NZ. PARLIAMENT.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2. FOREIGN INSTJRANCB COMPANIES.
The Foreign Insurance Companies' Deposits Bill was further considered in Committee.
Clause 5 was struck out and a new clause j substituted, requiring every fire and marine j insurance company to obtain from the Public Trustee a certificate authorising the company to carry on such business. i Another new clause was added providing that every such company, in order to obtaia a certi- j ficate, should furnish to the Public Trustee a statement of its affairs, and that a certificate should be granted only when a resolution has been passed by the board appointed under the Public Trust Office Act that it was satisfied of the financial ability of the company. The schedule was then altered to provide that where the total amount assured by current policies did not exceed £100,000, a deposit of £5000 should bo made ; for every additional £100,000, an increase of £5000 deposit until the total sum deposited amounted to £50,000. The bill was afterwards read a third time *nd passed. LAND FOS SETTLEMENTS. The SPEAKER expressed the opinion that according to their Standing Orders the Legislative Council could not alter sections 5 and SI > of the Land for Settlement* Bill, as they dealt irith the appropriation of money. I Sir E. STOUT moved that section 39 be added. — Agreed to. The Hon. J. M'KENZIE moved that the amendments made in those three clauses ba disagreed with, and that a committee be appointed to draw up reasons for disagreeing with them. — Agreed to. The Hon. J. M'KENZIE moved that the other amendments made by the Council be agreed to with the exception of the sew clause 8 and the proviso attached. He s»id he objected to the words "in one block " in new clause 8 inserted by th« Legislative Council, and he also, took exception to the proviso to that clause , because he did cot know what it would mean and would like to have it discussed by the conference, otherwise the bill had been improved sot only by the Legislative Council, but also by the department and law draftsman.—Afterconsiderable discussion the motion was agreed to, and Messrs Montgomery, Duncan, and J. M'Kenzie were appointed a committee to draw op reaiona for disagreeing. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3. In the Legislative Council to-day the Bating Bill and the Lands Improvement and Native Land* Acquisition Bill were passed. The debate on the second reading of the Advances to Settlers Bill was adjourned, 'as also was the debate oa the Rating on Unimproved Value Bill. The Consols Bill passed the second reading stage by 16 to 13, the Colonial Secretary having undertaken to reduce the amount to be raised to half a million, extending over two years. It was decided to insist on the amendments in the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill. SHOPS BILL. The Hon. Sir P. BUCKLEY moved—" That the Council do not insist on their amendments in the Shop and Shop Assistants Bill." The Hob. Mr REYNOLDS, as an amend' ment, moved — "That the Council do insist upon {heir amendments." The SPEAKER pointed out that the amendment was a direct negative, and comequenfcly could not be put. . ■ After further debate the Colonial Secretary's motion was negatived by 19 to 14, and Messrs Bowen, Bonar, and Reynolds were appointed managers at a conference on the points at issue with the House. ADVANCES TO SETTLEBS. The Hon. Sir P. BUCKLEY, in moving the second reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Bill, said the bill proposed to assist I settlers in tilling the soil. The country had affirmed the principle of the bill by its representatives in another place, and he expressed a conviction that the Council would not set itself in opposition to the aspirations of the people in the direction sought by the provisions of the bill. > If private capitalists had merely sought to obtain a mir percentage for their money the bill would never have been drafted by tbe Government, nor would many a poor, hard-working man who had taken up la*d been compelled to give up his holding and become ruined and brokenhearted. Having briefly explained the bill, the j hon. gentleman said that if the measure became law it would not involve the creation of any new office or additional officials. The , desire of* the Government was to afford poor settlers an opportunity of borrowing money at advantageous terms. As the country bad clamoured for the bill he trusted the measure would receive favourable consideration. The debate was adjourned till next day, on the motion of the Hon. Mr STEVENS. CONSOLS. The debate upon the second reading of the Consols Bill, to which the Hon. Mr Bowen on the previous day moved an amendment that the bill be read a second time that day six months, was resumed by ■_ The Hon. G. M'LEAN, who remarked that in his opinion the banks were overflowing with capital, and, speaking of the financial institution with which be was connected, he asserted that if that bank had been in a position to obtain £750,000 more than they had at present they would have been able to have invested it to advantage. He feared the Government, if the bill pissed, would neither improve the investors nor State. The present money panic all over the world was due to general distrust, and this feeling of insecurity would continue so long as the present unsettled state of affairs lasted. The banks did not want to hoard up moneys entrusted to them. All they desired to do was to invest money to the best advantage. He objected to that portion of the bill which would /enable the Government to get rid of their inioribed stock in London or elsewhere. The was feeling this secret business arrangeznent in debentures on the Cheviot estate, and tie feared the country would experience a rude [awakening if the bill became law. He was ' convinced that tbe Government were making a grave mistake in their endeavour to withdraw money from circulation which should be devoted to developing the resources and industries of . the country. The Hon. Mr KELLY denied that the bill was a borrowing bill. Although he denied that the bill was a borrowing measure pure and ' simple, he would ask the Council how public •works, roads, and bridges were to be carried out and constructed if money was not provided somehow. These public works could not be provided for by the consolidated fund, and both argent and necessary works, he thought, would be better provided for by the bill than by any other project. The Hon. Mr REYNOLDS opposed the bill, and expressed the opinion that the Council would be only doing its duty if they rejected the bill until the country had expressed a direct opinion on the subject. The Hon. Sir P. BUCKLEY, in replying, intimated that since jeaterday he had consulted
the Premier witb regard to a compromise, and he was glad to inform the Council that Mr Seddon agreed that the amount to be raised under the bill should be reduced to half a million to extend over a period of two years. This, he thought, would meet the views of all parties, and the amendment would be brought down by message from the Governor. Oa a division the amendment was lost by 16 to 13, and the second reading was agreed to. The following is the division list : Against the Amendment (16).— Messrs L. Walker, Richardson, Bonar, Bolt, Kerr, Kelly, Rigg, Jenkinson, Feldwick, Dignan, Acland, Oliver, M'Lean, White, Montgomery, Buckley. For the Amendment (13). — Messrs Reynolds, Stewart, Barnicoat, Swanson, Pharazyn, Williams, MacGregor, Morris, Bowen, Stevens, Holmes, Peacock, Mantell. In the House (of Representatives today questions were postponed, and, the Speaker having ruled that the Council could alter the machinery clauses of the Land for Settlements Bill but not # tho appropriation clauses, it was decided to di ■■ > ■ . th the amendments made in the la't s s. The Native Land Courts fci.i t- consideration for the remainder <..: <%. NAlii , ».SU COORT BILL, Clause 21, Ueiiuiuny and evidence. —Mr M'Kenzie (Buller) moved that this clause be struck out. He regarded it as a Sbar Chamber clause, and said that any Native might lose his property by ifc. — Lest on the voices. Clause 27, authority to valuer. -*Mr Heke moved — " That the penalty for impeding a valuer authorised by the court should not exceed £25, instead of £50." — Agreed to.— Mr R. M'Kenzie (Buller) moved that the penalty should be 25s instead of £25. — Lost, and the clause passed. Clause 60, empowering the judge to authorise the surveyor to enter upon land for the purpose of making a survey. — An amendment was made providing that power could be exercised only in any case brought before the judge — Mr Heke .moved a new proviso that the judge, before authorising this survey of land, shoald be required to obtain the consent of a majority of the owners.— Lost by 38 to 9. Clause 61, Surveyor-general may authorise the survey of Native land, caused a lengthy discussion. Several amendments were proposed, but were negatived by large majorities. Clause 106, time for appealing. — Sir R. Stout considered that 30 days was too short for appealing, and he moved that the time ba extended to 60 days.— Lost by 29 to 13. Tbe remaining clauses in part 1 of the bill passed, with the exception of the postponed clauses. I Considerable debate took place as to the [ separation of the two parts of the bill, Sir R. Stout and other members contending that they should be separate bills. The Hon. Mr Seddon eventually moved to ! report progress on the bill. — Agreed to. PUBLIC WORKS BILL. The Public Works (No. 2) Bill was committed. The Hon. Mr Seddon declined to accept the Statutes Revision Committee's amendment to clause 32, deleting the power of the Government to take the reserves of local bodies under the act without compensation. This power the Premier desired to retain — On a division the clause was retained by 20 to 14 — In reply to Mr Montgomery, the Hon. Mr Seddon promised to insert am amendment providing that where a reserve or an endowment has been given by any private individual or been purchased by a looal body compensation would be paid. He would also move a provision that the compulsory | taking without compensation should oaly apply I to lands given by the State. — After a long discussioD, the Premier agreed to postpone clause 32 to allow him to bring down his proposed amendments. All those clauses which wore not opposed were passed, the debatable clauses being postponed. Progress was then reported. MORE GOVERNMENT BILLS. The Colonial Treasurer introduced no less than five new bills this afternoon. This elicited from Captain Russell the question when the Government would mention which of the other M measures still on the Order Paper they intended to discharge. Ia reply to this the Premier stated that none of the five bills referred to would occupy much time, but they were necessary to make the legislation of the session perfect. This declaration was received with laughter. "For imtance," the Premier went od, " there wa» the Distillation Bill— merely a departmental measure," and, he added with a smile, "the forerunner of prohibition." The House laughed again. Mr Seddon then asked members to help the Government to get on with the business, and do the work properly before they left. Dr Newman inquired, tl Are there any more bills P " and the Premier reassuringly replied, " No ; nob many more." ENCOURAGING BORROWING AND MORTGAGING. It will be remembered that one of the objections urged by Sir Robert Stout to the Advances to Settlers Bill was the fact that it would give men special facilities for gefctiog into debt and mortgaging their homes. He said at the time that a homestead act, which would prevent the homes of settlers from being seized for debt, would be much more advantageous to the agricultural population. Sir Robert has now given notice of a measure called the Security of Homes Bill, which provides that any man may set aside not exceeding £5000 worth cf land as a home. Provision is made for registering the home, and anyone can do so if be is not in debt, or if in debt has other property sufficient to pay his debts. Before the land can be set aside it must be advertised, and creditors and others can object. Once a home is registered it cannot be seized for debt or touched in any way. I It cannot be mortgaged, and must remain as a home so long as the settler lives. Oa his death ifc goes to his wife and family, and they can keep it as a secured home. The object is to secure homes which no one cau touch, and which the settler cannot dispose of or encumber in any way.
THE COUNCIL AND THE MONEY BILLS.
When the Land for Settlements Bill was yesterday reported from the Council to the Assembly with amendments, Sir Robert Stout raised a question of privilege as to the right of the Council to amend what ia an Appropriation Bill. To-day the Speaker ruled that the Council could amend any clauses in the bill not in themselves dealing with appropriation, and in his view clauses 5 and 25 came within this category of appropriation clauses, and had been amended by the Council. To meet the situation the Minister for Lands moved that these amendments be disagreed wibb, when Sir Robert Stout expressed the opinion that a similar objection should be taken to clause 39. The Speaker was not prepared to give a ruling upon this clause without consideration, and would be glad to have the opinion of Sir Robert Stout either orally or in writing. Ib was well to proceed with deliberation in a matter involving any infringement of the privileges of the Assembly. This is a very important ruling as affecting the fate of the two policy money bills in the Council, about which, as I have
already advised you, there has been tonflict of opinion as to the right of the senators to amend. The contention and belief of the Government has been, I have the best reason to believe, that as to the Consols Bill and { the Advances to Settlers Bill the Council must accept these measures absolutely as Bent up from the Assembly or reject them. Now there are those in the lobbies and elsewhere who say that the rejection of these I bills would jump with the real desire of the Premier, and that he has contemplated the resulting situation with much complacency. If thiß be so he will suffer disappointment with the discovery of this afternoon that the Council may mangle with impunity the measures he had designed should be placed intact upon the Statute Book or killed outright. THE BANKING QUESTION. Various questions upon the Order Paper relating to the Bank of New Zealand and Colonial Bank were answered by the Treasurer yesterday afternoon in a manner that, if failing to satisfy the querist, threw some interesting side lights upon the situation. Thus it seems probable that a further agreement between the j banks is being discussed, if not well advanced , towards completion, and the Treasurer was unmistakable in his statement that an agreement between the parties would be a, good thing for the country. At the same time he was not prepared to say that the Government would take up Mr Bell's Guaranteed Banks Amalgamation Prohibition Bill. As to the appointment of a president of the Bank of New Zealand and the duties of that official — topics of much interest both in the lobbies and on 'Change just now —Mr Ward said that he hoped tbe appointment of a president would be decided within the next , few days ; and as to his duties, he would be required to devete himself wholly to the bust- | ness of the bank, and so far as that institution affected it, safeguard the interests of the I colony. These will be bright, responsible, and onerous duties that must be correspondingly remunerated, and I believe the Government have a difficulty in determining the appointment. To me it seems that Sir Westby Perceval is the man the Government would desire to appoint, but it is understood that he would prefer to remain as Agentgeneral in London, and if thab be so he may have his way. In such event a high official ot a local bank may find himself president!. THE BANK PRESIDENT. I have 'already advised you I had reason to believe that the Government desired that Sir I Westby Perceval should accept the office of president of ■ the Bank of New Zealand, but that he would prefer to remain in London in his present office, and that in such event a prominent bank official would probably find himself a president. This evening 1 am able to say that I have excellent reason to believe that the Government have offered Sir Westby a renewal of office (though for what term I know not), and that he will accept. The presidency of the Bank of New Zealand is, I am informed, under offer to Mr I James Coates, general manager of the National Bank, and that, contingent upon the approval of his directors, who may not unnaturally I demur to losing his services, ha will accept the position with the duties and responsibilities attached to the office as indicated by the Treasurer in the House yesterday. The income derivable from the position should be consider* able. BANKS AMALGAMATION. The unexpected victory of the Government in the Council this afternoon, albeit a qualified one, has strengthened the growing belief in the lobbies that the amalgamation of the banks is •till a consummation desired by various influential persons. The carriage of the second reading was remarkable, as four senators who spoke against the bill voted for it. A perusal of the debate and examination of the division list will prove interesting to those who care to look beneath the surface ; meanwhile Mr Bell is to *sk the Colonial Treasurer whether if the directors of the Bank of New Zealand should propose during the recess to amalgamate with ; another institution he will direct the president to prohibit any such dealing until this House shall have first expressly approved the same. THE DAIRY INDUSTRIES BILL. The Agricultural and Stock Committee Bat this morning to corsider the Dairy Industries Bill. I understand the Minister declined to accept any amendments increasing the ports of export for dairy produce — viz , Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers,— as he did not want to have the trouble of dealing with all the little ports in the matter of supervision re grading and other matters. The evidence, however, satisfied him that the exports from- Waitara would justify him in declaring it a place of export, and he has promised to do so by Order-ia-Council, for which the bill provides. The committee decided to alter the proposal which provided for 111b of milk to tbe gallon, and fixed it at 10|lb. The other amendments were unimportant, and it is likely Mr Lawry, the chairman, will report the bill as amended to the House to-morrow. CHARITABLE AID. The recent agitation ia Christcburch on the subject of charitable aid has stimulated the Hon. W. P. Reeves to vigorous action thereupon, as the following letter, addressed by Dr MacGregor to the editor of the Star, Christ- < church, will show: — "Inspector's office, Wellington, New Zealand, October 2, 1894. — Sir, — I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. W. P. Reeves, to inform you that the Government have for a long time had their eyes open to the many abusea inseparable from > tbe existing system of subsidising outdoor j charitable aid, and are fully determined to deal with these evils in a comprehensive way as soon as possible. While recognising, | however, that the system is almost i impoßiible to administer without abuse, they are anxious to do their utmost to secure good administration. Any such evil* as can be reasonably shown to arise from any neglect, cruelty, undue favouritism, and either •extravagance or undue parsimony on the part of the North Canterbury Charitable Board or its officers will be dealt with at once. To this end the Minister will be thankful if yourself or any person known to you will furnish such a prima facie case as will enable the department ! to get facts sufficiently definite to warrant a j public inquiry. Are you therefore prepared to make out such a case yourself or to forward the name of any person or persons willing to do so ? " NEW ZEALAND IRONS AND. A petition was presented some time ago I from Mr B. Purser, of Blenheim, stating | that he had discovered a process for I treating Taranaki ironsand, and praying [ that a sum of money be placed upon the Estimates to be given for a competitive examination of the beßt process for working successfully the ironsands of the colony. The Petitions Coratuifcfcee reported to-day that, with a view of developing the mineral wealth of the colony, they recommend the Government to place a sum on the Estimates as a bonus for , the manufacture of iron of a good marketable duality. The bonus to be given when there in
sufficient evidence that the industry is likely to be of a permanent advantage to the colony. RAILWAY SERVANTS AND THE CIVIL SERVICE). An amendment in the Railway Bill came down to the House this afternoon by message from the Governor, the effect of which is to sustain the civil service rightß of the officers in i the Railway department when the control shall revert to the State. The Premier explained that he considered the amendment necessary, and that it was made upon the suggestion of Sir Robeit Stout. NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY. Mr Lawry, in accordance with notice given, : asked the Premier on Tuesday— (l) If he is aware that the business now before the Railway Committee will occupy the whole time the committee will have during the present session, and' for this reason they will be unable effectively to deal with the question of deciding the best route for the North Island Main Trunk railway line ? (2) Will he during the recess set up a Royal Commission for the purpose of making an exhaustive inquiry into the whole question ! The Premier replied that, if he though & a Royal Commission would settl* the question once and for all, he would be willing -to fall in with the suggestion ; but he feared that, whichever way the commission reported, that part of the island reported against would bring the matter xip again and demand another Royal Commission. The most important question i seemed to be to indicate where the means to construct the line were to come from.— (A Voice: "Borrow another million.") The Premier assured the House that there would be a fair division of the money that remained.— (Mr E M. Smith : "Are you shuffling now ?" — Laughter.) Mr Seddon: "I admit, sir," — (A Voice : " You are.") — " we have had to shift our ground." He went on to say that they had been taken to Waitara, out the report was so damning that they had to withdraw. He had very carefully considered the reports, and had come to the conclusion that something more must be done. Mr Reynolds had stated that an expenditure of £50,000 would alter the gradients between Wanganui and Stratford so as to make a fast line. With that exception I there was no further information available. |It had been proved practically impossible to deviate from the central route. They would have to adhere to the old line, The explorations had not placed the matter much ahead. The committee might go through the available information and report this session, but until more money was available little else could be done. Later on in the afternoon Mr E. M. Smith reverted to the question, and adversely criticised the reports of the engineers, and strongly impressed upon the House the fact that it was quite practicable to connect New Plymouth and Auckland by rail. Other members having spoken, the Premier said the Government would declare in the Public Works Statement what they would do for this work this year, but it was useless to go into the question of routes until the money was available. It was of more immediate importance in the interests of Auckland tnat Taranaki and Auckland should be connected by good roads. It was a mistake to construct railways years in advance of settlement.- The Auckland members strongly urged Auckland's claims, and the matter ended. THE PUBLIC ACCOUNT. Mr George Hutchison questioned the Treasurer yesterday aB to the foundation for the statement that the Colonial Bank was to get a share of the public account as well as the share of the Government remittances which it is now enjoying. Mr Ward said the Colonial Bank applied for a share of the account some time ago, but the matter was not then considered. It was, however, being considered now. JOTTINGS. Mr Larnach wants the •> Minister for Mines to cause the mining regulations to be revised at an early date with the view of dealing more liberally with miners and others by way of enoouragement in developing the mineral resources of this colony. The Government are to be asked by Mr Quinness whether they will take into consideration the desirability of increasing the salary of the secretary and inspector of factories. When the Government take over the railways, Mr Massey wants them to make a trial of the etage system on the lines north of Auckland. The Minister for Defence proposes to conclude a contract for the supply of ammunition and warlike stores for five years. The ammunition is to be manufscbured in the colony, and the powder now stored at Auckland is to be used. It is provided that 1,500,000 rounds of Martini - Henry ball cartridges are to be delivered before the 31sfc March 1896, to be delivered at the rate of 80,000 rounds per ■ month, the price not to exceed £5 5a per thousand. After tbe delivery of the 1,500,000 rounds, the ammunition is to be supplied at such time as may be ordered. Provision is made for tests before delivery is taken. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4. In the Legislative Council to-day the Consols Bill was passed, the currency of consols having beeD reduced from 40 years to 20 years, and provision made for their being issued only in the colony. The Foreign Insurance Companies' Deposits Bill was read a second time. The Government Advances to Settlers Bill was discussed and an adverse amendment moved, the debate on which was not concluded. CONSOLS. On the question for the committal of the New Zealand Consols Bill, - The Hon. Mr FHARAZYN asked the ruling of the Speaker ss to whether .the bill was a money bill or not. The SPEAKER remarked that the subject was surrounded by great difficulties, but if he decided the bill was a money bill, it would have the effect of curtailing the powers of the Council. He therefore ruled that the Council had power to alter such clauses ia the bill as were not appropriation clauses. The bill was then committed. Clause 3, " Deposits not exceeding £1,000,000 may be received." — The Hon. Sir P. Buckley hoped the clause would be allowed to pass on his assurance that the clause by Governor's message would, as he said yesterday, be reduced to half a million.— The clause was agreed to. Clause 4, fixing date oE repayment. — The Hoa. Mr Whyte moved an amendment substituting 14 years for 40 years. — This was lost by 21 to 14-.— The Hon. Sir G. S. Whithoue expressed the opinion that the bulk of the money to be raised would be borrowed in England, and consequently he considered the longer period the State had to repay the loan the better for the colony. — The Hon. Mr Riog would like to see the term fixed at 39 years, and moved in that direction.— The Hon. Mr MAcGREaoB considered five years would be sufficiently long. — Mr Rigg's motion was lost on the voices. — Tbe Hon. Mr Bonab moved that the term be 20 years, which was agreed to by 24 to 11. — The Hon. Mr Stewart moved a further amendment, its effect being to confine the purchase of
consols to the colony.—This was agreed to by 22 to U.-The olau.se as amended wm ngreed to. * The Wll, without farther amendments, was reported, and the amendments not being re* garded bythe Colonial Secretary as material, the final stages were agreed to. INSUBANCE COMPANIES*""DEPOSITS The Hon. Mr MONTGOMERY moved the second reading of the Foreign Insurance Com* parries' Deposits Bill, which originated in the House. He explained that the bill was introduced for the purpose of protecting New Zealand offices as against foreign insurance offices. It had been asserted in the press that the Government's desire in passing the measure was to get hold of the moneys of ontiide insurance offices ; but this, he need hardly say, was a fallacious idea. Tha Government did not want any money, their only desire being to protect colonial offices. ' The Hon. Mr STEVENS was understood to say there was a feeling abroad that foreign fire, marine, and assurance companies should make deposits with the Government as to their bona Jides. The Hon. Mr STEWART considered that all mortgages made by insurance companies should, not only be deposited with the Public Trnstee, but should be transferred to the Trustee. The Hon. Mr BONAR generally iupported! the bill, as he considered the colony should be protected against the incumons of bogus foreign insurance companies, which had wrought great misery to unsuspecting policyholders. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. ADVANCES TO SETTLEBS. The Hon. Mr STEVENS' continued the debate, and in doing so quoted figures to Bhow that the export returns for the year 1893 showed a falling off aa against 1891 of £190,000. No worse time could have been chosen than the present for borrowing purposes. The graia growing industry had fallen off, and the colony instead of marching towards a defloit in the revenue was galloping towards it, he regretted to say, at headlong speed. According to the estimate of the Colonial Treasurer there wm a prospect of a still further deficit, and in every branch of State revenue there was a prospect of a falling off. The policy proposals of the Government were, to ?ay the least, extraordinary, as was seen in the fact that the Bankruptcy Act could not be taken advantage of, so that in the event of a man borrowing from the State and being unfortunate, he woujd be made a debtor, if not from his cradle, at any rate from manhood to the grave. He would never be able to recover himself. Money was a commercial commodity, and would flow to the place in which it was required. He submitted the Government might effect their present object in a more legitimate manner. The revenue at present was not in a position to justify the Government in going in for additional borrowing, nor were the industries of the country in a sufficiently prosperous condition to warrant additional borrowing. This being so, he believed he was only doing hit duty, as the country had not been invited to express an opinion on the matter, by moving that the bill be read a second time that day six months. The Hon. Mr RIGG complimented the mover of the amendment upon. his able Bpeeoh, the subject matter of which, be thought, might have been conveyed in ,,. fewer word*. Mr Stevens, however, was' evidently a- timorous gentleman, and did not like the State to take a decided step in a Liberal direction. If the country was to accept the dictum of Mr. Stevens there would never be any progress. He considered the measnreoneof the greatest experiments in State Socialism whioh had ever been attempted. Much had been said in regard to self-reliance, and he considered that as the individual was an integral portion of the State he was acting with self-reliance when he aiked the State— a portion of himself, «s it were— to lend him money to cultivate the soil. He certainly regarded the proposal to increase the indebtedness of the State with some degree o£ dissatisfaction, and he should like to have seen a State bank established rather than the present bill, which would have enabled the straggling farmer to obtain advance* to tide him over his temporary difficulty. He had so fear that the English capitalist would objectto lending money to the colony. The security the colony was in a position to offer was ample, but what lie ventured to hope was that ere long tbe Government would confine their borrowing to the colony. He intended to support the bill, which, as a whole, he regarded as a liberal measure. The Hon. Mr SWANSON failed to see why gumdigging, the timberindustry, and the gold miners should not participate in the advantages of borrowing If farmers were unable to pay ' their indebtedness other industries would have to make good the deficiencies. The debate was adjourned till next day on the motion of the Hon. Mr BOWEN. In the House of Representatives to-day most of the afternoon was spent in discussing the question of ordering a supply of liquor for Bellamy's and the giving authority to conclude a contract for a supply of ammunition for five years. The amendments made by the other Chamber in the Bating Bill were agreed to. The Public Works Act Amendment Bill was put} through Committee and finally passed. ' AMENDMENTS BY THE COUNCIL. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Lands Improvement Bill were agreed to. AMMUNITION. The Hon. Mr SEDDON moved— "That the House empowers the Government to enter into a contract for a period not exceeding five years for the supply of ammunition and warlike stores, contracts for ammunition to be under the following conditions -.—That the ammunition shall be manufactured in New Zealand, and be supplied from the powder now in store at Mount Eden, Auckland; 1,500,000 rounds to be delivered before the 31st of March 1896 ; the number of rounds shall not exceed 1,500,000 Martini-Henry boxer ball cartridges, to be delivered at the rate oE 80,000 rounds per month, commencing foot months after the date of signing and entering into the contract, the price not to exceed £5 5s per thousand rounds ; that the ammunition shall be supplied to the New I Zealand Government in such quantities and at such time as may be from time to time ordered for a period not exceeding five years ending on 31st March 1899." He explained than some years ago the colony entered into an ' agreement with the company to supply ammunition, which had been advantageous to the colony,' and he thought power should now bo given to Government to order the ammunition referred to. He thought, as a question oE policy, this would be a wise thing to do, as ifj would provide employment for a large number o£ people. The terms were also fair to the colony, and, comparing them with contracts made by other colonies, this colony had the advantage. He should therefore recommend the House to agree to his motion. After some discussion, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said he hoped to 1 have the approval o£ bis colleagues to send
Borne next Jay for 1000 Martini-Heary rifles. It was impossible with the means at the disposal of the Government to arm the whole of the volunteers with Martini-Henry rifles, and they must proceed cautiously. As to tha late Volunteer Conference, their recommendations would receive every attention, and the conference had been very satisfactory. The motion was agreed to. BATING) BILL. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Rating Bill were agreed to. The Pubho Works Bill was farther considered in Committee. Clause 32, oases in whioh compensation is not payable, caused a very lengthy discussion. It was finally decided that the power given in that clause to the Crown to take possession of land vested in any local authority without compensation, except for improvements, should apply only to reserves or endowments granted before the Public Works Act of 1876 was passed, and should not apply to any land of more than three mores in extent within a borough. — Mr G. J. Smith moved a new proviso to the effect that no suoh reserve should be taken without the consent of the local authority, if the reserve had been pledged as security for borrowed money. — The Hon. Mr Shddon opposed the proviso. — Ayes, 27 ; noes, 27. — The Chairman gave his casting vote with the noes, and declared the proviso carried. — The Hon. Mr Seddon then moved that the whole clause be struck out. — Carried. The Hon. W. J. Steward moved an addition to olause 124, to provide that a settler intending to put a swing-gate across a road should give notice by two advertisements in a newspaper circulating in the distriot. — Carried. Clause 127, by-law as to vie of roads, was discussed at great length, and finally passed frith numerous amendments. Clause 167, right-of-ways and traffic where railways are made along or across a road on a level. — Mr M'Nab moved that the public right-pi-way should cease when a carriage or engine was half a mile away, instead of a mile. — After considerable discussion, Mr Buchanan moved tha} the subsection be stuck out. — Lost on the voices, and Mr M'Nab's amendment oarried by 32 to 21. — The clause as amended was carried. Clause 253 was altered, on Mr Pibani's motion, so as to prevent county councils from interfering with drains under the control of drainage boards. Several new clauses proposed by various members were added to the bill. She Hon. Mr Seedon moved a new clause vesting dual power in the hands of the Minister for Lands and Minister for Public Works in administering part 6 of the act, relating to the construction and maintenance of roads.— Carried by 32 to 16. The schedules were also added to the bill, whioh was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. 1 , Progress was reported on the Native Land Court Bill, and the House rose at 0.45 a.m. CUSTOMS REVENUE. According to s return laid before Parliament the customs revenue for the last quarter was £408,474; the corresponding quarter of last year showed £439,985, making a comparative shortage of £31,311. The beer exoise duty is for last quarter £12,993, as against £12,275 for the same quarter of the previous year. {These returns show an unpleasant shrinkage of the customs revenue, but the Government jrould seem to have anticipated it, for their estimate of customs revenue for the current year is only £1,600,000. Ministers may fairly claim Bader the circumstances to be prudent finaners, but their opponents aver that & consistent part of their methods in the creation of a surplus is to under-estimafce the income and over-estimate the expenditure. OUR VOLUNTEERS. Xhe effect of the wild war scare just now existing was shewn during the discussion upon the ammunition contract this afternoon. The proposed agreement was very favourably received — in fact not a single note of opposition ■Was heard. It was urged during, the discussion that Snider rifles were not up to date, and there was no knowing when the improved rifles might be needed. The volunteers, it was said, bad been put off from time to time, and it was f, standing disgrace that they should be so inadequately armed. Some of the Chinese, bne speaker deolared, were better off in this reapeot. The Premier expressed himself as very pleased with the manner in which the agreement had been received by the House and with the result of the recent military conference. There were at present 500 MartiniHenrys on hand, and he hoped, with the •pproval of his colleagues, to send an order for another 1000 to-morrow. — (Cries of " Make it 2000.") He could not make the order larger as toe money was needed for settlement purposes. The 500 Martini-Henrys in store might pc distributed among 50 companies at the rate of 10 each, and when the next lot of 1000 arrived the companies might reoeive 20 more each, and by that_ means 50 per cent, of the companies would be armed with the MartiniHenry.
BELLAMY'S.
Another temperance discussion, and a warm one, arose this afternoon upon the Bellamy question. A rather innocent-looking report of the House Committee launched the House upon a sea of talk that occupied nearly the whole afternoon. As chairman of the committee Mr G. Hutchison reported to the House that, on the motion of the Premier, the Joint House Committee had resolved that the usual order for supplies for Bellamy's be despatched. Mr Hutchison remarked that in view of the fact that the House had decided that the sale of intoxicants in Bellamy's should be discontinued, it was only right that members should know of the Premier's motion. A sharp passage of arms between Mr Seddon and Mr Hutchison ensued, other members putting in a word or so. Some interesting revelations as to the rather free and easy manner in which the House Committee conducted its business resulted. The Premier called Mr Hutchison a Paul Pry, and the* asked him if he objected to the words, but the representative of Patea replied, " No, not in the least, coming from you." Sir Robert Stout urged that these recurring discussions about Bellamy's were very undignified, and the Only way to put a stop to them was not to allow licensed premises within the precincts of the House. It was eventually decided that the report be referred back to the committee, that they report agaiu within a week, and that in the meantime no liquor be ordered for next session.
THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.
The appointment of president of the Bank of New Zealand is still a m~lter of speculation and uncertainty. Notwithstanding any denial that the appoint tic nt w?s offered to Mr Cpates, which may be literally true, I a:n still of opinion that he was approached upon the subject, and that his answer was practically that whatever his personal inclinations might be they must be subordinated to the wishes of bis directors, to whom, ifc is understood, he is bound by a long term of engagement. The report that the office is now under offer to a prominent bank official of Dunedin is, I have excellent reason to believe, incorrect. ' It id,
however, now stated in usually well-informed quartan that, notwithstanding the fate of the recent bank agreement, the Hon. George M'Lean would, if requested, be not unwilling to take up the cares of office as president of the bank. That he is not unfriendly to the Government was made abundantly manifest by his action in the Counoil yesterday, when he literally saved the Consols Bill from destruction. THE AUDITOR AND THE TRUSTEE. The recently published correspondence between the Controller-general and the Public Trustee on the subject of the audit of the accounts of the latter is fresh in the public mind. It was more than animated in its character, and has stimulated the controller to the extraordinary course of suspending the audit of the department of the Public Truste £ and reporting the faot and his reasons to the House. This he did to-day by letter addressed to the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives, in which he states that he has been compelled to suspend the audit of the accounts of the Public Trustee owing to that official having stated, notwithstanding the contradiction of the audit inspector, that the cash in the Trustees' office was not counted at the -end of the late financial year. Mr Fitzgerald declares the audit officer is a tried public servant and incapable of falsehood, and in consideration of the circumstances he asks Parliament to take such steps as may be necessary to admit of the accounts of the Public Trustee beiDg audited, and pending such action he intimates that he has suspended the audit. LAND AND INCOME TAX AMENDMENT BILLS. In the Land and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill, of which I have seen an advance copy, the word "person "is made to include " firm " and " company." Returns of income derived during the year ending March 31, 1894, may be required by the commissioner, who may make new assessments at such times as he may think necessary. He may also cause valuations of land or mortgages from time to time and enter upon any land or mortgaged property whioh is the subject of such valuation. Boards of review are abolished, and objections shall be determined by a stipendiary magistrate, provided that no objection to the assessment of income stall be heard in open court. If a person make default in making a return or if the commissioner is not satisfied with the return he may make an assessment of the amount on whioh in his judgment the tax ought to be charged, and tha tax shall be payable accordingly, subject to objection and review. Interest on mortgages is not -to be included in land tax returns. As to bank mortgages, subsection 4 of the second part of schedule A to the Land and Income Assessment Act of 1891 | is amended by striking out the words "not being a banking company." The definition of mortgages in subsection 2 of section 17 of the act of 1892 is amended by the insertion after the word "manner" of the words, "but does not include any mortgage not registered in manner aforesaid." Inlleu of the enaotment heretofore in force as to the assessment for income tax payable by banking companies, it is hereby enacted as follows : — " Every banking company shall be assessed for income tax each year upon a sum representing 7s 6d in every £100 of the average of its total assets and liabilities for the four quarters of the preceding year ending the 31st March, according to the sworn statements published in the Gazette." The remaining clauses are general, and deal with losses in connection with land mortgage or interest thereupon. THE DISTILLATION BILL. The Colonial Treasurer's Distillation Act 1868 Amendment Bill contains several important and stringent alterations in the present law. Section 138 of the act of 1868 is repealed, and in lieu thereof it is enaobed that in all proceedings for a breaoh of the law for the regulation of distillation the person against whom suoh proceedings are taken shall prima facie be deemed to have committed the offenoe with which he is charged, and the onus of proof of his not having committed such offence shall be upon him., No person who is called as a witness shall be excused from answering any question relating to the offence for which such proceedings are taken on the ground that the answer thereto may criminate or tend to criminate himself, provided that where any witness answers every question to the satisfaction of the presiding magistrate he shall be entitled to receive a certificate stating that he had so answered all suoh questions. If at any time after the issue of a certificate any proceeding be pending against such witness for any offence .under the act in any way connected with the proceedings in which he shall have given evidence, then if the certificate shall be produced it shall render the evidence so given by him inadmissible. This act shall apply to all offences committed subsequent to the Ist of January 1869. GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE BILL. A bill has been introduced by the Colonial Treasurer to amend the acts relating to the Government life insurance, and to make provision for the investment of the funds standing at the credit of the Government life insurance account. Clause 3 extends the power of the Government Insurance Commissioner to sue and be sued. The most important clauses of the measure are 4 and 5. The former provides that not less than one-fourth of the moneys standing at the credit of the Government insurance account shall be invested in securities of the Government or upon loans to local authorities in respect of securities made by them under authority of the General Assembly, and which are secured on or by special rate on property, provided that every loan so made to a local authority shall be assented to by the board and approved by the Qovernor-in-Council. Clause 5 provides that three-fourths of the moneys standing at the credit of the Government Insurance account may be invested in the following manner: — (1) Part may be lent to holders of policies. (2) Part may be lent on first mortgage of real estate in New Zealand in fee simple in possession, with or without buildings. No advances on the security of real estate shall exceed, (a) where buildings form the principal part of the security, one-half of the valuation ; (b) where buildings do not form the principal part of the security, two- thirds of such a valuation. No one loan on mortgage shall exceed £10,000 in amount, nor shall more than £10,000 be lent on mortgage to any one person or company. ANOTHER LITTLE SCENE. When at a quarter-past 1 this morning the Public Works Consolidation Bill came on in Committee, Mr R. M 'Kenzie, the member for Buller, who had blocked the piojress of the Native Land Court Bill on the previous morning, warned the Premier that he would raise an objection to every clause. Yet Mr M 'Kenzie enjoys the reputation of being a Goverqnjent supporter. "If the House insisted upon proceeding'with the bill," he said, "he would take five or 10 minutes in discussing each clause." As the measure was a Consolidation Bill of nearly 300 clauses, things looked sarioue. He went on to say that such a course he was well •ware would not be agreeable to the Com-
mittee, nor would it be pleasant to himself, but it was a duty he owed to the country. He objected to the clauses being put in globo. The Chairman said that he would put any clause separately to whioh objection was raised. Mr M 'Kenzie replied, "I have objections to most of them." The Premier could stand this no longer. He said that every member should show all possible consideration for his fellows. Great consideration had already been shown for the member for Buller ; in fact, more consideration had been shown to him than to any other member. He had on two occasions already obstructed business, and now he stated deliberately that he would ! obstruct this bill. Mr M 'Kenzie objected to I the word "obstruct," and said he was only going to " discuss " the clauses. The Premier still contended that the conduct of the member for Fuller could not be further tolerated, yet he would be sorry to have to ask that the Speaker should be called in. However, he hoped Mr M 'Kenzie would be reasonable. This did not satisfy the talkative member, who loudly protested that he would maintain his rights against the Chairman, the Premier, or even the Speaker himself. He was within his rights in discussing every clause. He did not want any consideration from the Premier. It was a mistake, he said, for the Premier to show him any consideration. — (Cries of "Hsar, hear.") Here the Chairman interfered and reminded the Buller's representative that the question was that clause 6 stand part of the bill. "Yes," said Mr M 'Kenzie, "I think clause 6 should stand part of the bill," and then proceeded somewhat inconsistently to object to many features of it. Various members raised the cry of " Question," " Question," but the member for Buller heeded not, and proceeded with his objections. At length he sat down, and the Chairman put clause 6, but up rose Mr M'Kenzie again. The Chairman asked, "Do you want to discuss clause 6 again P" The member replied, " Yes, sir ; I think I oan speak four times upon each clause," and he spoke Again. Clause 6 was ultimately carried. As to clause 7, Mr M 'Kenzie said it was not suoh a bad clause, but he discussed and criticised it all the same. Mr Pirani here rose to a point of order, and called the attention of the Chairman to the Standing Orders relating to tedious and irrelevant interruptions, suggesting that Mr M 'Kenzie should be warned. The Chairman, however, thought he was not yet justified in taking such a step. The member for Buller continued for some time to be the only one to debate the Bill, but as his remarks beoatne less and less frequent and eventually altogether ceased, considerable progress was made until the House rose. JOTTINGS. For eight years the system under whioh the Native Land Court was subject to the control of the Ministry has been abandoned, but the Premier says the new plan has not been satisfactory, and accordingly the Native Land Court Bill proposes that the Government, instead of the chief judge, shall fix the times and places for the sitting of the court. It is, he adds, a moot point whether there shall be a chief judge at all, The Native Affair* Committee of the Legislative Council, reporting on the petition of Major Kemp regarding the Horowhenua block, recommend that the petitioner's application for an inquiry be granted, and that in the meantime the land should be protected under the provisions of the Native Land Purchase Act. The credit for the amendments by which the Legislative Counoil has improved the Land for Settlements Bill is claimed by the Minister for Lands himself, who said that they were all provided by him. This was received with Opposition cries of "No." "The amendments I accepted in the House and in the Waste Lands Committee were the very things that destroyed the bill," the Minister went on ; to which Sir Robert Stout retorted, "Not a single amendment was made by the Waste Lands Committee but what was moved by the hon. member himself." Mr G. Hutchison : "I have long held the opinion that the presence of lawyers in the Native Land Court is undesirable." The total coat of the last licensing eleotion was £6948. A question is to be asked by Mr Meredith whether the Government will reimburse local bodies for loss of revenue in administering the liquor law. Mr W. Hufcohison wants to know whether the Government intend to propose any means for providing employment for all able and willing to work. According to the Hon. Mr Fharazyn, the policy of the Government should be oalled the great pawn policy, and if the Cheap Money Bill becomes law the Southern Cross on the flag of the colony should be replaced by the three balls of the pawnbroker.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5.
Tha Legislative Council to- day decided to adhere to its amendments in the Land for Settlements Bill. The Government Advances to Settlers Bill was read a second time by a majority of one vote.
LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS BILL.
It was decided to insist on the amendments in the Land for Settlements Bill, and Messrs Stewart, Bowen, and Stevens were appointed a committee to draw up reasons.
GOVERNMENT ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.
The Hon. Mr BO WEN resumed the debate upon the second reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Bill to which Mr SteveDS had moved an amendment that the bill be read a second time that day six months. The hon. gentleman objected^ to the bill principally because the country had not been asked to express an opinion on the subject. He pointed out that both the Mont de Piete and Credit Foncier of France were really not State aided concerns, and the losses they sustained were not borne by the State but really by the shareholders of those institutions. Cheap money was undoubtedly a desirable thing, but he felt assured if the bill became law it would have the effect of making money dearer. So sure as the colony ajsked for further borrowing powers so sure would the credit of the colony be lowered. All these schemes of State Socialism were tending to a system of enslaving the individual and making them hereditary servants of the State. He felt convinced it would be far better if the Government, before initiating such revolutions as they proposed to effect under the bill in question, sought the opinion of the country. The Hon. Mr KELLY agreed with the last speaker that the Government could not make cheap money, but at any rate they could borrow money cheaper than could the private individual. He considered Mr Steveus Lad taken far too glcoiny a view of the affairs of the colony. Things might be bad in the South Island, but so far as the North Island was concerned business was prosperous. In Taranaki alone £200,000 worth of butter was exported last year, and it only needed additional capital to make the farmers still more prosperous. He combated the statement that the State under the bill would compete with private moneylenders.
The Hon. R. OLIVER admitted that some of the candidates during the l*sb eleotion had
suggested the advisablenesa of the State lending to farmers, but he denied that the eleotorates had expressed the opinion that such a system of borrowing as proposed by the bill should be initiated. Indeed, in a majority of instances the country had decided there should be no more borrowing at present. But beyond this he asserted that the margin of 1£ per cent, proposed in the bill would prove insufficient to liquidate the expenses of administrating the proposed loans, to say nothing of the losses. Such losses had to he provided for by private lenders of money, and if this was conceded surely it must also be admitted that private lenders were in a better position to carry, on the lending of money than the State could possibly hope to be. The bill would create a number of State debtors, many of whom would never be able to disentangle themselves. He objected to State Socialism as proposed to be initiated under the bill, and considered it would prove the decadence of the country if the energy of the individual was merged in the State. He intended to oppose the bill. The Hon. Mr MONTGOMERY reviewed the speech of Mr Stevens, and denied that there was any warranty for the gloomy, picture that gentleman had drawn. The exports were increasing yearly, and the country daily was increasing in prosperity, and people were surmounting difficulties which stood in their paths. The farming people of the colony had learned a lesson of thrift, and if the bill would assist agriculturists in bettering their condition ioma good would be accomplished. The Government would be' able to borrow at 3± per cent., and the margin charged to the borrower j would be sufficient for all charges for administration. He was convinced that the measure if agreed to would benefit not only the borrowers, but also the country at large, and for the reasons he had stated he expressed a hope that the Council would not throw out the bill, whioh people at large were desirous should become law.
The Hon. G. M'LEAN did not regard the bill with the same amount of suspioion as come other hon. members, and so far as lending money was concerned, the bill was not initiating any new principle. The State was lending money both from the Government Insurance department and from the Public Trust department; The only new proposal was that the Government proposed to go to London for the money. He objeoted to the proposition to lend money on small grazing runs. He objected to the assertion of the Colonial Secretary that- at present the banks were charging exorbitant rates of interest. This he (Mr M'Lean) denied. Money was being lent out by the banks at 6 per cent., and he doubted if a private borrower would not prefer to pay an extra 1 per cent, to a bank than go to the State for money. It was absurd to say that the monetary institutions opposed the bill, for, as a matter of fact, the banks did n.ot care to lend money to persons who were likely to become customers of the State under the provisions of the bill. There was much to be said both in favour of and against the bill, and therefore he should not vote for the amendment. The Hen. Mr MORRIS did not think the bill would do very much harm, and consequently he should support the second reading. The Hon. Mr JENNINGS supported the bill, and quoted a speech by the late Mr Ballance, delivered in Wanganui in 1891, in whioh it was stated that although it was not advisable just then to borrow money, still tho time might arrive when it might be necessary to go on the London market. He did not think, therefore, the Government were destroying the self-reliant policy of the late Premier.
The Hon. Mr STEWART remarked that there had been no disastrous business in the colony during the last 15 years than moneylending, and therefore he objected to the statement of the Colonial Secretary that the bill had been brought in with a view to put a stop to the extortion of money-lenders. He objected to the clause relating t« advancing money on land up to two-thirds of its value. If hon. members were aware of the losses which resulted from moneylending businesses, they would not be so eager to enter upon the matter of land gambling and scrambling. What the country wanted was to restore public confidence, and induce capitalists to immigrate with a view to enter upon agricultural pursuits. If there was no loss to the State by the proposed lending, there certainly could not be any profit. He feared that the valuations offered to the State as security for advances would prove a loss in many instances. These losses would have to be made good by the other colonists, and not only - would this be so, but private capital would be driven from the country. The Hon. Mr KERR said there always had been class legislation. Manufacturers by reason of a protective tariff and the timber industry by being granted railway facilities were assisted by the State, an*d he failed to see why objection should be raised to farmers being assisted. It was not the banks who objected to the bill so much as private money-lenders. It would certainly be better that farmers should be the slaves of the State than the slaves of the moneylender. As one who knew the a&pirations of the miners, he believed it would be better that the State should assist miners in settling upon the land, and so raise a yeomanry which would in the future become the bone and sinew of the country, and would create a class which would prove a credit to the colony. ' The Hon. Mr WHYTE would vote against the second reading. The bill was not required because money on anything like good security could be obtained at 4£ per cent, from private lenders in Sydnoy, and in New Zealand at 5£ per cent. The Hon. Mr MACGREGOR admitted that the bill was one of the moat momentous which had ever came before the country. It was not a question of Socialism or of State Socialism, but one rather for the consideration of the country whether it' would prove advantageous or otherwise. He denied that the country had expressed a decided opinion upon the subject of State borrowing. He believed that if private individuals had in the past, as stated by Mr Stewart, lost their capital, the State, in the face of such experience, could not expect to succeed, nor did he think the bill would encourage selfreliance on the part of borrowers. If this bill passed the State would raise a class of shufflers — a class of persons who would seek either repudiation or else a reduction of their interest. If the Government was launched on this proposal there was no saying where it would stop. To say that at the end of two years the Government could pull up was absurd. Three millions would merely prove a sprinkling of water upon the thirsty ground , and he ventured to assert that five times three millions would not suffice to satisfy the thirst of the disappointed would-be borrowers. The bill was not one for the assistance of struggling settlers, because a merchant residing in a splendid mansion in the city was just as likely to be accepted by the State as a borrower as the poorest settler in the country. He would oppose the bill, and did not believe in the compromise suggested by Mr M'Lean, as it was impossible to foretell what the result of the bill would be.
The Hon. Mr M'CULLOUGH regretted the pessimistic views of those who opposed the bill, and said ho considered the borrowing sobeme
of the Government would- not add to thtf indebtedness of the State. The Hon. Mr BOLT strongly supported tha bill, and having reviewed the speechei of those who opposed it, conoluded by saying that ib would be better for workers to serve the Government than be the victims of lending societies. The Hon. Sir P. BUCKLEY in replying, said the Government had introduced the bill because of the almost insupportable burdens"in the shape of interest, whioh email farmers had to bear. He pointed out that in Belgium farmers were permitted to borrow Government cavalry horses under certain conditions foe farm work. He hoped the second reading would be agreed to. Mr Steven's amendment was lost by 14 to 13* and the second reading agreed to. The following is the division list :— For the Second Reading) (14).— Messrs Baillie, Whitmore, Bonar, MCullough, Kerr, Kelly, Jenkinson, Taiaroa, Feldwick, Rigg, Dignan, M'Lean, Montgomery, Buckley. ■Against the Second Reading (13).— Messrs Reynolds, Stewart, Williams, Barnicoat, Swaneon, Fharazyn, MacGregor, Acland, Stevens, Ormond, Bnwen, White, Peacock. Pairs.— Ayes : Messrs Jennings, Bolt, Morris, Kenny. Against: Messrs Shrimski, Oliver, Holmes, Grace. In the House of Representatives to-day it was decided to disagree with the Council's amendments in the Consols Bill. The Native Lands Court Bill passed Committee, save a few clauses. The Licensing Bill then oame on, and the telegraph office closed as members wera protesting at proceeding with suoh a measure at so late an hour. CONSOLS. The Consols Bill was received from the Legislative Council with amendments. The SPEAKER said he considered that the amendment made by the Counoil in clause 4 of the bill was an infringement of the privileges of. the House. The Oounoil had altered the time of repayment from 40 years to 23 years, and he considered they had not the power to make a». amendment of that kind. The Hon. J. G. WARD moved that the House disagree with the amendments made by the Counoil in clause 4, and that a committee ba appointed to draw up reasons for dissgreeeing, the committee to consist of Messrs M'Gowan, Morrison, and the mover. Mr HUTCHISON asked whether it was intended to bring down a Governor's message, in accordance with the amendment made by the Council, limiting the amount to half-a-million. The Hon. Mr WARD asked hon. members to wait till the conference had met. He admitted that a Governor's massage would be brought down reducing the amount to half a million — nod to exoee*d £250,000 a year for two years. The motionwas agreed to. NATIVB LANDS COURT. ' The Native Lands Court Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 135, dealing with Native land prohibited.—The Hon. Mr Seddon moved to amend the olause to the effect that except as provided for in part 4 of division 2 of this act it shall not be lawful for any person other than a person acting on behalf of the Crown to aoauire any Native land. — Several members objected to the. Crown having the pre-emptive right of purchase of Native land. — Captain Russell strongly objected to the pre-emptive right, but admitted that Mr Seddon's amendment met some of his objections. — After a lengthy debate Mr Seddon's amendment was carried on the voices. Captain Russell again expressed his strong opposition to the prs-emptive right. — Me Pabata moved a proviso to clause 135 to the effect that nothing in theaot should prevens the leasing of land in the Middle Island. — Carried on the voices. Clause 135 as amended was carried by 34 to 19. Clause 136, dealing with certain lands prohibited. — The Hon. Mr Beddon moved that this be struck out with a view to substitute a olause providing that any person who may claim to have heretofore purchased or leased n share or interest in any block shall within three months after the coming into operation of this act notify the fact to the Commissioner of Crown Lands or judge of the Supreme Court, and if the circumstances are found to be satisfactory the judge may give a certificate to that effeot, and the person may purchase the remaining shares in the block. After some discussion the Premier agreed to postpone the new olause, and clause 136 was struck out. Clauses 137 to 141 were also struck out on the Premier's motion. Several new clauses were added to the bill on the Premier's motion, and the bill passed without alteration. On clause 3 Mr M'Nab moved an amendment to provide that in case the sale of liquor was prohibited by the national option poll the permission otherwise allowed to perfumers, chemists, &c. to use alcohol .should cease. — Mr Lawby wanted to know whether it was true the temperance members were pledged to silence on this question. He himself should want an explanation on every amendment and every clause. — The Hon. Mr Reeves looked upon the amendment as nonsense. Its effect) would be to prohibit alcohol for medicinal or scientific purposes. —Mr Button said the amendment prohibited the use of alcohol by chemists and druggists. — ("No, no.") It was clear that it would, and he would be no party to that. It was carrying the joke too far. —At 2.20 Mr Buchanan moved that progress be reported. He did so. as a protest against late sittings. — Mr T. Mackenzie objected to the attitude of the Temperance party on this bill. They brought down a whole sheaf of amendments, but sat dumb and offered no explanation of any of them.— Mr Meredith suggested that the House meet at 2.30 oa Monday, when they would be able to go into the bill with energies fresh.— The Hon. Mr Sbddon said he proposed, if fair progress was made with the bill up to 3 o'clock, to ( ask the House to meet at 2.30 on Monday, when they would resume consideration of the bill — After a long discussion, Mr Buchanan's motion was lost by. 36 to 16. At 3.15 Mr Allen moved that strangers be ordered to withdraw from the galleries. — Lost by 30 to 21.— A further motion by Mr Buchanan to report progress was negativedby 31 to 17. — Mt M 'Go wan at 3.40 moved that the Chairman leave the chair. He did this with the intention of disposing of the bill for this session. There was no urgency in this matter, as the bill now before the House did not come into operation for two year*. This was discussed at very great length, and eventually at 5 15 was put and lost by 33 to 7.— Speakipg on Mr M'Nab's amendment, Mr Pirani pointed out that the other amendments to be made in the bill would apply to the medicinal usa of liquor and the distillation of perfume.— The Premier stated at 5.40 a.m. that he hoped some progress would now be made to let the Heuse adjourn to meet again on Monday afternoon. — Messrs Lawry, Hogg, *and Buchanan spoke strosgly against the amendment. At 6.40 a.m , when Mr Buchanan rose to speak on another motion to report progress. Sir R. Stout rose to a point of order and asked the Chairman to rule whether under Standing Order 170 the hon. member was not wilfully
abstracting the business before the Hoaie. He (Sir R Stout) said Mr Buchanan had spoked on almost every motion during, the Bitting, and M a precedent to guide the Chairman, he quoted the ruling given by Mr Seymour in a similar inttance in Committee on the Representation Bill some years ago.— Mr Guinness said he did not think Mr Buchanan had brought himself ■within the rule mentioned by Sir R. Stout, and he must permit him to continue his remarks. — The discussion then proceeded, several numbers taking part. At 7.20' a motion to report progress was lost by 22 to H, and Mr M'Nab'a amendment to clause 3 was immediately pat and carried by 20 to 18. Mr Q. J. Smith moved to strike out subsection 3 »f clause 3, in order that the sellers of -wine, cider, or perry from New Zealand grown fruit, in two-gallon quantities, might not bo excepted from the local option poll. This gave rise to a considerable debate. Mr Smith said he was willing to accept the Premier's suggestion to retain the exemption of cider and perry and strike out wine. At 8 o'clock it was proposed to adjourn for breakfast, but a big chorus of "noes" refused permission. — Mr R. M'Kenzib then 'moved to report progress, saying the Temperance party intended to go on all day, and the House was not in a fit state to consider the bill.— Mr Tanner denied this.— After further discussion, the Premier suggested they might leave the subsection and go ' home, as members behind him were saying they would keep a House and prevent the clause being passed. — Sir R. M'Kenzib continued his remarks and was repeatedly warned by the Chairman for his continual repetitions and irreievancies. — Several members protested against being kept for over 13 hours without food.— The Prbmiert suggested they should adjourn till 2.30 p.m. — Tbe "motion to" report progress was lost by 21 to 19. After a further warning Mr R. M'Kenzie was directed to discontinue his remarks. — Mr G. J. Smith called the Chairman's attention to Standing Order 170, as to the suspension of members persistently obstructing. — After a further speech from Mr R. M'K«nzie, the Chairman again ordered him to discontinue his remarks, and said it was now for the House to make a motion respecting his obstruction. — The Hon. Mr Seddon said he would not take the responsibility of making a motion, but he would tell Mr M'Kenzie he would not be permitted long to play with the House.— Mr ' Buchanan moved that the Chairman leave the chair, which, after a long discussion, was negatived at 9 a m. by 28 to 10. : The Hon. Mr Seddon, at 9.10, asked the Committee to come to a decision on the amendment.—Mr Buchanan moved that progress be reported. He said it was farcical to proceed as they were doing.— Sir R. Stout rose to a point of order, and asked the Chairman whether Mr Buchanan was guilty of obstruction. — The Chairman ruled that Mr Buchanan was in order.— The motion resulted in a tie, 21 Toting each way. — Mr Guinness gave his'casting vote against the motion. — Mr Duthie moved that progress be reported. — Carried by 23 to 22. The Native Land Court Bill was reported with amendments, which were ordered to be considered next sitting day. The Licensing Bill was ordered to be again considered on Monday.
The Hon. Mr Seddon moved that the House at its rising adjourn till 2.30 on Monday. — Lost by 27 to 23. The House adjourned at 10.45 a.m. to 7.30 ,p.m. on Monday.
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRE-TARIES.
Last session it was a topic of the lobbies on more than one occasion that the Government purposed lightening the work of Ministers in the House by the appointment of parliamentary under-secretaries. A like report comes to me this evening, and from a source that is entitled to consideration. If, then, lam correctly informed, the Premier will bring down a bill to take power to appoint two members of the House political or parliamentary undersecretaries. If this be done it will probably be found' that the idea of an additional Minister to take control of the railways will be abandoned, and it may be a side light upon the situation that the Premier recently stated that a portfolio of railways would not be created during the present session. If parliamentary nnder-secretaries are to be created it is probable that two of the following gentle nen will be selected to fill these offices: — Messrs Russell (Riccarton), Tanner (Avon), Hogg (Masterton), Carncross (Taieri). THE DAIRY INDUSTRY BILL. The Joint Stock Committee has made various amendments in the Dairy Industry Bill. Dairies making butter or cheese for nee or Bale in the colony have been' exempted. The standard weight of the gallon of milk is reduced to 10£lb. Any owner of a dairy on receiving a ; certificate from an inspector that his dairy is suitable for the manufacture of butter'or cheese shall be entitled to ship his produce as " factory " made, but the inspector may cancel his certificate if subsequently dissatisfied with the conduct of the dairy or the quality of the butter or cheese. Every exporter must store at the port of shipment at least four days prior to shipment, and in the case of cheese two days before. All butter except that in hermetically sealed tins shall be examined and graded in the cool stores.
VALIDATION OF TITLES.
The Premier's Native Land (Validation of Titles) Act Amendment Bill has just been circulated. The bill provides that it shall be lawful for the Governor to appoint any judge of the Native Land Courb to be also a judge of the Validation Court, and to hold such offices concurrently. Any appointment made under the authority of this act may at any time be cancelled by the Governor. As doubts have arisen as to the power of Judge Barton to sign and complete orders made by him as a judge of the Native Land Court prior to his appointment as a judge of the Validation Court, it is hereby enacted that he shall have power to sign and complete all orders heretofore made by him as • judge of the Native Land Court, and all orders heretofore signed are confirmed.
SEA FISHERIES BILL.
This is a consolidating bill. It contains new provisions giving the discoverer of an oyster bed power to obtain an exclusive license for its use, the license not to exceed five years. Proceedings against Natives for breaches of the act shall be taken only when authorised by the .Native Minister.
THE COUNCIL AND THE POLICY BILLS.
Last night in the Council it was generally understood that Messrs M'Lean and Oliver saved the Consols Bill* and it is not too much to say that to-night the Hon. Geo. M'Lean proved the saviour of the Advances to Settlers Sill. For a moment the issue trembled in the balance, but by a bare majority, among whom was Mr M'Lean, the second reading of the bill was saved. Rightly or wrongly both the local evening papers are in language of unusual plainness imputing motives to certain members of the Council in their support of the policy bills af, the Government, It is a very rare occur-
rence to find these journals in accord, but they are unmistakably so upon this occasion.
JOTTINGS.
The Premier proposes to do away with the House Committee during the recess in future, on account of its attempted interference with his alterations in. the grounds and House tLb year. The Premier states that the proposed amendment in the Railway Bill to be brought down by message will put railway servants in the same position as the 7 were in under the Railway Commissioners. It was not intended bo reinstate them in the civil service, which they had voluntarily renounced on the commissioners taking office. It is stated that pressure has been brought to bear on Mr J. W. Kelly to withdraw his question inquiring if it has yet been decided to sift the charges made by Sir Hubert Stout about the railway black list.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.
Mr W. Watson, chief inspector of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, has reconsidered his decision as to the presidency of the Bank of New Zealand, and has been again offered and accepted the position. Mr Watson will commence his duties at once.
THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.
The bill to authorise the Midland railway contract is sure of a yery stormy passage, if it does' not suffer shipwreck. Its opponents seem confident that they will defeat it, and the Government are believed to show anxiety by their solicitude in the lobbies. According to present appearances a ceoond-reading defeat is not improbable, and a determined stonewall seems certain ia Committee, if the bill should reach that stage. '
THE HON. G. M'LEAN.
The Hon. G. M'Lean has (says the Post) extended bis beneficent wings so that the Government may shelter beneath them. Yesterday, for the second time within the week, he saved Ministers and sacrificed the public interest. The second reading of the Advances to Settlers Bill was carried on his vote. On his shoulders rests the responsibility for that monstrous measure being affirmed in principle by the Legislative Council. Mr Oliver, who had voted with him on the Consols Bill, declined to again perform the part of a Ministerial guardian angel, and left the angelic role entirely to Mr M'Lean to star in'; and Mr M'Lean, while evidently from his speech disapproving of the bill, voted for it, as he had voted for bhe Consols Bill, after having proved by most excellent and logical reasoning that it was a very bad bill indeed. It is no wonder that people ask — What does this change of tront on Mr M 'Lean's part mean P He used to be held in high respect in the Council as an authority on finance, and in the country as a shrewd, cautious, and more than passably honest politician as politicians go. But his last two votes have terribly shaken confidence inside and outside the Council, and people are driven to surmises, which are not flattering, to find a reason for his having on two occasions come to the rescue of Ministers and saved their policy bills from the swift destruction they courted, and which the Hon. George M'Lean of old would certainly have been amongst the foremost in bringing upon them. Time will no doubt supply an explanation, and for its solution the public must wait. THE COUNCIL AND MONEY BILLS— A PROBABLE DISAGREE MENT.
Conferences between managers of the two Houses of Parliament are the order of the day at present on the Shop and Shop Assistants Bill, the Factories Bill, and the Land for Settlements Bill. There is some prospect of a compromise in the case of the Shop Bill, and there is not much iv dispute in the case of the Factories Bill, but there are infinite possibilities in the case of the Land for Settlements Bill. Two of the amendments made by the Couuoil are considered by the House an interference with its privileges in the matter of money bills, and a collision between the House and the Council seems inevitable. The amendment in clause 5 which the House objects to looks very harmless, but it raises a very important question. The clause is the one that authorises the Government to buy land, and the words introduced by the Council would have the effect of preventing the Minister from purchasing at a higher price than that recommended by the board. The reason assigned by the House for not accepting this amendment is "that it debars the Governor-in-Council from conducting a purchase without the recommendation of the board, and is consequently an interference with the public expenditure of the colony, and the House does not deem it necessary to offer any further reason, hoping that the above may be sufficient." It will be a 'matter of great .surprise if the Council accepts this " reason " as sufficient. To recognise this as a sufficient reason would be to admit that the Council has no right to impose any restrictions upon the ground of the power of the Minister. The attempt to identify a restriction npon the power of the Minister for Lands with an interference with the privileges of tho House is certainly a novel ' attempt to extend the privileges of the House in many matters. To attempt to extend the rule as to appropriation of money so as to apply it to the Minister's power of spending it is, in the opinion of many experienced Councillors, a most preposterous doctrine, and if the Council were to accept it, it might as well efface itself altogether. But lamin a position to say there is but a slender chance of such a thing. The contention with regard to the amendment in clause 21 is equally remarkable. The clause in its original form authorises the Colonial Treasurer to borrow £250,000 in any one year. The Legislative Council has added a proviso as follows: — "Provided that no contract for the acquisition of land under the provisions of this act shall be entered into in any one year to a greater amount than £250.000, together with the amount of any balances available for that year." The House disagrees to this amendment because "it imposes limitation on the acquisition of land and thereby interferes with the public expenditure, and the House does not deem it necessary to offer any further reason, hoping that the same may be sufficient " ! One of the most remarkable things about the bills as introduced this session is the audacity shown by the Government in their determination to obtain power untrammelled by restrictions of any kind, and this is shown very clearly in this Land for Settlements Bill, and still more clearly in the Land Improvement and Acquisition Bill. The Railway Bill was an attempt to obtain practically unlimited power without responsibility, and now we have the House setting up the extraordinary contention that any restriction on the Minister's power to enter into a contract is an interference with the public expenditure. It is high time the question as to the power af the Council on the one hand and the privileges of the House on the other were placed on some intelligible footing. Ministers seem to have been under the impression that all they have to do is to call a bill a money bill and originate it in Committee of the Hpuse or by Governor's
message, and that they thtiß deprive the Council of the right to alter any of its clauses. Question/) of the same kind ■ are arising regarding the Consolo Bill. The Counoil amended olauso 4 by reducing the term of consols from 40 years to 20, and the House has disagreed " because tho am'ecdoaent alters the time when deposits are repayable, and consequently interferes with the financial proposals of this House." The abovo contentions are based upon the rulings of the Speaker, Sir M. O'Rcrke, and they are the subject of much comment. Tfce House Deems to have delivered itself up body and soul to Ministers, and seems to be ready to entrust them with any power they choose to ask for. But I am much mistaken if the Council is not found to be very firm in its determination. The struggle will be an interesting one from many points of view. JOTTINGS. The Minister for Lands has given notice of the Little Barrier Island Purchase Bill,, Waitara is, it is understood, to be made a port of shipment under the Dairy Industry Bill. ' Sir Robert Stout is asking whether the Middleton correspondence actually "passed, and,, if so, will it be laid on the table. The matter will, I understand, be also discussed in the Council, upon a motion for adjournment, probably to-morrow. One of the recommendations of the Volunteer Conference is that the annual grant of £600 to £700 worth of ammunition to the New Zealand Rifle AssociatioH be discontinued, and the money so saved be divided among the volunteer corps of the colony for the encouragement of shooting. The petition of J. Langley, of Waikaka, Gore, praying for payment of the balance of a fixed deposit of £300, made jointly by him and the late W. Corrin, is reported upon. The committee have no recommendation to make. The Goldfields Committee, reporting upon the petition of J. J. Ardagh and 63 others, for aid for the completion of the Mountain Hut water r&ce, refer it to the Government for favourable consideration. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8. In J'he Legislative Council to-day the Hons. R. Oliver and G. M'Lean made personal explanations concerning their votes on some of the Government policy measures. It was deoided to insist on the amendments in the Land for Settlements and Consols Bills. The Foreign Insurance Companies' Deposits Bill and Harbours Bill were reported from Committee. In the Advances to Settlers Bill the proviso for the issue of land bonds was struck out, and there is an evident intention to reduce the amount which can be lent to one individual. AN EXPLANATION. The Hon. R. OLIVER rose to a question of privilege. He referred to the comments which appeared in the newspapers of Wellington relative to the manner in which he gave his vote on the division on the second reading of the Consols Bill. He said his honour was at, stake in the matter, as well as the honour of the Council. He could say truthfully he had never been canvassed for his vote and had never been spoken to with regard to the way he should give his- vote on the bill. Not only was his honour very dear to him, but that of the Council was equally dear, and therefore it was he mentioned the subject.— (Cheers ) The Hon. G. M'LEAN remarked that his motives with respect not only to the manner he had voted on the division on the Consols Bill, but also on the Advances to Settlers Bill, had been far more adversely commented upon by the Wellington Press than those affecting Mr Oliver. For this, however, he did not personally care one jot. The newspapers could say what they liked about him and impute whatever motives they liked, for whatever they were pleased to say would not alter what he considered it right to do in the Council. The subject then dropped. THE BENMORE CORRESPONDENCE. The Hon. Mr REYNOLDS ask«d the Colonial Secretary whether the correspondence between Thomas Middleton and the Commissioner of Police, which appeared in the Wellington Evening Post of the 4th October, was oorrect. If so, and if there was any other correspondence on the subject, would he lay it on the table. The Hon. Sir P. BUCKLEY replied that the correspondence was perfectly correct in every particular, so he was assured by Colonel Hume. He intended to lay the correspondence on the table, together with other papers in connection with the matter as soon as they were ready, probably the following day. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. i The Advances to Settlers Bill was committed. Clause 25, class of land on which money may be advanced, was postponed. Hon. G. M'Lean moved to strike out sub-, section 2, clause 26, the effect being to do away with the land bond fund. — Carried by 19 to 12. The following is the division list : — For the Ambndment (19). — Messrs Richardson, Bonar, Swanson, Barnicoat, Bolt, Pharazyn, Williams, MacGregor, Taiaroa, Kenny, Morris, Acland, Oliver, Bowen, M'Lean, Stevens, Whyte, Holmes, Peacock. Against the Amendment (12). — Messrs Stevens, Walker, Whitinore, Kerr, Kelly, lligg, Jennings, Jenkinson, Feldwick, Dignan, Montgomery, Buckley. Consequential amendments affected by the previous amendment were agreed to in the subsequent clauses. The Hon. G. M'Lean moved an amendment to clause 42— "How advances to be made " — that the minimum advance be £50. — This was lost by 25 to s.— The Hon. G. M'Lean, in the ■ame clause, moved to strike out the word "five "before the wold "thousand," so as to reduce the amount of advance. — This was agreed to by 19 to 14. — The Hon. Mr Feldwick moved to inssxt the word "four."— This was lost by 21 to 12. Progress was reported, with leave to sit again. In the House of Representatives "this evening, after the Colonial Treasurer had given notice concerning a renewal of the San Francisco mail service and had annonnced the appointment of Mr Watson as President of the Bank of New Zealand, consideration of the Licensing Bill in Committee was resumed. PRESIDENT OF THB BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. The Hon. J. G. WARD said he desired to inform the House that the Government, had appointed a president of the Bank of New Zealand. The gentleman who had received the appointment was Mr William Watson, and the salary was £2250 a year ; the position to beheld during good behaviour. He might say that Mr Watson was a gentleman of very considerable business experience, of undoubted ability, and of fche highest integrity, and he hoped he would discharge the duties efficiently. Captain RUSSELL asked what good behaviour meant. Was it a life appointment P The Hon. Mr WARD said it was not a life appointment. LICENSING BILL. The Licensing Bill wag further considered in Committee. Clause 3. — Mr G. J. Smith moved to amend the clause so as to make the bill apply to persons who sold wine. — Mr La wry was astonished that the Premier could sit still and allow a
gross injustice to be perpetrated in this manner. He' held that the wine industry was one of the most important in the colony, and it was about to be sacrificed merely to satisfy a few faddists and extremists. He was also surprised to see Messrs Massey and G. Hutchison allowing this injustice to bo done. — Mr Thompson asked whether the clause would prevent the sale of wine in the colony, or merely to bring it under the operation of the Licensing Bill. — The Hon. Mr Seddon said the bill would do away with wine licenses altogether. —Mr Thompson hoped the House would exercise some common sense in this matter, and not vote for a olause of this kind. He thought it would be better if some hon. members in the House took a little wine occasionally. — Mr Earnshaw said that what the Temperance party wanted was to regulate the sale of wine in the same manner as spirits. — Mr Montgomery did not understand the amendment to mean the sale of wine being prohibited in the colony. It was simply meant to put the sale of wine on the same footing as the sale of whisky. — The Hon. Mr Seddon said that when an amendment; to strike out the subsection was proposed he said he could not accept it, as he felt it would do a great injustice to a great many people. He thought that if our young people drank more wine and left stronger liquor alone it would be much better for them. It would be going to extremes if they struck out the olause, as it would mean that every man who made wine, cider, or perry would not be permitted to sell less than two gallons unless they paid a license of £20. He objected to wive licenses, because in the case of hotels being closed, the wine stores would simply become sly-grog shops! He should vote against striking out the subsection, ' and' he hoped the Committee would also vote on it as they thought proper. As the law at present stood those who sold wine, cider, or perry could do ; so in less than two gallons without any licence. Mr Duthie deprecated the Premier bringing forward this bill at such a late stage of the session, and he advised him to withdraw it, especially as there was a full month's work yet before the House. — The Hon. Mr Seddon said that as far as he could he should carry the bill, but at the request of his supporters he had not made it a party question. He did not think there was any insuperable difficulty in passing the bill, if members would only forbear from making obstructive speeches. — Sir R. Stout said that if the word "wine"' remained in the clause the result would be that in a prohibition district a storekeeper could go on selling wine, and that would mean that there would be no local option at all, and the bill would bo a delusion. He did not object to wine selling, but it ought to be under the control of the 'local option vote. — After further discussion, the amendment was lost by 30 to 22, and the word "wine" retained.— Mr Tanner moved to strike out subsection 5, which proposed that the act should not apply to any person selling liquor in any room at the Houses of Parliament. He said he moved this in order to insert an addition to clause 8. — Mr Mills moved an amendment enabling liquor to be sold at Bellamy's under the written authority of either of the Speakers.— The Hon. Mr Seddon opposed Mr Tanner's amendment, and said it was derogatory to the House that this question should be brought before them so frequently. He thought that the matter should be left to the two Speakers, as at praeenfc. It had worked well Bince 1854, and had never been questioned till this session. — Mr Tanner'a amendment was carried by 26 to 23, and clause 3 as amended was carried by 38 to 10.
Clause 4, interpretation. — Mr R. M'Kenzie (Buller) moved to strike out the definition of " club." — Lost on the voices.
Clause 6, electoral districts of colony to form the ordinary districts. — Mr Mills moved to exempt the Waimea-Sounds electoral district. He said he moved the amendment owiDg to the peculiar nature of the distiiot he represented. — The Hon. Mr Seddon admitted that that district was peculiarly situated, but he could not accept the amendment, as he thought it better to have the electoral districts the ordinary districts under the bill. — The Hon. W. J. Steward said the Waimate district was also pecularly situated in this respect. — Messrs Fraseb and M'Kenzie (Buller) spoke to a similar effect, but they could not support Mr Mills's amendment, which was lost on the voices and the olause carried.
Clause 7, alteration of licensing districts not to take effect until the taking of the next poll. Mr Tanner moved to amend the clause to the effect that nothing in section 21 of "The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act 1893 " shall affect the position of licenses in proceedings taken regarding them in Addington, Newtown, and Sydenham East. He said his amendment was practically the same as the clause in the Premier's bill. — The Hon. Mr Seddon said the amendment really went much further than the bill, and might do an injustice in another direction. — Sir R. Stout hoped Mr Tanner's amendment would be carried. It could not affect any other district, and dealt with the Sydenham district alone. — The amendment was carried by 31 to 21. Clause^ 9, who may not be a member of committee. — Mr R. M'Kenzie (Buller) moved an amendment that persons in partnership with brewers, wine and spirit merchants, or others connected with the liquor traffic, should not be disqualified from seats on the licensing committees. — The Hon. Mr Seddon opposed the amendment, which, after a lengthy discussi«n, was lost by 46 to 5. — Mr Collins moved to strike out the words which provided that auctioneers, commission agents, or brokers should not be qualified to act on the Licensing Committee. — The Hon. Mr Seddon accepted the amendment, which was agreed to on the roices. Clause 10, penalties. — Mr R. M'Kenzie (Buller) moved that any person disqualified as a member of the Licensing Committee should be liable to a penalty of £5 instead of £50. — Mr Cahncross moved that the penalty should not exceed £50 — After some discussion, the Premier suggested as a compromise that £20 be inserted as the penalty instead of £50. — The motion to strike out "fifty " was carried by 37 to 22, and "twenty " was inserted by 48 to 5. Clause 11, opinion of member not to disqualify. — Mr Collins moved that this clause be struck out. — After considerable discussion, Mr Collins moved an addition to the clause that no person shall be deemed eligible for a seat on a committee who is known as a proiessional or paid advocate. Clause 11 of the Bill, which provides that bias shall be no bar to a seat on a licensing bench, was still under discussion. — Mr Collins moved a proviso to the clause — " That no professional or paid advocate for or against the suppression of the liquor traffic shall be eligible to sit on a committee." — Alter considerable discussion, this was carried by 28 to 26.— Sir R. Stout said he was surprised the Government had allowed an amendment like this to be carried in their own bill. It was perfectly ridiculous, and if*, would be far better to strike out the whole clause.— Mr T. Mackenzie thought the amendment quite reasonable. These temperance agitators were the curse of the country, and some of the scum of the colony had crawled to the front in the temperance agitation. — The Hon. Mr Seddon said he considered a man whose living
depended upon agitation wa» jurt as etosely connected with tho liquor interest as a partnec in a brewery. The amendment was fair, and treated both sides alike. He himself had shown no feeling in the matter, and acquiesced irji what the majority had decidsd to do. — The clause, aa amended, was agreed to on th« voices. Mr Willis moved to report progress, which; was carried by 30 to 25, and the bill was ordered to be again committed next sitting. The House rose at 2.15 a.m. MORE BILLETS. The information I telegraphed upon Friday night as to the intention of the Government to appoint two parliamentary under-secretaries is now confirmed and may be regarded as aq absolute fact;. Two new positions with £509 a year attached to each are not to be despised, and as almost every man in the party is sure to look upon himself as thoroughly qualified ta do the work and receive the pay there can be no .reasonable doubt but that the necessary legislation to give effect to the new departure will be agreed to. It will certainly strengthen the position of the Government by increasing the number of their absolutely reliable official Totes, which now reach the very respectable total of nine, made up as follow*:— Sit Ministers, two under-secretaries, and one chairman of tha Committee of the Whole. In addition to the names already mentioned Messrs Pinker ton and M 'Go wan may be considered to be in the running. Mr Mills, one of the Government whips, is also spoken of. * ADVANCES TO SETTLERS BILE. The Lords are dealing with the Advancss to Settlers Bill with a hand sufficiently free to make the Government feel rather uncomfortable. It ia to be feared or hoped, as tome may prefer to put it, that the Colonial Treasurer will hardly recognise his cherished offspring by the time it gets through Committee in the Council. Clause 25, dealing with the nature of the security upon which advances are to ba made, has been postponed, while the land bond scheme has been completely swept away by 19 to 12. There was .great difference of opinion as to the maximum amount of any one loan. Sir George Whitmore disagreed with the £5000 limit, as he did not see why it should not be extended to £7000 or even £8000, provided that the security was good, but the general opinion was in the way of reduction. The £5000 limit was first struck out by 19 to 14, then £4000 was tried in order to satisfy the oppositionists, but without effect, for that was lost by the increased majority of 21 to 12. It is significant to notice that the only Labour member who voted with the Government in the last division was Mr Rigg ; Messrs Jennings, Bolt, and Jenkinson voting for a further reduction. Sir P. Buckley became disgusted at this turn of affairs, and moved to report progress, in order no doubt to discuss the situation with his colleagues. THE WINE INDUSTRY. To-night the Temperance party have made it abundantly clear that if they are ever to rule the country no agriculturist in New Zealand will ever find inducement to rest under his own vine and fig tree, and vigaerons may give this territory a wide berth for all time. Excellent chablis and claret have been produced already from the Wairarapa plain to Wanganui, and the potentialities of Povert/ Bay and Auckland province as wine-producing distriots ara yet unknown, and may be boundless. What matter ? Vineolad hills and a race of hardy, happy, and prosperous vignerons are as naught to the Temperance party compared with theie undisciplined desire for prohibition, and if they cannot have absolute prohibition they will do their best meanwhile. They are doing it now on the floor of the House, as I write, to praotically prohibit the free sale New Zealand wine, and so kill the possibilities of a great <■ producing industry that has enriched every community where it has been successfully established. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Public Works Statement was, I believe, meant for to-morrow, but the course of public business has interfered with that. At this moment the Licensing Bill confines everything, and whether the House will adjourn at a reasonable hour or protract the sitting until breakfast and after, as last Saturday, no man can say. The Premier seems in earnest, and he has more than once this evening spoken temperately and well upon the side of the disposal of the bill. But it all means the consumption of time, and there are things yet to come that must take precedence of the Works Statement. Then Wednesday is Demonstration Day, and in deference to labour I think the Government will forego the afternoon sitting ; so that, all things considered, I do not look for the Statement until Thursday at tbe earliest. But unless the untoward happens it will certainly come down this week. THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND'S PRESIDENT. Mr William Watson, chief inspector of the Colonial Bank, accepted on Saturday morning the position of President of the Bank of New Zealand. When the appointment was first offered to Mr Watson by the Government, he declined it. Ministers, I have reason to believe, then proposed to appoint Mr James Coatee, general manager of the National Bank, but that gentleman also deolined, as he had entered into a three years' engagement with the bank named. The Government telegraphed to the Agent* general asking him to consult the chairman oE directors of the National Bank in London with the view of securing the release of Mr. Coates from this engagement, but these negotiations were unsuccessful. Another offer was then made to Mr Watson at an inorease upon tha original salary proposed, and this he accepted. It is understood that the sum first fixed was £2000. The increase will bring Mr Watson's salary up to £2250. Mr Watson begins his new duties at once, and is to arrive from Dunedin on Wednesday. ' MINISTERIAL RESIDENCES. The Premier has given notice of his intention to bring in a bill for the purpose of authorising the sale of the Ministerial residences. Nona of these buildings is at present occupied by any Minister, and upon several occasions during the present session attention has been called by question and otherwise to the present unsatisfactory arrangement. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9. In the Legislative Council to-day the Foreign Insurance Companies' Deposit Bill was passed, and as the amendments made were subsequently agreed to by the other Chamber tho measure now only awaiti the Governor's assent. Tha Public Works Bill passed the second reading stage. Consideration of the Advances to Settlers Bill was then resumed in Committee, and further important alterations made, such as limiting the amount of the loan to £1000 to ba advanced only on agricultural land and up to half the valuation.
PUBLIC WORKS BILL. The Hon. Sir P. BUCKLEY moved the second reading of the Public Works Bill, and at some length explained its provisions. The Hon. W. JD. STEWART considered Kurt
*lause, 76, awards to be final, was rather arbitrary, because courts could not review their decisions. He thought all parties to a suit, especially relating to mortgagees, should ba Allowed the privilege of appearing before the courts. He admitted he had not studied the provisions of the bill in all its phases, and therefore could not apeak as fully as he could have desired.
■ The second reading was agreed to on the toioes.
CHEAP MONET.
The Government Advances to Settlers Bill vras further considered in Committee.
On olause 42, subsection 4, relative to the maximum amount to be advanced, the Hon. Mr Ebbb moved that the amount be £3000 — The Hon. Mr Feldwick said the amount had been carved and hacked until the limit would be of no use to the borrower. — The Hon. Mr Mobbis laid anyone who had good security to offer beyond £500 had obtained all money he ceuld get on bis property. 'He was not wedded to the maximum .being £500, bub he certainly thought £1000 quite large enough.— The amendment was lost by 14 to 13.— The Hon. Mr Bolt moved that the words "two thousand" be inserted.— This was lost by 16 to 15.— The Hon. G. M'Lean moved that "one" t>e inserted. — The Hob. Mr M'Cullough toped the amendment would not be agreed to. He shoold prefer that the proposed amendment limiting the maximum to £500 be agreed to in order that the bill might be wrecked, which would be far preferable to making it ridiculous, as it was being made in its present form. — The Hon. Mr Mobbis had no idea to wreck the bill. In the interests of small settlers he desired to lay he believed £500 as advances would prove quite sufficient for all practical purposes. — The Hon. Sir G. S. Whitmore thought it would be better to report progress, as there was little chance of -the bill beooming law. — The Hon. Mr Kelly, "believing that half a loaf was better than no bread, would vote for £1000.— The Hon. G. M 'Lean's amendment for £1000 was agreed to on the voices.
On olauie 43, conditions subject to which Advances will be made — The Hon. Mr Morris moved that "two-thirds" be struck out, in ■Order to insert "one-half," the effect being (hat advanoes would be made up to only oneJialf the value.— Tha Hon. Sir P. Buckle? said 'the amendment, if carried, would simply destroy the bill. The amendment to strike out ''twe-thlrds " was agreed to by 18 to 10. The following is the division list : —
Ayes (18).— Messrs Reynolds, Bonar, Pharazyu, [Morris, Bowen, Whyte, Stewart, Swanson, Bolt, Williams, Acland, M'Lean, Holmes, Richardson, JMacGregor, Oliver, Stevens, Peacock. Noes (10).— Messrs Barnicoat, Rirg, Taiaroa, Buckley, Kerr, JenMnson, Bignan, Montgomery, Kelly, Feldwick.
The Hon. Mr Peacock moved that "threefifths" be inserted.— This was lost by 16 to 12, and the words "one-half" agreed to on the voices. — In the same clause the Hon, Mr •Oliveb moved that advances should be oonfined to agricultural land.— This was agreed to by 16 to 12. The clause as amended was agreed to. Progress was reported on Clause 59 — " Superintendent to prepare annual balance sheet."
CONFERENCES.
A conference wa> agreed to on the Faotories Sill, and the Hons. Oliver, MaoGregor, and Stewart were appointed managers.
Hons. Stewart, MacQregor, Stevens, and Bowen were appointed managers for the Council on the Consols Bill. »
In the House of Representatives to-day $he vexed question of selling liquor at Bellamy's ■cropped up again, but was allowed to drop on an assurance from the Premier that he would net apart a day to discuss the matter. A motion by the Treasurer in connection with the dispute between the Auditor-general and -the Public Trustee was also adjourned. The .Native Lands Court Bill and Offensive Publications Bill were passed, and an amendment in -the Government Railways Bill introduced by message was agreed to. Contrary to expectations, the Licensing Bill then came on again, >ut very little progress was made up till 2 a.m., when the telegraph office closed.
THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT.
The Hon. J. G. WARD moved— "That the House regrets that the' Controller and Auditorfeneral should under the circumstances whioh c has related have regarded himself as justified in suspending the performtnee of any ■duties imposed upon him by statute." He .explained that his motion had reference to tke letter received by the Speaker from -she Controller and Auditor-general re the audit of the Publio Trust ' Office accounts. He regretted that the Auditorgeneral should have taken the course he had •done over the matter, and bore high testimony to the efficiency and integrity of both the Public Trustee and Auditor-general. 16 was -not desirable in his opinion that the Audit department, which was a business department, ahould be subject to' continual fault-finding of this kind.
Sir R. STOUT understood that Mr Ward intended to refer this matter to the Public .Accounts Committee for inquiry. — (Mr "Ward : **No.") Then the House was placed in a very .unfortunate position in being asked to pass a TOte of censure on the Auditor-general without inquiry of any kind. He protested against this action of the Treasurer, and moved that the •matter be referred to the Public Accounts 'Committee.
The Hon. Mr SEDDON said the motion and Amendment differed altogether in effect. Could it be allowed that a most important public -department should remain without its accounts Toeing audited for an indefinite period P He .held that the Auditor-general was not justified in the action he had taken, and he thought the House was called on to do its duty, and to say -they did not approve of the course he had -taken in refusing to audit the accounts of the Public Trust Office.
The Hon. Mr WARD disclaimed any intention of casting censure on the Auditor-general ■«r any other valued public officer who had done Jus duty. He would suggest that this debate he adjourned, and h« would undertake to bring .flown another resolution which would remove jpmy impression of casting a reflection en the - .'Auditor-general . Mr MILLS moved the adjournment of the .debate. The motion for adjournment was agreed to on ■the voices.
MANAGERS.
The Hon. W. P. REEVES moved—" That •the House disagree with the Council's amendments to th« Factories Bill, and that a conference be appointed." — Agreed to. The Hon. Mr WARD moved— "That the amendments made by the Council in the New .'Zealand Consols Bill be disagreed with, and Jbhat managers be appointed, consisting of the Hon. Mr Seddon, Sir R. Stout, Mr Bell, and the mover, to confer with the Council." He aaid the amendments made interfered, in his ■opinion, with the privileges of the House, and they were of suoh importance that they would liave to receive Tory careful oqns.idera.tion,-. .Agreedtatf
GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS.
▲ message was received from the Governor forwarding an amendment in the Government Railways Bill. The effect of the amendment was that the service of railway employees should not count as in the case of civil servants whilst under the employment of the commissioners.
The Hon. Mr SEDDON moved that the amendment ba agreed bo. Dr NEWMAN protested against a large body of men being deprived of their rights in this way. He hoped the Premier would withdraw the amendment.
Captain RUSSELL failed to see why railway servants should be placed in a different position from post office employees and other oiril servants, and pointed out that this was a specimen of what would happen under Govern* ment control, when even before this bill passed there was a grievance of this kind under discussion by the House. The Hon. Mr SEDDON defended the amendment, and said it placed railway servants exactly in the same position as they h«ld under the Railway Commissioners. He was glad the opposition to the amendment came from the opposite side of the House, as it clearly showed that the Government were acting wisely in resuming control of tha railways. The amendment was agreed to by 41 to 22, BILLS PASSED.
The Mining Companies Bill was committed and passed with verbal amendments, read a third time and passed.
LICENSING BILL.
Clause 12, constitution of licensing committees within ordinary districts — provision applicable to all committees. —Mr M'Nab moved an amendment, the effect of whioh would be to restore the present form of elective committees. Hii amendment was that the licensing committee for ordinary licensing districts should consist of a magistrate and eight other persons, residents of the district.— The Hon. Jar Seddon said he could not accept the amendment, and if it were carried all chances of the bill passing this session were at an end, as the whole bill would, if it were carried, have to be recast. He would suggest that this clause be postponed so that they could proceed with the portion of the bill which was not debatable.— Mr Saunders said if 'this amendment were not carried he did not want the bill at all. He considered the designer of this olause was not only a Tory, but was like a crab who had been walking backwards for the last three years. It was opposed to all their system of present legislation which the Premier professed to advocate that licsnsing committees should consist of a nominated magistrate and a body of men elected by a large plurality vote. It was suoh a fatal departure and suoh a retrograde step that if the clause as proposed by the Premier were carried he should no longer support the bill.— The Hon. Mr Seddon said it was refreshing to hear himself called a Tory when he had been so frequently referred to as one of seven devils of Sooialism. He considered it a great advantage that the licensing election should be held on the same day as the general election. The cost of holding the election on a special day was too heavy, and local bodies were already impoverished. — Mr G. J. Smite said the clause was one of the most important in the bill, and the Temperance party could not agree to it, as they wanted— as Liberal — an elective Committee. — Mr Babnshaw supported the amendment, and said that, as one of the Temperance party, he was fully prepared to face the consequences of the Premier dropping the bill if the amendment were carried. — The Hon. Mr Stewabd pointed out that, as far as his district was concerned, the Licensing Committee would be composed of three persons if clause 12 were passed as brought down in the bill. He thought it better that there should be a special day for the licensing eleotions rather than that it should be carried out as proposed by the bill. — Mr Button objected to clause 12, and hoped if : the bill were te go through at all they would revert to the election of licensing committee. He was not in favour of national prohibition, as he thought the colony was not ripe for it. — Mr E. M. Smith supported the amendment, as he believed in Liberal principles and objected to a nominated body. — After a lengthy discussion clause 12 was struck out on the voices. — On Mr M'Nab's amendment being put, Mr R. M'Kenzie (Buller) moved to amend it so as to leave th« whole of the power in the hands of the magistrate. — Lost on the voices. — Mr M'Kenzie (Buller) moved that progress be reported.— Lost by 40 to 15. — The Hon. Mr Seddon moved to alter Mr M'Nab's amendment so as to provide that the licensing election ■hall not be held on the same day as the general election. — After a very lengthy discussion Mr G. W. Russell spoke strongly of the conduct of one or two members who had obstructed an important bill of this kind. He characterised their speeches as the most miserable drivel, and said he should not hesitate when the Speaker was in the chair to record their names in Hansard. It was simply intolerable that a great bill of this description, which was supported by 40 members of the House, should be obstructed in this manner by a few members.— Mr Lawry «aid he should address his- constituents at Parnell after the session was over, and he challenged Mr G. W. Russell to meet him on the platform, where he (Mr Lawry) would be prepared to justify his action over this bill.— Mr R. M'Kenzie (Buller) said no member in the House was guilty of uttering more drivel than the member for Riccarton, who had frequently during the session driven members out of the House by his persistent talking and moving everlasting amendments. — Hon. Mr Seddon regretted very much the attacks made on members by Messrs Russell and Bell. Personalities would do no good to any cause, but he feared the Chairman had been over indulgent to members. He hoped the Committee would now come to a vote on this matter, and make some progress with the bill. — The discussion was still proceeding when the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m.
THE CHEAP MONEY SCHEME.
The Government's Cheap Money Bill has been so severely maimed by the Legislative Council that several of the Government supporters in that Chamber have not hesitated to declare that the measure has been rendered ridiculous and practically wrecked. The maximum amount of any one loan has now been reduced to £1000. Yesterday the Council rejected both £5000 and £4000 as the limit, and to-day £3000 was rejected by 18 to 14, and £2000 by 16 to 15, while £1000 was carried on the voices. Sir Patrick Buckley informed the House that the Colonial Treasurer might accept £3000, but would not answer for any lower sum. Mr Feldwick thought that it would be absolutely absurd to reduce tke maximum 'to £1000. The bill might as well be rejected altogether. "It is turning the bill into ridicule " said Sir G. S. Whitmore, who added that more than one member seemed resolved to make it absurd rather than allow it to pass in a practical shape. Mr M'Cullongh suggested that all those who voted for the larger amounts should now support £500 to show the utter absurdity of the procedure and that i was simply, a determination to wreck the
bill. All these appeals proved futilev and the £1000 limit was insisted upon by the majority. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNCIL.
It is not surprising that the Government are becoming very uncomfortable, if not resentful, at the deliberate and relentless manner in which tha Council has applied the pruning knife to their financial policy bills. When this afternoon the reasons assigned by the Legislative Council for insisting on their amendments in the Consols Bill were submitted to the House of Representatives, the Colonial Treasurer stated that the proposed amendments were such as, in his opinion, interfered to seriously with the privileges of the representative! of the people and were of such importance that they should be gone into very carefully before being agreed to. On his suggestion, therefore, the Premier, Major Steward, Mr Ball, and himself were appointed managers to confer with the Council upon the points in dispute. The position of the Council Is strengthened by the fact that the more important or their amendments both in the Cooiols Bill and the Advances to Settlers Bill were strongly supported by an influential section of the Ministerialist party during the passage of the bill* through the House of Representatives.
WATER AND WHISKY.
Just now the House seems to oscillate 'twixt whisky and water, but more water than whisky. We left off this morning after a fluid night with the Temperance party, and to-day we commence oar business with Bellamy's, associated in many works with very excellent whisky. Mr George Hutchison administered the tonic by bringing up the joint report of the House Committee, who recommended that the annual supply of liquid refreshments be ordered from Home, and that the license of that cherished institution be placed beyond peril from any Temperance party by enactment. Mr Hutchison was careful to say that ho dissented from this report, as did others of the committee, and had not resumed his seat ere the knight who champions temperance was upon his feet to move that the report be referred back to the House Committee for reconsideration. At thispoint the Preraier interposed to say that if the knight would stay his hand the fate of Bellamy's should be placed in the hands of hon. members later on. End of Bellamy's for the d,»y.
THE OTAGO OBNTRAL.
Mr Earnshaw is. to ask the Minister for Public Works : "In view of the statement made by the Minister for Lands to a deputation from the Executive Council of the Otago Central Railway League at Dunedin, on the 17th October 1893, which was as follows : — ' Hon. J. M'Kenzie : What you want is that we should start the tunnel at once P I may tell you that instructions have already been given to proceed with the tunnel. The money has been sanctioned. That was done by the Cabinet before I left Wellington, and I received a telegram from Mr Seddon last night to say that he had given instructions to proceed with the tunnel. Mr Barron :At both ends P Hon. J. M'Kenzie ; Yes. Instructions have been given to push on the tunnel. I know that they are proceeding with the tunnel' — what progress has been made and what progress is being made at the present time with the tunnel beyond Hyde, in accordance with that promise?"
THE PUBLIC TRUST AUDIT.
Further correspondence respecting the'Fublic Trust Office audit has been laid on the table. In a letter to the Colonial Treasurer, dated the 3rd ult., Mr Fitzgerald reviews the evidence contained in a former letter by Mr Warburton as to the non-counting of the cash. Mr Fitzgerald considers the evidence adduced cannot outweigh the dittinct assertion of a man of known and long-tried integrity like his audit officer, and says that there is evidence throughout the correspondence to show that a strong feeling of hostility has been entertained towards the Audit Inspector by the Public Trust officers. Mr Warburton replies to this, under date 15th ult., denying that there was hostility on the part of his office, but alleging hostility on the part of the Audit. He adds that Mr Fitzgerald has made the conduct of the Public Trust offioials the object of gross and inexcusable accusations, which hare naturally aroused their indignation.
THE DUKE OP YORK.
Mr J. W. Kelly yesterday read the following notice of motion — " To ask the Mmißter for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the following cablegram :— ' A lunatic rushed to shake hands with the Duke of York on the occasion of a State entry into Leeds. One of the escorting Lancers slashed the man's arm and another rode him down.' If so, will the Minister for Defence take the necessary steps to issue instructions to the military who may be selected to act as guard of honour to the Dake of York, when vuiting the colony, not to cut and slash the arms of all lunatics who may become possessed of a desire to shake hands or rub noses with a member of the Royal Family." The reading of the motion was received with mingled laughter and applause aud cries of " Order." The Premier took instant exception to the notice, but the Speaker said he would read it through first, and he did read it through, and as a result of his reading he announced later that " Mr Kelly's notice would not appear on the Order Paper."
THE POMAHAKA INQUIRY.
The report of the Pomahaka inquiry was, I believe, considered in committee to-day, and will probably be settled to-morrow. So far as I can gather it will, after the usual review of the evidence, practically and unanimously find that no charge of corruption can be made against the Minister for Lauds. The evidence of Mr Dallas as to the value will no doubt be made the subject: of comparative analysis, and I think it will be indicated that the real value of the land can only be ascertained after the lapse of a sufficient period to determine whether the present tenants can continue to pay the existing rents. Mr Ritchie is, I believe, certain to be absolved from all blame as to his share in the transaction, and it will probably be stated that the petition did not influence the Land Purchase Board.
QUESTIONS.
As the Government have now skirked answers to questions for many days, I propose to give notices of interest as they arise, for they may never be answered.
The Hon. Sir R. Stout to ask the Minister for Education if he will take the necessary steps to have the council of the middle district of New Zealand University appointed P
Mr Heke to ask the Minister for Defence if he will take into consideration during the receas the advisability of erecting same mark at historical places in and about the Bay of Islands commemorating events in the early history of the colony, such as — (1) The place where the first missionary landed; (2) first sermon preached ; (3) the first seat of Government ; (4) signing of the Treaty of Waitangi ; (5) first disturbance— or other places possessing interest from acts of chivalry on both sides, Natives and Buropeans. Mr R. M'Konzie to ask the Colonial Treasurer when he will introduce a bill to give effept to .tbe.QoTexßmfint_sxQfiooftlß made, jo £ha. Fisam,
cial Statement that bonus of £2 per ton np to 50,000 tens be paid on coal exported from the colony to countries beyond Australia.
Mr G. J. Smith to ask the Government whether they will instruot the president of the Bank of New Zealand to have a separate account kept and*iaid before the House within 14 days of the commencement of each session showing the business of the bank transacted in the Australian colonies, the amount of profit or loss in connection with that account, and alio the business transacted by the bank, between New Zealand and eaoh of tha Australian colonies.
JOTTINGS.
The Railway Committee, reporting on the petition of John Ross and others for the construction of a public road to the cattle yards railway station, Burnside, and a publio siding, state that at the Railway Commissioners report that a cost of £800 would have to be incurred, the committee consider that the work required does not warrant them in recommending the expenditure of so large a sum.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18941011.2.67
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2120, 11 October 1894, Page 18
Word Count
21,883NZ. PARLIAMENT. Otago Witness, Issue 2120, 11 October 1894, Page 18
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