GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4898, 28 July 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[FKOM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Government Buii-mnoh, Wellington, Friday. EAST COAST LAND PURCHASES. In the Legislative Cou«..-:i to day, CuJonc "NVhitmoro moved that the re pore of th< Commissioners, Dr, Giles and Major Brown ■who inquired into allegations made relativ< to land purchases 011 the East (Joast, be lak on the table. lie anticipated that the paper; were in the printer's hands ; but his reasor for the motion was, that the informatioi would enable him to look into the subject, which he had been asked to take up, but noi ieeling justified in doing so until he saw the Commis*ionc-iv report, lie declined to take any steps pending its production. .Agreed to. MR. FOX'S LICENCING BILL. Mr, Fox's Licensing Kill consists of certain amendments on the existing Act. It will be confined to providing the necessary machinery for taking the votes, which he proposes shall be taken by a Government officer. The districts arc proposed to bo reduced to small aud workable dimensions. The female franchise iu relatiou to voting about licenses will bo retained. The veto against giving new licouscs or retaining existing ones will of eourso proaocd on the vote, and it is proposed to proceed by voting papers, regularly issued to and collected from each inhabited house within the district by the olliccr. The voto is to be double, that it may be exorcised either for ft clear sweep of all licensed houses in tho district or against individual liceuses. THE HUMOURED DISAGREEMENTS AMONGST MINISTERS. Tho Times of this morning is good enough to say that certain statements as to differences of opinion among Ministers, which wore telegraphed hence to the Herald the other da}', are without foundation. That in quoting the proverb that " There is no *moko without lire," that telegram stated the "thing which is not true." That is the Times' way of putting it, and for Wellington, perhaps, it is a moderate way of contradicting a statement which in the abstract U of strict scientific accuracy. In its application to Ministers, it is profoundly correct. Take the Land Fund question. Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Atkinson go for the laud fund. Here is a division at once. Ministers may agree to differ, as many times they do on minor poiuts, but this i 3 a burning question, one of policy for all uime, and must be a Ministerial measure. It Ministers fight it, and are beaten, they rausfc .resigu, aud it is impossible constitutionally for an)- Minister to go into a different lobby from his colleagues and remain a Minister. Now, on this Land Fund there are different opinions. Mr. Whitaker, for instance, who is not very popular among scaie Southern members, despite his acknowledged cleverness, could not vote otherwise tbau for Land Fund consolidation. How many of his colleagues would vote with him ? Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Ormond. Is there no smoke ? Aye, by Saint Bride, and there are nst a few ready to fan the underlying fire by pressing on this same question to its ultimate issues. A CURIOUS PETITION. Thomas Donngh's petition presented by Mr! Lusk is a curious one. Petitioner is a Government insurance agent. At a laud sale at Giaborne, in 1872, he bought a section of laud, and paid one-fourth of the price as deposit balance payable within a month. He had to travel overland, and was delayed by Hoods and bad roads, and the month expired a few days before he reached a motie}' order ollico. Ho transmitted post-office orders for ~IS at once, but the. order never reached the I-and Office. .Nine months elapsed, and he inquired why the Crown grant was not issued. The matter was looked into, and the discovery made that the money order had been lying in the Post-office all the time. Meanwhile the section had been reserved as a hospital endowment. The petitioner asks that he may get either the land, which is not vet Crown granted, or compensation for loss. THE NATIVE LANDS BILL. New opinions are cropping up regarding tho Native Lands Bill. The old objections so freely stated by tho Press are still maintained, but the new view strongly supported by several North Island and a number of South Island members. It is argued that Government, by this bill, ' virtually retires from the work of colonisation of the country which can only be carried out properly hand-in hand with some policy of settlement on the land. By such retrenchment it is urged tho Government leave the question of colonising into the hands of speculators, who may buy up the laud, and defeat the Government agcnt3 as they have done before, or use the Goverrment agents to buy laads, as har, also been done before. So soon as the Government cease acquiring land they sacrifice the basis of the colonising function. This view is gaining exponents, promises to become another nail in the coffin of this bill. A BILL OF MR. REES'S. 1 The following is tho text oi: Mr. Rces's bill to-day, rendered necessary by reason of Judge Gillies's decision on the recent rating appeal case:—Short Title: Auckland Highway Districts Validation Act. The preamble sets forth that whereas Sir George Grey, as Superintendent of Auckland, did by Gazette notice divide certain portions of the province into districts, under tiis Highways Act of 1574, and whereas doubts have arrs n as to the validity of the said notification be it enactcd (1) That all notices made, or purporting to be made by the said Sir George Grey as Superintendent, shall be aud be decm«d to be, and have been from the respective dates of their publication in the Auckland Gazelle, good and valid to all intents and purposes whatsoever, and the highway districts creatcd, or supposed or alleged to be created thereby, shall be deemed to be aud have been duly created under the Highways Act of 1874, since and from the dates of publication of such notification. (*2.) The Highway Boards Empowering Acts, 1871 and 1572, shall be and arc deemed to be in forcc in the province of Auckland aud provincial district of Auckland since the Ist January, 1870. Clause 3 saves the appeal case decided by the judge from being affected by the operation of the Act, and iu all other cases the Act will validate the action and rates of the boards. The Government are favourable to parsing the bill through all its stages on Tuesday.

CONSTITUTION* OF BOROUGHS. Iu asking what course the Government intended to adopt about the petitions of the Grafton Riding on the subject of the Borough-making blunder, Dr. Wallis said there had been two petitions. la the first, Karangahape presented one, desiring to be made a Borough, and included portions of two neighbouring Road Districts, without consulting the people of these districts. The second petition was a counter petition signed by a large number of persons in the four districts. The Government deferred auswering the question till Tuesday. THE HOUSE AT SIXES AND SEVENS. Something is brewing, but what it is "no white man knows." Mr. Rees is making himself as active as of old, and some battery is being prepared in secret to be unmasked suddenly next week, with the view of carrying discomfiture into the ranks of the Government. There is an unea-jy feeling of restlessness among all sides of the House, which is best described a« being in a state of sixes and sevens. It is written that the Government whips have pricked a card of the members of the Uou.se, and found that after giving.to the Opposition all really knowu Opposition members, and also those who are supposed to be wavering, or in any way disposed to go witli the Opposition, that body counts 41 at the very outside. This, it is argued, sinking the Speaker, leaves 47 on the other side, but even then that would be but six of a majority for Government, if it could be trusted that all forty-seven were of one mind as Qovernmr.-nt supporters. But there are elements of divisivn and discord—education, land, charitable institutions—on which Government may at any moment? find the memburs inextricably mixed. But if there is discord among the presumed supporters of the Government, eo, also, is there dubiety in the Opposition camp ; for when some of the more sagacious ami older members are asked u they any chance of turning out the Government, they shake their heads aud declare they do not see how it is to be done. THE LEAIiERSIiLp" OF THE OPPOSITION. Mr. is said to be endeavouring to obtain the leadership of the Opposition. Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Koileston are also

- uvncd. The notion of Mr. Fitzherbert taking it is, of course, an exploded fallacy. Mr. Gisborne is deemed by some too official, and Mr. Montgomery has not had experience-, while Sir. Knlicsfcon is not desirous 01 taking the Opposition, and it id doubtful if lie w-JiilJ obtiin a large following. ■1 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. e Ll'U.-SS AGESCY.] GOVEHNM ENT BUILHIM'!S, > Wellingt «n, Friday. e KAITA Nn ATA KA I L\VA V. \ The Hon. Or. MISNZIES laid on the table 3 a petition from the residents in the Inch l Clutha and neighbouring district*, stating i that the KaitaugaLi Railway wa=> not paying, and praying the Government to take such I steps in the matter a* might he deemed beat > for the good of the country. 3 PLANTING OK l-'OKEST TREES. I Tiie Hon. I Jr. FU LLI2 • gave two notices of motion for Tuesday next, one of which was for leave to introduce a bill intituled an i Act to encourage the planting of forest , trees. I»t;Ni:I>I.V LUNATIC ASYLUM. The tlon. Captain FKASEK gave notice of his intention, on Thursday next, to ask the Government when it was their intention to comply with the report of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums re the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum. v.vuious MILLS. The second reading of the Industrial and Provident .Societies -Bill was discharged from the Order Paper. The Constabulary Bill was re committed, for the purposes of amendment, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. The Council then (3 p.m.) adjourned till S o'clock this evening, when the Imprest Supply Bill will be brought before them. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [ritl'.SS AO ENCY.] Go VEHEMENT BUILDINGS, Wellington*, Friday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE or A JSSKNCE. T«a days' leave of absonae was granted to Taiaroa. LAW KELATINtt TO LUNATICS. The Hon F. WHTTAKI2R, in replying to Mr. Travehs, said it was not the intention of the Government during the present session to propo.se any alteration of the law relating to lunatics ; but that the next session a comprehensive measure would be introduced. asylum: fok deaf and dumb. Mr. ROLLESTON asked if the Government intended to make provision during the session for the establibhing of an asyluui for the deaf and dumb of the colony ? The PREMIER said they did not propose taking any steps in that direction during this session. From inquiries made they had ascertained that there were institutions in the neighbouring colony prepared to receive such patients, anc at a cost more reasonable than the Government could do here. In the case of a very needy p 'rsou the Government had L'.o objection to contribute towards the cost. CROWN LANDS. i In reply to Mr. Sutton, I The Hon. D. UI3ID said the whole ques- ' tion of dealing with the Crown lands was under the consideration of the Government. sir j. voxel's engagement. In reply to Mr. Stevens, Tho PREMIER said that the engagement with Sir J. Vogel was to terminate twelve months after he arrived in England, which was in December last. unsatisfied scrip. Tha PREMIER, in reply to Mr. Stevens, paid that a return would be prepared of the nominal value of unsatisfied Government scrip in the colony. adulteration or food act. Mr. GISBOIiNE asked if the Government would bring in during the session, the bill to amend the Adulteration of Food Act, ISGG. The Hon. F. WHITAIvER said the matter had not been brought under the consideration of Government until the question of the hon. member. It appeared to him that the Act at present in operation was complete, but if it was deficient in any respect, the Government would consider it when brought under their notice. DEFENCE OF THE. COLONIES. The PREMIER told Mr. Fitzroy, in regard to the defence of the colony, that the Government had communicated with the ; other colonies in respect to securing the services of the eminent professional men there, ] and until these gentlemen visited 2\ew Zea- i land, the Government did not propose 3 taking any steps in the matter. ; THAMES VALLEY RAILWAY. 1 In replying to Sir Geo. Grey, 1 The Government said that the survey of i the railway from Grahamstown to Waikato j was in progress, and would have been com- i pletcd before this but for the bad weather. i HIGH ' AY DISTRICTS VALIDATION BCLL. c Mr. REES moved for the suspension of 1 the Standing Orders to introduce a bill to i enable the Highway Roards to validate the < notification of these Boards during tho t past two 3*ear3, iu order to enable them to ' obviate the recent decision of the Supreme c Court by .Judge Gillies. e The Auckland Highway Districts Valida- [ tion Bill was read a first time. c The second reading was fixed for Friday. £ IMPKEST .SUFi'LY HILL. fi An Imprer.t Supply Bill for less than £250,000 was passed through all its stages. I*l NA N CIA L STATE MEN T. (

The PREMIER announced that the F;na"ncial Statement would bo made, next Tuesday night. MINES IHLL. The Hon. DONALD RRID move.d the second reading of the Mines Bill, a measure for consolidating the mining laws of the colony. In explaining the nature of the bill, he pointed out all the new features in tho mining legislation contained in tho bill, amongst which were the power to issue miners' right for from one to fifteen years, r,nd of issuing consolidated miners' rights to companies. These provisions were taken from the Victorian Act. They also proposed to limit tho area of lease** to 320 acres, instead of 640, as in Victoria. The miner's right would also enable the holder to search for any other metal as well as gold. Mr. BARFF considered the Government had broken ; *aith with him in the matter, and coiulemr 3d the bill as one drawn up by foine one who kna.v nothing about mining. It was, in fact, a thing of scissors and paste deftly made up out of the rejected measures of tho last ten years. It was also a most revolutionary measure, and ho wanted it postponed for a time, until he and other mining membeis might have greater opportunity of considering the bill, and laying

their objections before the Goldfields Committee. Ho wanted to know whether the bill was an outcome of the conference of wardens lately held at Wellington. At any rate, the bill should have been printed three months ago, and distributed amongst tho , mining districts. He moved, "That th*? j bill be read a. second time that day week." | Mr. MANDERS thought there was reallj very little to object to in the bill, and tho Government deserved credit for the way in j which they laced the question of gold mining legislation. Mr. BUTTON ex.plair.cd that the majority of the members of the Goldfields Committee thought it best not to oppose the second reading of the bill provided it would be referred to the Goldlields Committee for the consideration of its details. Mr. CURTIS thought the bill more than a consolidating measure, and in more than one of the details tliere were several important innovations—such us taking away the powers of the Waste Lands Boards, and placing an unusual power iu the hands of tho Governor. Those were most important changes in the existing laws. The very important power of granting mineral leases was placed entirely in the hands of tho Governor. These questions affected the whole colony seriously, and were arguments why it should not be forced on. Mr. HOWE thought there was no particular occasion for such a bill. All that was in it of any use might well be contained in half the number of clauses. He wanted the people on the various goldlields to have an opportunity of considering the measure before it was forced to a second reading. Mr. WOOLCOOK considered tho measure one directed towards simplifying our mining laws ; but he wished it to be referred to the Select Committee. Jlc supported the second reading. [n reply to a question, The i 1 on. I>. RHID said tho Gold Mining Ui.LricLs Bill would not he a/lected by the I nu.isuic, aud therefore would not interfere [ with tho mining legislation of Auckland. I After some further remarks from the lion. I Mr. REID, who said that after tho second

reading, the bill would be at once referred to tho f« lllidds Committee, a division was called fur by Mr. BAKFF. The result wag that the bill was ordered to be read a second time by -14 against 18. riIAKITA I'.Li: INSTITUTIONS HILL. The Hon. .1). RED) moved the sec >nd reading of the Charitable Institutions Bill, the 'provisions of which he explained. It was absolutely necessary that *<>uie provision should be made for charitable aid, now that the provincial arrangements for chat purpose had ceased. The question they had to decide was whether it was advisable to make charge a burden on the Consolidated Revenue or merely to contribute towards private aid in the direction. A fter considering t.h" question, they considered that it would he best to aid local effort* in providing for charitable objects. It appeared to him that that would be tho be:it plan to effect the object in view. ! | They Mould, therefore, under the bill, pay j to each institution out of the Consolidated Fund each financial year, a sum equal to the sum raised by the managers of such institution by subscription, receipts, or donations. There should, however, bo a limit beyond winch they should not contribute out of the revenues of the country. The control of all these institutions would be placed in the "hands of persons on the spot, who would be the best calculated to administer their affairs, and distinguish between deserving and unworthy objects of charity. Mr. ROLLESTON ihought the Mouse generally should consider the bill utterly unworthy of the subject with which it proposed to deal. The bill left it purely optional whether there should be any charitable institutions, and if there were no charitable people iu a district, where would be their system of charitable relief ? The hon. member saicl paupers ought to look upon any assistance they received as charity, but ho denied the justice of this. There were many deserving persons who became paupers through no fault of their own, and they should not be compelled to feel the ignominy of their independence. The mistake in the bill was, that tho provision for charit}* depended upon voluntary efforts. These institutions should be dealt with nationally, and brought under the general action of tho col,-my. The bill was a miserable rcchavtf'e. of a Victorian measure, which had worked anything but well. He hop'.nl the bill would be rejected by the House at once, and be scut away for re-modelling. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.