PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10411, 8 April 1897, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[it mmauni.—rasas association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday. There was a large attendance to-day in the Legislative Council Chamber both of members and the public, when the ActingGovernor (Sir J. Prendergast) delivered the Speech. His Excellency was accompanied by Colonel Pole-Penton, Major Madocks, and Mr. Wright (private secretary). The foreign consuls, who usually put in an appearance in force, did not attend on this occasion. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. The Acting Governor, Chief Justice Prendergast, delivered the following speech Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the Hodse of Representees. It is with pleasure that I have convened this meeting of Parliament to enable you to arrange for the fitting representation of the Colony at the celebrations about to take place in London to comemorate the completion of the sixtieth year of Her Most Gracious Majesty's prolonged and beneficent reign. New Zealand in common with every other dependency of the Empire, has been invited to send representatives on this great occasion to England, such representatives to be the guests of the mother country. Tlw despatches in reference thereto will be laid before you. Both Houses of Parliament will be asked to adopt respectful addresses conveying to our Most Gracious Sovereign congratulations befitting this great occasion. His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow left New Zealand in February last, carrying with him the respect and esteem of the inhabitants of the colony. On His Excellency's departure I assumed the office of Administrator of the Government, and for the fourth time in the history of the colony it has devolved upon the Administrator to deliver the opening speech to Parliament. Despatches have been received announcing the appointment of the Earl of Ranfurly as Governor of New Zealand. His Excellency will shortly arrive in the colony and be loyally and cordially welcomed as the representative of Her Most Gracious Majesty. Hon. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— In the ordinary course of events, Parliament would have been summoned to meet in June next, and, as you are aware, Supplies have been voted to the end of that month. Proposals for an extension of appropriation to a suitable date will be submitted for your consideration. A statement showing approximately the financial position of the colony will be placed before you. Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House

of Representatives,—

My advisers do not deem it expedient to bring before you any measures except such as are necessary to give effect to the wishes of the people of New Zealand that this colony should be worthily represented at the celebration of the completion of the 60th year of Her Majesty's memorable reign. In order, however, to remove certain defects in the present law relating to the election of the Speaker of the Legislative Council, a Bill has been prepared, and will be submitted for your consideration. I trust that with the blessing of God the attendance of the leading colonial statesmen who hare been invited to attend the celebration of the accomplishment of the 60th year of Her Majesty's reign, and take part in the discussion of subjects of interest to the mother country and her colonial possessions, will redound to the glory of the Empire and to the credit of the colonies.

LEAVE ox ABSENCE.

Leave of absence was granted Mr, Wahawaha for the session. NEW MEMBERS. The Hone. Harris, Kelly, and Pinkerton were sworn in. NOTICE OF A BILL Mr. Walker gave notice of a Bill to amend the Legislative Council Act, 1891. CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN. Mr. Oliver asked if the correspondence between the late Governor and Mr. Chamberlain, relative to the appointment of members of that House, would be laid on the table, and upon Mr. Walker replying in the negative, gave notice to move for it. THE ADDRESSIN-REPLY. Mr. Pinkerton gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply at half-past two tomorrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS AND MOTIONS. Notice was given of a large number of questions and motions, including one by the Premier for the adoption of an address of congratulation to the Queen. THE COLONIAL BANK. Mr. Taylor gave notice to ask whether steps would be taken to prosecute the directors and official.* of the Colonial Bank? ISSUE of A writ. The Premier gave notice that the first business tomorrow would be the issue of a writ for the Suburbs election. STANDING orders. The Standing Orders were suspended to enable the Addrees-in-Reply to be taken at half-past seven, and on the motion of the Premier it was agreed to sit at ten a.m. to-morrow. Mr, Skddon then moved the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable Govern' ment business to take precedence on Wednesdays and Thursdays. This gave rise to a brisk debate, the Opposition objecting that such a course would enable the Government to refuse to answer questions and supply returns. The Premier said unless the motion was agreed to they would have to-morrow spent over local Bills and notices of motion. That was not the object for which the session had been called. Eventually he agreed to give the Speaker a list of those notices of motion which would not be opposed, and promised to confer with the leader of the Opposition about the remainder. With regard to questions, there might be some the Government would not undertake to answer, lest it should merely be to waste time. A division was called for, and the motion was carried by 44 to 26. The House rose at 4.28 p.m. THE ADDRESS-IN-REFLY.

On the House resuming at 7.30, Mr. Hotcheso.v, the senior member for Wellington, moved the Address-in-Reply. He said the reason they were called together was to arrange for the commemoration of the Record Reign of Her Majesty, and he declared that all would admit Her Majesty's reign was unparalleled. There was, he argued, a consensus of opinion as to sending a contingent of their forces home, and that the Government should accept the invitation of the Imperial Government and Bend the men home. Such a step would be appreciated at home and welcomed in the colony. The presence of the Premiers at home would give an opportunity of discussing questions of great interest to the self-governing colonies. Further, they should see that the New Zealand Premier was sent Home with the same prestige as that of the other selfgoverning colonies. To his mind it was absurd that the function could be performed by proxy, or that the Agent-General should be asked to represent the colony. Mr. Allen, of Waikouaiti, seconded the Address. In doing so he followed on much the same lines as the mover. He said the only two reasons for calling Parliament together were the sanctioning of the Premier's going Home and the extension ' of supplies. He hoped that the invitation of the Colonial Secretary would be accepted in full, and that New Zealand would be represented in a manner that would not only do honour to ourselves but to the Empire. He instanced the progress of the colony as regards population and commercial matters, and thought these should create boundless feelings of appreciation and tend to impress all with the necessity of our being represented at home. He supported the sending of troops and riflemen to England, and declared if it were not done it would, to a large extent, discount New Zealand's professions of loyalty. Captain Russell followed, and said he. would not now attempt to show the misdoings of the Government. An invitation had been received from Home, and what they should do was to send Home the man in a position to do honour to the colony. No doubt the Queen'e reign while unique was a record for the world ; .'bat another thing that was unique was that the Premier had informed them that his colleagues were really able' to carry on while he was away, yet he insisted that Parliament must be closed before he goes and shall not be reopened until he returns in September. He questioned whether it was a proper thine to invest the whole power in the hands of one man. Captain KusseJl said that bis arrange-

mend with the Premier was, that Parliament should be convened not later than September 30. (Mr. Seddon denied this, and said that what he said was, that he would submit the matter to the Cabinet). Captain Russell, continuing, said that was an afterthought. The Premier, he argued, could easily return before the middle of September, and if not, why could not his colleagues prepare matters for discussion ? If Parliament did not meet before the middle of October, there would be no time left to discuss in a proper manner and at length public questions before Christmas came along, when it would be impossible to keep the House together. If they gave the Premier ten weeks in England that should be sufficient. He was not in favour of sending Home either cavalry or Maoris, and dressing them in uniforms to which they had no right. As to the Premiers discussing matters at Home, he thought, and insisted, that before anyone went Home he should disclose the attitude he was to take on certain questions. This was a right the members were entitled to. The Hon. J. MoKenzie, replying to Captain Russell, said the Ministry could carry on in the absence of Mr. Seddon, but they considered that it was only right and proper the Premier should be present while Parliament was in session. It had bean reported that the question whether the Premier or be should go Home had been discussed, but he could inform the House that be never bad any intention of strutting round in borrowed plumes, As to the references to the misdoings of the Government, he assured the leader of the Opposition that when the proper time came the Government were prepared to meet and refute any charge levelled against them. He thought the colony should send home a proper representative to the Queen's record reign, Mr. Scobik Mackenzie, amid much laughter, referred to the Premier's Danevirke speech, in which he had called upon the press and the people of New Zealand to treat the Government lightly during bis absence, therefore the Minister of Lands' remarks in reply to Captain Russell were not called for, and he chaffingly contended the Premier's speech indicated that the Government could not carry on without him. He would make a generous offer to the Government, and that was that the Opposition would lend one of their party to carry on the business of the country during Mr. Seddon's absence. Ha did not want the position himself, but no more generous offer had ever been made by any Opposition. The first despatch containing the invitation from Home was dated January 27, and the House could have boen called together much earlier, but, said Mr. Mackenzie, this would not suit the Premier, who wanted to give them only a four or five days' sitting. He quite agreed with tho project to send the Premier Home, but saw no necessity for a lengthy stay. The matters which had been mentioned as likely to be discussed at Home could he early transacted by letter or by the AgentGeneral. When the ordinary Parliament met he had no doubt that a very stern account would be demanded of the Government as to the finances, and to their administration of the last year or two. Messrs. Gilfedder and Taylor approved of the Premier's visit to England. The latter said bis opinion was that the reason the Opposition wanted the Premier's visit to England was that his absence might bring disaster to the Liberal party. Mr. Taylor added that the proposal to send troops was no more nor less than a burlesque. He thought the Agent General should have greater powers, in fact, be an ambassador, and should be empowered to deal with a number of questions such as those which it was now proposed the Premier should deal with in England. He thought the Premier should only go on a holiday, and that the ordinary session should be called earlier than proposed. There were many matters of land regulations, banking affairs, police reforms, Masters and Apprentices Bill, Eight Hours Bill, which required urgent attention, and were to bo held over until the Premier returned. Tho Civil Service, too, was sadly in want of re-organisation, Servility and not merit, he said, had been recognised in the past. He opposed the Premier's connection with any mining company. Timber and mining rights were being handed over to private companies, and, said Mr. Taylor, if those on his side of the House knew the A B C of Democracy, ! such a state of things would nob exist much longer. Mr. Hotchijos briefly replied, and the motion was carried. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Premier then read a memorandum of the finances of the colony (which we publish in another column). The House afterwards adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow morning.