PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9445, 16 August 1889, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—BPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. The debate this afternoon was opened by the Minister of Lands, who replied to the attack upon the present land administration. He maintained that the revival of land settlement had set in before the revival in the price of produce and frozen meat. It was really due to the Act of 1887, which had removed restrictions on settlement, settlers being allowed to chose their own form of tenure, and they knew far better than Ministers what form best suited thoir pockets. Referring to the great popularity of the perpetual lease system, he said, turning to Mr. Ballance : " It will be pleasing to the hon. member for Wanganui to know that though those settlers have the right, to buy the freehold there is so far not one instance of their having exercised that right, and I think it very improbable that they will, attempt to exercise it while they pay five per cent. interest. It is more profitable for them to do this than buy their freeholds; still they are satisfied at knowing they can acquire their freeholds, and this leads to perpetual lease tenures being so popular." lie brought a brief but excellent speech to a conclusion by indulging in a little goodhumoured banter at the expense of Mr. Ballance, describing "what he had seen at the Northern village settlements. He mentioned one village settler who had been reckoned in Mr. Efxlljineo's returns, and who struck him as being a rather remarkable specimen. "His name," said Mr. Richardson, " was Peter Patter." "What?" exclaimed the whole House laughing. "Peter Patter" was the reply. " Peter Patter picked a peck of pickled pepper," said a flippant memoer. When the merriment hud subsided, Mr. Richardson continued—" Peter Patter'was a Maori, a special settler, who used to hunger for Government assistance. He was the queerest specimen I ever saw. I aeked liitn how old he was. He said he did not know ; ho was hundreds of years old (loud laughter, and cries of 'Oh'). He said to me, before the white man came I was (roars of laughter), and he crowned that by stating, that before Captain Cook came he was." With that Mr. Richardson sab down amid great applause and laughter. Mr. J. Mackenzie followed, and denounced the Premier as the " arch borrower of the colony." In the course of his speech, a little breeze arose between him and the Ministers. He was declaring that the Minister for Lands had used his office to punish his political opponents and reward his political friends ; and, as an instance, stated that a Mr. Campbell, of the Lands Oth'cc, Invercargill, had been dismissed on the score of retrenchment, bot really because he was active in opposing the Minister duriug his contest for Mataura, nt the general election. Mr. Richardson, with a smile on his face, rose to claim the protection of the chair. " The charge is absolutely untrue, and the hon. gentleman is surely going beyond Parliamentary limit in making such a churge." Before Sir Maurice could give his ruling, Mr. McKenzie managed to repeat the charge in vigorous terms, adding, "I know what I am .saying is true/' Mr. Hislop excitedly rose, cried " Order, ,, and Sir Maurice replying to the Colonial Secretary's interrogative interjections said, " if the hon. member believes the charge lie is making to be true, I cannot rulo him out of order. The Minister of Lands will be afforded an opportunity to refute the charge." Then Mr. Hislop tried another plan. Turning to where Mr. Mackenzie stood, he remarked, " You wanted a man removed in your own district becauso ho was opposed to your election." To this counter-charge Mr. Mackenzie returned a denial, saying, "i specially told the Minister for Public Work* that I did not want the man dismissed, and I will challenge him to deny it." Mr. Mitchelson was not in the House, but his late colleague, Mr, Fisher, came to Mr. Mackenzie's rescue. " Hear, hear," said the late Minister for Education, " I can bear out that statement." Utterly disdaining Mr. Fisher's interjection, Mr. Hislop replied to Mr. Mackenzie's statement., " I can show you your own ininuto to the Minister on the subject." Mr. Mackenzie went on to say that the place of the man dismissed from the Lands office, Invercargill, had since been filled by the son of a member of the House supporting - the Government, and the matter dropped. Captain Russell followed Mr. Mackenzie. He made a capital speech— one of the best delivered during the debate. After Messrs, Hutchison and Humphries had spoken in tho evening, Mr. Harkness rose, and, to the surprise of the Opposition, declared himself in support of the Government. He explained his action in deserting the Opposition by declaring that Mr. Moss , motion was not brought forward to get rid of the property tax, but to defeat, the Ministry, and restore the number of members to 91. This statement was greeted with loud and encouraging "hear, hears" from the Government. 'He went on to explain, amid manifestations of approval from the Government members, that tins wonderful motion was designed to catch members who were in the habit of voting on principle, and who were pledged to a land and income tax. He denounced Mr. Moss as having devised a political " sink hole into which, sir, he thought I and others would fall." (Loud applause from the Government side of the House.) He then announced that he would move, on going into committee for the repeal of the Property Assessment Bills, the insertion of a cluu.se instructing the Government to bring down a Land and Income Tax Bill. " Sir," he said, and he was loudly cheered, " There is a direct is.jue. Tin; member for Parnell has given us the husk. 1. have given you thekeruel." The rest of the evening was occupied by tlio speeches of Messrs. Fish and Fisher.

POLITICAL RUMOURS. All sorts of rumours have been going about to-day about bids which are being made for votes. A prominent Opposition member declares that the Government are simply repeating the tactics of 1879, namely, keeping the debate going till they can " beg, buy, borrow, or steal" votes enough to gain the victory, then they will challenge the Opposition to a division. As for tho buying of votes, gossip says that the Opposition went to a certain member, whose re-election is very doubtful, and promised to put him in the Upper House if fie would vote for them. Then, so runs the story, the Government getting wind of this attempt to "nobble" one of their supporters, at once promised to make him a Councillor if he would support them, pointing out that the Government were in oiiice, and certain to carry out their oiler, while the Opposition were not, and the fulfilment of their promise was only problematic. This decided the hon. member. Among many other rumours is one that the Government will take one of the Dunedin members into the Cabinet in consideration of his voting for thorn. This rumour was so persistent that it induced Mr. Taylor to give notice to ask the Premier whether it is true that the vacancy created by the resignation of the late Minister of Education in the Cabinet is about to be filled up. Early this evening it became generally known that the Government had an absolute majority. Some irresolute members have been stiffened up by telegrams from thoir constituents, and there are now only one or two members about whom there is the slightest doubt as to how they will vote. One of these is Mr. O'Conor. The Government have him on their list of supporters, but the Opposition seem to think he may yet vote with them. Should he go over to the Opposition the Government majority will be reduced. This defection, however, if it takes place, will be balanced by the vote of Mr. Harkness, hioherto reckoned an Opposition man, but who has now declared for the Government. Up till 4.30 this afternoon he had intended to vote for the amendment, but about that hour it is said the Government succeeded in talking him over. His difficulty was that he hadjpledged himself to a land and income tax, and it was accordingly suggested that he should, upon the Bill going into committee, propose a definite motion instructing the Government to bring in a Land and Income Tax Bill. He could by voting for this definite issue fulfil his election pledges, and avoid voting for Mr. Moss's very vague motion. This land and income tax amendment to be moved by Mr. Harkness will ensure to the Government a majority of four or five at least on the present question. The three men whom tho Opposition were counting to give them a majority were Messrs. Fish, HarknesSj and O'Conor.

The Government were all along certain of Mr. Fish. Mr. Harkness they had counted as an opposition man, while Mr. O'Conor they were doubtful of. It is expected that the division will be taken to-morrow night. CO-OPERATIVE LAND SETTLEMENT. The Waste Lands Committee have reported on the petition of Sir Robert Stout and 214 others, praying that lands may be set apart under the special settlement provisions of the Land Act, 1885, for occupation by a Co-operative Land Settlement Company which they propose to form. The Committee cannot recommend the granting of the special terms sought for in the petition, but advise that the petitioners be recommended, if they think proper, to apply for some specific block of land under the provisions of the Land Act of 1885. RESIGNATION OF MR. FERGUS. It is understood that the Hon. Mr. Fergus will resign his portfolio at the end of the session, in consequence of private business requiring all his attention. Most people will be sorry to hear of the determination come to by the Minister of Justice, and even political opponents will regret that for the present, at any rate, Mr. Fergus intends to retire altogether from political life, and in the event of a dissolution will not contest any seat at the next elections. It is said that the Dunedin member to whom the portfolio is to be offered at the end of the session is Mr. Downie Stewart. THE COUNCIL AND THE REPRESENTATION BILL. The following is the division list on the third reading of the Representation Bill in the Upper House. Ayes, 17 :—Ackland, Baillie, Barnicoat, Campbell, Dignan, Eraser, Kenny, Martin, Morris, Pharazyn, Robinson, Shepherd, Stevens, Sir Freak. Whitaker, Sir G. Whibmore, Wigley, and Wilson. Noes, 12 : — Hart, Lahmann, Mantell, McLean, Miller, Oliver, Pollen, Reeves, Reynolds, Shrimski, Swanson, and Walker. A large number of members of the Lower House were present, and displayed great interest in the voting. COLLECTION OF CUSTOMS DUTIES. A return has been laid on the table showing the cost of collecting the Customs duties at the various ports for the year ending March, 1889. The rate per cent, on the amount collected of the cost of collection varies according to the size of towns, from £15 12s per cent, at Russell to £1 10s Sd per cent, at Dunedin. At Auckland the cost is £1 J 7s 4d per cent. The average cost for the colony is £1. 19s 6d per cent. In the previous year it was £2 10s 6d per cent. THE LICENSING ACT. Mr. Goldie presented the petitions to-day from Annie Jane Schnackenberg, president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Auckland, and from Sir Win. Fox, president of the New Zealand Alliance, against the repeal of clauses 63 and 75 of the Licensing Act. ADVERTISING Oh POSTAGE STAMPS. Dr. Newman wants the Government to increase the revenue by calling for tenders for the right bo advertise on postage starape and post cards. THE MINER'S GUIDE. Mr. Cadman intends to ask the Minister of Mines if he will cause to be distributed among the various libraries in the mining districts copies of Mr. Gordon's (Inspecting Engineer of Mines) new work, called "The Miner's Guide." JOTTINGS. Mr. Wilson wants letters posted in mail traine to go for the usual postage. Sir John Hall is moving for a return showing for each year since 1880 the acreage of Crown lands disposed of, with particulars of cost, number of selectors, &c. Mr. R. Reeve? wants to know the names of the New Zealand Commissioners at the Paris Exhibition. Mr. Brown wants the cash deposits made by applicants for land returned within seven days to those who have not been successful in obtaining the section applied for. Mr. Brown is going to ask the Minister of Mines if he will take into consideration, and give effect, if possible, to the proposals by which the serious burdens now existing on thowe engaged on gold mining may be relieved by the Government taking charge of their gold, and paying its true value after smelting and assay. Mr. Joyce has given notice to move for a return of salary, travelling and other expenses paid to Mr. G. V. Shannon since his appointment as an expert to the Customs Department; also the amount, if any, obtained by the Government resulting from his discovery of frauds under the separate heads of draper}*, ironmongery, furniture, and musical instruments, and the costs and charges which the Government are liable to pay iu the prosecution-of such frauds. The committee of the Legislative Council, which is inquiring into the Ward-Hislop affair, have summoned Judge Ward to give evidence. He arrives from the South tomorrow. It is likely that the clerk of the court at Oarnaru, Mr. Filleul, and the gaoler, Mr. McDonald, will also be summoned. A petition was presented to-day by Mr. Monk from the Birlcenhead and Northcote Fruit-growers' Association, praying for the passage of the compulsory analysis of manures clause of the Trademarks Bill. This clause has already been passed by the House, but it is only compulsory in the caee of manures with registered titles. The Waste Lands Committee have no recommendation to make on the petitions of the Piako, Tauranga, and Hokianga County Councils, praying for amendment of the Land Acts of 1885 and 1887.