PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8681, 25 September 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] WKLI.INOTON, Thursday. AUCKLAND ELECTRIC LIGHTING BILL. The clause added to the Auckland Electric Lighting Bill by tho Legislative Council, providing thab the City Council may, notwithstanding the Bill, enter into a contract with any company other than that named in tho measure, has been retained, whilst it has been decided that unless the contract specially provided for is entered into within a year the Bill shall become void. The Bill was agreed upon at a conference to-day, and has been passed. NOXIOUS WEEDS COMMITTEE. Tho committee appointed to consider the question of the eradication of noxious weeds reported day that it was certain that lands in all parts of the colony were being overrun With weeds such as thistle, gorso, sweet briar, prickly pear, acacia, and Bathurst burr. They recommended tho Government to introduce legislation next session to deal with the evil. As to phylloxera, the committee suggested that blight proof stock vines should be imported into the colony, and be strictly quarantined before distribution, in order that, the disease may not be allowed to spread. An interesting discussion took place when tho report was presented. Several members urged tho importance of fostering the agricultural industry, and wore assured by the Hon. J. McKenzie that the matter was receiving the attention of the Government. A BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE. Opportunity was taken by Captain Russell this afternoon to urge upon the attention of the Ministor of Lands the importance of establishing a bureau of agriculture in New Zealand. Dr. Newman believed such a bureau would be of considerable benefit. There were many diseases of horses and cattle, the blight which affected fruit, and so on, which could be dealt with by the bureau, and he thought it would bo much better to expend money in that way than by devoting it to a vain attempt to dredge the New Plymouth harbour. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie pointed out thab the fruit industry in this colony was dormant for want of assistance. Mr. Palmer suggested that the rates for the export of fruit should bo reduced. The Minister of Lands said ho was getting all the information he could from fruitgrowers and others interested beforo spending money on a work which might prove to be useless. He wanted to move cautiously, and after sufficient information had been received he would determine upon the course to be taken. AN OBJECTIONABLE PROPOSAL.

Extreme dissatisfaction was excited on the circulation of the Public Works Appropriation Bill by the last clause of the Bill which runs as follows : —"All moneys appropriated by or under this Act for expenditure on, or in connection with, railj ways, now or hereafter, to be vested in or under the control and management of the New Zealand Railway Commissioners, shall, notwithstanding any provision in the Government Railways Act, 1887, be applied and expended under the control and direction of the Minister of Public Works ; but the Minister may, nevertheless, apply and expend such moneys, or any part thereof, through the agency of the said Commissioners ; and in such casetheCommissioncrs shall furnish to the Colonial Treasurer requisitions and vouchers for the proper expenditure of such moneys, or any part thereof, in accordance with the Treasury regulations." This attempt to "get behind" the Railway Commissioners was strongly resented by the Opposition, some of whom openly proclaimed their determination to fight against that clause for a week or a fortnight if necessary. Finding that there was no doubt at all as to the sincerity and firmness of this determination the Government docided to drop the clause. It is quite certain that had Ministers nob given way on this point the opponents of the clause (who included several members outside the regular Opposition ranks) were fully prepared even to stonewall it for an indefinite period, rather than permit what was deemed so objectionable a principle to be established. Ultimately tho Government recognised the serious nature of the threatened hostilities, and showed wise discretion in giving way in time. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Some members who objected to the amendments which were made by the Legislative Council in the Naval and Military Settlers' Bill, and which have had to be retained, resented to-night the action of the Council in regard to this and other measures. Mr. Rees said that the way in which this Bill had had to be accepted by the Lower House was the lust instance of the overbearing and overpowering force brought to bear upon them, and ho trusted that before the House met again there would be such a force of popular opinion as would ensure to them that they would not in the future see their Bills sent back to them with the best parts cut out of them. Mr. R. Thompson protested against what appeared to be a daily practice in that House, that of attacking the Council. He hoped that during the recess the Government would not allow themselves to be forced by a small section of their supporters to make reckless apointments to the Upper House. Mr. Seddon replied that whatever the Government did in this matter they would accept the responsibility. He objected that the remarks made by previous speakers were aimed at the labour representatives, a class of members in that House who had shown diligence and application in their work. A Legislative Councillor remarked to mo to-day, as a point worth notice in view of the attitude assumed by tho Government towards tho Council, that the latest appointed councillors did, as a rule, give far more hearty and general ' support to tho policy measures introduced by tho present Government than those councillors appointed by the party at present in power when they formerly hold office. Some of tho latter, indeed, had been especially hard in their antagonism against certain of tho Ministerial proposals. MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS. About a month after tho session the Minister of Lands is to visit the North of Auckland, on his visit to the village settlements there. Ho was to have been accompanied by the Premier, but Mr. Ballance will nob bo able to go. Mr. Reeves, the Minister of Education, has not fixed the time for his visit to the Auckland district. THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

It, is accepted as a fixed certainty that the Government will take every opportunity of recommending to His Excellency the Governor several fresh appointments to the Legislative Council. In addition to Messrs. j. A. Tole, W. C. Smith, E. Richardson, and W. Montgomery, Messrs. Larnach and Walker are now mentioned as coming Councillors, but St seems often to bo forgotten that Ministers have not the power of appointment, and can only make a recommendation to the Governor, who, if ho sees fit, can exercise the royal prerogative of refusing to acton such recommendation, and now I have the best possible reason for saying that His Excellency's assent is by no means a matter of course. l ord Onslow regards it as his imperative duty to scrutinise closely every Council appointment proposed to him by his advisers. The comments of the Secretary of State on Lord Onslow's dispatches relative to the select appointments has strengthened'his position in this respect, and a great deal that passed between himself and lis late advisers relative to those appoint ments has never been disclosed, and probably never will be, but I have reason to know that tho recommendations in favour of those appointments was very near being finally rejected, and I know, too, that in the case of one recommendation for an additional appointment which was rejected His Excellency objected to make the appointment on the ground that the proposed appointee was not in a position to devote the necessary attention to the Legislative duties which would devote upon him if appointed, and that I know to bo a fact. . I know also that a similar objection was taken in reference to some of the appointments actually ' made, and which was only waived on very clear evidence being adduced that the gentlemen recommended would be able to attend properly to the duties of the position. I understand that His Excellency holds it to be incumbent upon him as representing the

Crown to act on his own judgment in regard to fresh appointments, and thab he will insist upon nis right to review every proposal made to him as to appointments, and that unless he shall be thoroughly satisfied that these are desirable 'on their own merits, and in the public interest he will refuse to make them. If the Government recommend too many appointments or unsuitable persons it is said to be virtually certain that they will not be made. If Ministers object to this course they have a constitutional alternative. NAVAL AND MILITARY SETTLERS.

The vexed question of the claims of the naval and military settlers engaged the attention of the House again to-day in the dying hours of the session, when the amendments made in the Bill were submitted for consideration. These amendments were disagreed with, and ft conference between the representatives of the two Houses was held at half-past five in the evening. No agreement, however, could be arrived at, and the Bill had to bo accepted in its amended form. This means that those to whom certificates are given will not be allowed to transfer them, and time thoso who retired from the service since the year 1868 will nob be entitled to land. More than one member commented on tho absurdity' of granting certificates which cannot be transferred, whilst for the greater part the land cannot be occupied by those to whom it will be given. However, Mr. Seddon claimed that ib was better to take the Bill in that state than to lose it altogether. THE BRYCE EPISODE.

Reviewing the session to-nighb in a speech on 'the Appropriation Bill Mr. Rolleston spoke of the circumstances under which Mr. Bryco had retired. He complained that when it was shown that tho verdict of the House had been arrived at under a misunderstanding nob one spark of generosity or candour was shown by those who had passed it, nor any appreciation of the fact that as men of honour they would have lost nothing in their selfrespect if they had retracted when they saw they wcro in the wrong. Where was the senso of generosity when the charge was made against Mr. Richardson ? Whon a man is true as steel, and an honourable man had a charge of malversation of office brought against him, what could have been more wretched than the refusal of an inquiry asked for by thab gentleman ? He maintained that it was a picked majority who had refused that inquiry.

AN UNPLEASANT INCIDENT. The session was not allowed to close without an unpleasant incident, which occurred to-night during the debate on the Appropriation Bill.' Whilst Mr. Rees was speaking one of the Opposition, Mr. liichardson, called the attention of Major Steward, saying'that he did nob think there was a quorum, and then retired from the House. The Speaker counted the House, and announced that there was a Suorum. "Usual tactics," taid Mr. Sed> on. His voice was hardly audible, but what he said was heard by Mr. Rolleston and Sir John Hall on the benches opposite. They were so irritated by the remark, which they felt to be an unjust reflection on their party that they immediately rose and walked out of the House. Some members of the Ministry thereupon left to summon their supporters, so that there might not be a count out. In the meantime Messrs. Duncan and E. M. £'nitb, amidst laughter, I walked across and took the seats vacated by the Opposition leader?. Mr. Duncan, who announced that he had walked over to represent the Opposition and keep the Ministry in countenance, suggested that they should close the debate and go and catch the steamer in the morning. Sir John Hall and Mr. Rolleston shortly after*:. wards returned to the House. Mr. Rolleston then took the opportunity of saying that Mr. Seddon had just informed him that what ho had said he did not intend should apply to him personally, but ho had thought it right to resent such a remark. Thore had been no obstructive tactics in the House this session. He maintained that the Opposition had assisted the Government in every possible way, and said they had sat till late into the night and far into the morning to help them to pass the Estimates. Mr. Rolleston complained that the Premier had-. asserted by inference that the conduct of the Opposition had fallen off sincc • ho had taken the leadership. Is it not," asked Mr. Rolleston, " a poor thing for the Premier of the colony—l was about to say, a very mean thing—to compare my leadership with that of my predecessor, considering the course he took regarding the leadership of my predecessor, who is responsible for my being here. Who is responsible for the scandal which has gone throughout the country, and which is lowering the dignity of jthe House and the Government, but the Premier of the colony ?" When Mr. Rolleston concluded the scene becamo painful. Mr. R. H. Reeves rose, and asserted that Mr. bryce had seized the opportunity to withdraw from the House because ho wished to be rid of his party. Mr. Buchanan here exclaimed " Wretched man," but had to withdraw the words. Mr. R. H. Reeves went on to aqcuse Mr. Rolleston of having handed Mr. Bryco's resignation to the Speaker hurriedly because he wanted to get rid of the member for Waikato. Sir J. Hall objected to this as an intolerable imputation, though he was certain no one believed it. Mr. Reeves had to withdraw the charge, and expressed regret that it had boon made. JOTTINGS. The Noxious Weeds Committee acknowledge the assistanpe given them in their inquiries by several people in Auckland, notably by Messrs. Hesketh, Wren, Blackmore, and Cheescman.

This afternoon Mr. Buckland asked tho Minister.for Lands whether he intended to do anything regarding the petition of Thomas Speer, whose remission certificate of £10 hud been lost between tho Wellington and Auckland offices. The Waste Lands Committee who had investigated the case had recommended that a certificate should bo issued. Mr. McKenzio said he knew nothing of the matter, but he would make inquiries on the subject. Dr. Newman caused much merriment today by his vigorous denunciation of the proposed expenditure of £3000 in dredgincr sand out of tho New Plymouth Harbour Board,

During tho debate on the Appropriation Bill today, Mr. T. Mackenzie read Dr. Newman a lecture on his failure to grasp tho merits of the dairy industry question. Mr. W. P. Reeves chaffed him for thus attacking one of his own party. Mr. Mackenzie retorted that when members on his own sido of the House went astray, the party tried to teach them bettor. Mr Reeves warned Mr. Mackenzie to take care that his lectured friends did not leave him, and Mr. Mackenzie retorted that members did not leave his side of the House. It was only from tho Ministerial side that desertion took place. It is rumoured that some of the Government nominees to the Legislative Council will be labour representatives.

Thore was a further exodus of Southern members to-night, when Messrs. McLean (M.L.C.), Fergus, Joyce, Meredith, Earnshaw, and others left for the South. The Auckland members are to leave for the North to-morrow.

The travelling expenses of Ministers whilst they have been in office i 3 shown by a return to have been £700.

The Hon. Mr. Reeves says that tho factory Act passed this session is the most liberal and advanced Factory Act passed in the Queen's dominions. The House spent; a long time to clay in considering the native land legislation, and at last struck out the whole of the Native Land Courts Bill, which empowered tho Courts to deal with eases of disputed titles, and passed instead a clause suspending all litigation until next session. In opening the debate to-night on tho third reading of the Appropriation Bill Mr. Rolleston spoke for twenty-five minutes, and delivered an excellent address. Ho denounced the Government proposals, and said they would cause the withdrawal of capital and distress amongst the working classes. - ~ Mr. Cadman says regarding the shelved Native Land Bill that the minds of the natives were poisoned against it both inside and outside the House.