PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 19 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, August I°.

In the Legislative Council to-day, On the Council meeting, Mr. Whitaker I moved the immediate adjournment for the day, as a mark of respect for Colonel I Kenny, of whom he spoke in the highest terms as a settler, a military officer, and a Counoillpr. | Colonel Whitmore seconded the motion, and spoke feelingty of the loss the Council and Colonel Kenny's family had sustained by his death. Sir F. D. Bell also said a few words bearing testimony to the deceased gentleman's high and honorable character. The Council then rose. In the House of Representatives today, Mr. Pyke gave notice that he would ask if the Government was aware if the line of railway recommended by the Railway Commission from Sheffield to Oxford was a mere pretext to get the line continued to Teinuka, so that it might pass through the estates owned by the Premier and Mr. Wright, a member of the Railway Commission, Mr. Hall stated that he might just at once say that there was no foundation in fact for the insinuation put forward by the question, Mr Pyke said he would road the telegram addressed to himself on the subject by a resident of the district, who was well known and highly respected by the House. Cries of "Name."

Mr. Pyke : I will not give the name. It was only the other day that a similar case took place, and you, Sir, ruled that it was not necessary to give the name before the telegram pould be read. I will lay the telegram on t}ie table after I have read it.

The Speaker still ruled that until the name was given the telegram could not be read.

Mr. Pyke : Then I will not read it, as I can see the Premier does not want it read. Mr. Hall said the hon. member did not give the name because he was simply ashamed of himself for the part he had taken in the matter.

Mr. Pyke gave notice that on going into Committee of Supply he would move that a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Governor, informing him that Ministers do not conduct the business of this House in a satisfactory manner.

Mr. Murray gave notice that he would move that no member of the House, excepting the Bench of the Opposition smd the Government, be allowed to speak longer tfyan 2Q minutes after being called to order by any other members. Mr. Harris gave notice that he would ask Government if they were prepared to call for tenders for " gags " for the use of members of the Houge.

The Speaker said 'he was surprised at such a notice, and ruled it out of order. Mr. Moss gave notice that he would move to-morrow that it is expedient to

relieve the General legislature of all duties that can-be more -efficiently and economically performed by local governing bodies directly responsible to the electors by whom thfcy are Chosen. That, for this purposej and for the better redress of local grievances, school districts shall be grouped to form road districts, road districts, shall be grouped to form Counties, and Counties shall be grouped for the formation of Provinces sufficiently large to warrant the creation of local legislature to maintain peace, order, and good government within. their respective bounds ; that it shall be the duty of each of the local governing bodies to form its own electoral rolls, to conduct its own elections, and manage all local matters in accordance with such laws as may from time to time be passed by the Legislature of the Province ; that Provincial Legislatures shall be chosen every second year by registered electors of the Province, who shall also every fourth year elect a Superintendent as chief executive officer of the Province; that laws made by the said Legislature on all subjects except the thirteen enumerated in section 19 of the Constitution Act shall be valid so soon as they are assented *o by the Superintendent, or, failing such assent so soon as they are confirmed by an absolute majority of three fourths of the Provincial Legislature ; that no loans shall be authorised by the said Legislative except with sanction of an absolute majority of three fourths of the members ; that no appointments exceeding LIOO a year made by the Superintendent shall be valid until confirmed by the Provincial Legislature ; that representation among its own population shall rest with the Legislature of the said Province ; that when vacancies occur in the Legislative Council,, they shall be filled up by members elected by the Council in the Province in which such vacancy occurs ; that Government is requested to prepare during the recess an amendment of the Constitution Act in accordance with these resolutions, and also to prepare such financial measures as may be necessary to give them, and equitable effect. Mr. Saunders why the telegram 1 from Mr, Alison B. Smith, dated 23rd of last vfuly, showing that enough stringy bark to build at least 140 waggons was cut by Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach to the size used in waggon construction, and purchased from them by Mr. Armstrong late in 1878, and early hi 18;(ft; also, showing that the i?on \7oriy of the waggons which describes as four and a . half years old bear English manufacturers' brand of 1878, was not laid on the table with Mr. Smith's report as produced when asked for by this House. Mr. Oliver said that he had laid op the table the correspondence dealing Vr;itb. the whole question as put on, the previous occasion. Hs had the telegrams referred to, and t-ligy would be laid on the table. In reply to Mr. Beid as to what the Government proposed to do with respect to the Local Industries Commission, regarding the thorough examination of the West Coast settlements of the Middle Island, Mr.. Hall stated the report of the Commissioners, was under consideration by the Government, and they had not yet arrived at a decision of what ought to be done in the ciroumstances.

Mr. Hall moved that, for the remainder of the session, Government business take precedence on Thursday at 7.30. He said they were anxious to get the West Coast Settlements and other native Bills passed at the earliest possible rp,Qin.en,t l so,' as to enable the Native Minister to. proceed to the West Coast, where his presence was urgently demanded. Sir G. Grey said the reason given was not sufficient to warrant members giving up their own day in the week. He would like to know if Te Whiti was to rule the House. He did not believe that affairs on the West Coast were in such ar\ farming condition. He would, vote against the motion for thp very reason given by the Premier.

Messrs. Bunny and Murray also spoke against the motion. Mr. Hall replied that Government would be prepared to give up one of their ly.onving sittings to private members' business,

Mr. Saunders moved that the whole day be taken.

The House divided : Ayes, 47; noes, 20.

In reply to Mr. Murray, Mr. Hall said Government would give eveyy facility to private members getting their business considered on Saturday. Replying to Mr. Moss, Mr. Hall said that aftor he saw what progress the public business made he would be prepared to saj' what provision could be made for having the motion that had that day been given notice of discussed. On the motion for going into. Committee of Supply j Mi% de Lautour called attention to the importance of some pro-* vision being made for the administration of the lands of Otago held under pastoral lease. The discussion last night shewed that parties had not information regarding tho true value of the public estate. It was variously stated at* two, seven, and ten millions of aores, Government ought to haye given such information aa would have set the House right. There was information before the House to show that 300,000 acres would fall out of " lease" in 1883. In that case 18 months prior to March, 1883, this land would hay® to be dealt with, so that it was practically speaking misleading the House to say that the la-scl did not fall in until 1883; in fact, it would have to be dealt with before this House was again in session. In that case they had a right to kno\Y what the Minister of Land 3 io do ■with it. D\d they maiin to leave it to be dealt with by the Waste Land Boards, op wliat ? These Boards had not proved to be an unqualified success, arid it would not be wise to leave these lands in their hands. He concluded by moving that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the Minister of Lands, before the close of the session, should give a distinct enunciation of his policy in regard to the fixture administration of Grown lands in Otago now occupied by pastoral tenants on lease.

Mr. Holies ton said that, considering the constitution of the Waste Lauds Board of Otago, he was pained to hear the imputation cast on it. He believed that, the best policy they could adopt was to offer every possible facility to the progress of settlement. Up to the pregept time they as a Government had taken every possible opportunity of following up that course, They would not lay down any cast iron rule on the subject, but just a few general principles and act upon them as occasion suggested. He agreed that classification should precede the date when these lands fall in. He held that the best course was to get hold of the best pieces of these lands for small settlers. This policy was generally laid down in the regulation of 1877. The course Government intended to take under that Act was a question the House had a perfect right to be advised on, and he could tell them he was prepared just now or at any other time to supply that information.

Mr. Macandrew defended Mr. de Lautour from the charge of haying employed an improper tone in opening the debate. The question was one second in importance to no question which had come before the House that session. The renewal of these leases had kept back settlement to a very great extent. Mr. Shrimski supported the motion. Mr. Dick spoke at some length as to the land lawg which ha,d formerly existed in Otago jans on the question of the runs falling in, and the purchase of land on the deferred payment system. Messrs. Jones and Brown spoke in favor of the motion.

Sir G. Grey spoke of the importance of the subject under discussion. He blamed

the Minister of Lands for having used unbecoming language to Mr. de Lautour, who had only done his duty to the Colony. He was told that he had mistaken his position in House and the country, but that was not the case. No member was held in higher esteem by the country both north and south. The question was that before the House met again 448,000 acres of pastoral land would have to be dealt with. They naturally distrusted the Government because their plan was to deal with questions of this kind in a most -unfair manner, and to the prejudice of the public interest. In no place could they find more men who had dealt with land-in this way than was to bo found on these benches. He alluded to the Canterbury gridironing. The whole career of the members of the Government showed that the House was justified in extracting a promise as to what they intended doing with these lauds. It would be found to be a case of the Legislature legislating for themselves and their own advantages. When they asked these great men, clothed in a little brief authority, soon to be dispersed by a breath of their misguided constituencies for these lands, then they were met by hard words hurled at the noble young man who stood up in the cause of his fellow-men. He asked the House to say that forthwith a plan shall be laid down for dealing with these lands. He thought he had made out a case to the effect that they had a right to know what Government intended to do with these lands.. He demanded to know whethev homes, were at once to be secured by the young men to whom he referred, or whether they were to remain victims of poverty and indolence.

The motion for going into Committee of Supply was thon put and carried by 40 to 35, Mr. de Lautour's amendment being thus negatived. In Committee, on the Public Works Estimates, class 5,, item Roads, North Island, L5.9»,000. Mr. Shrimski proposed that the vote be reduqed by L46,1G4. The vote was agreed to as printed. Item, roads, bridges, and wharves, North of Auckland, LCG^GO 1 , was carried. Roads and bridges, in the unsettled districts of Patea and Taranaki, L48,81G 18s 9d. Mr, Thomson proposed that it be reduced L 20,000. Negatived on a division of 21 to 4G, and the vote as printed passed. Opening up roads and constructing bridges through lands recently purchased, L 15,104. Passed. Nelson north-.west goldfields, roads and bridges, L 10,500. Passed. Roads to Greymouth and Westport, LIS,OOO. Passed. j Westland roads and bridges, LSOO. Passed. Hokitika to Christ church, construction, supervision, and daraage by floods, L 15,427 19s sd. Passed. Roads to open' up land before sale, LGl,t«4i 9s Id, Passed. Class 6, Land Purchase, North Island. Yote, ehief ofiice, Wellington, L 120,622 2s 4d. Mr. Montgomery asked Government to say if tliey intended to go on with these purchases, or whether they would try to withdraw from them as soon as, possible. Mr. Bryce replied that it would be desirable to get out of a good many of these bat a number would have to be carried out. He did not wish it to be understood that Government intended to complete all these negotiations. Mr. Montgomery condemned Government for entering into obligations which would entail the expenditure of & million of money without the sanction of the House. Mr. Macandrov/, as a member of the late Goyeyninent, repudiated the whole thi<ag, and did not look upon it as a liability. Government was not called upon to take the land at all, unless they desired to do so. Mr. Bryca looked upon it as an engagement, and consequently as a liability. Government had entered into a solemn contract with the natives, which ought to be fulfilled. Mr. Macandrew said there had been no authority given to enter into any new arrangement, which might have been 10 instead of one million, and surely the colony could not be bound by such a transaction. Mr. Ballance desired to know more particulars about these land purchases, and how far the vote was likely to go. Mr. Whitaker deprecated the idea of repudiating bargains entered! into with natives.

Mr. Turnbull considered that the Native Bills should have been brought down before, the vote was brought forward.

Sir George Grey moved the adjournment of the vote until the late Native Minister was present.

Mr, Bryoe did not see the necessity for Mr. Sheehan being present, and insisted upon the propriety of the vote being disposed of.

The debate was continued until 2 a.m., when the Chairman of Committees was so exhausted that Colonel Trimble had to take his place. The vote was aftervrcvrda passed as printed. Class 12, Contingent Defence, L 140,000, was passed without dissent. Glass S, Telegraph Extension, L43,f>77 10s, was also passed without dissent Class 1, Immigration, L26j9.54 13s 4d, was reduced by LIOOO.

Class 7, Waterworks on Goldfields, L2G,7l(j, wevs passed.

Class % Miscellaneous Public Works, L 129,178 9s 9d.

On a motion that it be reduced by L2GOO, the House divided. Ayes, 9: noes, 21. The item was passed as printed. Class 10, Lighthouse, L 4550, was passed. Class IS, Charges and Expenses on Raising Loans, L 159,430 19s 9d, was passed without dissent. Class 9, Public Buildings.—Judicial, L 61,429, passed as printed. Postal and Telegraphic, L 11,025. Mr. Hall agreed to reduce the amount to L 550, which was agreed to. Customs, L9OO, passed. Lunatic Asylums, L 55,500, passed. Hospitals, L4OOO, passed. School Buildings, L10G,031 17s lOd, passed. At 4.30 a.m. progress was reported, and the House adjourned till 7.30 to-night.