PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8477, 30 January 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday. THE AUCKLAND MINISTER. Mr. Cadman was duly sworn in this morning.- The portfolios allotted to him are Native Affairs and Hospitals and Charitable Aid. The announcement in the House this afternoon by Mr. Ballance of his appointment was received with applause by all parties. Referring to Mr. Cadman's appointment the Post says :— The Ministry have acted wisely in appointing Mr. Cadman to the vacant portfolio. Ho is a quiet and unassuming, but he is nevertheless a strong man. Those who know him best have the very highest opinion of his character and his ability. The portfolio of Native Affairs is not, perhaps, the one he would be best qualified to fill, but after the session there will doubtless be a rearrangement of Ministerial offices. Mr. Cadman will command the confidence of all sections of the Auckland members, and probably strengthen the party in that direction ; and now completed, the Ministry must be pronounced an excellent one." 1 hear it stated that the Native Department is to be gradually done away with as a separate portfolio, the work being merged in that of other departments. It will bo remembered, however, that this course has been talked of and " kept steadily in view," for some years past, yet the Native Office still flourishes. Mr. Cadman may improve it off the earth, or he may not. NATIVE LAND LAWS AMENDMENT. The Native Land Laws Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr. Rees in accordance with the decision of the meeting of Auckland members which was recently held, has now been circulated. It consists of two operative clauses. Tho first gives power to the Governor to appoint a Commission of three members to enquire into and report to Parliament on the present state of the Native Land Laws of the colony, and to suggest, remedies both for the past and future, such commission to report to the next sitting of the Parliament. The second clause gives power to the Governor-in-Council to stay all proceedings having reference to any lands affected by the Native Land Court Acts Amendment Act, ISS9, but not so as to determine title in any case or degree. Mr. Roes informs mo that Wi Fere wants a clause put in forbidding all individual dealing in native lands until next session in order to prevent any further complications beyond those already existing. This will probably be agreod to. In reply to a deputation in reference to the Native Land Court Act Amendment. Bill (consisting of Messrs. Rees, Bryce, Kelly, T. Thompson and Cadman), who waited on Mr. Ballance last night, to ask that the Government should facilitate as much as possible the passing of the measure, Mr. Ballance said that this should be done.

THE ADDRESS-IN'-UEPLY. The usual routine business of presenting petitions and giving notices of motions was disposed of by half-past-three this afternoon, after which the House settled down to a deadly dull continuation of the debate on the Address-in-reply. Mr. Duncan spoke for half-an hour, dealing chiefly with the land question, and the need for small settlers. Mr. Moore, who followed, said that as the session was going to be a very short one, he hardly liked to leave \\ ellington without saying a few words. He proceeded to launch an avalanche of figures on the House, showing the progress of the colony. He gave place to Mr. J. Kelly, one of the so-called labour members, who proved himself to be a man of moderate views, and a speaker with an effective delivery. Mr. Dawson, another labour member, was not successful, as his speech bore too much evidence of having been learned off by heart. Shortly before the dinner adjournment Mr. Rolleston rose and made a strong speech, excellent in matter, but poor in delivery, He made many good points, and was applauded by the Opposition. In concluding lie took the House somewhat by surprise by moving an amendment to the Address-in Reply in favour of an adjournment as against a prorogation. This, cf course, was a motion of want of confidence, bu'- the Government were so sure of their position that Mr. Seddon at once rose to reply. He was interrupted, however, by the dinner adjournment. On resuming at half-past seven Mr. Saunders took up the argument at Mr. Seddon's request, and spoke briefly in support of the Government. Mr. Ballance made a good speech, and was loudly applauded by his party when he announced that the Government hud accepted the amendment as a vote of want-of-confklence. Mr. Bryce, in an able and argumentative reply, combated the assertions -of the Ministerialists that there were no reasons why the late Government should have called the House together as they had. The debate at this stage was rather aharp. The House was full, and there was frequent applause, and cries of " no, no," and " yes, yes," from members of both parties. After Mr. Bryce had finished his criticism of the Government, Mr. W. T. Reeves made a bright and flippant speech on somewhat similar lines to that of tho previous evening, though it was not so amusing. It was more combative, and judging by the applause it met the views of the Government supporters. The chief subject of discussion during the evening has naturally been the prepriety of having two sessions, and consequently two honorariums. Mr. Reeves made a very ingenious but rather farfetched defence of the double honorarium, by declaring that the next session would be a very long and arduous one, and consequently that members would be paid a large sum for a small session now, they would afterwards be paid a small sum for a very large session. Mr. Fergus made a very knock-down speech, in which he endeavoured to crush Mr. Reeves' jocularity by saying that the members all knew the Minister for Justice was able to amuse the House with "small Joe Millerisms" and sparks of wit conned over for many a day. Messrs. T. Thompson. Rees, and Duthie al! had a few words to say, and succeeded in prolonging the debate to the supper adjournment. On resuming at eleven o'clock Sir John Hall took the floor, and concluded a telling speech at half-past eleven o'clock. He was followed by Mr. Buick (the youngest member), who made so marked an impression in his maiden speech. This impression he greatly deepened in the present instance, proving himself in every respect one of the best speakers the House has listened to for a long sime past. He roused the House to absolute enthusiasm, and after speaking a quarter of an hour sat down amid a storm of cheering, and many members rushed up to him shaking his hand warmly, and heartily congratulated him on his success. He is already a man of mark in his party and with the House. Mr. Swan rose next, but spoke very briefly against the amendment. The last speaker was Mr. E. M. Smith, who made a short and funny speech, and sat down at live minutes past midnight, after convulsing the House by' handing Mr. Ballance a copy of his (Mr. Smith's) election manifesto, and advising tho Government to shape their policy on the lines therein laid down. The division was taken immediately afterwards. The result, 35 to 24, in favour of the Government, was received with loud applause. The usual formaltiea in connection with tho Address-in-Reply were after which the House adjourned, / TIIK SMArS^teWfUISAKCE. The Small Birds Nuisance Act of 1882, Amendment Bill, which Mr. Valentine has asked leave to introduce, opens up a question of far more importance than one would imagine from the simple designation of. the Bill. The seriousness of this pest was first brought under the notice of the Legislature in 1882, when an Act was passed proving certain rating powers to County Councils and other local bodies, with the view of enabling them to cope with the pest, which was even then considered of so serious a nature as to require action being taken by the General Assembly. Although much was anticipated from the powers conferred upon the local authorities, it seems that the results have been very disappointing. _ Little earnest work has been done in the way of destruction, and now the pest is assuming such dimensions that considerable alarm is felt as to the effect it lis producing in the settled farming districts of the colony where grain and fruit are grown. Mr. Valentine says that he fears that, unless some prompt action is taken for the compulsory destruction of the small birds, they will become a pest as serious as the rabbit pest. He informs me that vast quantities of grain and fruit are destroyed annually

in Otago and Southland —in fact he knows of nearly half a crop of oats on one farm alone being destroyed last year, and anticipates great havoc this season. In Central Otago, he says, the destruction of fruit is very great, and tho growers are now being put to large expense in netting in their crops and otherwise protecting them from loss. Other fruit-growing districts are, I am informed, suffering in a similar degree, notably the districts of Nelson and Auckland. No doubt the Government will take up the matter, but it ie well that some one should draw the attention of the Government to such an important subject. Probably nothing will be done this session, but the Government ought to investigate this matter, and devise means for promptly checking tho ravages of the pest. It is impossible to compute the number of small birds doing this terrible damage, but when we come to think that one pair, it is said, multiply to 200,000,000 birds in eight years, it is perfectly appalling to contemplate what tho numbers would be now, it being fully eight years since they had already become a plague in tho land ; and how many pairs were there in 1882 to commence the increase with ? THE KAMO RAILWAY. This afternoon Mr. R. Thompson asked the Minister for Public Works if it is the intention of the Government to make provision for the extension of the railway from Kamo to the flikurangi coal fields, and was informed by -Mr. Seddon, in reply, that the extension asked for would cost £50,000. The work was, no doubt, an important one, but the real difficulty was that of ways and 'means. Tho matter would receive every consideration during the recess. THE GREAT BARRIER MAILS. The question of subsidising a steamer to carry mails from Auckland to the Great Barrier was brought up in the House this afternoon by Mr. .Jackson Palmer, and he was informed by Mr. Ward that the Northern Steamship Company had refused to carry the mails at any price. Tho Department offered .€l5O a year for the service, and that sum was still available. THE NORTHERN OOPRTS. The Minister of Justice, Mr. W. P. Reeves, informed Mr. Houston to-day that the Northern Courts had been closed, and the Resident Magistrate removed from Mangonui to Auckland in the interests of economy. The arrangement had been made by the late Minister, and the salary of the magistrate had been fixed at £400, with £.'>oo travelling allowance. The Court at Ahipara had been closed as being only ten miles from Kaitaia, where the Court will be held. The Court at Waimate had been closed as being near lvawakawa. Mr. Houston says he is not satisfied with this reply, and he considers that two magistrates could bo got to do the work at the same salary as at present paid. JOTTINGS. Mr. Lawry had an interview with the Minister for Lands to-day in reference to tho One-tree Hill Road Board and the Government. There is now every probability of the matter being speedily settled.

Mr. Houston is moving the Government to have some alterations made in the Customhouse and Courthouse at Mangonui. Notice has been given by Mr. R. Thompson to ask the Minister of Public Works when he will be prepared to call for tenders for another section of the North of Auckland Railway. The Labour members are beginning to show their teeth. - The youngest member, Mr. Buick, has intimatedhis intention of asking the Government if they will instruct the mounted police in the various districts to examine anil report by the first day of May, 1891, on the accommodation provided for labourers and station hands employed on the various sheep stations throughout the colony, and allow the report to be laid before this House. A very important change in the electoral system of the colony is to be proposed by Mr. J. Mills, the member for Port Chalmers, whose scheme is that the Government shall next session introduce a Bill with the view of amending the Electoral Act, in the direction of affording to the general body of electors the privilege at present enjoyed by seamen only, of voting under an electoral right at any time between the day of nomination and polling day. The same member has given notice to ask the Premier whether the Government will take sreps to have the electoral rolls purged at an early date. Dr. Newman is well known as a most earliest champion of the existing system of State education, and as an enthusiastic advocate of its strengthening so far as possible. He intends to move that in the opinion of this House large areas of Crown lands should be set apart to endow a system of technical education. It will be remembered that the Public Trust Office was a good deal talked about last session. It is now suggested that the Government should during the recess appoint a Royal Commission to investigate and report on the working generally of the Public Trustees Department of the Public Service. Mr. Rhodes is about to move in this matter. The desirableness of introducing next session an amendment of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act, conferring upon Charitable Aid Boards power to deal with refractory inmates, is being brought under the notice of the Government by Mr. Swan, j the member for Napier. It is suggested by Mr. Rolleston that the I Government should during the recess obtain reports showing the localities in the agricultural districts of the colony to which the telephone system can bo advantageously extended, especially in connection with the dairy and other industries. In view of the reduced number of members and the increased size of the constituencies, Mr. Richardson wants 25 copies of Hansard to be supplied to each member for distribution. In the interests of the flax industry, the Government are being urged to take steps with as little delay as possible to carry out the recommendations of tho report (laid before the House) of the Flax Committee of last session. Mr. Wilson is moving in the matter. Mr. Tanner is pressing the Government to introduce, at their earliest convenience, an Act validating the claims of old soldiers whose claims have been considered and were favourably reported on to the House in August last. Mr. T. Mackenzie is again urging the Government to consider the necessity of amending the Patents Design and Trade Mark Act as applied to manures, by providing that all artificial manures sold within the colony shall have endorsed on or affixed to every bag, box, or other parcel of manure a chemically attested analysis setting forth the component parts of such manures. It will be* remembered that the hon. member moved in this same direction last session. An important reform in postal rates is proposed by Mr. R. H. J. Reeves. He suggests that the Postmaster-(General during tho recess take into jus favourable consideration the advisablene. e of a reduction in the inland rate of postage from twopence to one penny, and of free transmission by post of newspapers published in the colony within the colony. Mr. T. Mackenzie suggests that the Government should favourably consider the justice of abolishing the slock tax upon sheep. The question of amending the Charitable Aid Act is engaging the attention of several members, among others Mr. Goldie, and he intends asking the Government whether they will submit as early a? possible next session an amendment to tho Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Act, 1886, in the direction of providing for the continuance of the present subsidies to the local bodies working under that Act for a further period of five years from the month of October next, when the subsidies cease to be paid under tho Act referred to ; thus throwing, if provision is not made as indicated, the whole burden of Hospital expenditure and Charitable relief upon the local bodies. Mr. R. Thompson is also going to ask the Government whether they will introduce a Charitable Aid Amendment Bill. Mr. H. J. Reeves is more judicious than Mr. Fish ; for, instead of censuring the Governor for the recent appointments to the Legislative Council, he lias given notice to move "That the conduct of tho late Government, in advising His Excellency the Governor to make the recent appointments to tho Legislative Council, notwithstanding the pledges distinctly given by Sir H. Atkinson to the late Parliament that no further appointments should be made, is unconstitutional and highly reprehensible, and their action calls for the

gravest censure of this House and country." . , Considerable dissatisfaction his been created in Auckland recently by some minor appointments to the Government Offices in that city, and to day Mr. Golaie gave notice to ask the Minister of Justice whether it is a fact that upon the death of Mr. Gillespie, gardener and caretaker of the Government House and grounds, Auckland, a number of professional gardeners with the highest testimonials as to ability and fitness for the position applied for the vacancy, but that the persons referred to were placed pn one side, and a warder from the prison, Mt. Eden (appointed at the instigation of Colonel Hume), who has no special qualification for the position he is called upon to fill; if so > will the Government take immediate steps to cancel the appointment with a view to the substitution of a duly qualified person to the position. , , Mr. Valentine intends asking the Minister of Minos if it is his intention to introduce the Consolidating Mining Bill which was circulated last session, and which is so much desired in the interests of the mining community. Sir G. Grey will hardly bo flattered by the following motion of which Mr. Shera has given notice :—" That a respectful address from this House be presented to His Excellency the Governor praying him to appoint Sir G. Grey, K.C.8.,t0 the Legislative Council."

Boards of Education and school. committees will be interested to learn that Mr. Wilson is moving that as the vote for school buildings has during the past several years been totally inadequate to meet the requirements of the colony it is desirable, in the interest of education, that a much larger sum be this year provided for school buildings, and a special provision be adopted to ensure school accommodation where necessary in the newly-settled bush districts. Mr. R. Thompson wishes the native schools to bo placed under the Boards of Education. The question of the advisability of the Government purchasing the Manawatu Railway will apparently be ono of the subjects which will come before the House next session. The matter has been again brought up this time by Mr. Wilson, who wants the Railway Commissioners to report to the House if they consider it advisable in the interests of the colony and the railway system that tho Manawatu Railway should be taken over by the Government. Lieutenant Eales, the Victorian crackshot, a member of the first, battalion of the Victorian Rifles, was present behind the Speaker's chair this evening. He is on his way to Australia by way of Auckland. The motion that Mr. W. C. Smith be appointed Chairman of Committees lias travelled down tho order paper nearly to the bottom. This is deemed very significant, and ' I hear on very good authority that an understanding has been arrived at that the matter shall be shelved for the session. It is very doubtful whether any better result than a tie could be secured if the question came up again. Now a general impression exists that it would be negatived. A feeling seems to be gaining ground that Sir George Grey's plan should t>e tried, and that no permanent chairman should bo appointed I at all, but that the outside duties of the chairman should be relegated to the Standing Orders Committee, and that members should take the chair in rotation, to be arranged so that they may have opportunity of gaining knowledge and experience in respect of Parliamentary procedure. The Post declares that the appointment of Mr. Smith would be a discreditable job, and ; affirms that one reason why the Speaker chose to deliver an opinion so long and so wide in scope on Mr. Fish's notice of motion censuring the Governor, was that he was informed that Sir Robert Stout had furnished to Mr. Fish an opinion diametrically opposite in direction. The able character of the Speaker's discourse is admitted. Exception is token to its irrelevance in certain respects. It is stated that tho natives are willing to leave the question of titles to be dealt with in Mr. Ilees's Bill, to be adjudicated upon by Mr. Rees and Mr. Carroll, and that Wi Fere agrees to this course*. There is reported to be a clear majority of the new House in favour of a land tax being substituted for tho property tax. Mr. Joyce is said to be very sanguine of retaining his seat for Akaroa notwithstanding the alleged irregularity of the election procedure. A rumour is in circulation that should Mr. Ballance's Ministry remain in office till October next, they will appoint Mr. Rees Agent General in succession to Sir Dillon Bell, whose term of office expires at that time. Mr. Goldie has been heard to express opinions that Mr. Rolleston's no-confidence amendment to the Address-in-Reply will catch the "skinflint" party. There seems however to bs a good deal of doubt on this head.