HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9140, 22 July 1891, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, July 21.— -Tho Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. Colonel Fraser, tho newly-elected member for Te Arohj, took the oath and his seat. Mr Saunders brought up the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the report of tho Public Trust Oflice Commissioners. Several members thought the IlouKe should be afforded an opportunity of discussing the Committee's report. Mr Ballunce said a bill was now in course of preparation by t u o Public Trustee, embodying many of the recommendations by the Public Trust Commissioners, and a full opportunity would therefore be given for discussing tho Committee's report on the second reading of that bill. As to the portion of tho Committee's report referring to Mr Hamerton'a pension, he (Mr B.) might say that Mr Haraerton was entitled to a pension before he became Public Trustee, and the Committee therefore felt that he should receive some pension up to June 1880, up to which time lie ceased to be Commissioner of Stamps and became Trustee In replying to questions it was stated that tho Government would be glad to consider the advisability of offering a bonus for landing a cargo of potatoes in a marketable state in London ; that £13,000 had not been paid away during tho laßt few years by the Public Trust Offico to Bolicitora on account of law costs, but that sum had been paid bjneo tho Public Trust OfficQ had beou established in 1873,

The Auctioneers Bill was read a second time. MISMANAGEMENT OF BELLAMY'S. Mr Ballanco moved that the House go into Committee on tho report of the House Committee of tho House of Representatives. Mr Fish said tho report showed that the overdraft at Bellamy's was £1115, and it would require £600 more to put the Cotnmitteo in a solvent position. The question now to consider wns what tho llouso waa to do in connection with the matter. lie believed tho House would not agree to tho abolition of Bellamy's, but they would have to consider what course was best to adopt to clear the institution from debt and to enable it to be carried on moro favorably in future. Ho intended moving in Committee (1) that a sum bo placed on the Supplementary Estimates for tho purpose of clearing off the debt at Bellamy's ; (2) that tho victualling department be abolishod ;3) that in futuro tho whole management of Bellamy's bo vested in tho House Committee appointed by tho House. Several other members also spoke, and the debate was interrupted by tho 5.30 adjournment. On tho House resuming at 7.30 p.m., tho debate on report of Bellamy's was continued, and about 8 o'clock tho House went into Committee on the report. Mr Fish moved that Government place On the supplementary estimates a sum sufficient to pay off tho overdraft of Bellamy's. After considerable discussion, MrO'Conor moved an amendment "That Government be requested to take over tho assets and liabilities of Bellamy's and hand them over to a Committee, On tho stock being taken at a valuation, with a viow to formation of a Members' Club." Tho amendment was lo«t by 44 to 18. Mr Hamlin then moved to add to Mr Fish's motion " and that tho Houso Committee be instructed to abolish Bellamy's without further delay." This was lost by 45 to 19. Mr Fish's resolution was thon put and carried by 44 to 19. Sir J. Hall moved " That providing for Bellamy's shall in futuro bo done by contract nnder direction of tho House Committee." Mr Fish moved to report progress, which was carried by 34 to 29. LAND BILL. The Land Bill, to amend tho law regulating tho sale or other disposal of land of the Crown in New Zealand, then came on for its second reading, and in tho course of a speech of an hour and a half's duration Mr McKcnzio said the Bill did not do away with freehold ; it provided for tho deferred payment system and for a rom system of perpetual lease. He felt that the time was not far distant when there would bo a complete alteration in tho tenure of land, not only in the colony, but all over the world. He was strongly opposed to individual landlordism, and ho thought they would do their utmost to prevent that coming about here. They should therefore encourage people to become tenants of the Grown, and not of individual landlords. He referred to tho various clauses of the bill at a considerable length. Speaking with regard to Mr Hutchison's amendment, traversing the perpetual lease clause in the bill, he said that as he had moved it on the second reading of the bill it must bo regarded as a hostile motion, one which if carried would cause the bill to bo thrown ont. Mr Rolleston said he would givo every assistance to tho Government in framing a good Land Bill. As to State landlordism, he thought they had better have that than class animosities arising out of extremes of poverty and wealth. Ho would not support the bursting up policy, as that was not a liberal course to pursue. In his opinion itinie had uot yet come for acquiring large estates, he should vote for the bill because' he believed it was move forward in the right direction, and ho proposed to dispose of land in a liberal spirit. He had no sympathy with the clauses in tho bill relating to ■ imprisonment for evasions of law, and he would Booner see the land act constructed so that duinmvism would bo impossible. | Mr Richardson did not intend to criticise the Bill in any hostile way, and ho would do his best to assist tho Government in making it a workablo measure. Mr Buchanan moved an adjournment of the debate. The House rose at 1.45 p.m. . s