement system of the • Government, and quoted statistics to show that it had been a success. All that was required to assure the success of settlers was roads and bridges to give' them access to markets. In refutation of the statement that the colony had not progressed he quoted statistics showing great increases-in population, in wealth and in production and settlement during the past ten years. He would advise colonists to be careful before entrusting to other hands the government of the country. Mr Millar, in seconding the Address, referred to the general prosperity of the colony. He pointed out some necessaryamendments in the mining regulations. The public would be much better satisfied with a Royal Commission‘than a committee of the Btouse to inquire into the marine .scandal;. He did not believe that ; the shipping "and mat-ind examinations would be properly conducted until a Marine Board was appointed; With regard to land for ’tottlenients he‘believed in the Government continuing ■ the purchase of private estates. In time these estates would cost ten times the amount for which they could be bought at present. The back country could be settled later on. He was in favour of borrowing half a million to push on main, trunk lines of railway. He

contended that the Accident Insurance and Workmen’s Compensation Bills should hereintroduced, and that the Conciliation Act should be amended in the direction of giving greater power to the Board. He asked what the Government would do about the Press Association. It was a huge monopoly. He concluded by congratulating the Government on the success of its general policy. Captain Russell said, that for the last quarter of a century he had advocated placing the burden of taxation, on the shoulders best able to bear it. He contended that the increase of the. rolling-stock on the railways had been made: with borrowed money. Ho ridiculed the statement that the workers vere better, off at ..present' thin on‘'any pre-: vious occasion. Much of the legislation introduced by the Government had been blocked by the Premier from being introduced by. the late Government. Speaking on the Native question, he contended that the only, way of raising the Natives from a semi-civilised state was to individualise titles to land. With regard to the claim of the Government that its land system had been a great success, he quoted figures to show that during the two and a half years prior to 1891 there had been more settlers placed upon the land than during any similar period of the present Administration. Referring to the marine scandal, ho said that the Premier had given no indication as to how examinations should be

carried out. He moved, the followinng as an addition to the Address-Ju-Reply: “ Wc would respectfully inform your Excellency that inasmuch as no Royal Commission can constitutionally inquire into the conduct of Ministers in relation to their departments, and whereas Ministers have on a former and similar occasion pleaded their constitutional privileges to exempt them from giving evidence before a Royal Commission, this House, qffirms its undeniable right to fully inquire into the. connection of Ministers ‘with the ’’issue' bfi'a ■master’s certificate to Captain Jones of the Hugo, independently of any inquiry by a.

Royal Commission.” Captain Russell continued by saying that some tribunal.should; be set up to inquire into this matter, under which Ministers cpuld not claim privilege, and so place them above suspicion. He charged the Government with appropriating the policy put forward by the Opposition. -He objected to the. Government employing canvassers to. place electors on the roll, saying that it had been asserted that particular attention was • paid to placing Government supporters on the roll. He commented upon the position of the Government in the absence of the Hon, J. M’Kenzie, and in the -face of the .con-, templated resignations of Mr Cad man and Mr Thompson, thus constituting the Premier practically the Government. The Premier said that he did not view the amendment with apprehension, but constitutionally it was well known that such an amendment was one of no confidence, .therefore he moved the adjournment of the debate to 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.-The motion was agreed to, and the House adjourned at 10.10 p.m. .