GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3414, 5 September 1885, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, Sept. 4. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Bpeaker took his seat at 2.30 p.m. SCnOOL COMJfITTEES ELECTION BIL&. On tho motion of Mr Reynolds it was agreed by 27 to 10 that a second free conference fhould be requested with the House of Bcpresentatives upon tho School Committees Election Bill with regard to new clauso 4, to which the House disagreed. MISCELLANEOUS. The Napier Gas Company's Bill was received from the House and read a first time. The Goldmining Company's Bill was read a second time without debate. The Gisborne High School Bill was committed and progress reported and leave granted to sit again. The Auckland Bailway Land Company Compensation Bill and the Bating Act 1882 Amendment (No. 2) Bill were read a second time without debate. The Mines Act 1877 Amendment Bill and the Mining Companies Act 1882 Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed. The Patea Harbor Board Bill was reported from Committee. The Council rose at 5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House mot at 2.30 p.m. NAPIER GAS COMPANY'S BILL. Captain Russell moved that the report of the Committee on tho Napier Gas Company's Bill be adopted, which was agreod to. Tho Bill was then read a third time and passed. PRIVILEGE. Mr O'Couor brought up a question of privilege. Ho called attention to tho fact that an hon. member stated that the evidence given by a petitioner before the Goldfields Committco wan untrue. The Speaker said m such a caso it was customary to proceed with the utmost severity against tho offender. Major Atkinson said ho hoped that m future ample notice would bo given to witnesses of the consequence of their making false ntatements before Committees. After some discussion, the Hon. Mr Stout said he would take steps to have the offender brought before the House. Mr O'Conor said he had no wish that steps should be taken m that direction. Tho matter then dropped. 1 TVAIMEA PLAINS BAILWAY. A lengthy discussion ensued on a report brought up by Mr Moss, tho Chairman of tho Public Accounts Committee, on n petition from the Waimea Plains Bailway Company. The report was to tho effect that legislation should he effected this session, m order to enable tho Company to levy their rate. Mr Downio Stewart moved an addition to tho report that the Government bo requested to give effect to tho rocommondation this I session. Mr Cowan considered that tho ratepayers should bo consulted m this matter. He moved that tho report of tho Committeo bo referred back for consideration. Ho hoped that the Houao would not sanction rolrospectivo legislation. Mr Montgomery contended that no injustice would bo dono by tho report of the Committee being acted on. Mr Macandrew suggested the adjournment of the debats till the report h*d b«en print«di

Major Atkinson said the whole thing was a technicality. He explained the circumstances, and said that a mistake which was quite i natural had prevented the Company from l getting their rates. 3 The Hon. Mr Ballanco said he hail no 1 doubt that tho House was asked to sanction r retrospective legislation, nnd he thought the r Public Accounts Committee had considered tho matter with undue haste. , Several other members addressed the r House on the question, after which the mot tion that the report be luid on the Tablo was earned on the voices. REPLIKS TO QUESTIONS. ' Beplyiug to Mr Hobbs whnfc provision the 3 Government intend to make for connecting ? the Kawakawa and Wangunui Railway as ' suggested m the Public \Vork3 Statement, the Hon. Mr Richardson said the Government did not propose any expenditure on this ' work this session. Replying to Mr Duncan if the Government do not consider that the time has arrived when tho importation of cattle from England may be resumed without enforcing such stringent regulations as are at present enforced, the Hon. Mr Tole said the Government had already taken steps for tho removal of the restrictions. Replying to Mr Pyke if the Government will on the Supplementary Estimates a sufficient sum to defray the sea-going expenses of the various Volunteer Bands attending the Exhibition at Wellington, the Hon. Mr Ballnnce said the Government had no money available for this purpose. Replying to Mr J. B. Whyte if any reports have been made to the Government by ollicers of the Department upon the scheme of railway management advocated by Mr Samuel Vaile, and m favor of which many thousands of persons have signed petitions to this House, tho Hon. Mr Richardson said reports had been received on this question, and he intended referring it to a Select Committee, but it would bo impossible to do anything this session. Replying to Mr J. Thomson as to what steps, if any, are being taken by the Government for the purpose of dealing with tho claims of late members of the Defence Force, Militia and Volunteers to grants of laud for military services rendered to the colony, the Hon. Mr Ballanco said that an investigation was now being made into this matter, and it was hoped the Waste Lands Committee would be able to deal with it shortly. Replying to Sir George Grey as to when detailed information will be given of the amounts expended m providing for the defence of the colony, and of the nature and probable cost of the materials ordered for this purpose from Englaud, the Hon. Mr Ballance said the information had been laid on tho Table. Replying to Mr Stewart if tho Government will give effect to the agreement between tho Dunedin Ocean Beach Railway Company, and the Goneral Government, and between tho Provincial Government of Otago and the General Government, relating to the granting of a station site to the Company near Jetty Street, Dunedin, the Hon. Mr Richardson said he was not aware of any existing promise being unfulfilled. SPECIAL POVKBB AND CONTRACTS BILL The Hon. Mr Ballance introduced the Special Powers and Contracts Bill. FEDERATION. Tho Hon. Mr Stout moved that this House will at its rising this day adjourn till 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, for the consideration of the Federation resolutions on the Order Paper. Major Atkinson moved that Monday be substituted for Saturday, and the amendment was agreed to on the voices. The Houso rose at 6.30. Tho Houso resumed at 7.30. SECOND HEADINGS. The Hon. Mr Richardson moved the second reading of tho Public Works Amendment Bill No. 2. Tho Bill, he said, contained some useful amendments suggested by County Councils, which he would ciplain m Committee. He explained briefly tile otherclauscs of tho Bill, which were agreed 10. The Hon. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Public Revenues Bill. — Agreed to. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. Tho Houso wont into Committee of Supply for the further consideration of the Estimates. On the item working railways the Hon. Mr Bichardson moved that the vote bo reduced by £20,0'J0. He explained that a large saving had already been made m this Department, and ho could see his way to make tliis reduction. The motion was agreed to. Item : Government domains, £1200. — Carried. Item : Public buildings, £33,700. Mr Hurst moved that the item be reduced by £10,000. Ho specially condemned the Urge expenditure on Ministerial residences, gas, etc. Tho Hon. Mr Richardson said tho item " gas " covered all tho public buildings m the colony. Ho defended tho expenditure on the Ministerial residences as being necessary. Mr Fergus pointed out that tho colony had paid during the last four or fivoyeaas no less than £500 por annum for each of the Ministerial residences. He contended it would be better to do away with tue residences altogether, and allow certain Ministers rental allowances the same as those which were not furnished with residences. Mr Dargavillo defended tho item. Ho said he had frequently been struck with the mean appearance, both inside and out, of tho Premier's residence, and ho considerol the expenditure perfectly justified. Mr" Hursthouse said if the Ministerial residences were sold it would do away with much unpleasant discussion on euch items as that atpresent before tho House. Mr Holmes said ho hud advocated m 1882 that the residences bo sold, but he was then opposed by both the Member for Waitemuto. and Hie Member for Wakatipu, who wero now advocating an opposite course. He would be prepared lo voto with them now if tho Member for Egmont boldly slated that the residences wero not neeeßsary. Tho Hon. Mr Stout said that the discussion appeared to be initiated as an argument m favor of removing the Seat of Government. Personally he was not against the Ministers' residences being sold, but he thought m tho present condition of the colony they would not fetch their proper value if put up for sale. After considerable discussion Mr Hurft withdrew his amendment to reduce tho umount by £10,000, and proposed instead a reduction of £3700. Tho amendment was lost by 36 to 28. Mr Turnbull moved to reduce tho amount by £1500.— Lost by 38 to 30. Item : Miscellaneous services. Captain Suttcr moved that tho item for repairing roods north of Auckland and expenses of collecting tolls bo struck out. A long discussion resulted. Mr W. White movod that tho item be roduced by £200, upon which Captain Suttcr withdrew hit amendmont. Major Atkinson moved that the Ministry should take tho senso of the Houso on a nominal redaction, say £5. Mr White's amondment was lost by 31 to 30, and Major Atkinson's carried on the voices. Item : Treasury Department, £5617. — Carried. Item : Property Tax Department, £22,195. — Carried. Item : Friendly Societies Registry Office. £1456. — Carried. Item : Miscellaneous sorvices, £20,050. Mr Montgomery asked if £3000 would bo the total amount required for tho Wellington Exhibition. Ho would also liko to know how tho £6000 was to bo expended for tho Colonial Exhibition m London. Tho Hon. Sir Julius Vogol said the net cost of tho Wellington Exhibition would bo about £4000. Tho total expenditure was estimated at £10,000, but it was anticipated tho amount realised from tho salo of tickets and tho salo of tho buildings would bo about £0000. Further, if tho proposal that was being entertained us to converting tho exhibition building into a Government printing oflico, tho real cost of tho exhibition would bo very litllo indeed. As to tho Colonial Exhibition m London probably £3000 or £4000 extra would bo required noxt year m addition to tho £0000 on tho Estimates for the present year. Only one gentleman, namoly, Dr. Von Haast, had boon sent Homo to superintend all tho arrangements m connection with the New

Zealand exhibits, and it was not proposed to send any other person Home m connection with tho Exhibition. If anyono else went Home it would bo at their own expense. The item was then curried. Item : Internal defence, £24,968. Mr Donald Reid protested against bucli a large force of gunners being maintained. He contended that it was not necessary to keep such a standing army, and thought the Volunteer force would bo willing and able to do the work if required. The Hon. Mr Ballanee said no Volunteer f»rce could manago tbo torpedo service that was now required for the defence of the colony. Iho Government proposed that during tho next ten years the chief portion of the fortification work that would be required should be executed by the Armed Constabulary. He oxplained tho arrangements made with respect to defence, and said hehoped to be ablo to effect considerable savings m tho Department m the future, and to reduce the forco to about 300 men m all, which, he maintained, would be sufficient for the requirements of tho colony. Ho stated that he intended proposing a reduction of about £10,000 m the total vote. Referring to recent defence preparations, he said it was the duty of the colonies to help to defend themselves, and not to depend solely on Great Britain. Mr W. F. Auckland moved that the item .€7OO for Commander of the Colonial Forces bo struck out. Mr Brvce said that speaking from some experience it wa3 little use m the Committee endeavoring to alter tho Government Estimates. He would not proposo any change, although ho did not approve of all the arrangements that had been made. He was quite prepared to admit, however, that the Government had been forced into taking the steps they had adopted m the matter of defence preparations. A long discussion then ensued. Major Atkinson said they woro arranging for tho organisation of tho future. Ho was prepared to support tho Ministry for what thoy hnd done m the post owing to emergency, but as the Government were now bringing down a scheme for tho future organisation of the forces, tho House was entitled to havo more information than had been placed beforo it, and he thought the Minister had .not thoroughly thought the matter out. The amendment to striko out the vote of £700 was lost on tho voices. Mr Conolly moved to rcduco tho voto to £500.— Lost on a division by 34 to 12. Mr Macarthur moved to reduced tho item by £1, and that tho appointment should not last more than ono year. — Lost by 30 to 14. [Left silting.]