HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7890, 4 June 1887, Page 2

HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES.

(From Ocb Special Correspondent.) Friday, June .3. Afternoon Sitting.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. A number of petitions were presented, and some papers laid on the table.

THE EEPRESENTATICHT DEADLOCK. The Hon. MAJOR ATKINSON said he regretted no agreement had been arrived at, as he had hoped there would be when adjourning yesterday. There was a strong opinion that not a day should be lost in getting the House together. His Excellency appeared to be under a misconception, and as he believed it was possible to meet on the Ist September, he hoped the Premier would accept the motion he proposed to move—namely, " That this House thanks his Excellency for his message, and concurs in his opinion that the Representation Bill could be amended so as to shorten the time necessary for summoning Parliament; and this House is of opinion that immediate steps should be taken to enable Parliament to meet not later than the Ist day of September next." He (Major Atkinson) had gone carefully through the dates, and he had found that the House could meet by the 14th or 16th August. He hoped that the House would affirm that the new Parliament should meet not later than the Ist September.

The Hon. Sir ROBERT STOUT said he cou 4 not accept the latter part of the address, but instead of making the latter part Ist September, he proposed that the words should be "at the earliest possible moment."; He would also insert the words " under the new Representation Act." He thought that was a fair' think to ask, and that the insinuations thrown out that he was insincere in wishing the elections under the new act were an insult to himself and his colleagues. He only wished to act fairly in the matter, and he left himself in the hands of the House.

Mr SAMUEL hoped Major Atkinson would accept the amendment of the Premier. He thought the terms which the Opposition tried to force on the Government were unfair.

Mr ROSS said that after the assurance of the Premier he could not support the amendment of the leader of the Opposition. The Hon. Sir J. VOGEL said that the message proposed to be sent to the Governor was childish. He did not care what alterations were made in the bill, the elections could not take place by Ist September. It appeared as if some members were trying to force the Government into going to the country under the old bill, not having the courage to put it directly. Those who did not wish the new Representation Bill should say sol The House had been assured over and over again that the new Parliament would meet as early as possible. The Hon. Major ATKINSON said that after the clear and decided pledge given by the Premier he was prepared to accept the alteration asked by him. The address as amended was then put and carried. PUBLIC REVENUES BILL. The House then resolved itself into Committee of Supply, to introduce the Public Revenues Bill. The Hon. Major ATKINSON asked when ! the Public Works Statement would be made. The Hon. Sir J. VOGEL said there would be j no Statement in the usual way. The Minister for Works would give information in committee on the bill. The bill was read a second time, and the House went into committee on the bill, when The Hon. E. RICHARDSON made his Public Works Statement. BILLS DEALT WITH. After the reading of the Statement a number of bills were discharged from the Order Paper. The Government Loans and Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill was read a second time and passed. The Local Bodies' Loans Act Amendment Bill was recommitted for slight amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Westland and Grey Education Board Continuance Bill was passed through committee, where a new clause was added, then read a third time and passed. The Interpretation Act Amendment and Building Societies Act Amendment Bills were also read a third time aud passed. The House adjourned till 7.30. Evening Sitting. The House resumed at 7. 30 p.m. THE EEPBESENTATION COMMISSIONERS. The Hon. Sir K. STOUT moved that Colonel Haulfcain, Dr Hislop, and Mr Edward Dobson be appointed a commission under the Representation Bill. Mr PYKE asked what fees were to be paid to the commissioners. He had heard something about 200 guineas each. The Hon. Sir R. STOUT said the question of | remuneration had not been mentioned yet. Mr CONOLLY doubted whether the House had power to appoint a commission, seeing the bill had not yet become law. The Hou Sir R. STOUT said he would keep that point in view. The motion was agreed to. PUBLIC REVENUES BILL. Thi3 bill was further considered in committee. Mr G. F. RICHARDSON asked for some information with respect to the Midland railway. He should like to '.know under what conditions the work that ..had been let was being carried out. The Hon. Sir J. VOGEL said the contract was assigned to the present company, and they were working under it. A new contract was prepared subject to the approval of the board ia England. That approval had not yet been given, and the Agent-general was trying to ar-

range it without further legislation. The Government did not consider it expedient to lay Mren w ™° r ™^ u»c°mpleted contracts. ■ wnnwlff 'tit aCr^ hlch beea reserved would affect the railway The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said whatever the strong opinion he held, nothing would inducehim to break faith with the "contractors. * m- °ouvmced thaf those gentlemen who went blradly into lobbies on this question w™d regret their action, and he asked those Canterbury members who supported the scheme what position they would be in if this contract were trifled with. He warned those members of the Opposition of the difficulty they were likely to be led into:.

h, ?Z, said the proclamation referring to the withdrawal of this land had never been gazetted up to the present moment. He could hardly think how the Government could expect to have the confidence of the House when they coolly stated there were things connected with this contract which they dare not reveal. He thought if it had not been discovered that this reservation had been made, this proclamation would never have seen the light. ' if c. Sir R. STOUT considered Mr Kolleston s speech was simply an election manifesto to the people of Canterbury. The proclamation was rescinded on llth March, and through a mistake ,in the office it was not gazetted. The people affected by the proclamation knew nothing about it till after it was gazetted, so it did not affect them much. The chief survejor had suggested that those pieces of land should be reserved for mining purposes, and this was accordingly done; but the Government had come to the conclusion that they had no right to reserve that land, and the proclamation was resciuded.

Mr G. F. RICHARDSON pointed out that the original contract terminated in January last One contract had not been signed, and he wished to know whether there was any contract in. existence; if not, on what conditions were the works being carried out. ..Th«H«>- Sir R. STOUT said on the basis of the old contract.

Sir G. GREY said as far as he understood a proclamation was issued withdrawing a large area of land which the company thought they were entitled to. He considered that this was a great wrong and calculated to shake the confidence of any company in the Government. Mr FISHER referred to Sir R. Stout's inconsistency as an advocate of land nationalisation by giving away millions of acres of land to companies of this kind, and yet he told them he was preserving the freehold for the people of the colony. He promised Sir R. Stout that when he came to address the people of Wellington he would get a warmireception. The Hon. Sir R. STOUT said he was not afraid of meeting the people of Wellington, whatever Mr Fisher might think. As to the remarks of hon. members about a breach of faith with the contractors, he failed to see where the breach of faith came i>i.

Mr O'CALLAGHAN said the whole of the opposition came from opponents of the railway. Mr Rolleston's action was only in keeping with his whole attitude towards this railway. All the information he wanted could be obtained from the Minister of Lands without making all this disturbance.

Mr ORMOND denied that this was a Canter- | ry TrquestioD'but a ool°nial question. What the House wanted to know was whether the ! Government guaranteed those contracts in course of construction, and whether the action of the Government, id issuing the proclamation' had at all prejudiced the colony. It was a very important question, which i he colony had a right to know something about. The Hon. Sir R. STOUT said the credit of the colony had not been injured in any way. He did not know what Mr Ormond meant by the credit of the colony having been pledged by the contract. The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said no member of the House had done more towards carrying out this railway than he had done, as *he Government of which he was a member had spent a large sum of money in promoting the construction of the line by the West Coast. He was not aft aid of the verdict of the people of Canterbury on this matter, and the time would come when they would do him justice over it. As for Mr O'Callaghan's remarks concerning him, he thought the member for Lincoln would have quite enough to do in satisfying his own constituents, without attacking him Mr WAKEFIELD asked how the railway was now-being carried on. The Hon. Sir R. STOUT said he understood under the contract. Mr WAKEFIELD ajked whether the syndicate in London were responsible for the work, and not the Government.' The Hon. Sir R. STOUT said the Government was in no way responsible, but the syndicate had the responsibility. Mr FERGUS thought the House might very well let the matter drop, as they were not likely to get much further benefit by its inflation. • .

Mr PEACOCK said as they were discussing this question he Thought it was a good opportunity to ask'whetherthe rumours were correct as to debentures of the colony having been sold privately in London by Sir F. D. Bell and Sir ■ Penrose Julian. The Hon. Sir J. VOGEL said the hon. member probably referred to the inscribed stock created to pay off the 4§ per cent. 5-30 loan. There were £6,000,000 of 4£ per cent. 5-30 debentures during the period when the previous Government held office. £3,053,900 of these were converted, 103 of inscribed stock being given for each 100 of debentures. Later the Government offered terms for calling in the remainder of the issue. They offered 101 inscribed stock for each £100 of debentures, and £1,891,200 was brought in on those terms, which were 2 per cent, better than the previous conversion. The balance of a little over a million had to be paid off, and inscribed stock was sold at 97* for the purpose. Mr SEDDON asked whether the rumours were correct that the Rabbit Conference at Sydney cost the colony £3000. The Hon. Sir R. STOUT said members should not believe all they read in newspapers. The fact was the conference did not cost £300, and the limit of £1 a day allowed to the commission had never been exceeded. Members at the conference only received £53 each. Mr WAKEFIELD asked what provision the government intended to make for the post and telegraph services in Wellington. The Hon. E.RICHARDSON said the Govern- j ment were under a deep obligation to the Harbour Board for the use of their shed for post and telegraph purposes after the late fire, and a building was now being fitted up for the purpose of post and telegraph offices.: The Hon. Sir J. VOGEL said he intended to make a statement with respect to rebuilding the post office at a future time. He might say it was well worth consideration whether or not the local post office for a city like Wellington should be connected with the General Post Office of the ' colony. Mr BRACKEN asked whether a small sum could be set apart for the purpose of a second rifle range at Dunedin. Dr NEWMAN asked for some more definite information respecting the Post Office building at Wellington. He would like to know whether it was intended to rebuild it or not. • A lengthy discussion took place on- the question of village settlement The Hon. J. BALLANCE said it was proposed to ask for a vote of £5000 this year. There was a liability of £62,000 in connection with those settlements. The Hon. Major ATKINSON protested in the strongest possible terms against the action of the Minister for Lands in incurring suoh large liabilities for those settlements without the authority of Parliament. He asked whether Mr Ballance proposed starting any new settlements. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said such was the intention of the Government. Mr ORMOND said Mr Ballance had acted most irregularly in this matter, and the House would not tolerate it. ' Sir G. GREY also protested against Mr Ballance's action. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said the regulations in connection-with those settlements were published during last session, and members were aware of it. He strongly defended the village settlement scheme, and said he believed he had the sanction of the House and the country in the work he was doing. Progress was reported at 11.20 p.m. The Hon. Sir R. STOUT moved—" That the House at its rising adjourn till Monday, at 2.30 p.m., and that Government business have precedence on that day." The motion was carried after some discussion. ■ KEPfiESENTATION BILL. The Representation Bill was received from the Legislative Council with amendments The Hon. Sir R. STOUT moved that the amendments be agreed to. He said they simply consisted of those he had previously submitted to the House, and provided merely that the time in which the commission should perform its ] labours was reduced to one month instead of I three months. The only other amendment was that the appeal clause was struck out Mr SEDDON said that the Government had not appealed to their supporters to vote against this bill, and he thought the Premier was entitled to all the credit for its passing. Mr TURNBULL hoped the leaders of the House would endeavour by some means next session to amend the standing orders so as to prevent obstruction. Messrs Samuel, Taylor, and Hursthouse also spoke on the bill. Messrs Fisher and O'Conor and Sir R. Stout having also spoken, The Premier's motion was agreed to. VILLAGE SETTLEMENT SCHEME. The Public Revenues Bill was further considered in committee, and some discussion again ensued on the village settlement scheme. The Hon. Major ATKINSON said he had no wish to be misunderstood on this matter, as he admitted this scheme should be given a trial. He held, however, that it was a most unjustifiable thing for a Minister to incur an expenditure of £70,000 without the sanction of Parliament. Where was the money to come from, the expenditure of which Mr Ballance had committed them to ? He hoped the Government would agree to a postponement of this question in order that Mr Ballauee might show the House how he was going to pay these people, and where money was to come from. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said last session great pressure was brought to bear on the Government to have special settlements tried. With regard to the vote, he intended to ask for ; £50,000 in the Public Works Estimates this year. It was with extreme difficulty, he said, that they were able to find land suit- j i able for special settlements. If the House '. chose to say the Government should ,not j ' settle people on the land it could do so, and it i would also be for the House to say whether the ! ]

Government should spend a large amount or not.

A lengthydiscussion ensued, after which progress was reported on the bill. The House rose at 1.35 a.m.