PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2543, 22 June 1895, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE CONNCIL. Friday, June 21. The Council sat at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. The Speaker intimated that the Governor had given leave of absence for 12 months to tho Hon E. Oliver. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. The Colonial Secretary moved the appointment of the Hon Captain Baillie as. Chairman of Committees, which was agreed to. SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. A. number of sessional committees wore set'up. THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. The Hon W. McCullough moved the Address-in-Eeply, and in doing so said the Speech was not one of mere words. It was a well-digested deliverance, and it showed that tho Governor’s Advisers had nothing to conceal. The finances were, according to His Excellency, in a good and sound position, and he did not think had they been otherwise tho Government would have placed such pleasant words in the Governor's mouth. The hon gentleman proceeded to refer to the indebtedness of the Colony as shown by the speech of the Hon Treasurer delivered before the London Chamber of Commerce, with a view to demonstrate that New Zealand was in a better financial condition than any other Colony under the British flag. Mr McCullough went on to deplore the acts of persons, more especially editors of newspapers l in the Colony, who decried the credit of the Colony. Router's Press Agency had been vilely used in ordor to injure the credit of the Colony, and he had Scarcely any word sufficiently strong in which to denounce certain politicians and conductors of certain colonial newspapers who had for party purposes, and with a strange want of patriotism, endeavoured to run down the credit of the Colony. The export of wheat, flax and meat had increased and exceeded tho imports in value during tho year. One of tho most pleasing paragraphs in the Speech was that referring to the revival of the gold raining industry throughout the country. He (Mr McCullough; spoke as one who for 30 years had experience in tho matter, and ho oould state that until the present Government took office the industry had been permitted to languish. Ho was glad to say that since the present Ministry wore in power that greater efforts had been put forth to foster the industry. During the last 37 years, no less a sum than .£49,000,000 worth of gold had been extracted from the gold mines of the Colony. Ho was glad to say that the present Government bad endeavoured to assist in the development of tho gold mines of the Colony, and -the stand the Soddon Government had taken up with regard to tho industry stood'out in bold relief as against the want of action shown by previous Governments. Speaking particularly of the action taken by the Government in fostering tho gold industry in the Thames district, he desired to say that it had had tho effect of inducing no less a sum than .£IOO,OOO of English capital to bp introduced into the Thames district during the past year, He regarded with groat favour the treaty between the Hou Mr Ward and South Australia. The step was a most important one. and ho belioyed it would in the very near future benefit Now Zealand almost incalculably. The day, he ventured to say,“was not far distant when even the protectionist ports of Victoria would be thrown open to the sister colonies, and if this was so tho advantages to New Zealand would prove to be innumerable. Going on to speak of tho recent Tariff Commission, Mr McCullough said that it appeared to him that every person who gave evidence before the Commission merely wanted to foster liis own individual industry at the expense of every other industry. Ho hoped that the time was very distant when additional protection would be afforded to trade and commerce. With regard to the remaining portion of the Speech, especially that alluding to tho self laudatory portion of it, in which the Government took credit to themselves for the improved condition of tho Colony, he would say nothing. Personally ho believed the Government was doing tho best it could do for the country. Whether the whole of the measures the Government intended to introduce were altogether wise he could not now s'ay, but,he 'Voujd say this—that he believed tue Legislative Council would give the Government a loyal support towards all measures which were wise and just in tho interests of the Colony. (Cheers.)

The Hon W. C. Walker, who was cheered, seconded the motion for the Address-in-Eeply, and referred briefly to the Native policy. Alluding to the action of the Government in regard to the Midland Eailway, the hon gentleman remarked that he scarcely liked to say much about ft until the whoje facts of the case wereplaoedbefore Parliament'. He was glad from recent personal knowledge to say that London people were highly pleased with the nfanner in which the AgentQenerqJ conducted His important department, and lie bud tlje rpore pleasure in saying tips, because the Loudon representative of tbe Colony wa? a native of Now Zealand. He was' pleaded to learn from tbp Speech that the Government intended to deal tips session with the charitable aid vote—an unfortunate and debatable subject which must be dealt with. Ho was very pleased to learn that it was the intention of the Government to appoint a new Minister, and he fondly hoped) if a SOW portfolio was made, the holder of it would bo a member of the Council. In conclusion, the hon gentleman said he felt assured that the Council would give loyal consideration to the measures to be brought forward this session by the Government. The Hon E. Pilabazys was pleased to leai’U ffom the speeches of the proposer ap'd seoopder of the Address that they favoured 'l?reetra4e. There was nothing remarkable in the Speech, and as a wholo he oqnaidercd It commended itself to the country, The Hou Dr Gbaob referred to tba Midland Eailway. He thought tho Company had little to complain af. ■ The Legislature, he felt sure, had done nothing to mislead the Company. The land , given to the Company had realised 33 per cent, profit to then;, The fact was the Company had only‘dealt with the best laud? ip thefc endowment, viz., those on the Canterbury side, aiid hid never tried to deal with tbs less valuable lands, H B bud no hesitation in saying that some interested persons in tho Colony for party purpose? had, through Eeuter, sent Home telegrams to the London stock Exchange with a view to rig the market, and those wretches in the Exchange bad endeavoured to do the best they

could in their own interests irrespective of the interests of the Colony. Speaking of the matter of Freetrade and Protection, the hon gentleman expressed the hope that the Government would favour a tariff which would give the country heart and would lighten the cost of living to the working man. He gave the Government every credit for their efforts in starting co-opora-tivo works, but he warned the labouring classes that an inflated wage would inevitably result in disaster. Touching on the question of fiscal reciprocity with the other colonies, he felt the matter was too big a one for him to speak upon on the present occasion. He agreed that there should be an additional Minister, andhothoughtthe salaries of Ministers should be increased. With regard to wages, he thought that if farmers or other employers gave their employees more than they now give, they must either fail or become rogues. The Hon W. Jennings said that so far as ho could soo tho debate had degenerated into one of Freetrade v. Protection. Speaking for himself, ho believed that if Freetrade got the upper hand the workman must work for starvation prices. He firmly believed that the Government had done much to foster the mining industry of the country, and their action had gone far to revive the industry in tho North Island. Ho felt convinced that the Government had done great good in starting the labour bureaux, aud also lutakiug into their bauds the disposing of native lands. On the whole, he believed tho circumstances of the Colony were improving, aud this belief was strengthened daily by statements ho received from farmers and others from both North and South. Tho motion for tho Address-in-Eeply was adopted. The Council at 4.45 p.m. adjourned to Tuesday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, Junk 21. Mr Guinness took the chair at 2.30. SIR OEOROE GREY. Tho Premier moved, “That leave of absence for one month bo granted to the member for Auckland City, tho Right Hon Sir George Grey, on account of ill-health.” Mr Seddon explained that from latest advices he understood that Sir George Qroy intended to be back in the Colony during tho present session of Parliament. Mr Button, member for Auckland, seconded this. The Leader of the Opposition said nothing would give him more pleasure than to grant Sir George Grey leave of absence, but there was a constitutional question involved, which he considered disposed of tho whole question. Sir George Grey had never been sworn in as a member of the House, and it was impossible, therefore, to grant him leave of absence from duties which it was impossible for him to fulfil. Captain Russell went on to quote English oases, showing that where members had refused to take tho oath, their seats had been declared vacant. It ho was wrong he would bo pleased to support the motion. Sir Robert Stout thought tho House ought to know that this was the third session Sir George Grey had been absent. He was of opinion that Sir George’s seat was now vacant. No doubt leave of absence had been granted Sir George from time to time during tho past session, but it was necessary in a case of absence for tho whole of a session for a special leave- to bo granted. He thought tho matter one of sufficient importance to go to the Committee of Privileges. Mr Bell thought it wonld bo an ungrateful and ungracious act to debate the motion. In asking the House, however, to affirm tho principle that any honourable gentleman might be allowed leave of absence for an indefinite time, because it happened to be for that gentleman’s convenience, they were asking to do something which ha was not going to consent to. Mr Crowtuer was extremely sorry to see the turn the debate had taken. Any objection to, leave of absence, ho thought, should come from Sir George Qrey’s constituents. Mr Button endorsed tho remarks of the previous speaker, and agreed with him that if Sir George Grey chose to again stand for Auckland City tho people of that place would return him as their representative to the House.

Mr E. M. Smith supported the motion, laying special stress on Sir George Grey’s services to the Colony. Dr Newman said this, was a question as to whether the right lion gentleman had the right to be absent indefinitely. The Premier deprecated the stand talcon by the Opposition in this matter. The authorities quoted by the Leader of the Opposition had no bearing whatever on the present case. If Sir George Grey had refused to take the oath there might be something in them. He could quote cases, he was going to' say by the dozen, where members had delayed taking the oath on account of ill-health and nothing had been said. As to Sic Robert Stout’s contention, the present House had nothing to do with Sir George Grey’s absence in 1893—that was entirely a matter for his constituents. Then, as to last session. Had the circumstances changed since then ? [Mr Bell: Yes.] Ho said no. The House had granted leave of absence then without protest. Ha contended that leave of absence had been granted last session in the proper manner. [Sir E. Stout: No, it wasn’t.] Mr Seddon, continuing, pointed out that illness always counted US Attendance, He was pleased to see the members for Auckland supporting the motion) but ho would ask the House to support it not for the reasons put forward by Mr Crowthor, as an aot of benevolence, but as one for which there was precedent. Speaking on 20 years’ experience he could say that the question raised that day had never before been raised in the House, and members could draw their own inferences. Ho had thought it his duty to make enquiries into Sir Q. Groy’s probable movements, and could tell the House that .it was likely Sir George would be in the Colony shortly. The motion was then put and carried without dissent.

Later on in the afternoon Sir Eobeet Stout gave notice to move that a special committee bo sot up to consider Sir George Grey’s case as a matter of privilege. At 5.30 the usual adjournment took glace, . The House resumed at 7.30. THE ADDEESS-IN-BEPLT. Mr PißAifi, in moving the Addross-in-Eeply, said he thought it was a very good thing that the Governor should travel around the Colony, and so gain an idea of its more outlying parts, in the way His Excellency had done during the recess. The silver lining to the dark cloud of depression, which had so long existed here, would bo a subject of congratulation to all, and he might say that ho did not think New Zealand would ever go back. The fact that the exports for 1894 exceeded those of 1893 by over .£1,000,000 showed the advance made. Another subject for congratulation was the new prosperity opened up by the' oliillod meat ana live cattle trade, but he had not such hopes for the timber trade, also just commenced. He advocated in preference the preservation of our forests for future use. The boom in quartz-mining was a matter for congratulation, but he condemned most strongly the action of unscrupulous persons in floating bogus companies on the Home market, and so injuring the prospects of genuine ventures. It was a pleasant thing to read of the successful state of the finances of the Colony, and he hoped that, despite the dismal croakings of those in opposition, the Government would continue their good work. No Government . had done more to give the Natives justice than the present Government, and bo trusted that they would persevere, and their efforts would ultimately bo recognised and appreciated. Ho approved of the action of the Government in regard to tho Midland Railway Company, thinking it was quite time they stopped in and took over tho line. Mr Ward’s visit to England was a bright spot in the Speech, and the very satisfactory result of that visit was pleasant indeed to contemplate. The croakers were again disappointed by tl;e result of tfyat visit, and the successful flo'atingof the 3 per qdqt.' loan. The Advances to pettier? Act had not worked successfully, hut this was due to the constitution of the Roan}. Every member qf it had mst as much work as bo could do outside of the Board work. The "Board should he an independent body. It was a grand thing though to know that theso advances to settlers had reduced the rate of interest chat-god by money-lenders, Ha was glad to see that a Licensing Bill was to be iotroduood, and hoped that amongst its provisions would be found one to prevent such a state of things again occurring as did occur near the State farm recently: Th° Public School Teachers Court of Appeal Bill would have his support, and there were many others which he looked upon with favour. The condition of the railways he considered most satisfactory. They were being made to do what they should do —not only pay 2 or 3 per cent., but open up the land for settlement. Tho railway officials were also much more satisfied under tho now regime than under the rule of the QonpnNsjqn er % The present Government, although possessing "faults, was, in his opinion, the best that the Colony had ever possessed, aud.ho hoped ani expected to ceo them continuing tq advance the oauso of settlement, making tho burdens of tho people lighter, and generally prooeedingas they had been doing. He believed in reciprocity with the other colonies; and spoke strongly in favour of the mail proposals of the Government, and tho manner in which they had attempted to" find pew markets for the exporters. The unemployed and the liquor questions he considered went together. The Minister of Labour was doing splendid work, hut until the liquor question was settled the unemployed question and dastitution and poverty would remain with us. Speaking on the land question Mr Piraui eulogised the services of the Miui^

tor of Lands, aud then went on to advocated elective Land Boards. Ho deprecated tho ballot system of allotting land, by which mo ins speculators were placed on tho same footing as ‘ genuine settlers. Some system of selection should be observed. Tho system of fixing the prices of Government land he also condemned, and advocated some provision enabling a settlor to subdivide his section if he so desired. It was satisfactory to find that Ministers could not got on with tho work of Government without adding to their number, satisfactory because Ministers wore becoming sacrifices to politics through over-work. Ho thought the now Minister should bo chosen from the middle portion of tho North Island, which was altogether unrepresented in tho Ministry. The Eating Upon Unimproved Value Bill ho supported strongly; and in regard to the reform of local bodies the matter had his sympathy, but ho had doubts as to tho possibility of such reform just now on account of tho cost. Reform in that direction should, in his opinion, take the form of a return to tho old Provincial Councils. Tho alterations in tho Customs tariff, he thought, should bo in removing anomalies and taking tho duties off the necessaries of life. They had now had a surplus for four years, aud ho thought this might bo done, lu conclusion, he hoped that by means of the useful measures tho Government proposed to bring down this session the distress and poverty existing would ho removed, and Now Zealand become, as one of our very best poets had described it, God’s own country. Mr Maslin seconded the motion for tho Address-in-Roply, and expressed satisfaction at tho improving state of agricultural matters. It was to bo regretted, however, that tho delay in publishing tho agricultural statistics had prevented farmers from anticipating the likelihood of

a shortage in cereals. The statistics collected, he assorted, were utterly unreliable, many farmers considering it against their interests to send accurate returns. Ho deplored tho wholesale and reckless destruction of our forests, urging that tho open lands should first be settled; and. further than this, forests should bo planted. Regarding tho improvement in quartz mining, ho advocated the encouragement of prospecting; and then, turning to tho Midland Railway question, congratulated tho Government upon realising tho position of things in this matter, and so acting in tho best interests of tho people of tho Colony. He advised tho Government to proceed cautiously in tho construction of this line—not go in for borrowing, but at first only spend some .£20,000 or .£30,000 on it; sufficient to find work for some of the unemployed without swamping tho district with them. It wjis very satisfactory to see tho purchasing of land under tho Land Purchase Act still going on, aud still more satisfactory to see tho success that had attended fho floating of tho loan for the advances to settlors. Ho considered tho visit of tho Colonial Treasurer to England absolutely necessary, and oven if it had cost tho Government thousands of pounds it would have been a good investment as showing tho English financial world that Mr Ward was not tho scatterbrained Treasurer ho had boon reported to be. Ho was astounded at some of the statements appearing in tho newspapers. Ho did not' believe a word of tho statement that the Government sold £150,000 worth of consols to the Bank of Now Zealand and placed tho proceeds in the Colonial Bank. (Laughter from Sir E. Stout.) The lion gentleman could laugh, but he did not believe a word of it—it was illegal. (Tho Premier: Hoar, hoar.) Ha was pleased and yet regretted to see the proposed addition to the Ministry. Ho regretted to hoar that Ministers were over-worked, but blamed them for taking too much upon themselves. Ho was pleased to soo that the Government recognised tho failure of the Advances to Settlors Act—a failure to be accounted for by tho Board being composed of members with too much caution and too little judgment. Up to the 31st March last the Board had advanced £5,6, to settlors, and it had cost them in salaries, etc. £,ll<X> odd; while the sum of £195,1 had boon extorted from applicants for loans by way of valuation fees. What was wanted was n uniform system of land values—not one valuation for property tax and another for advances to settlors purposes, and so on. He thought provincial boards should be appointed, with a superintendent at Wei- , liugton with the power of veto. Ho was not very sanguine of the success of tho Rating ; on Unimproved Yalue Bill. It would press With undue weight upon a groat number of settlors with'noor land. The Rvstmn .d

should be permissive, not mandatory. . The,,, Pair Rent Bill reminded him of looking the door after the horse had been 5t010n.... The Bill, in his opinion, should bo made to i. apply to Crown lands. It was ti me, ho thought, that, the Government resumed control of some of ‘ the education reserves —what was the use of having so m any administering bodies? It would bo , far bettor for the tenants and also for the general public. Regarding lands for settlement, he urged the necessity for acquiring lands near largo towns, in order to relievo the congested state qf towns by inducing the people to settle oh the land. The Local Government Bill, ho hoped, would not make too radical changes.' Ho was glad to see that it was proposed to reform the tariff, hut he could not congratulate the Tariff Commission on tho way in which they had gone about their work. Why had they not inquired what, the farmer wanted and what the sturdy labouring-olassoa thought needed reform ? The State School Teachers’ Appeal BUI he considered very desirable, and he would like to see a moro national system of education in New Zealand. He was very pleased to see tho intention of the Government to deal witli tho question of liquor reform this session, and ho hoped this reform would be in tho direction of allowing tho voice of tho people to be heard—this was all that was asked. In concluding, ho congratulated the Government heartily upon their administration, which ho considered had the approval of tho greater portion of tho people of tho Colony. There might be differences of opinion os to details, but on tho main principles there was none. Ho trusted that from the legislation to bo introduced during the coming session would spring a time of prosperity for all. Tho Leader of the Opposition said ho was particularly sorry to follow tho mover and seconder of the Address, because he wanted to make an attack upon thg Government policy, aqd coining altack of their own two followers he was afraid it would fall flat. (Laughter.) Those gentlemen had pulled their leader’s policy to pieces, and merely in winding up their speeches expressed a mild general approval. Tho Opposition had not attempted to damage the position of the Colony, but merely desired to put forward its true position. A true statement of the Colony’s condition had not been given for years, and he did not expect it now, • Ho condemned most strongly the idea of a political board in connection with the Advances to Settlers Aot, and oxpressec} disapproval of suoh q board being conducted on purely moneylending lines. Regarding the taxation on unimproved values, this system, he asserted, was inevitably in favour of the rich man and against tho poor man. Mr Pirani had stated that during the year ho had been in Parliament ho had learnt a groat deal—ho had shown, however,that he had a great deal moro to learn by his taking the Governor’s Speech as gospel. Tho first paragraph in tho Speech referred to the disappearance of tho unfortunate seals —they had been killed for their skins, the Speech slated. Tho Goverqmeqt policy was one ofskiuning—the landholders had been skinned, tho labouring classes had been skinned, the farmers had boon skinned; nothing was left j it was a policy of taxation and bleeding, one oppression after another, obstruction of industries and injury to everybody and everything. Tho Speech congratulated the people of tho /~l*l £ ' 1 . A.. 1

Colony upon a year of success, and stated that the depression was rising. It was a year during which the land tax had been twice collected, and were not the pastoral interests lower now than ever they had been ? and were things generally really ever more depressed? They wore told last session that they had reached tlie ' bed-foek. of djh pressjoh,' 'biit ’vfaV it not admitted that • during the past year they had gone oven lower? The Government took credit for their Native legislation, but wore not the Natives withdrawing all their land from the Native Land Courts, and -were ‘they ever more dissatisfied? Loot at the troubles in the Uriwera country, and the memorable visit of the Premier to To Whiti, The conduct of the Government in forcing on road-making and sending an armed force to overawe the Natives had, in bis opinion, instead of pushing on settlement, retarded it. Turning to the so-called 3 per cent, loan. Captain Bussell questioned whether it really was a 3 per cent, loan ; and until the cost of floating the loan was before them they could not tell what the percentage was. Ho believed the rate was about Jf3 6s 8d per cent., while other colonies had floated 3J per cent, loans at par. This borrowing in England was injuring the credit of the Colony. A statement requiring oi;pj auction was that to the effect’that the settle, rgoijt of the waste lands of the Colony had gone on in a most satisfactory manner. Ho ventured to say that this was not the case. The greatest dissatisfaction prevailed. In ono block he knew of settlers could not got to their land, and scrub was going up where the bush had been felled. The proposal to add to the Ministry was wholly unnecessary. If Ministers did the work of Ministers there was not too much work for them, but if they added to this the work of stump orators and junior clerks they would, of course, have to add to their numbers. Ministers really did not know what the work of a Minister was. Unless they treated their Civil servants with confldenoe and paid them fair salaries to do the work in a proper manner they (the Ministers) would of course have to 'do a great portion of the work themselves. With Civil servants who could be trusted

lie, speaking from experience, know that Ministers need not work on an' average more than six hours per day. How the tariff was to bo adjusted he did not know. The appointment of 'the Tariff' Commission seemed to him to be an expensive farce. He did not wish to cast any slur on the members of the Commission, jbut the Customs officials could iiavo done the work equally well at a much loss cost. The Commission, it seemed to him, had been set up with the object of obstructing rather than forwarding tariff reform. In concluding, he expressed the hope that theGovornmont would bring down some liquor Bill that could bo supported by a moderate man like himself, and contended that they were not attempting to grapple with the matter as they should do. As to the boasted prosperity sot.forth in His Excellency's Speech, ho would urge the House to believe that that was fictitious. (Applause.)

The Hon W. P. Reeves- said ho would endeavour to remove the apprehension that the last speaker appeared to be labouring under. There was not going to be any groat borrowing policy. Ho agreed with Mr Mrtalin, that, anxious as ho was to see the Midland Kailway made, ho would rather see a coach running from the‘West Coast to Christchurch than the railway running at thocostof a great national loan. He quite understood the Loader of the Opposition regretting having to make a speech—it could only bo framed on the stereotyped attack usually used on such occasions. Regarding the criticism of the mover and seconder of the Address, that was only of course what the Government invited—criticism of details and reasonable criticism. "What the Government did object to were the reckless statments and assertions and attacks made upon Ministers and their families, which, he said, wore a disgrace to the Colony. (Hear, Hear.) When Captain Kussell stated that Now Zealand was never more depressed than at the present time, ho was stating something that was grossly unfair. Ho distinctly remembered occasions of greater depression. The bon gentleman's remarks about tho finances of the Colony were even more unsound. 'The hon gentleman’s financial criticism was most original. In his Christchurch speech ho had practically said that if they

took away all the Government recurring surpluses and tho .£IOO,OOO which they started with, they would have no surplus at all. Most true and most original! (Laughter.) Captain Russell had declared that, come what might, the time would never come when ho would fail to protest against borrowing in England. What about that little loan of 20 millions to pay off that .£5,000,000 loan ? (Laughter.) Turning his attention to Mr Maslin and bis criticism of tho Advances to Settlers Act, lie would point out that since the 31st of March the sum of -£300,000 had been advanced. (Sir Robert Stout : How much paid out?) Tho amount paid out was jC05,000. Something would have to bo done to put a little more knowledge into the Hoard, and then no doubt a little loss caution would bo used, and matters jnoceed more smoothly. He still believed that a good deal more land would have been bought if tho local member had been placed on the Land Purchase Board. Some outside blood was wanted on those Boards, some one outside the Civil Service. There was always a Jack of confidence attending upon times of depression ; and tho Government had done their best to fight against it. They did not take tho credit for the revival of hope, but they thought it their duty to announce it, and to show that there was good foundation for it. There were tho figures to prove tho siiccoss of the 3 per cent, loan, and aa to its affecting the credit of the Colony, tho true test of this

wore tho stock quotations, and had they remained Arm ? Yea. Further than this, tho fact that six millions had boon subscribed was as fair a test ns could well bo of the state of tho . Colony’s credit. Tho Leader of tho Opposition had said that tho Government did not give enough for Native

land. Did thoso who toot up tho land in Hawke's Bay in tho early days give as much ? Would tho speculator give as much, or would ho pick out tho eyes of tho land F (Applause.) Hr Beeves defended tho action of the Government in regard to tho recent troubles in tho Unworn country, and went on to ask who had stirred up this trouble ? About this they were likely to hoar something interesting later on. Kegarding cooperative works, it was only right that in certain cases local mdn should receive precedence, and facts and figures showed this to bo the case. If there wps any solution of tho unemployed difficulty, ho thought it was to be found in tho alternate system qf taking rip land and working partly on it and partly on Government works. Tho relief works ho ad-

mitted were only excusable where nothing else was available. The Colony, lie was sorry to say, had been very much depressed during the > past two years—not so much, however, as tho adjoining colonies. This was partly due to the low prices prevailing for produce, and in part to tho short-sighted policy of land-owners, in their treatment of applicants for work. Touching upon tho withdrawal of the grant to Hilo clubs, this was done, he said, on tho advice of Colonel Fox, their Military Adviser. Captain Bussell had stated that Ministers were overworked simply because they did not knew their duties. For himself ho, might say that he trusted all that ho could to his officers, Ho denied the accusation made against his colleagues. They desired to know fully what was going on in their different departments; and it must be remembered that tho Colony was growing, and that its public work was increasing, and placing heavier and heavier burdens on tho hacks of Ministers. He said honestly that the work was too much, for himself, and he was not heavily worked compared with some of his colleagues. His work compared to that of tho Premier was but a friflo. Tho correspondence, for instance, was alone a very heavy item, and it had increased in quantity at least to four times ns much as when he first took office. Tho request for another Minister was a reasonable one. , They had not hurried over tho matter, but had done tho work ns long as possible. Mr Beeves referred briefly to tho Local Government Bill, urging the necessity for consolidation of local bodies; and in concluding said bo had to thank the mover and seconder for their very loyal and very fair criticism. The Government invited fair criticism, which, ho said, would not destroy tho Liberal Butty, but improve it. (Applause,) At 10.40 p.m. the debate was adjourned, on tho motion of Mr C. H. Mills, until Tuesday next, and the House rose.