HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3420, 12 September 1885, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The Houso met at 2.30 p.m. ALLEGED BBBACH OP PRIVILEGE. Mr Bryce called attention to what ho considered was a breach of privilege of tho House. He explained that he had been summoned before a Committee of the Legislative Council m order to give evidonco iv the petition of Taiaroa. Finding, however, that the evidence desired to be given related to the power of the Crown over a sum of £400 which was referred lo in a speech made m tho House of Representatives by Colonel Trimble he had, with all respect to the Committeo, asked to be allowed to withdraw, as he could not give evidences before it. He now desired to leave the matter m tho hands of the Speaker. The Speaker aaid the hon. member hud done his duty m bringing the matter before tho House. Members were not to be questioned anywhere by anybody as to what they had said m the House. It seemed to him that the matter was a serious breach of privilege, and it wa9 generally the duty of the leader of tho House to propose a motion on the subject. The Hon. Mr Stout agreed that it was a breach of privilege. Ho then moved a resolution to the effect that the attention of the Council bo called to tho improper conduct of the Committee, and that the leave given to Mr Bryce to nttend before tho Committee, be revoked. Several members spoke on the motion, which ivas agreed to on tho voices. THE ELECTRIC LIGHT IN THE lIOTTSE. Mr Dargaville gave notice to ask tho Government whether they would take steps to remove the electric light from tho Houso of Eepresentatives, as it had proved so injurious to the eyes of honorable members. OBDEB OF BUSINESS. The Hon. Mr Stout moved that tho House at its rising adjourn till Monday, at 2.30 p.m., for Government business only. Tho motion was agreed to. HBPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Samuel, who asked — (1) whether the Government have taken any si ens to ascertain the best route for a branch railway or route from a point on tho Now Plymouth-Hawera line of railway to a point on the North Island Main Trunk lino m order to connect Taranaki with Auckland ; (2) whethor it is tho intention of tho Government to close the railway workshops at Sentry Hill, ucar New Plymouth ; (3) whethor the Government will institute enquiries as to the working of tho New Plymouth-Foxton railway witli a view to improve tho same, tho Hon. Mr Richardson said the question as to laying a road from New Plymouth to tho main trunk line hud not been brought undor the notice of tho Govornment. It was not intended to closo tho workshops. Ab to the third question instructions had boon given to rnako further inquiries. Replying to Mr Samuel whethor the Government will make provision for payment to tho New Plymouth Harbor Board of the value of lands taken from tho Board for railway purposes, the Hon. Mr Richardson said the Government would do so. Replying lo Colonel Trimblo whether it is intended this session to repoal the Native Land Alienation Restriction Act 1884, and if not whether it is intended to make any arrangements under which tho coal mines on tho banks of the Mokau river may be worked by tho natives and Europeans now embarked , m tho coal industry of that region, tho Hon. Mr Ballance replied m tho negative. SECOND HEADINGS. The Hon. Mr Ballance moved tho second reading of tho Special Powers and Contracts Bill. Ho naked that tho Bill bo referred to tho Waste Lands Committee.— Agreed to. Tho Hon. Mr Stout movod the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill. — Agreod to. TUB FINANCIAL DEBATE. Mr Barron resumed the debate on Mr Russoll's motion. Ho reforred to tho dobato as a coalition ono, which was as unsatisfactory as the present coalition Government. Ho conaidored the public works policy hod had a very demoralising effect on tho colony. The Public Works Estimates now boforc tho House contained votes for many works which would not only bo unproductive but which it would bo unwise to continue Thoy had found yoar aftor yoar votos on tho Estimates for roads and bridges which were altogether unnecessary and wero m too many eases tho result of pressure on tho respective Governments. Ho was altogethor opposed to the policy of the Colonial Treasurer, and sympalhisod with ecarcoly anything that hon. gentleman had dono. Ho dofended the construction of tho Otago Central Railway no a colonial work. Ho also pointod out that tho work was now nearly reproductive, and that the expenditure of a few thousand pounds would greatly lessen tho annual chargo on it. Ho hoped if tho House got into Committee, thoy would discriminate between useful votes and thoso that wero altogothor unneceeiary.

Mr Harper denied that tho Member for Selwyn had been a supporter of the Ea>t und West Coast Railway. On the contrary, thnt lion, gentleman had done his utmost against i tho construction of thnt lino both inside and ) outside tl-.e House. He referred to tho | circumstances attending the construction of I that railway at considerable length, null doi fended the action of tlio Canterbury members . m endeavoring to obtain justice for their tlis- , trict und a fair expenditure of public monoy. The members for that district m supporting tho present motion were determined if one portion of the colony suffered other portions should suffer. Mr Kerr complained that Otago and Taranaki had entered into on unholy alliance for years past m order to obtain an unfair share of public money. Ho considered it would have paid the colony well to have given Otago £300,000 and havo done with it. Mr Macandrew eaid lie hud always held that the East and West Coast Railway should have been made by tho colony. It was ho who had first put tho railway on tlio schedule, and if tho Government, of which he was a member, had remained m office, there was no doubt that the railway would have been nearly constructed by this time. Ho was surprised at tho action of the Olago members over this railway, and ho considered they were acting very unneighborly m opposing it. Referring to expenditure m Otago, ho asserted that sinco tho Constitution was established, Otago had contributed to the revonuo four millions moro of money than had been spent m that district. Mr Pyke combated tho statement of the i Member for Port Chalmers that all the members were opposod to tho East and West Coast Railway. Ho had more than once stated the railway should be constructed, but he waß opposed to the way m which it was proposed to be constructed. Ho was glad to sco that the Government had not made the present motion a party question, and ho hoped the House would go into Committeo and discuss tho Estimates m tho usuul way. Mr Turnbull thought the Canterbury members were making a mistake m the action they were now taking. Ho characterised the Opposition as not being opposed to tho East and West Coast Railway, but were actuated by hostility to one of " tho members of the Government. Ho had supported that r.iilway, and would continue to do so. He referred at some length to tho opposition of tho Member for Geraldinc to that railway, and said that hon. gentleman had behaved very unjustly to the Canterbury district. Mr Hobbs said the tono of the debate appeared to bo the wrongs of Canterbury. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. Tlio House resumed at 7-30 p m. Mr Hobbs continued speaking on the motion. He pointed out at some length that tho district north of Auckland had not received anything like a fair share of public expenditure. Mr Duncan could not see his way to vote for tho present motion, owing to the circumstances which led to its being brought down by the Momber for Hawkes Bay. Mr Hatch thought the supporters of tho Euet and West Coast Railway should put their shoulders to the wheels m the same manner as tho Wellington peoplo had done, iv regard to the Wellington-Manawatu ; railway, and themselves undertake tho construction of the works. Mr Levestum advocated the claims of Nelson to the East and West Coast Railway both m respect of land and the amount of revenuo contributed to the colony by that district. Mr O'Cttllughan's amendment was then put and lost on the voices. Mr Russell's motion was put and carried on a division by 44 to 29. The followiug is the division list : — Ayes : 44 — Allwright, Atkinson, Barron, Beethani, Bevan, Bruce, Bryce, Buchanan, Buckland W. F., Conolly, Dodson, Garriok, Guinness, Hamlin, Harper, Hislop, Hobbs, Holmes, Hursthouse, Ivess, Johnston, Kerr, Lake, Lance, Levestam, Locke, Macandrew, McMillan, Menteath, Mitchelson, O'Callaghan, Peacock, Pearson, Richardson !G. F., , Ross, Russell, Samuel, Steward W. J., gutter, Thomson J. W., Trimble, Walker, , White W., Whyte J. B. Noes: 29— Ballance, Bradshaw, Brown, Bnckland J.C., Cadman, Cowan, Davgaville, Duncan, Fitzherbert, Gore, Hatch, Macarthur, Mackenzie M. J. S., McKenzie J., Moss, Newman, O'Conor, Pratt, Wi Pere, Pyke, Richardson E., Seddon, Smith, Stowart W. D., Stout, To Ao, Thompson T., Turnbu.lL.Boid. PAIE3. Ayes.— Hurst \V. J., Fulton, Hirst H., Rollestou, Wilson. Noes. — Grace, Larnach, Joyce, Tole, Reese. Mr Macandrew explained that he had , voted with tho " ayes " because he had paired with Mr Montgomery and found himself located iv tho Chamber. : COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. Tho House went intoCommilteo of Supply for the consideration of the Public Works Estimates. Item : Kawakawa Railway, £4100. Major Atkinson »aid tho House hod just passed a resolution affirming that tho Estimates should ho reduced by a certain sum. He hoped the Minister for Public Works would lead tho Committeo m the matter. r lhe Hon. Mr Richardson said ho should only move tho reductions as he cumo to tho items. i A long discussion thon arose, several members contending that Mr Richardson distinctly slated a few nights ago that ho would not move tho reductions himself if tho motion for reduction wcro carried. Mr Hislop said the Committee was m a very unsatisfactory position. Ho thought the Government should havo a fair opportunity of adopting some scale for making the reductions orderod by tho House. Ho would move that tho Chairman report progress, so as to give the Government a littlo moro tiino , m making reductions. Mr Hursthoueo said the motion was dis- , tinetly one of no-confidenco. Mr Rolleston said that tho Government having accepted Mr Russell's motion it was their place to see that the reductions were properly made. The Hon. Mr Stout said ho had distinctly staled that the Government would not take back tho Kstimates. He contonded that tho Opposition was pursuing a vory unfair course. Major Atkinson said tho Premier had stated that ho would resign liis position if Mr Russell's motion' wore carried. The Hon. Mr Stout gavo this statement an absolute contradiction. Major Atkinson said it was not unreasonable m tlio Committee asking what particular votes wero to be reduced. 'lho iron. Mr Richardson snid tho reductions would amount to about £430 000. Major Atkinson asked whether that amount was m proportion to tho £500,000 ordered to bo taken off by tho House. Tho Hon. Sir Juliuu Vogol eaid tho Member for Bgmont had mistaken the position. Tho Government had said that m ohoilienco to the will of tho Houso thoy should not mako Mr Russell's motion o party question. Tho Minister for Public Works had also , stated that he was prepared to point out whore reductions wcro to be made, but ho i would vote against them. Mr Russell suggeßtod that they should vote on tho first itom us an indication of the sonso of tho Committee. A lengthy discussion followed, i Tho Hon. Mr Richardson said tho following ' reductions could bo made m (ho votes for i railways, without impairing oxisting con- , tracts : — Huntley branch, £7500 out of , £12,000 j Holcnsvillo northwards, £20,000 ; i Hamilton-Grabamstown, £11,000) Palmerston, £55,000 out of £114,000; Main Trunk ; line, Marton to To Awamutu, £48,000 out of ! £178,000; Host and West Coast Railway, , £149,000; Picton, £8000 out of £25,000; Livingßton branch, £8000 out of £17,400 ; , Otugo Central, £25,000 out of £101,600 ; i Waimea, £10,000, and m additions to openod . railways, £20,000. This would mako a total . reduction of £375,000. Mr Hialop then withdrew his motion for , reporting progress. Item : Kawakawa Railway, £4100.— 1 Passed. Itom : Whangaroi-Kamo Railway, £8200. ' — Carriod. , Item : Huntloy brunch, £12,100. > Mr Holmes movod that this itom bo rei duced by £11,500, and after nome disouißion tho reduction was carried on the voices.

Item : Ueleiißville northwards, £20,000. Mr Holmes moved that this vote be struck Out, nutl the motion ivus carried br 5 1 to 31. Item : Hamilton - Cambridge, ' £1400.— Carried. Item : Hamilton-Grahamstown, £40,000. Mr Holmes moved a reduction of £11,000. Tho motion was carried. Item : Napier- Woodville nnd Palmerston North, £114,000. Mr Macarthur pointed out that this line was one of the most remunerative m tho colony, und it would bo real economy to pass the vote. Mr Buchanan and Dr Newman warmly advocated the line, the latter challenging any hon. member to prove a better paving line than that from Napier to Woodville.' Captain Slitter moved that the vote be reduced by £64,000, nnd after considerable discussion tho reduction was carried by 56 to 25. Item : Wellington- Woodville, £46,500.— Carried. Item : New Plymoulli-Foxlon, £26,500.— Carried. Item : Wellington-Foiton, £1000. — Carried. Item : Main Trunk line, Marton to Te Awamutu, £178,000. Mr Q-. F. Richardson moved a reduction of £48,000. Mr Levestam asked for nn explanation of the liabilities of this line. The Hon. Mr Richardson said some small contracts had been enterod into during the past month. Mr Holmes disapproved of the Government entering into contracts m this manner, and suggested that the whole voto should bo struck out. Tho Hon. Sir Julius Yogel said the railway was one of infinito importance to the colony, and no delay should take place m its construction. If that railway were of importance to tho North Bland the East and West Coast Railway was of no less importance to the South island, and both wero of the greatest possible moment to the colony. He said this was no time when the expenditure should be reduced on railways, that expenditure being the most profitable for borrowed money, and some arrangement should bo made whereby both railways should be made. The motion for tho reduction wns carried on a divisionbv 53 to 26. Item : East and West Coast line, £150,000. Mr Rces moved the reduction of the item by £50,000. Cuptnin Snter moved that the reduction be £119,000. Mr Holmes said Mr Rees had never acted with the Canterbury members but had always gone against them. [Left sitting.]