HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4413, 16 June 1882, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thubsday, June 15. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Houbo met at 2.30 p.m. OOBBBOTBD DIVISION LIST. The Speak J B announced that the division the previous evening, on the Protection of Telegrams Bill, was Ayes 32, noes 27, and not Ayes 31, as announced at the time. QUBBUONS. In reply to Mr J. E. Brown, the Hon W. Eolxeston said that if it was the general wish, facilities would be given to members desirous of visiting the Ohristchuroh Exhibition. Replying to Mr Holmes, the Hon W. Johnston said it was not intended by Government to appoint a District Board to \ hear, investigate, and report upon complaints made by employees in his department, in such districts, respecting their ill-treatment by heads of department or his officers. Replying to Mr Green, the Hon T. Dice said that Government had taken the rabbit nuisance into their own hands. Arrangements had been made for introducing 250 polecats from Tasmania, and each ship leaving England would bring a supply of 50 ferrets to cope with the nuisanoe. Parties bringing out these animals would get no subsidy, but they would find a profitable market at their disposal. Replying to Mr Sutton, the Hon T. Dick said it was not proposed to bring down a measure for the management of Hospitable and Charitable institutions similar to that of laßt session, but the Financial Statement would indicate what waß proposed to bo done in that direction. Replying to Mr I. Wilson, the Hon W. Johnston said that if, upon enquiry, it was found the traffic required it a goods shed would be ereoted at Southbrook Railway Station. Reylying to Mr Cadman, the Hon T. Dice Baid Government did not intend to make it compulsory that persons appointed to the commission of the peace should undergo examination in the various Acts they may be called upon to administer, if but a Bill to that effeot waß introduced, Government would give it consideration. NBW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time : — Canterbury Rivers! Act, 1870, Amendment (Mr I. Wilson) ; To Amend "The Fencing Act" (Mr Smith); Native Committees Empowering (41r Tomoana) ; Oreaki Native Reserve (Mr Tawhai) ; Mining Company Registration Validation (Hon T. Dick) ; To Afford Relief under the Circumstances to Deferred Payment Settlers; To Provide for the Election of the Members of Waste Lands Boards (Sir G. Grey). VISIT OP MBMBBBS TO THE BXHIBITION. Mr J. E. Bbown gave notice he would move to-morrow that the House adjourn on Thursday, Juue 29, to the following Tuesday, to enable the members to visit tbo Ohristchurch Exhibition. OTAGO HABBOUB BILL. Mr FIBH moved tho second reading of the Otago Harbour Board Further Empowering Bill, stating that he only wished to advance it a stage, and to take the discussion on the motion for going into Committee, so that members might have timo to consider certain data compiled by the Harbour Board, which he should circulate. Mr Macandrbw said he would not oppose the second reading, although at the same time ho differed entirely with tho promoters of tho Bill, both as regards the amount sought to be borrowed and the work towards which, as he understood, tho loan wars intended to be applied. When tho Bill got into Committee he would be preporod to move certain amendments, tho object of which would be to diminish tho amount of the proposed loan, and to restrict its application to works most conducive to the public intorest. As tho mover had deferred dobating the question to a subsequent stage, he should reserve anything he might havo to say until then. The Bill was read a second timo. AUCKLAND GBAMMAB BCHOOL. The Houbo went into Committee on tho Auckland Grammar Bchool Bill. After the preliminary clauses had beon discussed, progress waß reported. COST OF " HANSABD." Mr Ptkb moved — " That members defray the cost of printing their own speeches in Hansard, and that such costs shall be deducted from the honorarium, if any, to which they may bo entitled." Tho cost per night was very heavy, and ho thought the motion, if carried, would shorten the session one month. That was an important consideration. It would tend to promote tho public busineßß and tho health and convenience of members. The prosent was an opportune time for making a proposal of the kind. There had as yet been no abuse of the formß of tho Houße, and this precaution would help to counteract any abuse of tho kind. Mr TubnbulEi moved as aa amendment, that the words read — " Mombers who desiro to have their speeches reported defray tho cost, Ac." He, for one, would prefer not having his spocches reported. Mr J. W. Thomson characterised this as an important motion, but he thought it was brought forward in the way of a joke. He had years ago opposed a motion to havo speeches curtailed to 20 minutes, but ho now believed he made a mistake. Their speeches were now too fully reported. At ono timo they were reported in the third person, ■ whereas now, they were reported in tho first *

9 person. In the House of Commons, speeches J ■ were not so elaborately reported, and ho I i thought a similar course might be pursued here. He, himself, was accused of being a disoursivo speaker, and it might in his own case be well were bis remarks condensed. The reporting staff might very well bo allowed to condense. In that case Hansard might be considerably reduced if not abolished. He imagined the seat of Government would be removed in time. If taken to Chrhtchurch, they could dispenso with Hansard altogether, as there they would get papers able to report their speeches. The papers of Wellington neither did credit to themselves or the Colony. The abolition of Hansard would be the saving of about £5000 per annum. Ho would support the motion. Mr Kbllt thought that the debate might be curtailed by an amendment in tha forms of the House. Mr Levin said this question of Hansard was continually cropping up. They set about matters in a most extravagant way. He defended the Press of the city, and asserted that the reports of the morning papers this year were as creditable as the reporting in ; any paper in the Colony. In the past that had not been the case 5 still it was an earnest on the part of the newspapers of an intention to keep progress with the times. Mr Fish opposed tbe motion. He could only imagine that the mover had outlived his ability to make anything like a decent speech, and was envious of younger and abler members. He defended Hansard as a useful record of what bad passed. Ho also defended the Press of Wellington, adding that the papers would compare favourably with the Press of his own city of Dunedin. Mr Dodson also opposed the motion. In years past he had been a constaut reader of Hansard, and he believed with profit to himself. He defended the roporting as being wonderfully correct. Ho also defended the reports given in the Wellington Times. They were exceedingly creditable to the reporter, whoever he might be. He would vote steadily against any effort to interfere with Hansard. Mr Shbphabd denied that tbe cost was bo great as had been stated. He did not look upon the motion as being at all serious so far. As to the removal of the seat of Government which had been alluded to, he wouldjust as soon trust to the morning paper in Wellington aa to the papers in Christchurch. Be hoped they would strictly adhere to tho present arrangement. Captain Mackenzie admitted that tho pecuniary aspect of the question might be a matter ef some importance to certain members. Mr Braoken moved, as a further amendment — " That members be made to pay the corrections upon their speeches." Mr Fbldwick supported Mr Bracken's amendment. Theso corrections increased the cost of Hansard one fourth. Mr Ptke defended the reports in the Wellington Press, which. would bear favourable • comparison with the reports of any othor place. He had been urged to bring forward the motion by a number of members in the House. The resolution, as it stood, excluded Ministers, as they received no honorarium. He would also be prepared to exompt the leaders of the Opposition, whoever they might be. Mr TußNßXTii's amendment w&b negatived on the voices. The House divided on Mr Bracken's amendment, which was lost on the vote by 45 to 21. The House divided on the original motion. AT83,27; .Poes, 36. The motion was lost. LIGHTING OF PABLIAHBNT HOT/SB. Mr Kelly moved— "That tho Houbo is of opinion that Government should, during the reces», cause inquiries to be made by competent persons as to whether the Parliamentary buildings could with advantage bo lighted by electricity." The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.