LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Mail, 21 July 1892, Page 19

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, JULY 19. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. third reading. The New Zealand Company’s Land Claimants Bill was read a third time and passed. In regard to the Unclaimed Land Bill the Hon Mr Ormond desired to make an amendment, and the Bill was taken from the Order Paper. The New Zealand Institute of Surgeons Bill was read a third time and passed, SECOND READINGS. The Hon the Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Rohe Potae Investigation of Title Bill. In support of the Bill, which deals with defective titles in the King Country, he read a memorandum which he had obtained from the Chief Judge, and which showed the necessity for remedial legislation. In clearing away the great difficulties in regard to title, he (the Colonial Secretary) proposed to refer the Bill to the Native Affairs Committee. The Hon Mr Taiaroa expressed pleasure at the Bill being referred to the committee. He would have something to say cn the Bill later on. His desire was that there would be a finality to these difficulties. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the committee. The Hon the Colonial Secretary said he proposed that a similar course be taken in regard to the Kaiapoi Native Reserves Act (1877) Amendment Bill, in regard to which he also read a favourable memoranduui from the Chief Judge. The blocks were so small that it would not be worth while cutting them up The Bill was referred to the committee.. The Orakei Succession Further Investigation Bill was dealt with in the same way. The Westland and Grey Education Boards Bill (Mr Bonar) was read a second time, OYSTER FISHERIES BILL The Hon the Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of this Bill, the provi. sions of which be explained. S ; r Geokge WIIIT.IORE said the Bill introduced a very vicious system of fiscal taxation. If it was thought necessary to tax the export of rock oysters they should have the courage to issue a prohibition for a time. He believed our rock oysters were the beat in the world, and agreed that it was desirable to protect the beds. The Hon Mr Oliver objected to anything in the nature of reprisal. This might bo the first step in the adoption of a fiscal policy destructive to the interests of the country. He asked whether the sum imposed was to secure inspection, which might be a desirable thing. The Hon Mr Pharazyn considered the tax proposed a special one a 3 in the case of sheep, the owners of which were taxed so as to have provenfcatives against tcab. Ordinary injured the whole community, but protection arguments did not have any practical application in this case. This was a mere matter of expediency, and he wouid support the Bill. The Hon Dr Pollen understood the tax to be intended merely to pay the expenses of the industry, but the impost might in the other colonies be regarded as a retaliatory measure. Therefore he thought it was nob worth the while of the Colony to recoup itself such a small expense by passing a Bill that might have a most mischievous misinterpretation. The Hon the Colonial Secretary said it would be disastrous to a great many people to have a prohibition for a period. •

The object was to have proper supervision of the oyster beds and exports. There was now such frightful destruction going on that he was assured by those who ought to know that if something were not done there would soon be no oysters to export. He assured members that the Bill was not meant to assert any principle, nor was there any thought of reprisal. (Hear, hear.) The Bill was read a second time on the voices. The Hon Mr Stevens gave notice to aek as to the number of oyster inspectors employed and the salaries paid. The Council adjourned at 3 30 p.m.