GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 8994, 29 January 1891, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. -Wednesday, January 28.— The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. The Hon Captain Baillie was appointed Chairman of Committees. The Hon Dr Grace, in a short speech, moved the Address-in- Reply. He congratulated Sir H. A. Atkinson on his elec- ' tion to the Speakership, and said the policy disclosed in the speech was admirable. The Hon Mr Fraser seconded the motion, and it was carried. The Council adjourned at 3.20 p.m. HOUSE ,OF REPRESENTAVIES. • Wednesday, January 28. — Tho Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. Tho Speaker ruled Mr Fish's motion of censure on the Governor (of which notice was given yesterday) but of order,' on the grounds that the Governor was responsible for his acts to his Sovereign alone, and not to the colony. If objection were taken to his proceedings, an appeal could alwayß be made to the Crown 'through the Secretary of State. .Jn replying to questions' the ' Premier said he hoped to finish the business of the House by the end of next week, but it would largely depend on the members themselves. The Government- did not intend to introduce any extraordinary legislation. The House would probably meet again some time in May, and tho Government believed it would be more convenient to have a prorogation than a long adjournment; The honorarium was provided for by the Act, and members v would get half the hororarium for a second session. He went on to say that the present Government was not responsible for this session ; in fact, they had provided against it by a specific agreement that the Ministry ahould resign- if defeated at the • election without calling the House together. It was not his fault that this had not been done. ■ - -w - - - _ In answer to questions, it was stated that' arrangements would be made to have New Zealand represented at the Federal Convention ; that the Govornment would give due consideration to the' propriety of . callipg * another native 'member to theUpper House ," that every effort would be made by the Government ' to effect- a reconciliation between the'late employees and the Railway, Commissioners ; that each application for increased "pay and promotion should be dealt : with on its merits ; and the Government would do.. - their best to promote harmony between the employees and the Commissioners. Mr R. Thompson moved for a copy of thei letter addressed by the late Premier to MrjMair, on December 10th. He characterised the statements therein as scandalous innuendoes,- and asserted that be tried = without avail to get the late Government to hold an enquiry into his charges against the. late Property Tax Commissioner, ; and ; would have proved what he alleged.' 7 He' was proceeding to describe the Hon Sir H. Atkinson's conduct as cowardly and unmanly, but was checked by the Speaker. Captain Russell said an attack on an absent jnari would recoil on the head of his* assailant, and strongly reprehended Mr Thompson's behaviour. He twitted him with avoiding the opportunity which Mr Sperrey's relations were ready to give him in a court of law of trying to prove his accusations, and spoke in strong terms of Mr Sperrey's probity and honor. The Premier said the letter had not yet been found in the official records. The motion was agreed to. ■ A Select Committee was appointed to enquire into and report in three weeks on the present poßition of the Now Plymouth Harbor Board. A resolution of sympathy with Sir G. Grey on his forced retirement from public life was carried by acclamation, and_ the Speaker was directed to have the resolution engrossed and forwarded to Sir George Grey. The Premier moved that Mr W. L. Smith be appointed Chairman of Committees. Mr Palmer, as an independant member, moved that tho position be not filled up till next session. The amendment was lost by 32 to 29. ■ At this hour the 5.30. adjournment arrived and interrupted business. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY TO SPEECH. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m., Mr Palmer briefly moved the Address-in-Reply, advocating that a Royal Commission be appointed to enquire into the Civil I Servicej the repeal of the Property Tax, tho taxing of native lands, and that Bteps be taken to prevent a conflict between labor and capital. >■-'.' Mr Pinkerton, in seconding; also advocated the repeal of the Property Tax, which was injurious to small farmers. Ho favored the establishment of the Agricultural Department, and thought the labor struggle ' was due to the purchase of cheap labor; and the latter would have to be remedied before thje difficulty was solved/ S, . } Dr. Newman thought it would bawUe. to do away witb, the Speech from th*

Throne ; as it. only led .to unnecessary wrangling. >He hoped' the Government would give an indication of their native land policy and the policy for opening up the couatry^and> trusted the Premier .would not introduce a system, of taxation Avhich, would lead to a deficiency. Mr Smith spoke in support of the Government. Mr Ballance said the Government would consider the suggestions for a Civil Service Royal Commission, and for land for small fanners. Ab to the Property Tax the Government were pledged to repeal it, but could not deal fully with the question at present. . When , the Financial Statement was brought down it would be fonnd not neglected. He claimed that the Government were" entitled to the recess -asked for." " Mr Scobie McKenzie attacked the Government and said little was to ' be expected from a Premier who had on a former occasion left a deficit when, going out of office. He thought it was the duty, of the Government to introduce a bill to validate Judge Edwards' appointment. He saw no reason for four months' delay ! to enunciate a policy. He attributed the victory of the Government to an unfortunate labor struggle. Mr Hogg criticised the land administration of the late Government, which he said had led to gambling transactions in land throughout the colony. Mr Bryce thought fonr months was too long a delay, and said the Government must be held responsible for the expense. The Hon. Mr Reeves, in a lengthy speech, defended the Government from Mr McKenzie's attacks as to a recess. He said there was a great difference between now and 1887. There had been a short session at that time, which was not the case at. the present. He ventured to say when the land policy was brought down it would be found to meet tbe requirements of the colony, and put a stop to dammyism. The Government did not intend to stand still, but if the majority wished them to remain inactive he hoped thejr would pay them the compliment of asking them to leave office. Mr Duncan moved the adjournment of the debate. The House adjourned at 10.45 p.m.