GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1244, 27 September 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Couucil on Wednesday, In reply to a motion by the Hon. Colonel Brett, the uolonial Secretary said it was not the intention of the Government to interfere in Mr "Pharazyn's case. The Council itself had control over its own members. The Colonial Secretary introduced tht Road Boards Amendment Bill, which was read a first time. The Public Revenues Bill was passed through its remaining scages. In the Legislative Council on Thursday, a debate took place on the Auctioneers' and Brokers' Bill, introduced by Mr Reynolds, and it was ordered to be read that day six months. A few amendments were made in the Married Womea's Property BilL HOUSE OF EEPRESENTATOTBS. In the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Replying to Mr F. Buekland, Sir Julius Vogel said the Government did not propose this year to deal with any question affecting the Custom taxes, consequently no imposition of an import duty would be made upon fresh apples. Replying to Mr Wakefield, Sir Juliui Vogel said arrangements had been mads with the Bank of New Zealand to obtain half a million in anticipation of the million loan next year. Replying to Mr Buchanan, the Hon. Mr Richardson said the Government could not amend the Roads and Bridges ConstructioQ Act this session. Replying to Mr Buchanan, the Hon. Mr Tole said suggestions would be asked from Returning Officers for the improvement of Claims for the Registration of voters. The following Bills were introduced nnd read a first time ; —To Provide for the Appointment of a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State ; to Provide that Justices of the Peaoe be Elected by the People (St Gsorge Grey). Sir G. Grey moved for a return showing—l. The total interest paid by the Treasury on the capital expended on the construction and purchase of railways up to ll.e 31st March, 1884. 2. The total amount paid by the Treasury on the working of railways up to the 31st March 1884. 3. The total receipts from railways paid into the public account to th» 31st March, 1884. Carried. Mr Wakefield moved for a mturn showing the amount of property tax paid on Church property or endowments of any sort in the last financial year, hhowing the amount paid by each denomination separately. Carried. A resolution proposed by Mr Con an for a return showing the amount expendtd in the colony during the year on Hospitals and Charitable Institutions, etc., was carried. The debate on the Financial Statement was then resumed. Mr Trimble defended the Atkinson Government, and ridiculed the proposals of the Stout-Vogel Government. He did not believe in the reductions proposed in the vote for primary education ; neither did he believe in the reduction of (he Armed Constabulary. He also disagreed with the proposal re Exhibitions. Mr M. J. S. Macksnzie agreed with the reduction of the Armed Constabulary Force. He thought it a very good thing that the Financial Statement had been made a pleasant one this year. He approved of the Exhibition proposals. He did not agree with the proposal to reduce the educational capitation, and he was not sure he entirely agraed with the reduction ot the property tax. With the Statement as a whole he agreed, and would vote accordingly. ,Mr Menteath argued that while tho public debt of the colony was rapidly increasing its material resources wete being exhausted. The best way to check the tendency to reckless extravagance that had grown up amongst us was to make its demands felt in the shape of taxation. Thb proposal to remit the property tax in these circustances was not judicious. Mr Gillies desired to see the Government retain their seats, but at the same time he disagreed with some things contained in the Statement. It contained little that would make them see their way financially speaking in the future. The Statement was in many respects an echo of the Statement brought down by the previous Government. That to his mind

waßtnost satisfactory, inasmuch as it dispelled the suspicion that there were fearful disclosures to be made. He stronglycondemned tha proposal to reduce the Education vote. It would all fall on the ap country districts. He deprecated the proposed reduction in the property tax for local Government purposes. Mr Mackenzie spoke in support of the repeal of the property tax, and generally supported the Statement. Mr Ormond made a long speech generally defending the Gorernment. He however, disagreed with the reduction proposed in the Armed Constabulary., He honed the Government would bring down a land tax next session, and if defeated, they would be perfectly justified in appealing to the country. Mr Pyke spoke in favor of the Statement.

Mr Grigg hoped to see the Government retain office this session, but hoped to see them change their policy in many respects. Dr. Newman would not vote for the amendment, as he believed the Public Works Statement should be brought dewn before the whole • question was finally determined. Mr Beetham aaii if the amendment were pushed to a division.he would vote against it. Major Atkinson replied that if there was any maladministration on the part of hiß Government it ought to have been stated most, distinctly what was done, but it was not until flatly challenged to do so that any attempt of the kind was made. Hs then fully explained the matter in reference to ttfe £20,000 bonds. He also fully explained the statement re contractors' deposits. Having dealt with other charges, he said every Government was bound to carry on their work until they had actually left office; such being the case they had a perfect right to let two contracts. The Hon. Mr Stout having replied, in the course of his speech making a slashing attack on Mr Wakefield for his shiftiness, and on Maior Atkinson, the motion was put, that the Speaker leave the chair and resulted :—Ayes, 51; Noes, 4. In the House on Thursday, Replying to Mr Hurst, the Hon. Sir Julius Yogel said the Goverrment looked upon the reappointment of Sir Francis Dillon Bell as Agent-General as perfectly right and legitimate under the circumstances, and neither in this or any other case of a similar nature would they feel called on to interfere. A number of Bills were introduced and read a first time. The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel stated that *' in view of the strong representations made during the late debate against the proposed reductions in the education vote, the Government had resolved to depart from that proposal, and the rate this year would be paid on the same scale as heretofore. The following Bills were passed through Committee, reported and read a third time and passed : Timaru Market Reserve, City of Dunedin Leasing Powers, Invercargill Reserves Leasing, and Wellington Board Loan Consolidation and The Otago Harbour Board Loans Consolidation Bill, and the Adulteration Prevention Extension Bill were read a second time. The Eight hours Bill, providing that eight hours should be a legal day's work, was thrown out on the second reading. The Seamans Representation Bill was read a second lime, and the House rose.