TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28.

Otago Witness, Issue 2275, 7 October 1897, Page 21

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28.

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday the Hon. Captain Baillie was reappointed Chairman of Committees, and a "call" of the Council was decided upon for the 6th prox , when the election of the Speaker is to take place. The Address-in-Reply was agreed to after a brief discussion, and the setting up of the sessional committees completed the day's work. \ BEET ROOT SUGAR. A petition from 1472 persons in the Waikato and Thames districts, aß lcing for the passing of a bill* to amend " The Beet Root Sugar Act, 1884," was presented by the- Hon. W. M'Cullougb. In the House of Representatives the Premier gave notice of his intention to move for the appointment of a Committee of Privilege to report upon the question of the right of the Hod. J. G. Ward, an undischarged bankrupt, taking his seat. The issue of a writ lor ,the election of a member for the City of Dunedin was ordered. A sheaf of bills was introduced,' and a number of question? were answered. The reply by the Minister for Lands to a question by Mr Lewis on the subject of advances to Btttlew being nns&tiefacfory, the adjournment of the House was moved by the senior member for Chri&tchurcb, and the discussion occupied the rest of the afternoon. ~Jn the evening the debate on the , Address-in-Reply was com-, menced, and had not ended whea -the House rose. •• "*■ THE AWJUBUA SBAT. \4\ 4 The Right Hon. R. J. SEDDON said he desired ta bring under the notice of the House a somewhat delicate and involved question. He referred to the position of the member for Awarua. There were, he said, certain occasions when private friendship xnust.be set aside and duty must be paramount. He intended later on in the day giving notice of motion for a Committee of Privilege to consider the whole ques-, tion. With respect to' Mr Ward taking the oath, he presumegl no exception would 'be taken to that until the Committee, of Privilege reported. He explained that Mr Ward had nO iutention whatever of taking part in the debates of the House till the committee reported. Captain RUSSELL said the course the* Premier proposed to take in this matter was the best'one to pursue under the circumstances, shut he should like to know the names of- the committee it was proposed to select. ""? i The Right -Hon.- R-. J; SEDDON said he intended to consult the .leader of the Opposition with respect.to thS* names of the committee and the order of ; reference.,^ <His opinion was that as tfee law' stood, the. House could not prevent Mr Ward from taking his seat at the. pre-sent-time. • >'- ■ Mr Ward took the oath and his seat. THE DONBDIN VACANCY. TtieT Right Hon. R. J. SEDDON moved— " That the Speaker issue his warrant for the election of a member for the City/of 'Dunedin in lieu ef the late Mr H. S. Fi*h." — Agreed to. CONGRATUI-ATINO THE PREMIER.* Captain jKUSSELL 'said he now had a very pleasing task.to perform., He' rose a% the desire of theiOppo.'ition to. offer his sincere and 'cordial congratulations to the Right Hon^Eiphard Seddon Tor the honours that had been lately conferred on him whilst in England. It had' been his. (Captain Russell's) duty I on many occasions to differ .from the. Premier, but' Buch was the case tie-was glad to say > that their political differences had never caused an interruption of their private friendship. Ib was one of the traditions of English public life 'that criticisms of public policy did not interfere with the private lives of public men, and he thought that was a very desirable thing. He felt th-vt every section of the House would join with him in congratulating the Premier on the distinctions that had been conferred on him by the Queen, more particularly so as Mr Seddon was representing this colony ab the great Jubilee demonstration in England. This distinction was indeed a great one, as it meant that' Mr Seddon's name would be enrolled amongst those of the fpremosfcEnglish statesmen. He (Captain Russell) looked upon it that the hestpwal of non-hereditary titular distinctions was calculated to do good in any country, as ib was a beacon -for their young people to steer by. He hoped the whole House would join with ■him in wishing that Mr Seddon might for many years enjoy the distinction lately conferred on him by. bis Queen and country. ■' The Right Hon. R. J. SEDDON said he felt deeply indebted to the leader of the Opposition for his kind remarks in proposing this\notion, and he might tell the House that be appreciated very highly the great honour that had been bestowed on him by her Majesty. He €f ly trusted that by devoting his best energies to the good of the colony .and the. great Empire -to which they belonged, he .might prove worthy of. that distinction; If an honest desire to serve the people of the colony faithfully counted for anything, he might perhaps say he did merit that honour in some degree. He had never derided honours conferred on public men, and he agreed with Captath^Ruqsell's view of the matter. He had gone Hocne to the old country as* a representative of the people of the colony, and he had the honour of presenting to the Queen an address from both Houses of Parliament. Whilst in England he had the opportunity of seeing how the. leader of the House of Commons and the leader of the Opposition consulted together. ' as to the conduct of the business of the House, and he wished they could emulate them in that respect-. He had made up his ,mind that it should nob be his fault if the business of the House was not conducted with courtesy, and ie Bhould endeavour to avoid any personal remarks in future. He had always entertained the - highest opinion of 'Captain Russell, both privately and politically, and he again thanked him for his congratulations, and the House for the handsome manner in which the motion was received. > A BATCH OF BILLS. The following bills were introduced : — The Land and Administration Bill, Contempt of Court, Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment, Preferential Voting and Proportional Representation, Eight Hours,- Municipal Franchise Enlargement, Yonng Persons' Protection,Inebriates' Homes, District Courts Act Amendment, Weights and Measures Act Amendment, Elective Executive, First Offenders' Probation Act Amendment, Usury Prevention, Imprisonment for Debt Abolition and Small- Debts Prevention, Unclaimed Moneys Bill, Education Act Amendment Bill, Limitation of Imprisonment for Debt Bill, Public Schools Bill, Shearers' Accommodation Bill, Westport Harbour Board Lo*n, . Hawkers, Master and Apprentice, Wages Protection, Customs Duties Reciprocity Act Extension, Mining, Cyanide Process Gold Extraction, ' Mining Companies Act Amendment, and Public Health Acts Amendment Bill. Replying to Mr Meredith, The Hon. J. M'KENZIE said the Glenmark estate was very eligible for settlement, but the Government had no funds to purchase it. Replying .to Mr Lewis, 3?he Hon. J. M'KENZIE said the colony

would not; lose one sixpenca by the advances made to Isabella Banks Aldred or James Mackintosh, and he deprecated questions of this kind being put, which were calculated to destroy confidence in the Government Advance 3 to* Settlers department.

Replying .to the Hon. W. J. Steward, The Hon. J. CARROLL said the whole queifcion as to what constitutes the nearest pound under the Impounding Act was being now considered by the Government and the law officers. Replying to Mr J. Allen, The Hon. J. M'KENZIB said the coat of reading was added to the capital cost of the Cheviot estate in assessing the rentals. £60,000 was added, and ■ the estate, was now paying 5 per oenfc.

ADVANCES TO SETTLERS

Mr LEWIS moved the adjournment of the Hoii<e, and protested ag-iinst the way in which Mr M'Kenzio had replied to "bis question re- ! apecting advances' made under the Advances "to Settlers department. He considered hevhad a perfect right to know who the valuers were on whose recommendation 'the 'advances- were made, and Mr M'Keczie had refused to answer his question. It would cause a very uneasy feeling as to the administration of the department. He had no desire to go into private matters,' but he contended that he had a perfect right to the information he asked for. 'The Hon. J. M'KENZIE said he had no -desire to refuse proper information, but he wished' the people of the colony to. understand that he Would not consent to the private affairs of those who gob*- advances under the department being brought on' the floor of the House. It would* be a wrong thing if the private and confidential reports ot officers were to ba placed ' before the House. A's, no loss had been made over this matter it was not fair that these valuations should be made public. Mr CARSON contended the 'House had a perfect right to know who the valuers were in this case, and there" were no private matters involved at all. • >

Mr PI RANI said the attitude of the Minister for Lands made one sick of p'&ity government. Mr M'Kenzie could cay vrhab he liked about the management of bis department-,- but he ciuld not help^people talking about 'it -outside, and.it reflected/not only on the Government; but on , those who assisted -to place this act on the Statute Book. -

Mr ,J.^ ALLEN said Mr M'Kenzie's objections to deal -'with private affairs came -rather strapgely"from that quarter, considering what; had happened .^pyer' the banking legislation. ■tat M'Keozie's "refusal to answer Mr Lewis's question -would do a great; deal more to damage the Advances to Settlers department than if- he gave the information asked for, and there was no doubt that these valuers were, subjected to a great deal of criticism. The Right Hon. R. J. SEDDON defended the position taken up by Mr .M'Jienzte, Itnd said they should nob do aDythiug to injure the Advances to Settlers department. It private loan societies' knew that the affairs' of thosa who borrowed-money were to be brought before the House it would seriously injure the department. He contended .that the department] would cause no loss to the colony, and they had already two and a-nalf millions. of security for one " 'million ' that ' was lent. BatFdes that they had at^the head^of the department S3e of the most'' careful and capable men in the- public service. ~ If Mr M'&eDzie had done nothing else than refuse, information of this kind, he had done well 'for the colony .—(Mr Allen: »'And for Ihe department.") * Ye?, and for the department also!" As far as the appointments went they must rest on the department and on the Government. If any attacks were to be made on "this head let them be on the Government and not on the" department, as the Government had the responsibility. The greatest care had been exercised in making the appointments for this department. , Captain RUSSELL said that if the members of the Opposition were to be treated as they had been that afternoon by the Minister for Lands, he, foe one, would not submit to it. The Opposition would no longer b2 bullied, and they were strong enough to see that they got fair play. As for the appointment of these valuers, some of them had caused & scandal all over the colony. [ The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. . t

THE CYANIDE PROCBSS.

The Cyanide Process Gold Extraction Bill was circulated in the House ' on September 28. Tbe bill provides for the payment of royalties, which, • however, shall ■ cease as scon as^ all moneys expended in connection with\the purchase are recouped. In the memorandum of agreement as to the purchase the following companies are mentioned as having a full and free right to use the patent : — The Waihi Gold Mining Company, the Waifeekauri Gold Mining Company, the Union Waihi Gold Mining Camp&ny, and the New Zealand Crown' Mines Company. The following are the principal clauses in tbe agreement : — " (1) The company sells, and the Minister on behalf of the Government purchases from the company, the patent rights wibhin the colony, ,but nob elsewhere, for £15,000^ to be-p&id forthwith "on the passing of the' bill. (2) The date of the purchase shall be deemed to be the 20sh day of August,vlß97. (3) The company reserves.to"' itself the right to recover all debt? and., to ecfotce all claims which ab the date of purchase wefe existing in respect of the use or infringement of the said patent rights by any person or company, and shall account to the Government for all received by the company in respect of such use subsequent to that date, but nothing herein contained shall be construed as implying any obligation upon the company to recover, or take any step to recover, any moneys accrued or accruing due to the company ■for the use of the patent rights after the date of the purchase. - (4-). 1 The company shall nob increase the present rate of charges for the use of the said patent rights, nor make any contract or engagement in respect thereof, without the previous consent in writing of the Minister. (5) The purchase is subject, and without prejudice, to the hereinbsfore recited right and license of each of the companies aforesaid 'to use and employ the laid patent rights in its mines. (6) The purchase is subject to the approval of Parliament by a bill to be introduced by the Government within 10 days of the commencement of the now ensuing session. (7) The bill may provide that the sajd patent, righto, purchased under this agresment, may, be surrendered, revoked, assigned, or otherwise' dealt with in. such other manner as Parliament thinks fit. (8) The purchase hereinbefore expressed shall be deemed to lapse and be cancelled if the bill is rejected, or if ib fails^ 1 to pass within 2L days after its introduction or such extended period as the said company, by its attorney, solicitor, or agent, from time to time consents to. '(9) In the event of the purchase lapsing or being cancelled as aforesaid, all parties shall be deemed to be forthwith restored to' their rights and position as v existing immediately prior to the 20bh day of August, 1897, but iv the meantime the aforesaid proceedings shall remain stayed. (10) In theevent of the" purchase being approv.ed by Parliament, the company shall, at the request of the Government, do and execute whatever nets and instru-

ments the Minister may require for the purpose of effectuating this agreement and disposing of the said proceedings in such manner as he thinks fit on the terms of each side paying his own costs."

AN IMPORTANT MATTER.

Those who remember Mr Seddon's tactics on . the Banking Committee will not be ab all surprised if he engineers the Ward Committee to suit the end he has in view. Nothing definite has yet been arranged regarding the constitution of the committee, but Mr Seddon will want two or three of his lawyers on it. He will probably nominate Messrs Guinness, Joyce, Fisher, Duncan, and himself. .- The "Opposition nominees wjll probably be Captain Russell, Mr Eolleston, Sir Robert v - Stoufc, Mr Allen, and Mr Scobie Mackenzie or Mr Lewis. I have just learned (at 1 a.m.) on" excellent authority that there is likely to ba serious trouble over the composition of the committee. It misunderstood that the committee was to consist of 10 members, and that both sides of. the House were to be equally represented. Now, however, the Opposition find thab .Mr Seddon is insisting on six men from the Government side to five from the Opposition. The Opposition, however* will- not agree, to this, and there is likely to be a heated discussion on tKe subject. The Governnienth&ve to someeafcent given, way to the "Opposition in -.regard to the composition of the sessional committees. Mr Seddon has stated that though - the Government cannot strike any 'names off the committees- as proposed,, because the members', concerned would be offended, yet he is willing] to 1 add a Sufficient number of names from 'the Opposition side of the House with/a view* to . bringing their representation up . to the proper quota. Thte, however, ib is doubtful' if the Opposition will agree to, as the oommifctees would then- be far too unwieldy.

THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

The debating on the Addres3-in-Keply was nob of a very high order. Mr Wilson, the member for Wellington Suburbs, w«s fluent-,, •hut Mr Symcs, nVember for Egmont, epoke in / a somewhat . * haltiog fashion. Captain' Russell ' summed up the mover and the seconder well, ■ saying tbftt Mr Wilson had been sharpened by contact with bright minds, while Mr Symes had all the deliberation tb&t perbjins to the country. Captain Rusaell'S'? and Sir Robert Stout's -speeches were « the features of the- debate,' -while Mr Hogg, .who; spoke/, after .the Utter, almost emptied' the' House. v ' . •' '--i ''■ '■ JOTTINGS. -; '- 1 The ' Hawkers BilPwas brought down by message from the Governor to"-day. It provides , for the licensing of all hawkers. General ' hawkers are to pay %' 10s, fee, and pack hawkers SJ.- - A certificate of. character signed by four ratepayers is provided for, and magis-trates-are to issue licenses which may be renewed from s ear to year. Hitvkers must not have alcoholic - liquor in their possession, and packs may. .by' searched without warrant" by., a, .police officer. , • There are' various .penalties' ■ provided ; for offences fcucb! "as emagglirig and' carrying contraband goods', &3. Persons selling newspapers^ bread,' meat,' fish, fruit, water, fuel, milk, vegetables, , or victuals of any description, or any agricultural produce, artificial manures, or seeds are "exempted froui the provisions of the «tct •'-.' The Customs Duties Ke'cipr'ocity Act ' Extension *Bi 11 is to give the Colonial Treasurer ; extended power to enter into agreements with 1 the United Kingdom or any BiHtish'-^pssession or • foreign country. -* 1 , \'f* , ' - , '-"•The cost of ' maintaining the *" lighthouses-" during the year was £15,644, and the expenses of tbe steamer visiting the lighthouses were £7000 in addition. A new tiwer has been erected at Farewell Spit, the old ona being unsafe from decay. The cum ef £15 995 was collected for light dues during the year.

It is mentioned in the marine reporfc J tkat the Tutanekai was specially designed for cable work, bub as she id nob likely to be often 'r<quirad for such work"the cable gear has been uken out of her and put- in store here, as it would be in the way when the vessel is attending to the lighthouses. The Wages-Protection Bill, introdaced'by Mr Seddun, ■' provides that no money shall be deducted from wage** for accident insurance. The coment-of the worker shall be no defence. Nothing in. the principal act or this' act "shall apply to workers employed on the oo- operative system in connection with any department of the Government. . There are 1559 inmates in the industrial schools — aur iocreasa of 14- for the year. Of the 203 new inmate*, 35 boys and 32 girls were admitted as destitute, 12 boys and 5 girls as vagrants, 14 boys and 36 girls a? living ia disreputable places, 1 boy as uncontrollable, 55 boys and 11 girls as guilty of punishable offences, and 1 boy and 1 girl by arrangement. Mr ;Wright' is- .introducing a Calitornian Thistle Bill and Mr Steward a Mortgage Bill: J The Public Health Act Amendment, Bill i* again introduced 'by Mr Carroll. Six months' after* the act comes into;force masters of vessels arriving have to furnish a Holland true list -of - the "passengers. No passenger 1 'suffering from" tuberculosis is to' land. Taborculosis' atfd sj^philis are declared to 'b3' infectious cTisease's and infectious-disorders. ' ' ' -