PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9067, 30 May 1888, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY telegraph. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

legislative council.

Tuesday. The Speaker took his seat at half-past two p.m.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION. Sir Geo. Whitmore gave notice that; he would move to-morrow, " That considering the unsettled state of affairs at home the militia bo enrolled, and part of the firstclass militia be called out for training."

THE CHINESE BILL. Mr. Scotland continued the debate on the Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment •Bill. He hoped that the Bill would bo thrown out. Ho did nob think there was any chance of Chinamen coming here, in fact he did not consider New Zealand was a fit place for anybody, either heathen or Christian, to come to just at present. It would be a good thing for this colony if Chinamen came here by tens of thousands. Ho would like to see our manufactures, especially wool and flax, worked by Chinese labour; but the colony was under mob Government, and dared not dream of such a thin He would support Mr. aterhouse s amendment, that it is undesirable to pro ceed further with this Bill until the results of the deliberations of the conference to be held in Australia upon the Chinese question, as well as of the negotiations between the English and the Chinese Governments upon the same subject are known. Mr. Oliver did not think the Chinese Government would have anything to complain of in the passing of tho present Bill, which he considered had been framed with care and judgment. Mr. Phakazyn looked upon tho Bui as likely to irritate the Chinese, and moved an amendment, " That the Bill be read this day six months." . Dr. Pollen spoko strongly against tho Bill, saying there was no probability of an influx of Chinamen. _ Colonel Brett considered tho Council would be doing an illegal action in passing the Bill, and urged the members to throw it out. _ Sir F. Whitaker replied, and the Council divided, when the scond reading was carried by 15 to 10. The following is tho division list Ayes (15)Barnicoat, Buckley, Dignan, Grace, Kenney, McLean, Oliver, "Richmond, Sheppard, Stevens, Swan son. Wahawaha, Whitaker, hitmore, and Wilson. Noes (10): Brett, Hart, Holmes, Man tell, Martin, Peter, Pharazyn, Pollen, Scotland, and Waterhouse. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTION'S. Mr. Vincent Pyke asked the Colonial Secretary whether the Government have any information respecting the operations of an association called "St. Giles' Mission,"' in London, which, as reported by English papers, is engaged in the charitable work of exporting convict expirees to the Australasian colonies ? Mr. Hislop said the Government had no information on the subject, but steps had been taken to ascertain whether such a society existed, and whether its objects Were such as stated in the question. Air. Reeves (Inangahua) asked the Minister for Public Works (1) what amount of compensation Mr. Ashcroft, lato manager of the Nelson and Foxhill railway received on his dismissal from the service; ('2) the name of the gentleman appointed in his place; (3) what is the salary of the present manager, and the amount of the salary of the late manager ? Mr. Mitchelson said Mr. Ashcroft received £430 12s 2d ; Mr. McLean had been appointed in his place at a salary of £175 per annum, but the gentleman who would receive the permanent appointment would get £300. The salary of the late manager was £425 a year. Mr. Guinness asked the Premier whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the system of land regulations existing in the State of the Argentine Republic, which are reported to be working in a most satisfactory manner, and whether the Government will take ifito consideration the desirability of making regulations of a similar character for this colony, so as to afford inducement to immigrants and working classes to take land on a like system'? Mr. Richardson said he had looked into the subject as far as time permitted, but he was afraid the circumstances of the colony would not permit of their dealing with the land laws of the colony in any more liberal manner than under the present Wid laws of this country. Mr. Guinness asked the Premier if he has received any communication from the Midland Railway Company or the AgentGeneral, stating that the company disagrees with some of the terms of the draft contract agreed to between the Government and the New Zealand directors of the company ? Mr. Mitchelson said the Government had received several communications from •the Agent-General on this subject, and they hoped in the course of a few days to lay before the House their proposals on the settlement of the dispute which had occurred between the Government and the company. He hoped they would be able to do so by Thursday. Mr. Steward asked the Government ■whether their attention had been drawn to the injustice of the provisions of sections 96 and 97 of the Land Transfer Act, 1885, which confer upon mortgagees of real estate the right to distrain upon goods and chattels ; and if so, whether they will introduce a Bill this session to amend the Act in this particular'! Mr. Hislop said it was stated in the Governor's Speech that a Bill would be brought in dealing with this question. Mr. Buxton asked the Minister of Justice whether in the case of a mistake being made by a coroner or his deputy, an inquest not being held on Saturday might be commenced on Sunday, and if practicable, by the desire of the friends of the deceased, the body be interred the same day ? Mr. Fergus said a Coroner's Act was before the House at present, and he should endeavour to get a provision inserted which would meet cases of this kind.

Mr. Fish asked the Government what steps they proposed to take in reference to the report of the Commission of Inquiry as to the condition of the Seacliff Asylum building ? Mr. Mitch elson said the matter was now under the consideration of the Government.

Mr. Steward asked the Colonial Secretary whether effect has been given to the recommendation of the Printing Committee, made last session, for a revision of the free list of Parliamentary papers and Hansard, by which it was estimated that a saving of from £800 to £1000 per annum could be effected ?

Mr. Hislop said some of the recommendations had been given effect to, but there were others which the Government did not feel justified in taking action upon. Mr. Joyce asked the Government if they will during the recess prepare a Bill to amend the Education Act in the direction of (1) allowing the Bible to be read in public schools, with a conscience clause ; (2) giving a grant of 30s per head per annum to denominational schools wherein at least 200 scholars shall have attended on every public school day during the year, and shall have been taught in six standards as in the public schools, and have passed Examinations of Government inspectors ? Mr. Fisher said the Government had no intention of proposing to amend the Education Act in either direction. Mr. Stuart Menteatii asked the Colonial Secretary whether it is the intention of the Government to make provision for the representation of New Zealand at the Exhibition to be held in May next ? Mr. Hislop said the Government had not yet decided.

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Mi*. J. C. Brown said he desired to ask a question which was of considerable interest to the colony at present, that was, whether the Financial Statement would be delivered that evening ? Mr. Mitchelsom said he had just received a letter from the Premier to the effect that lie would deliver his Financial Statement at eight o'clock that evening. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced:— State Security on Land Bill; Bill to amend the Animals Protection Act, 1880 Mining Partnership Bill; School of Mines Bill. CODLIN MOTH BILL. ' This Bill was read a third time, and passed. The House adjourned ab half-pasb five till eight p.m.

The House resumed at eights p.Tri.; THE BUDGET. V In Committee of Ways and Means Sir H. Atkinson delivered his Financial Statement (which we report elsewhere). Mr Richardson asked when the statement would be in the hands of members ? Sir H Atkinson said the Statement would be printed that ,night; but the papers to bo attached to it would not be ready before next day. The Estimates would also be printed as quickly as possible and would be in the hands of members in a few days. Ho should be glad to give all possible information to members respecting the alterations in the tariff.' Mr. Taylor asked whether the Premier was prepared to give and take in the matter of the tariff, as there were several items which ho should bo prepared to eliminate altogether? Sir H. Atkinson said he was always prepared to give and take. Tho Government mid no wish to make tho tariff a party question, as the position of the colony was too serious to bo trifled with. _ They were determined to see that sufficient revenue was raised to meet the expenditure, with a slight surplus. Mr. Skddon said they were now asked to agree to such a large amount of extra taxation that he for one would be almost prepared to refuse assent to the resolutions. lie would ask, therefore, that the 1* inancial debate should bo takon on Friday, in order to decide tho matter. Sir H. Atkinson said ho was quite prepared to take tho debate on iriday if the House desired it. Mr. Fish also thought tho debate should be proceeded with without any delay. Mr. Smith thought the general taxpayers of the colony should be considered in this matter of extra taxation, and the Premier should give them an assurance that the Tariff Bill would be brought down nob later than Friday. Sir H. Atkinson said he could bring the Bill down next day, but he considered itwas impossible for any hon. Member to express an intelligent opinion on it in less than a week. He was quite prepared to go on with tho Bill on Friday. " The amended tariff resolutions were then put and agreed to, and the House rose at live minutes to ten p.m.