Evening Sittinq.

Southland Times, Issue 8062, 17 July 1885, Page 3

Evening Sitting.

Th'eHonße resumedgat 7.30. , could not support the bill, and could see no valid reason for changing the present system. »:.-•■ Mr Bevan strongly opposed the bill, and hoped- it would be thrown out in an tramistakeable manner, so as to show that the House would have nothing to do with Mr Hatch would vote against the bill tahe had last session.

- Sir G. Grey admitted that there was an -organised effort -throughout tbe world to pat an end to Christianity. He quoted from a newspaper {published in Dunedjn, : whiqti ;Baid the Deity did; not exist or the universe jcould not have been co badly made, \ He contended that the Bible was . the fonndation on whioh the' British -nation rested. ,He maintained that the doctrine which the Bible taught was that a man did not exist alone,, bat that there was a Bilent voice always leading him to do what was right. He was not In favour ' of '■ 'Bitte-readiog in schools, and would; vote against the bill. He hoped members would not give a silent yote on the question. Mr,Hakuene expressed himself as filled with shame at the a r guments he had heard against tbe Bible, and if the present meaBare was repealed he hoped a bill would be brought in dealing with tbe subject ia connection with native schools. Major Stewart said the effect of the bill would be to add to the present educational system rather than tend to destroy it. The ' premier had treated the whole subject with an amount of levity unbecomiag nis position.- He thought the „House should' adopt tbe bill, which was not compulsory ' but merely optional. t Colonel Trimble bad no objection to Bible-reading in schools provided teachers * were allowed absolute liberty ,to explain • l the' 'passages they taught. 'He, however, would oppose the second reading. Meters Buckland, -Pratt, and Smith opposed the bill. _. . ' Tbe motion for the second reading was* i . "then put and lost on a division by 18 to \ '50. Following is the division list: — ATEfI : 18 — Atkinson; Brown, - Brace, Oowan, Haknene, Iveas, Lance, ! Larnaoh, • Kiosndrew, < McKeniie, v Fyke, Biehardspn (Mataora),' Bom, Steward, Stewart, Butter, .'lbdd.Tarnball. - Noes ; 50 — Balknce, Barron, Bevan, Boyce, Bacbanan, Bnckland, J. 0., Buckland, t W» *F., Ofldman, Connolly, Dodson, Duncan, • Vergus, Fitzberbert, Vraser, Gore, Grey, -r-'Oidaneatr^Hamlin, Jlatcb, Hirst, Hobbs, Huwt,.W. J. r Johnston Joyce, Eerr, Lake, "- Levestam, Locke, McArthur, McKentie, M. J.y » : , MtnUath, MitoheUon, Moat, Hootgomery, fwtymi oiwtf, tmmt t Hi? f^t

Bees, Bichurdson, Bolleston, Smith, Btout, Thompson, T., Thomson, J. W., Tole, Trimble, Walker, White, J. B. Paibs -Ayes : Fulton, Harper. Noes : Moss. Newman.

Mr Fergus resume 1 the debate on the Ho.^iula nn«l Charitable Aid Bill, and gave the Government credit for their endeavours to, grapple , with this j important subject. He thought the present system might be continued for a year longer, so that a more acceptable measure could be .brought down next session ; unleßS he had it from the Treasurer that larger subsidies would be granted, he would be compelled to vote against the second reading.- ' ; . Mr- Montgomery considered the^ proposals in the measure would result in the imposition of fresh taxation. Whatever rate was »eoaesary for hospitals and charitable aid* should be levied on property, and town and country should pay in proportion. He hoped the contribution wonld be charged to £ for ■£, and he objected to" Government nominees being placed on the boards. Mr Cowan thought the bill a creditable attempt of the Government to fulfil promises. He did not, however, agree with the whole of the provision!*, as there was a tendency, to introduce a decentralising of the Government of the colony. He thought the contributions under the Act should be £ for £, and would use every endeavour to amend it in that direction.

Sir J. Yqgel said a good many ; sugges tions had been made on the bill, which the Government had taken into consideration to see how far they could meet the views of members generally. The Government believed that nearly all the institutions which it was desirable should survivewould be incorporated. As regards district boards in charge of intitntions the Government would for two years following give £ for £ subsidy for all voluntary contributions cocci asive of bequests. They were also willing to consider that payments by local bodies up to LSOO should be looked on -as voluntary contribntiobe, and entitled to £ for £. To district boards 10s in the £ would be given. As regards separate institutions the Government proposed to give rest (?) two years but to continue the £ for £ subsidy, exclusive of bequests. Referring to the proposals that the Act should be in force for ten years only, he thought the Government would be unable to accept the responsibility of the position for so short a period. With regard to bequests, the Government did not intend them as maintenance, bat wished them to be dealt with' in accordance with spirit of those who gave the money. The Government would not object to the power of appointing Government nomi nees being excluded from the bill. Referring to several other objections, he eaid the alterations proposed would obviate the necessity of raising any money by special rates. „

Major Atkinson suggested that as the bill had been so much altered it should be read as altered, and the second reading ought to be agreed to so as to maka the necessary alterations in committee.

Sir Julius Yogel said the Goyernmant considered the bill important, and did not want the second reading by concession. If any members wished to attack the bill it was open for them to move it be read sis months hence.

After further discussion the second reading was carried on the voices, and the House rose at midnight.