GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2727, 20 June 1883, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(Press Association Telegram.) Wellington, June 19. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. BIYTBBD BILLS. The following Bills were received from the ', Statute Revision Commissioners and read a firat time : — Criminal Code Bill, Criminals ' Execution Bill, Property Laws Consolidation j Bill, Trustees Bill, Crown Grants Bill, Sheriffs Bill. < QUESTIONS. I In reply to Mr Wilson, the Hon. Mr ' Whitaker said the Government intended thie ' session to introduce a Bill to amend the ' Native Land Court Lawi. ! APPOINTHBKT OP COMMITTKE3. The uiual sessional Committee* were ap> J pointed, being the Petitions, Loctl Bills, Katire - Affairs, Statute Rerieion Bills, Standing 1 Orders, Waste Lands, Boporting, Goldflelds I and Minei, Printing, Joint Committee on . BUli and.CimmitlM of Selection. 1

MABBIED YFOMANS PBOPBBTY BILL. The Married Womans Property Bill was rough t i n by the Hon. Mr Wbitaker and sad a firit time. ADJOURNMENT. Tbe Council adjourted at 2.55 p.m. HOUSE OF BEPBE3ENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. Mr Bracken, Mr Bathgate, and Mr Feldrick presented petitions from the Koman Jatholica m Duncdinnnd Invercargill praying cr modißcations of the Sducation Act. NOriCBS OP MOTION AND QUESTIONS. Mr Fieh gave notice that he would ask if he Government would introduce a clause into he Licenting Act abolishing the elective Jenoh of Commissioner*, and reverting to he nominated system. Mr Beetham gave notice of motion that m he opinion of the Houip, the colonies should is fairly represented m the Imperial Parliancnt. Mr Levestam gave notice that he would ask what euving, if any, vraa effected by sending the Government steamer Hinomoa twice to i# « ( ° bring raember » »'J Wellington. Mr M. W. Green gave notice that he would introduce a Bill for regulating the houn of business earned on by shopkeepers. EEPLIKB TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Ivess, the Hon. Mr Dick laid the Government would not introduce a 7 . !° o ,r 9 °, d *!"* of Elections Act 1879. As tt was within the power of judges to regulate the expenses under the Elections Petitions Act 1880, it would not be amended, but the judges would be requested to exercise the power they pos.-easei. Beplying to Mr Hutchison, the Hon. Mr Dick said tbe Government was not aware of any necessity for instructions being given to the public vaccinators of the colony touching the nature of the ljmph used, and tho conditioas and restrictions under which vaccination ia to be enforced. Beplying to Mr Bteward, tbe Hon. Mr Oonolly s.id arrangements for holding a weekly Besideut Magistrate's Court at Waimate would be perfected by the end of this month. Keplying to Mrlves*, the Hon. MrConolly said a Betident Magistrate had beea appointed for Ashburton and Wakanui, and he would probably take his neat at tbe end of this month. Illness had prevented him doing so at an earlier period. FIBST HEADINGS. The follewing Bills were introduced and read a firit time:— Local Courts, Tenants Futures, Prisons and Bankruptcy, by tbe Hon. Mr Conolly; Chattels Securities, and Mortgages Belease, by Mr Feldwick ; Fisheries Bill and Impounding Bill, by tbe Hon. Mr Dick ; Bill to amend the Stamp Act 1882, by Sir G. Grey j a Bill to Provide for the Payment of Coroners Juries and otherwise Amend tbe Coroners Act 1876, by Mr Steward. SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. The usual Sessional Committee! were appointed. HEWBPAPEB PB1H0TB& AlH> ADTEBTISIK3. On the motion of Mr Bracken, a return was ordered showing the amounts paid per inch to the newspapers throughout the colony which were successful m Beonring Govern* ment advertising for the current year ; also the amounts per inch tendered for by nonsuccessful newspapers. AEJOUBNMBHT. The Home adjourned at 335 p.m., and resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE ADDRESS IN BBPIT. Mr Bhaw moved that an Address be presented to the Governor m reply to the Speech made to both Houses. He said the Bpeech deserved their hearty thanks. He would confine his remarks to the more prominent subjects dealt with by the Speech. He lauded the high personal qualities of the Governor, and cougratulatad tho colony on his appointment to New Zaaland. The proposal to extend British rule over the New Hebrides Group was one of great importance, and he hoped that sufficient data would be forthcoming to eaable them to come to a correct decision on the point. At present he could offer no suggestion on the subject. The improved relations between the two races wai next referred to. He said he was sure tbe Houso would endorse the sentiment expressed by the Governor as to the services of Bir William Fox. He thought they might might pass a vote of thanks to the Native Minister for his share m the improvement thus wrought. He expressed disgust at the calumny cast upon him under tha guise of a history of the colony, and fait sura that when the real facie developed themselves, he would be completely freed from the imputation. Tbe goldfields industry was next alluded to. He did not desire to set eno industry against another, bat he showed from statistical information that the mining industry had been even more productive than the wool export, about which they had heard so much, and it had not received fair attention from the House. Direct steam service and the San Francisco service were referred to. Had they dreamed last session that a fortythree days' service with England could have been established by the pluck and enterpriie of the colony, be questioned if the San Francisco fervics would have been extended to the extent it had been. The elective Upper Houte question was one which would be found most difficult m detail. His present information was not sufficient to guide him on tha point, and it was significant that a neighboring colony where the elective system bad been adopted showed a disposition to return to the nominative system. He trusted that an effort would be made to amend the existing slate of the bankruptcy law. As it stood the law was a disgrace, and tended to foster commercial immorality. He hoped they would grapple with the subject at the earliest possible moment. He also hoped that stringent measures would be adopted for the punishment of wife and family desertion. The law, as it stood at present, virtually allowed that class of defaulters to go off free. The administration of justice by inferior tribunals also required amendment. Other places were far m advanoo of them m this respect. He could not understand how it was that the colony delayed adopting the County Court system, which was one which would go far to remove existing grievances. Mr Lee seconded the motion. He reiterated the opinions expressed regarding tbe admirable qualities of the Governor and his fitness as Governor of this colony. He acquiesced m tbe expression of opinion re the native question, and it was of the almost importance that, as far as possible, the islands of the Pacific should be brought under British law. Immigration of the right kind should be fostered, tbe nominated system being referred to as the most eligible mode. The establishment of a Colonial Exhibition m London was a judicious method for fostering their commerce. It would tend to inorease and extend it. Mr Montgomery said he recognised that tho Governor had the qualities imputed to him, and he was glad to find he had been well received by the people throughout the colony. He took exception to the Speech inasmuoh as no reason had been given why tbe Home did not meet m May. The financial year was changed so as to enable the Home to meet by the middle of May. All expenditure subsequent to the 31st May was contrary to the spirit of the Appropriation Act. It was the most barren Speech ever delivered m any Parliament. It contained more words and less matter than any previous speeob. The non-tendering for the direct service was just whit might have been expected considering the conditions which the tenderer was called npon to fulfil, and nnder which no sane man would tender. They were promised the B-itimates at an early date, but be reviewed and condemned the conduct of tbe Government m this respect m previous years, when the Estimates were pnt into their hands five and a half months after the clote of the financial year. He charged the Treasurer with deliberately misleading the House. Ihe Boads and Bridges Construction Aot waa passed m order to relieve the Estimates from provisions of that nature, and yet after pressure had been brought upon the Government they favored the districts which bad provision* of this kind made ia the Estimates. Be slluded to the Queenstown banquet and to Mr Fergus' speech as showing this. In other eases where these provisions were made on the Estimates, it was not so muoh the result of pressure on the Government as a sense of gratitude for the support given by members. The Taieri and Hamilton bridges were instances m point. All these sums were voted m direct opposition to tbe spirit and pur*

pose of the Boad3 and Bridges Construction Act. Ha hoped this year they would have theEstimates down aspromised, so as t» enable them to carefully investigate these abuses. He defied the Government to bring m a Bill to effect the proposed change m the constitution of the Upper House, as it would endanger their position. They would bring down resolutions expressing opinions which could be altered if they did not suit. Tho present Government hid done more to bring the tipper House into disrepute than any otber Government. They foisted men upon it who had been repeatedly rejected by constituents. The Prime Minister was an instance m point. He also complained that Wellington wa» over represented m that Chamber, which was, of itself, most unfair to tbe rest of tbe colony. There was a strong feeling that Wellington legislation was most prejudicial to the rest of the colony, and the time would come when a demand would be made to sweep the Chamber away altogether, unless it was radically reformed, and perhaps tho seat of Government might also be removed. There were a great many things omitted from the Speech. There was not a point of policy set forth on which the Ministry would stand or fall. The Government must feel that it had done a great deal to promote a feeling that the entire constitution required immediate and sweeping reform. Mr Fergus said he had been alluded to by the previous speaker as having brought pressure to bear on the Government, for the purpole of getting certain works for his district. The fact was that thesa works had been promised to his predecesior, who was m reality a member of tbe Opposition. The Roads and Bridges Act had been a great boon to the colony, and enabled them to provide for their local wants m a way which could not otherwise have been done. Mr Batbgate characterised the Speeoh as disappointing. Its only merit was its length. It contained little or nothing about the fntnre policy of the Government. The colony at present was staggering under its burden. The Speech admitted that there had been considerable depression, and he could assure them tbat tbe depression had not passed away. Tho returns from the railways lately had been under what they were for the corresponding periods of previous years. The Dunedin and Christchurch pape'S contained on an average one insolvency per day, and on examination it was shown that these occurred amongst the bone and sinew of tbe colony. There was evidence of a growing financial difficulty becoming more intense every week. The Speech was altogether silent as to the relief of this serions state of affairs. Their progress depended on sound financial administration and not the passing of a mass of statutes, and he contended that there had been no such administration on the part of the present Government. Ever sinco that Government took office, the prosperity of tbe colony hud been steadily decreasing. Tbe Banks of tho colony had done a great deal to thwart the progress and development of the oolony. Instead of going about lecturing upon pauperism, the Treasurer should reduce taxation, and thus relieve the present depression and stagnation. The thrusting of the Estimates down their throats at the close of last session was alluded to as most reprehensible. The whole administrative machinery of the colony was out of gear. In reality the Estimates were brought down last year, and approved of after the one half of their appropriation had been spent. Such a state of things was unheard of m administration elsewhere. The root of tbe evil was m the administration of their finance, and seeing that it had been maladministered to such an extent, it was their duty to bring the Government to a sharp account. It was not, as alluded to m the Speech, assisted immigration they wanted. What they wanted was the introduction of capitalists. Other places had secured such eligible accessions to their population, and it should have been tbe duty of the Government to take steps for securing a share of thai class of immigrants. They wanted an exhibition of their own, and not that proposed m the Speech, merely to join with ether colonies m promoting an exhibition. He admitted the good services rendered by the Minister of Lands m introducing the leasing system, and hoped that he would continue m the coarse he had begun, counselling him to give more beed to tbo advice given by local men as to tbe best means for settling lands m their neighborhood. The leasing system would prove a great success. Sir George Grey alluded to the reference) to the opening of Kawfaia harbor and the establishment of a township. That had been done m a most flagrantly unfair manner. The first duty of a Government was to see that tbe subjects bad their rights. If these subjects, m times of trouble, were driven from their lands, m better times it was tbe duty of the Government to restore them to their lauds. There was located at Kawbia a family tbat had been driven from their lands, and instead of restoring it to its lands, they (the Government) allowed the lands to be)put up to auction, and the Government itself did it m a private name. It was a fraudulent transaction. That family had been robbed, and he asked the Home not to endorse such an act on the part of the Government. The Hon. Major Atkinson said that the whole transaction referred to by tbe previous speaker bad been before the House, and the House bad voted money for the purpose. Everyone knew that sooner or later Kawhia would be opened, bnt tbe Government would have aoted exceedingly wrongly to have told anyone about its intention so as to enable them to make a profit as against the State. He challenged Sir George Grey to test the feeling of the House as to whether or not this land or its value should- be given to the family referred to. Begarding the complaint about the House not meeting m May, it arose from the fact tbat the House buildings were not ready. Every diligence was used m getting the alterations pushed on, but they simply could not get tbe work done sooner. Ha went on to say Mr Montgomery had tibled a most unconstitutional motion, which •mounted to a vote of censure on the Government, to be discussed after the Estimates were brought down. It involved the question of taxation, and he challenged him to proceed with its discussion at once. His speeoh throughout was lowering to the tone of the House, as accusing members of being bribed. The blame was not upon Ministers, but a majority of the House, as it was a majority of the House that carried these votes, and consequently it was the House and not the Government that wag to blame. But the hon. member knew that there was no bribery. The Boads and Bridges Construction Act had been passed for wise and prudent purposes, and he believed tbat it would save much of the imputations that had been made against the Government. He defended tbe action of the Government m freeing the Wanganui and Hamilton bridge). The Taieri bridge vote was submitted to and approved of by the House, so that Mr Montgomery's complaints under these heads fell to the ground. The complaint about the Government having foisted refuted candidates upon the Upper House simply amounted to this, that one man who bad held a seat m the House continuously for 20 years saw fit to resign and was called to tbe Upper Honse. It was monstrous to think that a leading man like the Premier should be debarred from the Legislative Council of the Colony simply because he happened to be once defeated m an election. It rested with the Crown to Bay who was to be called to that Chamber, and no good cause bad been shown why its choice should be limited m the way proposed. He regretted tbe Opposition was not more united, so as to enable it to do its duty more fully. All tbe Government business of the session was ready, and unless obstructed by the Opposition, it would be put forward at once. Last year the Opposition was entirely responsible for the Estimates being brought down so late. It might be that they would have to proceed with their business without reference to Mr Montgomery, and if necessary they would adopt that course. In order to save time he challenged them, if tbev had a polioy, to try conclusions at once and having settled the question to proceed with the business and get finished with as little delay as possible. The Government wanted to have a short session. They were willing to have a fight and then go on with their real work, but if tbe other side would not meet them m fair combat, but try to embarrass them with auoh motions as were on the Order Paper— motions not really meant —the Government might have to call ou its supporters to proceed with the real business of tbe country, irrespective of anything

the hon. member for Akaroa might say o do. Mr Fish said be had listened with grea admiration to the C.lonial Treasurer, becaus be recognised m him a really great aotor. Hi assumed indignation was very good. Wba the Opposition complained of was that m indication of a polioy for the future wa given ; nothing but unsatisfactory reference t-> the past. Tbe excuse for delay m calling thi House togethor was unsatisfactory m the ex treme ; the recent appointments to the Counci deserved tbe most severe censure ; and Ibi tone of the Treasurer towards Mr Montgomery, while characteristic, was not credit able to him. The Opposition would not be ridden rough-shod over, nor would Mr Mont gomery's friends allow him to be insulted The Colonial Treasurer might even yet fine himself not to strong as he imagined. Hi thought Mr Sbaw deserved greit credit foi having made a really excellent speech on c text which it was very evident he knew was all trash and rubbish. Mr J. W. Thomson attributed the barrenness of the Address to the want of agreement as to policy. Had the Government desired it, they oould have had matters sufficiently forward to meet a month earlier. Last year no fewer than fonr Imprest Bills were brought down, and tho probabilities were the same performance would be repeated this session. They had heard a great deal about the favorable aspect of the native question. He wanted to know if the native land question was on the same favorable footing. Was it not true that these lands were passing into the hands of large speculators, and tbo proceedsgetting into thobands of lawyers and hotelkeepers. He objected to the late nominees to tbe Council, chiefly because they belonged to one part of tbe colony, somewhere near Cook Strait. Mr Fulton, m reply to Mr Montgomery, explained that the vote for the Tuieri bridgo was adopted on the plea that it was a colonial and not a local work. Mr Jojce blamod the mixing up of financial administration with the work of legislation for the difficulties that existed, as the oonstitnents looked to their representatives to secure a fair share of the expenditure of public money. Mr Seddon moved tbe adjournment of tho debate till to-morrow, and the House rose at 11.40 p.m.