GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7317, 29 July 1885, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; Tuesday, July 28. The Council met at half-past 2. KILLS.

The Hon. P. A. BUCKLEY moved the third reading of the Criminal Code Bill. The Hon. Mr PHARAZYN moved that it be read a third time" in six months; The Council divided and the third reading was carried by 26 to 13. The bill was read a third time and passed. The Distress Bill aud the Presbyterian Church Property Bill were read a first time. The Hon. Mr MILLER moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Amendment Bill.

Sir F. WHITAKER opposed the bill, which he moved be read a second time that clay six months. The Hon. P. A. BUCKLEY also spoke against the measure. The bill was thrown out by 28 to 9. Progress was reported on the Administration Bill,

Sir F. WHITAKER moved the second reading of the Evidence Further Amendment Bill.— Agreed to. The Council adjouriieel at 4.10 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Tuesday, July 28. The House met at 2.30. hili. passed.

The St. Mary's Convent Property Lease Bill was read a third time and passed. replies tg questions. Replying to Mr Beetham, if the Government will increase the survey staff for the Wellington land district, for the purpose of enabling the Wellington Waste Lands Board to place sufficient land in the market to supply existing requirements, ° The Hon. J. BALLANCE said it was not intended to increase the staff at present. ■Replying to Mr Hobbs, if the Minister of Mines will instruct the department to send a properly-qualified officer to report on the inelications of coal said to exist near Te Awanui and Parengarenga, with a view to assist the settlers iv their endeavours to develop the coal industry in that part of the island, ihe Hon. W. J. M. LARNACH said a report hail been made on the subject-some years ago,' which was not encouraging, but another attempt would be made by the Government to obtain a further report. Replying to Mr O'CALLAGHAN, whether the Government will further assist to secure the success of the importation of salmon by placing a sum on tho Supplementary Estimates for this purpose, The Hou.R. STOUT said the Government did not see their way to put a further sum on the Estimates this year. ■ Replying to Mr ROSS, if the Postmastergeneral will take steps to connect by telephone the borough and the electoral district of Roslyn with the city of Dunedin, by establishing one or more bureaux in the said district, Sir JULIUS VOGEL said there would be no objection to extending the telephone if suitable persons could be obtained to superintend the bureaux. The matter would be inquired into. Replying to Mr Bradshaw, if it is their intention to amend the Lunacy Act-this session, with a view of putting a check upon the system which obtains, especially in Wellington and Napier, of sending persons to a lunatic asylum who are found in the majority of cases not to be insane when examined by medical men, The Hon. J. A. TOLE said the Government were considering the question. Replying to Mr Hurst, if the Colonial Treasurer will state (1) whafj he estimates the cost of the Wellington Industrial Exhibition beyond the vote of £1000 in last year's Estimates, and (2) what amount has been granted to the said Exhibition for musical purposes, Sir JULIUS VOGEL said the total cost after deducting the amount for the sale of buildings and admission money would be between £2000 and £4000. The sum of £1000 had been used for the total cost Of music. BIIiI.S INTRODUCED. The following bills were introduced :—The Otago Dock Act ISS3 Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr Larnach); Inspection of Factories Bill (Mr Bradshaw) ; The Tauranga Harbour Board Bill (Sir G. Grey); The Newmarket Reserves Act 1878 Amendment Bill (Mr Moss). THK defences. The Hon. E. RICHARDSON moved the second reading of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill. He explained that the bill was brought in iv consequence of the recent probability of the outbreak of war, and its object was to authorise the Government to take land in various parts, of the country for the erection of fortifications. Mr HURST considered that however great the urgency that existed for this bill the Government should have sent some officer to inquire into the best means of acquiring the land, not to have taken it as proposed by the bill. He suggested that the bill should be postponed for a fortnight, so as to allow the owners of property near those fortifications to send in some claim for compensation. He contended that some deference should be paid to owners of lanel in this respect. In one case he knew of this had not been done, and proceedings had been commenced in consequence. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said that notice had been served on the owners in the case referred to. Mr MOSS complained of the retrospective portion of the bill, and he hoped the Government would not introduce any such retrospective legislation as proposed. Mr CONOLLY said that the bill was no doubt necessary, as he considered that, under the peculiar circumstances, the objections to retrospective - legislation did not apply. He thought the justice of the case would be mot by awarding compensation under this bill the same as in the Public Works Bill. Sir GEORGE GREY hoped the principle of patriotism wouldbc extended in every case like the present. The Hon. R, STOUT said if all tho claims for compensation that might be sent were allowed it would amount to nearly a million of money. The bill provided that compensation would be paid to all owners of lands which were taken. He contended that if people were compensated merely because they lived in the vicinity of fortifications there would be no fortifications at all. The motion for the second reading was agreed to. The Hon. E. RICHARDSON said as it was a matter of urgency, he would asked that the bill be committed at half-past 7. Mr HURST objected, on the ground that the parties coiicerneel should be made acquainted with the terms of the bill. Mr SUTTER said the bill was merely to allow the Government to take land and compensate the owners in the usual way. He hoped the House would pass tho bill, as at present the Government had no power to take the lands which they had acquired for fortifications. Mr MOSS contended that the bill in its present shape would tend to shake public confidence in the promises of the Government. Mr OADMAN was surprised at the Auckland members opposing the bill, as fortifications had been wanted in Auckland as much as at any other place in the Colony. Sir GEORGE GREY submitted it would be better to allow the bill only to affect future

cases. Tlie Hon. 11. STOUT said he could not understand the opposition to this bill, as the Government offered full compensation for any laud taken under it. Mr BARRON hud one objection to the bill, which was that while it made provision for compensation for land, the bill failed to recognise the claims of persons whose properties might be damaged in consequence of tho vicinity of the guns. Ho hoped that the Government, would make some provision that tho officers should warn persons whose windows might be broken

through the firing of guns of the danger likely to be incurred, so that proper precautions might be taken, . . - -

Mr MACANDREW considered the only objections made to the bill were committee objections. At the same time; he was not aware there was any particular urgency for the bill.

The Hon. E. RICHARDSON said the time for pleading for the defence in the case referred to by the member for Waitemata expired on the following day. He moved that the bill be committed at half-past 7. Agreed to. HOSPITAL AND CIIAUITABLE AID. On the motion for the committal of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill, •Mr GORE protested against the injustice proposeel to be inflicted on large centres of population nneler the bill. Mr SUTTER thought it was time that property should be taxed for the support of the poor. He hoped that the bill would be carried through committee. Mr DOWNIE STEWART said the City Council of Dunedin considered the bill as likely to prove injurious to that city. He might find it necessary to oppose it if not amended in committee. The motion for the committal of the bill was agreed to on a division by 59 to 16. IN COMMITTEE. The House went into committee on the Whitmore Enabling Bill. Sir GEORGE GREY asked what the nature of the office would be under this bill. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said the office was the commander of the forces. No time had been fixed for the duration of the appointment. Major ATKINSON then asked who would conduct correspondence in connection with the appointment. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said the undersecretary would conduct correspondence. Major ATKINSON asked whether the under-secretary would be under the control of the commander.

The Hon. J. BALLANCE said he would be under the controll of the Minister.

The Hon. R. STOUT said that the time to criticise defence matters would be when the defence estimates were brought down. The House had last year sanctioned such aii appointment as Sir George Whitmore had received, and now opposition was being raised to it. He submitted they should wait till the defence estimates were brought down before going into the question of defence. Mr BRYCE said he had no prejudice against the gentleman who had received the appointment. His reason for speaking ou the matter was that he considered ■ great inconveniences woulcl arise under the proposed arrangements. He wished to know whether the commander was to have a large organised staff under him. He asked, also, whether it is intended to appoint an officer for the artillery. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said the commanding officer did not require a large organised staff. The under-'secrofcary would do the whole of the departmental work. The commander could have the various officers under his control at any time. He contended that the principle of the bid had been affirmed on the second reading. debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

Evening Sitting.

The House resumed at 7.30.

Sir GEORGE GREY resumed the debate on the Whitmore Enabling Bill. He said the' Government were creating a very expensive office, and one that it would be very elifficult to do away with.

Mr MACANDREW said he was not particularly enamoured of the bill, but he thought the committee might just as well pass it Mr.W. F. BUCKLAND thought what was wanted was a drill-instructor. He would like to know whether Sir George Whitmore was a qualified drill-instructor. He thought such an officer could be procured at a much lower rate than was proposed under this bill. Mr BRYCE said he did not intend arguing the bill any further, but he wished to say that he understood no more about the appointment now than he did before the discussion commenced.

Mr HLRST thought the-committee ought to pass a bill remunerating Sir George Whitmore for the services he had remlered to the Colony, but beyond that they dught not to go. The present bill really proposed to create a standing army and a new department.' Major ATKINSON said he would not oppose the bill, but he wished it distinctly to be understood that he was not committing himself to any vote of money. Mr LOCKE supported the bill. He considered Sir G. S. Whitmore's past services fully entitled him to the office.

Mr BARRON said the opposition to the bill was mainly because the House thought they were about to sanction a new and costly department. If it was unelerstood that the office was only temporary he thought they might as well pass the bill.

The Hon. W. ROLLESTON said the clause under discussion was one of the most extraordinary that was ever put before the Legislature He thought they ought to say that the present appointment should be made, notwithstanding the provisions of the Disqualification Act. He considered the bill should be postponed till the Defence Estimates were before the House. He entirely objected to the clause, and thought they ought to report progress on the bill. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said it was evident that some officer of experience should be appointed to go round the Colony and organise the forces. It was impossible for an undersecretary to perform work of this description, whole question was one of administration. The officer was absolutely necessary to maintain proper organisation.

Sir GEORGE GREY said the bill placed the House m an unfair position. - He denied that it was a question of administration. He had every respect for Sir G. S. Whitmore, but he considered there were other men in the Colony as good as he. There were some men in the House who would willingly undertake the duty without asking to maintain their seats. He proposed, as an amendment—" That clause 2 be struck out for the purpose of inserting another clause."

The Hon. R. STOUT said there was no breach of the Disqualification Act, as eveii supposing that Sir G. S. Whitmore had accepted the appointment and at once vacated his seat, he would still have violated the Disqualification Act. He couteneled that the bill was simply carryiug out the provisions of that Act, aud asking Parliament to sanction it. Besides, they found that in the British Parliament the Duke of Cambridge, who was commander of the forces, sat in the House of Lords. He hoped the House would allow the bill to pass in its present shape,

Dr NEWMAN said that Sir G. S. -Whitmore was no doubt entitled to the appointment, but he thought, in the face of a falhng revenue, the House should consieler whether it would be wise to create a new and expensive department The Hon. R. STOUT said the member for Ihorndon was not sincere in his talk about economy. He would ask him to test the question when the Civil Service estimates were before the House.

Mr WAKEFIELD thought the member for Ihorndon was perfectly justified iv drawinc attention to the fact that if they were to have the appointment it would necessarily cmate a large expense. He had great respect for Sir G. b. Whitmore, but he thought it was their duty to consider tho grave question of expense they would have to face if they set m> this defence organisation. He thought the bill was a very peculiar one, and one it was very difficult to support. At the same time he was averse to giving his voice in such a manner as to reflect on ™c gallant officer at present under discussion. Mr PEACOCK said the House was discussimr this question at an improper time. He thoughtthe time to discuss the whole question would be when the defence -estimates were before the House. He considered Sir G. S. Whitmore should have at once resigned his seat after accepting the appointment. He would support the bill as amended, as it provided that Sir G. S. Whitmore should not sit or vote iv the Council during the time he held the appointment. Sir HOBBS did not agree that the present was not the proper time for discussing the appointment. He thought the bill was entirely unnecessary.

Mr FRASER supported the bill. He thought Sir G. S. Whitmore was eminently adapted for organising a force.

Mr FULTON advised the committee to come to a decision on the question. Mr FITZHERBERT defended the appointment, and considered the expense incurred would be warranted.

Mr HOLMES said the position of commander was simply an inspector-general of the forces. Ihe appointment was only temporary, and he considered the circumstances thoroughly warranted the Government iv the action they took. He thought the House should pass the bill without any discussion ou it. Clause 2 was then put, and carried on the voices. Sir GEORGE GREY moved a new clause to the effect that the Disepialification Act should not apply to members of either House who might be called on to serve their country. The clause was negatived by 41 to 24. Mr BARRON moved an amendment to the effect that this Act shall continue in force fol* one year, and no longer, uuless Parliament shall otherwise decide. The clause was negatived on the voices. The bill was reported with amendment and passed. THIS DEFENCES. The House went into committee on the Public Works Act Amenelment Bill. Clause 6 elicited a long discussion. The clause provided that compensation for the laud taken shall be settled by a Compensation Court; but no person shall have any claim to compensation by reason of the firing of artillery. Several amendments were proposed on the clause, and negatived.

In clause 10, providing that land taken for fortification previous to the coming into operation of this Act shall be deemed to have beeii taken under the Act, Mr MOSS moved to add—" Provided that in assessing comnensation it should bo given according to liie law at present in force." The amendment was negatived. The remaining clauses were passed with verbal amendments.

HOSPITAL AND CIIARITADLE AID. The House went into Committee on th** Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill.

Iv clause 6, Sir JULIUS VOGEL proposed an amendment that district boards shall consist of one member for each borough aud one for each county, to be elected by the borough or county councils instead of tho mayor and chairman of county.

Mr CONOLLY regretted that the Government had dropped the nominated system altogether.

Sir JULIUS VOGEL said there appeared to be a general desire on the part of the House to do away with the nominated system. He thought nominated . members and elected members did not work well together. If, however, the nominated system were desired, it might be advisable to make special provision for such districts. He moved that the clause be' poitponed.

Agreed to.

In clause 20, providing for the election of trustees, that portion of the clause was struck out which provided that two trustees may be appointed by the local authorities contributing to the funds of the institution.

An amendment was moved to alter, the representation of local authorities by substituting six other trustees.

Sir JULIUS VOGEL offered as a compromise to insert the word " five " instead of " six."

The amendment for six was lost on a division by 29 to 19, and the word " five " was carried.

The House rose at 2 a.m.