HOUSE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XX, Issue 143, 17 June 1886, Page 4

HOUSE.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions, it was stated that the Government considered it objectionable to issue circulars to registration officers, telling them how to interpret the law relating to the registration of electors ; that a Bill would be brought in dealing with the Beal fishery question ; that oa Dr. Hector's return from Rotorua he would bo consulted as to whether it was advisable to obtain any further scientific assistance to report on the recent volcanic disturbance ; that steps were being taken for the better distinguishing of penny and shilling postage stamps ; that the Government hoped to make a statement on Tuesday next as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the Eepresentation Bill ; that until the present supply of lamps for the lighting of railway carriages was used up the Government did not feel justified in obtaining better ones ; that the Native Lands Disposition Bill of last session had been circulated amongst the Natives during the recess ; that the Public Works Statement could not be delivered f" next week. Mr Ballance moved that a Select Committee consisting of ten ineiflbers be appointed to consider the question of a Bill to provide for a reinvestigation into the Native title to the lands known as Owhaoko and KainianawaOruamatua, and the petition of F. D. Fenton referring to the said Bill. Mr Ormond said it was unfair to Mr Fenton that the Premier's memo, to the Bill was circulated before Mr Fenton and others concerned were allowed an opportunity of replying to the charges made against them. Sir Bobert Stout said bis object in making the memo, was not to attack any person, but to express his opinion that a rehearing of the case should be granted. Major Atkinson also regretted that the memo, had been published by the Premier. He thought it was a bad precedent to establish to make such statements before the accused parties had a chance of replying to them. Sir Bobert Stout said he bad received a telegram from Mr Michael Studholme, saving he had had nothing to do with the land for the last five years. Mr Ballanee said Sir Bobert Stout's memo, was published solely for the guidance of the House and to show that certain Natives were entitled to a rehearing of the case. The motion for the Committee was agreed to. Sir Julius Yogel moved the second reading of the Parcels Post Bill, explaining that it was a similar measure to that introduced la3t year, but not pressed through the House. Agreed to. Sir Julius Yogel moved the second reading of the Local Bodies Loans Bill. He explained that the Bill to some extent consolidated the existing law relating to loans for local bodies. He thought it would be very useful to local bodies, and he had so arranged it that local bodies could adopt the Bill in its entirety or merely with respect to one particular loan. Major Atkinson congratulated Sir Julius Yogel on having at last found some way of relieving local bodies, and he thought the Treasurer'deserved the thanks of the House for introducing it. He thought the Bill ou the whole would be a very useful one. Mr Ormond considered the Bill was stereotpyiDg the existing state of things. The Bill would largely add to the existing burdens of local bodies without giving them any corresponding advantage. It was not carrying out the policy promised by the Government. Mr Kolleston considered the provision for erecting school buildings under the Bill was the boldest that could well be conceived. Captain Russell also objected to the proposals for erecting school buildings proposed in the BUI. He thought the wealthier districts would be benefited by the Bill, while the outlying districts received little consideration, The motion for tho second reading was agreed to. The House adjourned at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Sir B. Stout said on Friday he would make a short Statement on Education, and asked to have the New Hebrides debate postponed to that evening aIBO. He said the Government had particular reasons for wishing this to be done. Agreed to after some opposition from Sir G. Grey. Sir Julius Yogel moved the second reading of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill, briefly explaining that it was designed to enable local bodies to construct certain public works, and to empower the Government to grant them loans for such purposes. Major Atkinson said the enly difference between this and the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, was that it enabled tho-e bodies to get money at a lower rate of inte • est, and for a longer period. He wanted to know how tbe Government were going to deal with main reads to open up the country, a point not touched in this Bill. He also pointed out that those bodies who had used the repealed Act would be placed in an unfair position, as they had to pay nine per cent for borrowed money, while loans could be raised under the Bill at five per cent. Referring to the clause allowing public schools to be built out of loans, he complained that the Treasurer had not told them how such buildings generally were to be provided for in the future. Mr Moss said the Bill was a measure to enable local bodies to run more easily into debt. Their debentures would certainly be unnegotiable. Mr Fergus thought goldfields and small districts would fare badly under the Bill. Mr W. C. Buckland supported the measure, which he considered a laudable attempt to deal with the wants of local bodies. Mr Hursthouse pointed out that goldfields got a large revenue under tbe Crown and Native Lands Eating Act. Ha gave a qualified approval to the Bill. Messrs Seddon and Kerr supported the Bill, the former mentioning some slight objections he had to it. Mr Rolleston did not think the Bill satisfactory, but it was the best they could get. Mr Gninness approved of the Bill with some amendments. Mr Montgomery held that main roads should be maintained before settling the land, and it would have to be done out of tbe consolidated fund. The Bill was one of the best they bad had for a long time for the reason that it breught people face to face with taxation. Mr Macarthur thought the Bill a distinct advance towards the solution of local finance. Sir Julius Yogel, in reply, said it was a mistake to suppose that this measure had been copied from the Bonds and Bridges Construction Act. Some of the objections, he thought, might be arranged regarding schools in the districts wkich could not provide for themselves, and this Bill opened the road for them to do so. He reviewed the arguments against the Bill, saying that the Government did not propose to stop expenditure on roads in the poorer districts add goldfields. They were provided for under the other Act. The Bill was read a second time on the voices.