PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9560, 11 July 1894, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[Br TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday.

THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL. About a fortnight ago the Crown SolicitorGeneral, Mr. Walter Reid, than whom there is no public servant in a place of honour , and responsibility, who, for a quarter of a century, has done more worthy service to the State, was seized with sudden illness that threatened very serious results. It is enough to say that there was a rupture of a small blood vessel in the brain, and that it was the result of long and arduous public work long drawn out. lam now glad to be able to say that the dangerous symptoms of Mr. Reed's illness have passed away, and that his medical advisers are of opinion that six months of well-earned rest will restore him to normal health. The Government have arranged that the leave shall be granted, and Dr. Fitchett, of Dnnedin, has been retained to give the necessary professional assistance to , the Crown Law Department during Mr. Reed's absence.

THE TARIFF. Several questions bearing upon the tariff appeared on the Order Paper this afternoon. In answer to these inquiries the Premier stated a committee had been set up to consider matters affecting the tariff. There had been no correspondence on the subject of a reciprocal tariff treaty ot natural products with Queensland, or with one or more of the Australian colonies. The Colonial Treasurer had, however, broached the question, and New, Zealand was prepared to reciprocate with the other colonies. As the law stood the duty upon sheep shears could not be abolished, but the Tariff Committee would consider and report upon the matter.

HOROWHENUA BLOCK. In answer to a question by Mr. Mitchelson, as to the purchase of 1500 acres in the Horowhenua block, the Minister of Lands stated that careful investigation had been made before the purchase was made. Mr. Mitchelson further asked whether legislation ought not to be introduced to decide whether or not the land was held in trust. Mr. McKenzie promised to give the matter careful consideration. THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

Mr. Guinness is again in the chair of committees, and the prospect of another contest, with Major Steward in the field against the candidate of the Government has passed away. Indeed the Premier in proposing Mr. Guinness stated that the position had been offered to the late Speaker, and by him declined. Mr. Seddon did not nominate his man with any animation or panegyric; on the contrary, his note of commendation did not rise above the dullest platitude. Mr. Guinness had done very well as Chairman during the past session ; his rulings had been impartial; they could not select a hotter man ; it was a position of great responsibility that had been fully appreciated by Mr. Guinness. To which Mr. Mitchelson responded by saying that while he did not intend to oppose the nomination, he desired to express the hope that he would act with fairness in the chair. He and his party had to complain that his rulings were not impartial, and he hoped that such things would not occur again. Then Mr. Guinness boing elected on the voices expressed the usual thanks for the honour that had been conferred on him, claimed that his rulings had been impartial, that he would do his best to fairly discharge the duties of his high office in an impartial manner, and trustea at the end of his term of office it would be found that he had done so.

THE POMAHAKA ESTATE. This much-debated purchase by the Minister for Lands that for months during the recess made all Otago resound with the thunder of party warfare, is now before the Legislature, brought there with ceremony and determined purpose by tho Hon. J. McKenzie, who this afternoon has moved that the whole transaction be referred to the Waste Lands Committee for investigation, with power to take evidence on oath and call for persons and papers, and to report to the House. Very much in earnest was the mover. He had been very bitterly and unjustly assailed upon the subject for political purposes, and he had expected that one of the Dunedin members would have moved in the matter. That had not been done, and he was determined of his own motion to have the matter probed to the bottom. Sir R. Stout had nothing but commendation for the act of the Minister, and with marked point expressed a hope that the Government would agree to a motion of a similar character on the morrow (" Hoar, hear," from the Premier, as though responding to a challenge). But while expressing this approval, he took occasion to improve the shining moment by pointing out that this was an illustration that no politician should interfere in resuming lands for settlement. To him Mr. Duncan, of Oamaru, trusty henchman of the McKenzie, reported that the knight would have a judge of the Suprem.3 Court to aot so that work might be found for the lawyers, and despite some caustic interjections of Sir Robert, stuck to his point right manfully. The Minister here deprecating any premature discussion on the Lands for Settlement Bill, the incident closed. From a return tabled this afternoon I obtain the following interesting particulars of the results, so far, of the purchase of this now famous estate. Fifteen selectors paying an annual rental of £675 14s 4d; fourteen unsolected selections, annual rent, £529 4s 8d; total cost, including road works not yet oompleted, £20,156 17s lOd. When all the lands are selected, the estate will bring in an annual interest of 5*9 per cent. The return on the total capital derived from the lands let is 3-35 per cent. Up to the date of this report all but ten sections have been selected, so that the estate is bringing in a rental of £764 15s, or 37 per cent, on outlay. ,

DEEDS REGISTRATION. The Land Transfer and Deeds Registration Report contains some interesting items of information. The following is the return of fees for the various provinces received under the hand Transfer Acts for the twelve months ended 3lat March, 1894 :— Auckland, £2396 lis M ; Taranaki, £1432 16s 3d ; Wellington, £443613s 9d ; Hawke's Bay. £1651 15a 3d ; Nelson, £434 8a 7d ; Marlborough, £102 18s 7d; Canterbury, £4967 0* lid ; Otago, £1978 6s 31; Southland, £1718 18s lid ; Wesbland, £169 5s 4d. The total amounts remaining secured by mortgage for the various districts, on March 31, 1893, and 1891, respectively, are:— 1893. 1894. . ,«.. £ s. el. & s. i. Auckland .. 3,84-2,503 17 5 4,131,737 7 2 WeUlnjtton .. 4,708,015 0 0 6,279.001 0 0 Canterbury .. 8,744,058 8 0 0,003,980 8 0 Ota>to .. .. 2,789,273 0 0 2,784,915 0 0 Southland .. 2,376,301 10 1 2,613,900 0 9 Westland .. 07,084 16 2 08,734 22 Turanakl.'. .. 00>,199 0 it 1,032, 30 5 a Hawke'a Bay .. 3,652,162 14 9 3,817,007 0 8 Nelson .. .. 078.965 8 < 080,548 4 7 Marlborough .. 242,031 7 9 257,120 1 4 FEMALE REFUGE WORK. The following is the return of the expenditure of the sum of £1500 voted by Parliament last year as a grant for female refuge work:—Mount Magdala Asylum, Christchurch, £500 ; Salvation Army Rescue Homes in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, £450; St. Mary's Home, Addington, £150; Women's Home,, Parnell, £130: total expended, £1230. STANDING ORDERS. The consideration of the proposed amendments of the standing orders in committee to-night was a very tame affair at the outset, but subsequently became more lively. Sir Maurice O'Rorke explained that the amendments were not intended to check the freedom of debate, but to prevent a few monopolising the time to the exclusion of others Mr. Mitchelson agreed in the main with the sentiments expressed by the Speaker; and everything went on smoothly until the question of returns came up. The Opposition then swooped down with quite an avalanche of complaints, and were in a measure supported by Sir Robart Stout, Mr. Earnshaw, and other Independents. Dr. Newman was especially aggrievedover two returnsof his, about which the M mister of Lands would give him no satisfaction. Mr. John McKenzie endeavoured amid laughter to conciliate the doctor by assuring him that) when "it is impossible to give . it to him he may know he can't. get it." The Premier referred to the enormous expense which some absolutely worthless returns would mean. • He assured the' House that the Government had no

desire to keep back information, bat the \ returns should be asked for in the proper way, and come on like any other motion. The assurance, '; however* was not :> reassuring, bub only called forth the interjection, '*T|i«y never do come on." Sir Robert Stout pointed out very forcibly in this connection that it was not necessary that every return should be agreed to, but that the House should declare which returns should be made. There should be some amendment to enable; the motion to come to a vote, Referring to the Premier's objection on the ground of expense Sir Robert mentioned that while the retnrn of Dr. 1 Newman was opposed a far longer and more expensive return asked for by Mr. J. A. Millar, of Port Chalmers, who is a staunch Government supporter, was agreed to. This keen criticism was followed up by Mr. Tanner, who thought that the question of returns should be made independent of the ill-temper and arbitrary conduct of Ministers. . This and other statements of alike nature at length proved too much for the Premier's temper. Mr. Seddon soon became angry, and asserted that he saw the "cloven hoof." Certain members were, he contended with what appeared 'to be unnecessary. vehemence, simply making use of the discussion for a bitter attack on the Government. The question as to whether the opposed motions for returns should have precedence over the orders of the day upon alternate Wednesdays was then put to a vote, 31 voting for and a like number against. , Mr. Guinness gave his casting votes with the Noes, and the amendment was negatived. The House then proceeded to deal with the other amendments. JOTTINGS. The Minister of Education Says he has no power to bring the . Lincoln School of Agriculture into closer connection with the primary schools. According to Mr. Reeves, the public have power, through their education boards and school committees, to make public school buildings available for political and social discussions. .

The Hon. J. McKenzie admits that in the past the grain statistical returns have bean practically useless. No doubt he said arrangements would be made to ensure better returns in the future.

The Premier says that it is not a fact that New South Wales coal was used to any great extent upon Government railways and in Government Buildings. The Hon. W. P. Reeves was in his place in the House this afternoon looking somewhat worn after his recent illness, bud as alert as ever.

The Treasurer and Attorney-General are still steadily improving in health, but the date of their return to public duty is yet uncertain. Mr. Tom Mackenzie is to move that electors rights should be issued to the women electors of New Zealand.

The Public Petitions Committee report that in :their opinion James Beatty, of Auckland, who prays for further compensation for loss of office in the Prisons Department, has no claim against the colony. A petition from Thomas Kennedy, Jan., Alten Road, for relief in connection with loss of office under the Government has been presented by Mr. Crowther. Mr. McGowan presented a petition from a number of Maoris asking for relief, having sustained losses in connection with certain mining claims at the Thames. According to Mr. Earnshaw, work has been done and undone in connection with the ventilation of Parliamentary Buildings. Sir Robert Stout says that the tinkering with the ventilation of Parliament has been going on for twenty years. Mr. Stevens is to ask the Minister of Justice if the Government will take the necessary steps for the purpose of bringing into operation of the Native Land (Validation of Titles) Act 1893, in the districts of Wellington and Auckland, by the appointment of the necessary officers, and the establishment of Courts in these districts. Divorce Extension is the subject of a question by Mr. Carnell. Mr. Lawry wants to know if the Minister of Defence has abolished the regulation requiring a police constable to produce a certificate of character affecting the women he desires to marry before permission is given him to do so; if not, will he take immediate steps to abolish the said regulation.