HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4335, 5 October 1875, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[PEESS AGENCY.] Wellington', Monday. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 3.30 o'clock. LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC. A further leave of absence for 10 days was granted Mr. Bluett. The Native Minister laid upon the table a return of members who sold or transferred any land to Government during the past five years. railways. Mr. WEBB asked when the railway between Christchurch and Timaru, and that between Timaru and Waitaki would be open for traffic. Mr. RICHARDSON was understood to say, in reply to the first question, that only a short distance remained to be completed between Temuka and Rangitata, and that line would be open not later than the first week in January. With regard to Timaru and Waitaki he was hardly in a position to give a definite answer, but thought the line would be open in about twelve months. FINANCIAL QUESTIONS. Mr. THOMPSON asked the following questions :—(1) Whether £7,739 4s 3d, put down on first table page S of the Financial Statement as "expended," includes discount or los 3 in negotiation of loan 3 and the £SO,OOO paid or to be paid to Messrs. Rothschild, or whether these sums have to be met out of £661,128 of "available balances"? (2) Whether the promise made by Sir Julius Vogel to Rothschild, that the New Zealand Government would not" enter the money market for two years, was simply that tha Government would not borrow under new loan Acts, or whether "it means that the Government would not, during that period, enter the money market to raise the balances of loans, amounting to £1,954,800? (3) When the Government propose raising the said balances of £1,954,800, and if he will state the amount by which the liabilities of the colony, on 30th June amounting to* £3,349,457, have been reduced up to September 30. (5) How much of the £6000 drawn by Sir Julius Vogel is chargeable on loan ? ANSWERS THERETO. Mr. ATKINSON could not reply with certainty as to whether the £80,000 referred to was included in the amount mentioned, but if not, it was included in the estimated liabilities. Some expenditure had- taken place, of which they had no accurate knowledge. The whole of the expenses of raising the loan were included in the estimated liabilities, so that they would not have to be met out of the available balance. The available balance set out was, as far as the Government could tell, the exact available balance. (2) The Treasurer said Mr. Vogel made no such promise to Rothschild as that New Zealand would hot go into the market to borrow for the next two years; but he informed Rothschild did not think Government would require to do so, but he positively refused to give any pledge on the matter. (3) With regard to the balance of the loan the Government proposed to raise by colonial debentures, he said they intended to do so the first favourable opportunity, but the guaranteed debentures would not be parted with until the last work was in hand.- (4) The Treasurer said he would have such a return made out if the House desired it; but he did not think it would be of much use to the hon. gentleman for the purposes for which he desired it. (5) This question could not be answered until such time as the accounts were received from Mr. Vogel. As soon as these were received, he would lay the particulars before the House. It would be impossible to say how much of the amount would have to be paid out of the loan. That would be a question for the House to decide for itself. NAPIER LAND TRANSACTION. Mr. SHEEHAN asked whether the Government intended to take any action with reference to those portions of the reports of the Waste Lands Committee upon the petitions of the Hon. H. R. Russell and Peter Robertson, condemnatory o£ the waste lands administration in Hawke's Bay. The TREASURER said the matter was still under the consideration of the Government, and they would take such steps as they might think necessary. AUCKLAND ROADS. Mr. RICHARDSON said the member for Caversham called for a return shewing the items of expenditure on road 3 north of Auckland, and to whom the sums of money were paid. As the preparation of this return would necessitate some sixteen or hundred entries, he wished to know whether the House desired it, because if not begun at once it could not be completed this present session. It was decided not to proceed with the return until the member for Caversham returned. PIAKO SWAMP. Mr. SHEEHAN asked, without notice, whether the Government intended to bring in a bill for the sale of the Piako Swamp ? The NATIVE MINISTER said it was the intention of the Government to do so, but not until the Piako Swamp Committee concluded their labours. BILLS. The following bills were introduced and read a first time :—Provincial Appropriation Acts Continuance Bill, Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill (Atkinson), Bill Amending Pnblic Works and Immigration Act, 1871 (Richardson).

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE. Mr. REYNOLDS moved, "That the House approves of and ratifies the joint contract entered into on the 23rd July, 1875, by Sir D. Cooper, Bart., and Mr. Thomas Russell, on behalf of the Governments of New South Wales and New Zealand, respectively, with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company of New York (for whom Messrs. Eldert and Co., of Glasgow, and Mr. Maogregor, M.P. for Leith, are sureties) for a four-weekly mail steam service between San Francisco and Sydney, and between New Zealand and San Francisco." The hon. gentleman detailed at considerable length the history of the American mail services from the inception of the Panama service, and after contrasting the relativemeritsof the San Francisco and Suez services, said the San Francisco route was the most advantageous to merchants for postal purposes. As for its many commercial advantages, he thought that was something upon which he need not enlarge, as it was a feature scarcely within the province of the PostmasterGeneral. Mr. STAFFORD asked how New Zealand stood with respect to New South Wales in agreeing or not agreeing with the motion as placed on the order paper ? Mr. REYNOLDS said he had not thought it necessary to refer to that point, as ho considered this colony had already committed itself to the agreement. New South Wales had satined its portion,' and he trußted the House would, as a matter of good faith, follow its example. Mr. STAFFORD': The statement was somewhat inconsistent, inasmuch as the contract was in excess of the amount sanctioned in the resolution ; he wished to know, therefore, in how far the colony might or might not adhere to the precise terms of the contract j and whether the Government of New South Wales would conaider it a breach of faith if this colony did not do so. Mr. REYNOLDS thought New South •Wales would consider-it a breach of,faith. ."He "thoughtthat." the "concurrence of Sir Jalius'yogd after consultation witb/.-Mr..

Russell shewed th.it he thought the House would ratify the contract entered into Mr. STAFFORD considered it no answer to say what New South Wales required or expected of the colony. He wiahed to know if there had b«en any official intimation from New South Wales that that was its feeling on the matter. Mr. REYNOLDS said there was no official intimation or official communication with New South. Wales beyond what was contained in the printed papers, but he took it for granted New Zealand should do the samp as New South Wales. Mr. MURRAY strongly condemned the service altogether. It was not necessary nor desirable, and had been a failure from th» moment it was started. He moved, as an amendment, "That the San Francisco mail service, being advantageous to the United States, as well as to the British colonies of Australasia, a fair proportion of the expend;, ture for the service should be paid by the United States." Mr. STAFFORD said the gentleman whtT moved the amendment forgot the action of the House last session on this question. It would have been competent for him to have moved such an amendment then ; but surely the House would not, in honor to New South Wales, accept any such amendment now. The only thing the House could now discuss' would be the £5000 in excess of the amount mentioned in the resolution last session, and whether it is prepared to accept the contract entered into by a Minister, or accept any modification of it. The hon. gentleman quoted from Mr. Russell's letter on the question, and said he failed to see why New Zealand and New South Wales should pay £15,000 extra to call at Kandavu and lose what trade could be obtained at Honolulu. It must bo remembered that New ' South Wales consented to the steamers running up and down the New Zealand Coast. Though personally he was opposed to that, the previous Government of New South Wales would not consent to it at all. He would suggest to the House that in expressing an opinion upon the ratification of the contract, they would accompany it with an opinion that the contract should be modified as soon as possible, with, of course, the consent of the New South Wales Government. Mr. BOWEN said it was obvious throughout the correspondence that the agent for New Zealand was not particularly desirous to have the costal contract, but he felt him, self bound on the one hand by his instructions, and on the other by those co-operating with him on the part of the New South Wales Government. Therefore he felt it incumbent upon them to press upon the House the ratification of the contract. But he would not prevent the Government making, at some future time, an arrangement with New South Wales for a modincation of the contract as regarded the costal service or otherwise. Mr. LUCKIE said the adjournment might be done away with if the Government would pledge themselves at once that they would take an early opportunity of doing away with the costal service, which was nothing but a waste of public money. He saw no reason why there should be any adjournment of the debate, as suggested by the member for Timaru. Mr. T. KELLY moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr. MACANDREW would not give a penny piece for the serviceif the steamer did not run up and down the coast. He looked forward to see the colony derive more advantage from it as a commercial service than a3 a postal service, notwithstanding what might be said 1:0 the contrary by the member, for Timaru. There were many commodates besides wool which would help to develop a trade between this colony and America. If the contract was not to be affirmed as ifc stood, it might be possible for them to find a better route than that via San Francisco. After reading the correspondence carefully, he considered the colony pledged to the contract. Mr. REYNOLDS had no objection to the adjournment of the debate. The debate was adjourned till next day. BILLS. Outram Telegraph Station Reserve Bill was read a second time, and imprisonment for Debt Abolition Amendment Bill was passed. Debate adjourned till to-morrow upon Debtors and Creditors Bill, —the House rising at 5.30.