NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8090, 3 November 1887, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION,] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday. The Council met at half-past two p.m» THE NOAKE3 PAMPHLET. Colonel Brett gave notico to ask to« morrow what steps the Government have taken, or intend taking, in defending the honour and discipline of the volunteer force of the colony, having regard to the insubordinate conduct of Lieutenant Colonel Noake, in publishing a pamphlet reflecting on the administration of the Government and the commander of the forces ? The Council, at twenty-three minutes to three, adjourned to next day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WED.nssdit. The House met at half-past two p.m. REDUCTIONS. Major Atkinson gave notion of the intro- j duction of the Governor's Salary and Allowances Bill, and the Parliamentary Honorarium and Privileges Bill. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. The Pkemikr gave notice of a series j of resolutions dealing with the Mid* land Railway, to be taken in committee of the whole House to-morrow. They were to the effect that the draft contract of December 14, ISS6, agreed to by the Go* vernment and the representatives of the company in New Zealand as amended by the company be accepted by the Government as a supplementary contract, subject to certain alterations, and the following additions :—The New Zealand Midland Railway Company to be incorporated in New Zealand under the Companies Act, ISS2, as provided by section 2 of the Act of ISS6 ; the works to be commenced at once at Springfield and Belgrove ; no land which shall be granted to the company shall be sold at less price than the minimum, to be agreed to by the Sur-veyor-General. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence for two weeks was granted to Mr. Fifzherbert, and for seven days to Mr. Samuel ; the former owing to ill-health and the latter to urgent private business. IS MR. MAXWELL TO BE RETAINED* Mr. Joyce gave notice to ask the Government, whether the Financial Statement contemplated dispensing with the services of Mr. Maxwell, the General Manager of Kailways ? THE JURIES ACT. Mr. Reeves (Inangahua) asked the Minis* ter of Justice if he will cause the Juries Act to be altered, so as to avoid bringing men a considerable distance to attend juries when there are a sufficient number of citizens residing in the town where the Court is held from which to select jurymen ? Mr. Fergus said there was considerable injustice in the matter, and it would be considered during the recess. railway carriages. Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Public Works if the reports published in the newspapers are correct, that he has promised the members for Auckland West and 'Thorndon that for the future no railway carriages required at the large centres of population, such as Auckland and Wellington, would be sent for from Addington, but would be manufactured in the districts where they are required ? Mr. Mitchelsos said he thought it only right that work that could be satisfactorily performed in those shops should be done. CLl'B LICENSES. Mr. Jotcs asked the Government if an annual license fee is charged to each of those various clubs throughout the colony wherein intoxicating liquors are sold to members of the clubs. Mr. Hislop replied that the licenses were paid to the local bodies. THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT. Mr. Goli>ie asked the Government what action they intend to take to make clear the provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, so that further misunderstandings may not arise in connection therewith ? Major Atkinson said a Bill would be brought in this session to deal with the matter. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BANKS. Mr. Taiwhanga asked the Colonial Treasurer, have the Government no control over the banks issuing notes in New Zealand, and if 30, do they intend to propose any measure dealing with the subject. Major Atkinson said the Government had no control over the banks. They were empowered to issue notes by Acts passed by that House. The Government had no intention of taking action in the matter. He thooght the recent action of the Bank of New Zealond would have a very good effect in the colony. THE PROPERTY TAX AND BANK DEPOSITS. Mr. Tcrnbull asked the Colonial Treasurer what check, if any, has the Property Tax Department against sums lying to the credit of depositors in the various banks doing business in the colony ; also, whether any recoveries have been effected on these deposits, which appeared from the tables attached to the Financial Statement of May last to amount to £5,000,000.

Major Atkinson said there was no check, but the tax had come in very satisfactorily. SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY. Mr. Gcin>'es3 asked the Premier whether he will take into consideration in dealing with the question of the proposed alterations in the contract between the Midland Railway Company and the Government the advisability of making provision for th« immediate throwing open for sale and settlement of a large block of Crown land no temporarily reserved from sale, aa auch reservation is greatly retarding tho settlement of the country. Major Atkinson would be glad to take the matter into consideration, but was not prepared to say more at present. NATIVE RESERVES. Mr. Goinnius asked tho Premier whether the Government will bring in a bill this session to amend the South Island Native Reserves Act, ISB3 ? Major Atkinson replied in the affirmative. THE MIDLAND LINE. Mr. Guinness asked tho Minister for Public Works whetiier he will take into consideration the advisability of entering into negotiations with the Midland Railway Company for the purchase by the Government from the company of that portion of the line completed by the company from Brunnerton to Richardson ? Mr. Mitohklson said the Government had no intention of taking the matter into consideration. INVITATION. The Speaker read a telegram from the secretary of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, requesting the attendance of members of the House on Friday, 11th instant, at the annual show of the Association at the new show grounds. Ho said if any members expressed their intention of proceeding to Christchurch he would be glad to inform the secretary of the matter. Mr. Seddon asked whether the Premier proposed to adjourn the House on that occasion. Major Atkinson said he would be glad to consult tho wiahe3 of the Opposition on the matter. THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. Mr Wilson moved, "That a committee bo appointed with power to call for poraona and papers to inquire (1) if the present large expenditure on education can be reduce;! without unduly impairing the efficiency of the present system or closing country schools; (*2) in what direction, if any, any reduction should take place, and (3) generally into the working cf the system, the committee to report thereon within a month, and to consist of Messrs. Fisher, Allen, Beetha m, Loughrey, M. J. S. Mackenzie, Orinond, Barron, Walker, Dr. Fitchett, and the mover." Mr. Fisher approved of the motion. Mr. Skddon' moved an amendment, referring to the Committeo the question whether State aid can be given to denominational schools in large centres without injuring the State system of education, or whether it is advisable that the Bible should be read in schools. A lengthy discussion then ensued. Mr. Seddon'e amendment was carried by 33 to 36. Mr. Blake moved a further amendment, "That inquiry should also be made into tho management of native schools." A greed to on the voices. The motion as amended was then carried by 39 to 21. PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN WANGANUr. Mr. Mo.nk moved, " That a return bo laid before the House of all sums of money expended in making roads between Wanganui and the North island Trunk Railway ; also for snagging the Wanganui river, and building steamers, boats, punts, etc., and from what fund the money baa been obtained." Agreed to.

AN IMPOSSIBLE RETURN. Mr. Taiwhanga moved for a return showing the names of all members of the Legislative Council who have any pecuniary interest in the acquisition of Maori lands, whether by purchase or lease (2) for a return showing the number and names of loan companies and banks who have' advanced money on security of native lease or native lands of any description, whether in the North or Sooth Islands ; also the names of shareholders in such institutions." Major Atkinson suggested tbat the motion be withdrawn, as it was quite impossible to obtain the information asked for. Mr. Taipoa said Mr. Taiwhanga was asking for information on hidden things. He thought if he applied to the Spiritualists information might be revealed to him. The motion was withdrawn. hospitals AND CHARITABLE aid. Mr. Macarthck moved theseoond reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill. The Bill provided that the Manawatu Hospital District may be constituted by l)rder-ln«Councll on petition ; that the Waimate Hospital District may be constituted, and that the Ashburton District be separated from North Canterbury. The principle of the Bill was to give local control of the hospital funds to those most inte> rested. Mr. Steward, in supporting the Bill, took the opportunity of presenting a petition from 965 residents tif Waimate, praying that that district may be constituted into a hospital district. He spoke strongly on the necessity for this power being conferred on the people of this district. The debate was interrupted by the half* past five adjournment. The House met at half-past seven. Mr. Steward continued his remarks on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Aot Amendment Bill. He hoped the House would allow the Bill to pass its second reading. Mr. Walker supported the Bill, and appealed to the House to affirm the principle that districts which were naturally separata should be allowed the privilege of looal selfgovernment. Mr. Rhodes opposed the Bill, as he was against splitting up Hospital Districts in the manner proposed by it. Mr. Tck>bcll also opposed the Bill, and pointed out that if the Act was to be inter* fared with in this manner, dozens of other Bills would be brought in with a similar object. The whole thing was becoming a very serious question, and the Bill was a most dangerous one, which should not go to the second reading. Mr. Ballance would not oppose the Bill, although it affected very closely the district he represented. His opinion was they should approach to a system of cottage hos* pitals, and he thought there should be an hospital in every suitable centre of population. This would also extend the system of local self government. Sir J. Hall hoped the Bill would not be read a second time, as he looked on it as a very dangerous measure. If districts were cut up in the maunor proposed, it would lead to a large amount of distress, and would throw the burden on districts which were not responsible for it. He looked on it as a large and important question, and it should not bo dealt with by a private member until the Government taw its way to deal with it. Mr. Hislop quite agreed that the Bill was one on which the Government ought to take a stand, but the Bill had only recently been distributed amongst members. If the Bill got into committee he should endeavour to get a clause inserted to provide that sparsely populated districts may be better represented.

Captain Russell supported the Bill, and said they should not be frightened by bogies set up against it. He pointed out that the Manawatu was a large district, where it was absolutely necessary there Bhould be a hospital, and it was surely reasonable that the people of tbat district should be desirous of managing their own hospital. Mr. Mills supported the Bill, as he had I great sympathy with the position of the, Waimate hospital. The motion for the second reading of the Bill was carried by 47 to 24. law practitioners bill. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill, to regulate the admission of persons to practice in Courts of law. He explained that the Bill had been before the House on several previous occasions. Ho was convinced they would never attract people to New Zealand unless they showed a fair field to ail in this direction, and he considered it was most unfair that a measure so eminently just should be defeated year after year by the efforts of a few legal gentlemen in the House. Dr. Fitchett protested against the passing of the Bill. He held himself a Liberal, but a point above Liberalism became profligate. If the hon. gentleman consented to withdraw bis bill, and. brought in one to amend the present Act in the direction of relieving candidates from passing the general knowledge examination, it would receive hia (Dr. Fitchett'B) hearty support. Mr. Reeves (St. Albans) would support the bill. He did not consider the question of general knowledge examination was of the great importance attached to it by the last speaker. The real question, to his mind, in the present bill was whether a student after having passed his law examination had to pay a crushing fee for admittance as a barrister. He believed that the legal gentlemen who had hitherto opposed the Bill had done so from an honest conviction that it would damage the profession if it became law. Mr. Taiwhanga supported tho Bill. If the Bill ha been in force he should not have lost £1400 through a promising lawyer. Mr. Mentbath had hitherto consistently opposed the Bill, but the present Bill did not contain the objectionable provision that the previous one contained, namely, that persons should be admitted to the bar who did not possess any knowledge of law. He was, however, compelled to vote against it. Mr. Hutchison supported the Bill, and was quite ooufident the practice of the law would not suffer through admission to it being made more popular. Mr. Taipoa supported the Bill. Mr. DownlE Stewart opposed the Bill, and said in the interests of the public a wrong would be done if it were carried. Mr. Joyce supported tho second reading. He thought if it were for the welfare of the colony that the Bill should pass, he was bound to vote for it. Mr. Pratt supported the Bill. The motion for the second reading was carried by 57 to 15. fencing claims. Mr Mitchklson moved the second reading of the Hammond Fencing Claims Compensation Bill to provide for the maintenance of railway fences in the lands of Richard Hammond, which were taken under the Public Works Act, 1882. He asked tho Houso to pass the Bill through all its stages, a3 the time had elapsed at which compensation was due. The sum proposed to be paid was £231 2s 9d. Messrs Barron, Downis Stewart, and Marchant spoke against the Bill. Major Atkinson pointed out that tho matter had been lost sight of owing to the political crisis that had occurred for the last six months. The late Government were unablo to attend to it in the short session in May last, and the present Government had been so occupied preparing the Financial Statement that they could not take it up until the present time. It was for the House to consider whether through quibbles of this kind .Mr Hammond ahould be deprived of an amount to which he was entitled. After further discussion the second reading was carried by 44 to '22. Tne House went into committee on tho Bill, which passed without amendment, was read a third time and pasted. Tho House rose at 10.50 p.m.