HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3362, 1 October 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Last night. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Saunders gave notice that he would move the appointment of a select comj mittee to inquire into the use made of ■ the Government steamers and the telegraph system for the parpose of influencing the late election. Mr McLean gave notice of motion that he would move that a return of all contracts for Government advertising, printing, &c, be laid on the table. Replying to Mr Tole, Mr •Sheehan said the Government would put on the estimates a sufficient sum to equalise the salaries of all officers in the gaols of the colony, but that power would bo reserved to allocated the salaries in accordance with the services rendered. Mr Macandrew, in reply to Mr Stevens, said architects in the public service were not allowed to compete in private practice. WAIKATO END OF BAILWAY. ' To Mr Whyte, Mr Macandrew said till the bridge over the Waikato was finished the construction of any portion of the line of railway from Hamilton to Te Aroha would not be commenced. LANDS FOE THE F-EOPLE. Mr Johnston asked what blocks of Crown land in the land district of Canter* [ bury have been set asid6 for sale on de- | ferred payments unddr the Land Act of 1877, and what is estimated area of such blocks. Mr Thompson replied 320 blocks, and that the total area was 6393 acres. The proclamation was dated Ist October, 1878, and with regard to selectors, the number was 320. To Mr Swauson, Mr Macandrew. said provision bad been madu for the workingmen being paid at least every fortnight, employed ou the Government contracts. Mr Pulton asked what steps Government proposed to take towards the establishment of a Deaf and Dumb Institution for the Colony, aud whether the services of competent instructors have .been secured by the Agent-General. The Premier said the Government did j intend to establish such an iustitutien, and | that instructors would arrive by December nest. NELSON" CKEEK BBIDGE. Replying to Mr Master Mr Macandrew said the Government would lay before the House all the correspondence, petitions, and telegrams, relating to or connected with the construction or alteration of the site of the proposed bridge over Nelson Creek on the Greymouth and Reefton Uoad, Grey Valley, that had passed between cue Government and the following gentlemen und public bodies, viz., the .Representatives i'or Grey Valley, the. Chairman of the County Council of Greymouth, and the Mayor of the Borough of Grey month. . MAIM. | Replying to Mr Eussell Mr Fisher' said steps had been taken to insure a more punctual delivery of the Frisco mail on the East Coast, North Island. Implying to Mr Wakelield, Mr Thomson said that he would lay before the j House a paper showing the number of j allotments offered for sale, for cash, or on . deferred payments, under the Eailway .Reserves Salts Act, 1878, tiie area of such allotments, and the price obtained, and indicating which purchasers on deferred payments hare since abandoned. their purchases. NEW BILLS. The following new Bills were introduced, aod react for the first lime: Oamaru Waterworks Loau*Bill (Shrimski); to amend the Slaughterhouse Act 1877 (Tolo); Onehuuga Water Reserve; Waiuku Recreation, Waluku .Reserve (Hanilin); Askburton County Council Waterworks (Wright); to alter the terms of trust of certain Church lands at

Nupiei-, (Stilton); lo provide for the formation of special settlements, to amend tho Lund Act, 18t>7, (Thomson); to amend the Resident Magistrate's Act, 1867, to amend the District Court Act, 1858. (Pitt); tho Napier and Meanee liecreation Ground, (Kussell). ADDKESB IN EBPLY. Mr Andrews moved that a respectful Address be presented to his Excellency the Governor in reply to the Address he hnd presented to the House. He said that it must be satisfactory to all parties to read the soundness of the finances of the Colony. [Referring to the policy set forth in the Address he referred to the extension of the franchise and upoke of the importance of the same being extended. He thought that what was now urgently required was the residential clause, and he believed that that would be what the House would be asked to pass. Nothing but residents and real colonists he hoped would be provided with the franchise. He thought the bill which would be produced would meet all requirements of the case and he thought a simpler mode of registration was necessary. The registration of a dog was a very simple proceeding, but not so with an elector. A man might land h^re with many thousands of pounds, and it was,not till a particular period of the year that he could register. Then again there was the form out of which many informalities might arise. The hours fixed for polling were also objected to by the Speaker. Ho referred to the Electoral Koll of Christchurch, iv which he said there were at least 3500 names quite entitled under proper conditions, but, of whom were enabled to" vote, only 2500 voted at the late election. The speaker urged the reason was that the working classes had not had an opportunity of recording their votes. He believed that what was necessary was that the pull should be kept open till five, sis, or even seven or eight o'clock. He believed that the time had arrived when a change in favor of Triennial Parliaments was urgently required by the colony. As to the redistribution of scats he contended that it was' another measure which was urgently demanded. He urged that local self government, the readjustment of taxation, and plurality of voting in local elections were subjects which demanded readjustment. He next alluded to the question of small farm settlements. What was wanted to be provided for was lands for the people, and and a provision for employment. If property was adjusted lie believed that its effects would be toindocemany who were at present hanging about the towns doing nothing to go forth into the country and fiud employment that would be advantageous to themselves and the colony. He spoke at some length in favor of nommated immigration onVhich he expressed an opinion that they would be the best class of immigrants the colony could provide for. Alluding to public works he said he believed that whatever took place the prosecution of such works must be provided for. Whatever was done in connection with the Maoris and their lands should be done in a constitutional manner. Eeferring to Chinese immigration he said that this House ought to take steps to prevent an influx of any class or nationality calculated to demoralise the morals of the community. In conclusion he said he believed that the great Liberal policy was the policy demanded by the whole of New Zealand, and he trusted that all sides of the House would concur in getting these laws brought into operation. He would do his best to carry out all the Liberal measures foreshadowed in the Address. He hoped that the House as a whole would be inclined to follow a similar course.

Mr Hurst seconded the motion, and in doing so he reviewed various clauses of the Address. The great questions before the country were the financial and native affairs. He felt quite convinced that the head of the Government desired nothing but financial success, and the genuine prosperity of the couutry, instead of n mere struggle for office. He had hoped that all would combine in adopting those liberal measures so urgently demanded by the country. If this House -had acted wisely, they ought to have gone on with these measures, and then joined cause with the Government on the personal question. The financial position of the colony was at once grave and serious. He had been in favor of the policy of 1870, but he took exception to the method in which that policy was carried on. The £1,000,000 loan did not arrive from England, and he would like to know in whal position the colony would be placed with a judicious investment. He had no doubt but that the loan would be a good investment; but yet, the fact w^ that a large amount of money had been invested for which no adequate return would be made. to native affairs ho said the Bay of Islands matter had been a mere family dispute, and the Government was in no way responsible for the consequence. It diii not partake in the slightest of a political character. The Government had, iv his opinion, acted wisely in coming down to this House for advice before taking definite action in the matter of these native disturbances. It was a matter with which every Government ought to be permitted to deal against from all questions of party politics. He could noi see how in any way the Government should be held responsible for the native disturbances. The Hou. Mr Hall at 430 moved the adjournment of the House till 7.30.