TIMARU PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3861, 22 August 1885, Page 2

TIMARU PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

OPENING OF THE HOUSE-

The second session opened last even* ing in the Mecnanics’ Institute Hall 32 members being present. Mr James Brace was elected Speaker; and he returned thanks in suitable terms. Parliament was then opened by com* mission and the Governor's speech was read as as follows "My Advisers have lost no time in calling you together after the elections just held. It is with considerable regret

that I cannot announce any improvement in onr commercial andfinancial prospects. Farmers have passed through several very unfavorable seasons, and they are still suffering along with the rest of the community from a depression of trade and low prices, which are most discouraging. There can be little doubt that the gold discoveries and other causes led to a period in which values were unduly appreciated. A readjustment of sucti values to an extent which cannot fail to bo painful to many has now became painfully inevitable. At the same time anticipations for the future are in some quarters more gloomy than circumstances warrant. My Advisers are of opinion that retrenchment and economy on the part of Government, and private thrift and industry on the part of individuals, are necessary to tide over this period of falling prices. My Ministers are of opinion that by Civil Service reform considerable economies may be effected, and that the time has now arrived for abolishing the honorariums of Members of the Legislative Council. Attention will be specially called to the extravagant cost of for my Advisers feel that the correction of a monstrous waste is imperatively demanded, and they view with regret annual increases in this expenditure, while the public mind is so little instructed in the matter, that this most unwholesome growth u.vakens but little interest, and attracts but scant attention. My Ministers view with dissatisfaction the extent to which the people of the colony are dissociated from a proprietary interest in the soil. The circumstances of the time put the stamp of urgency on the land question. A measure will be at once laid before yon on this subject. Though various organisations have effected certain improvements tending to public sobriety, much yet remsins to be done. The public mind has yet to be educated to a just oppreeiation of the evils that flow from the undue use of stimulants. Resolutions on this question, with a view to the more effective regulation of public bouses, will be introduced. The Speech having been read, THE CABINET.

Mr Dawson, leader of tbe Opposition, called upon the Premier (Mr Bower) to ■tate bow the portfolios bad been aliooated. Mr Bower replied that the portfolios had been allocated as follows Premier and Minister for Defence, Mr Bower; Education and Justice, Mr Lsing; Colonial Treasurer, Mr Bourne ; Public Works, Mr Annand ; Postmaster-General Mr Wilson; Lands, Mr Kimber; Customs, Mr Gunn. GAMING and liOTTBEIES BILIi. Mr Bower moved that the Gaming Aet Amendment be read a first time. Carried. ADDBES9 IN EE PLY. Mr Dawson rose to review the Governors Speech. He congratulated the constituencies on having returned men to Parliament pledged to retrenchment. Ho referred to the sudden influx of gold in the world through discoveries in California and Australia,'which hailed to a sodden inflation of the commercial nnrl iranoA thn OTiHlinir

depression to this cause. The cause of depression was really the over-apprecia-tion of the sovereign, as the standard of value, but ha believed th.at out of the present hard times wo rid arise a just valuation. Wages, rents, &c., would come down and he could assure the Government that they would meet with every support from the Opposition in the attempt to retrench. The coc' of Government was too high, and he jelieved wo might be governed inch more cheaply than at present, -he Upper Honse was too costly and he would not be satisfied with the abolition the honorarium, he would press for abolition of the Chamber. Mr Bower called the attention of Mr Speaker to tbe fact that tbe hon. member was reading his Speech, Mr Dawson replied to Mr Speaker that he was merely quoting the Governor’s Speech. He would say, further that be was glad' a dissolution bad taken place. It was time, and be was pleased to see that many disturbers of the peace in the last Parliament had_ not been returned to this one, by thei? constituencies. (Laughter), He could say proudly that the constituency of Coromandel were thoroughly satisfied with the conduct of their member. (Renewed laughter.) He wanted a further diecloaire of the policy of tbe Government. Mr Kimber was pleased with the speech of the member for Coromandel. He was not at all dismayed by that gentleman’s statement that he would keep the Cabinet np to business. Ho believed tbe differences that would arise between tbe Government and the Opposition would be difference of detail, not of principle. He was glad to think the temperance question would come np, and he referred unfavorably to the present licensing' bodies. He was above, all, glad to see that the land question was going to be considered—if it was not soon considered they might look for rebellion. (Oh I Oh I) Yes, he repeated. it, the lands had had to be rescued from the tyrants by rebellion before now. He Sirtber reviewed the speech of the ember for Coromandel. ' Mf Jjaing also replied on behalf of the Government. In the education question he might say the system was pot to be altered, but the administration would be improved apd the expense curtailed, Mr Hart 9«hed the Government whether they intended to relieve the depression by legislative action. Ho pointed cat that the people wanted encooragemont in the growth of things other than grain, as a source of revenue, Mr Bonrne replied that important measures in this direction were under consideration, bat not quite in the way indicated. Government did not favor the bonus system. Mr Hill was dissatisfied with the speech. There were plenty of minor measures, but no statesmanlike proposals had been made ; for example no land reform had been promised, nothing would satisfy him but a land and income tax, and he wanted to see Government pledge themselves to a bold policy, These minor questions might be bronghl forward by private members. Mr Harvey deprecated calling the temperance question a minor one. Whal then was a major one ? He wore a bit of blue and be intended defending i and anybody that tackled the temper ance question would find in him a sttirdj friend or foe. He objected to the pro peyty tar, He wished to see the fiegis lative Council abolished —swept off tin face of the face of the earth in efiEec (hon. members, “oh ! no, we don’t wan to commit murder.” Laughter). Mr Wilson defended the speech whicl he considered had dealt with the ques tjons of the day. It was absurd to ex pect the Ministry to set all the depressioi fight at once. In reference to the lan( question, he would say that Govern ment intended dealing with it early. Mr Mackay moved that an address ii reply be presented to the Governor. Mr Bower seconded tbe motion, am congratulated the House on the favor able tone of the Opposition. cated the policy announced in th speech. The motion was carried.

THE EDUCATION ACT. Mr Dawson called attention to the fact that nebing had been proposed on the subject of education. He moved for the appointment of a Royal Commission to enquire info the working of the Education Act. He thought the relation of the various parts of the educational machinery were too ill-defined, and needed to be looked into. He referred to the extravagant expenditure of money under the Apt. The department did not have or exercise control enough over the expenditure by Boards,>nd who if they bad to raise the funds, would be more careful in spending them. Mr Lain* asked the mover to wait until the Government had been brought forward. He animadverted very severely on the gtrtonnel of School Committees.

Mr Bower considered the motion unconstitutional, but ho did not blame the Speaker. Mr Dawson submitted, as a point of order that the House was willing to adopt the proposal. Mr Bower asked that time should be given for the disclosure of the Government policy. Mr Dawson said he wanted to reform the system in the matter of machinery. Mr Hill supported the motion on the ground of the expense in connection with Boards cf Education especially members’ travelling expenses, architects’ fees, etc. Ho considered the re-ections cast upon the working men on School Committees utterly unwarranted. They had been made very freely during last session, and he was sorry to see the same thing cropping up now. Mr Laing replied that he intended no reflection on the School Committees.

Motion carried. QUESTIONS.

In reply to a question, the Premier said the Government would nominate three members of the Commission and the Opposition the other three, and in reply to another question said he was not in favor of paying (hem. In reply to Mr Steven, the Minister for Education said the Government were not at present in favor of diminishing the school age to 7 and 15, but they would wait until the Royal Commission brought down its report. In reply to Mr Smith, the Colonial Treasurer said the Government would cause to be printed, now that the Union was reconstituted a list of the constituencies with (heir members, for which list a fee of fid would be charged. Mr Smith asked whether copies of the list of members would be furnished. Mr Stevens asked whether Government intended opening up the Catlin’s River railway. Mr Dawson asked whether Government intended to make a route by tunnel through Mount Cook to Hokitika. BAND BILL. Mr Kimber moved the first reading of the Land Bill. The Clerk having read the Bill, Mr Kimher spoke to the provisions of the Bill at great length. Mr Wilson moved tbe adjournment of the debate. Carried.

adjouenment. The Honse adjourned at 10.30 p.m.