PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8362, 16 September 1890, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

[BT TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Monday. The Council met at half-past two p.m. THE NATIVE LAND BILL. . The Native Affairs Committee reported on the Native Land Laws Amendment Bill, that it should not be allowed to proceed. Sir F. Whitaker moved, " That the Bill be committed at 7.30," Which, after debate, was carried, on the understanding that only the clause dealing with the Commissioner be pressed.

THE FEDERATION RESOLUTIONS. Sir F. Whitaker moved, "That the Federation resolutions passed by the House should be agreed to, and that Sir W. Fitzherbert represent the Council at the Conference, tho Governor being given power to appoint a substitute, should any of those elected bo unable to go." After a short debate, in which Messrs. Grace, Pharazyn, and Richmond took part, the resolutions were adopted.

THE KLECTRIO LIGHT. Mr. BailTilß brought up a report from the joint House Committee, to tho effect that the whole of Parliament Buildings should be lighted with electric light, and that Bellamy's be incorporated as a Club. The former part was adopted, and the latter rejected.

NATIVE SCHOOL SITES. The Native School Sites Bill passed through Committee, with slight verbal amendments. The Council journed till 7.30. The Council resumed at half-past seven. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Native Land Laws Amendment Bill was considered in committee. Ten clauses were struck out, clause 13 being amongst those retained. The Native Schools Sites, Public Revenues Act Amendment), the Primage Duty, the Property Tax, and tho Kumara Sludge Channel Bills were read a third time and passed. The Council adjourned at 8.45. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday. The House met at eleven a.m. THE LABOUR CRISIS—PROPOSED CONFERENCE. Mr. Perceval gave notice to move an amendment going into Committee of Supply, that in the opinion of the House, with a view to settling the dispute between the wage payers and the wage earners of the colony the Government should at an early date invite employers of labour and labour association delegates to attend a conference in Wellington for tho purpose discussing their difficulties, and if possible arranging for some settlement being arrived at. He pointed out that at that late stage of the session there was no time for discussing this important question, but he felt sure that such a conference as he had suggested would be productive of much good, and could certainly do no harm. The employers as a whole, were, he believed, anxious to deal fairly with their men, except such firms as Nelson Brothers, who were, evidently, determines! to crush out unions. lie was not speaking on behalf of unionists; but he was sure the majority of unionists were not desirous of pushing matters too far, and would be glad to see some settlement of the difficulties. Tho present state of affairs was causing great loss all over the colony, and he hoped tho Government would see their way to appoint this conference at as early a date as possible. Mr. Allen, in seconding the amendment, would not discuss the merits of tho case on the one side or the other, but he felt, the time had arrived when a settlement of this kind should be arrived at without inflicting such a serious loss to the colony as was now threatened by the labour disputes. Both sides, he felt sure, would be glad to see an amicable settlement of the difficulty, and he thought all sides of the House should on that ground support Mr. Perceval's amendment.

Mr. Mitciielson said that recognising the unfortunate state of affairs that now existed in the colony owing to the labour strikes, the Government considered they would be acting rightly in accepting the amendment proposed by the member for Christchurch South. lie might say that the Premier had had several interviews with employers of labour and labour delegates, but lie had, unfortunately, not seen his way to any settlement of the difficulties. Seeing, however, that it was the desire of the House that some attempt should bo made to settle the disputes that now existed, the Government would accept the amendment, and would do all in their power to arrange for a settlement satisfactory to both sides. Mr. Ballance said the House would be glad to hear the decision of the Government on this question, and it was exceedingly satisfactory that some steps would be taken to obtain a conference to consider the present dispute. Ho thought no time should be lost in arranging for such a conference, but pending its decision the strike should, in his opinion, be brought to an end, and tho men advised to go back to work till some settlement was arrived at.

Mr. Beetham also congratulated the Government on the step they proposed to take, to settle this unfortunate dispute. He regretted, however, to hear Mr. Perceval's depreciatory remarks in reference to Nelson Brothers, and pointed out that he knew from actual experience that there was no firm more generally appreciated by their men than that of Nelson Brothers.

Major Steward also congratulated the Government on accepting the amendment. Sir John* Halt, said he was very glad to see that the Government had accepted Mr. Perceval's proposition, but he deprecated any protracted discussion on the matter now. As to Mr. Ballance's remarks about making it a condition that the men should go back to work at once, ho (Sir John Hall) did not think the Government should make any condition of that kind, but should let the matter be fairly discussed by both sides at the proposed conference. Mr. Fish agreed with Sir John Hall's view of the ca.«e, and said the Government, were to bo congratulated on agreeing to the amendment.

Mr. .Bryce regretted that the Government had decided to take this matter up, as he believed harm would come of it. II had been glad to hear at first that tho Government intended to abstain from interference in this matter, but now the actingPremier had shown that tho Government could easily change their minds. His opinion was that tho unionists had no grievance against their employers, and he believed sensible men amongst them regretted they had been drawn into tho dispute. That being the case there was nothing for a conference to' inquire into. He was not against unions, but he was convinced that the lines laid down by the unionists were those of absolute tyranny, and he again desired to express his regret at the Government interfering in this disputo at all. Dr. Fitchett supported the amendment, Mr. Scorie Mackenzie regretted, with Mr. bryce, that tho Government had decided to interfere in the matter, and expressed himself as strongly opposed to such a proceeding. Why should the Government be asked to arrange for a conference any more than private individuals? Ho pointed out that when the unions were first established they had the genuine sympathy of the majority of the people, but every step they had taken in the present dispute had tended to alienate that sympathy, and now, owing to the ghastly incapacity of the union loaders the whole question resolved itself into a war between the unions on one side and t.ho people of New Zealand on the other. Speaking at some length, Mr. Seddon resented the remarks of Mr. Bryce and Mr. Mackenzie, and said such reflections as they made on unions wero altogether unwarranted. Ho denied Mr. Bryce's assertion that as there was no grievance there was nothing to arbitrate upon. Referring to tho power possessed by the Union Steam Shipping Company, ho expressed the opinion that the time would come when the Government would have to purchase the steamers of that company in order to prevent the present monopoly. He heartily supported the amendment, and was very glad the .Government had agreed to it. The luncheon adjournment was then taken.

The House resumed at 2.30 p.m. Mr. Hodqkinson regretted Mr. Perceval had brought forward his amendment, and lie regretted still more that the Government had accepted it, as he thought it a serious mistake on their part. Mr. Labnauii disagreed entirely with the last speaker. He considered the actingPremier was to be commenced for agreeing

to tho amendment. All that remained to be done now was to pub in , m°tj° n the proper machinery to appoint a conference, as he felt it would be wrong for the House to separate without making some effort to settle the unhappy differences that had arisen between capital and labour. Mr. Izard supported the amendment, aB he recognised it was an effort on the part of all to settle the present dispute. He regretted some of the heated spoeohes made that day, which were not at all calculated to promote a proper settlement. The Government would have done its duty in this crisis by endeavouring to bring about but he thought that they should themselves stand aloof from trie conference. Messrs. Taylor, Reeves (Inangahna), Mackenzie (Clutha), and Moss supported the proposal for arbitration. Sir G. Grey, while approving of the amendment, thought it would b» too hard a condition to impose on the men that they should go back to work while the conference was sitting, and such a condition might interfere with the conference; in point of fact, tho best way to settle the difficulty would be that the new Parliament should assemble immediately after the elections, and as that Parliament would be chosen by unionists and non-unionists, a proper settlement would be more likely to be arranged than at the present time. Mr. v U'CONOR was very glad this proposal for a settlement had been made, and he hoped it would be successful. The Government, as a preliminary to the conference, should use their influence with the Railway Commissioners, and endeavour to get them to refrain from using any un--1 necessary harshness towards their emI ployes. He should propose, when he had ;an opportunity, that the Commissioners should grant an amnesty to their employes for anything that may have happened since the strike commenced, and restore any men dismissed to their former positions. Mr. Pkldwick supported Mr. O'Conor's proposal with respect to the action of the Railway Commissioners towards their men. He considered Mr. Perceval deserved great credit for bringing forward his amendment, and he was pleased indeed that the Government had accepted it. Mr. Hours would voto for tho amendment, as it was one that should meet with the general approval of the House. Mr. Perceval's amendment for a conference of delegates from employers and labour associations at Wellington at an early date was then put, and carried by 51 to 11.

THE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The House then went into Committee of Supply for the further consideration of the Supplementary Estimates. Item : Judge Edwards' salary, £1621. An amendment by Mr. Reeves (Inangahua) to strike out the vote was before the House,

Mr. Seddon', to get over the difficulty, asked the Government to withdraw the vote as it now stood, and reintroduce it as salary for i Commissioner Edwards, and not as Judge Edwards. Captain Russell said the whole of the circumstances connected with this appointment, from the first to tho last, showed that the House had no true appreciation of the position. He reviewed at some length tho circumstances connected with the appointment, and said Judge Edwards was regarded as being fully qualified to fill tho office, and the Government believed the appointment was strictly and constitutionally made. If it could even be proved that tho appointment was not technically correct, which ho denied, the Government had acted as they had done solely for the welfare of the country. Mr. Ballance considered Judge Edwards was no judge at all, but he was on the contrary a usurper, and sat on the bench illegally and unconstitutionally. He was favourable to the salary being voted for Commissioner Edwards, and that it be reduced £1000.

A lengthy discussion ensued, after which Captain Russell agreed to amend the vote so that it should provide for a salary for Commissioner Edwards and not Judge Edwards.

The alteration in the Estimates was brought down by a message from the Governor. Mr. Taylor wished to know whether the alteration made would prevent Commissioner Edwards from acting as judge, and on being answered in the negative he protested against the whole thing. Tho debate was interrupted by the halfpast five adjournment. The House resumed at half-past seven. After another lengthy discussion tho word "Judge" was struck out of the item. Mr. Rervks (Inangahua) withdrew his motion to strike out the vote, and substituted ft reduction of £1051. This was lost by 30 to '26. Mr. Taylor moved to reduce the vote by £871. Lost on the voices. Mr. Ballanck moved to reduce ib by £500. Lost by 34 to 27. Mr. Duncan said the time had now arrived for decisive action, and he was prepared not to allow another item on the Estimates to pass unless the vote were reduced, even if he had to stay there till next month. Mr. Baixancf. said the retention of the full salary for Mr. Edwards was a distinct breach of the agreement made between Mr. Bryce and himself. Captain Russell said Mr. Ballance had distinctly stated to the House that if the word ".fudge" were struck out ho would abide by the decision of the House. There would, therefore, be a distinct breach of faith on Mr. Balance's part if he did not support the Government in the matter. Ho was quite prepared to accept a reduction r i £5 on the vote.

Mr. Skhpon : As an indication thab Mr. Edwards should nob act as Judge. Captain Russell : As an indication of anything you chose to call it. On the House resuming after the supper adjournment Mr. Duncan* spoke at length against the vote, and said he was prepared to stay there till the 4th of October to protest against it. Air. OVonor drew attention at 11.40 p.m. to the fact of strangers being in the gallery, upon which all the galleries were cleared while Mr. Fish was addressing tho House.