HOUSE OOF RERESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6884, 20 June 1890, Page 4

HOUSE OOF RERESENTATIVES.

TtftraiSDAT, Junb 19. The House n_et at 1.60 p.m. m i A message was received from the Legis-, lativo Council, requiring the attendance of, to hear the' Governor's Speech. NEW MEMBERS. On the House resuming, Mr Bryce,; membertfor Waipa, and Mr Hislop, member, ifor Oamaru, took the oath and their seats. CLEBK OF PABLIAHENT. __ _ The' Speaker said he desired to inform ( the ' House that after the rising of Parlia-, (ment last year, he had received a--letter front Major Campbell, tender-; >ing resignation of his office of Clerk J -of Parliament which he bad held ifor thirty-five years. Major Campbell •also desired to express his grateful thanks 'to the Speaker and members of the House tfor the kindness and consideration that -had always been shown him during his long tenure of office. The Speaker, in making the announcement, -said he wished to offer a few remarks. Major Campbell iad served the House fer a period of thirty-five years; before any of the present -members bad taken their seats. ' .When he (Major -Campbell) commenced his duties in 1864 ite had few precedents to guide him, but he was always most painstaking and «cc*rate, and he (Sir M.'o'Borke) thought the Journals of the House would bear favourable comparison with the public . records of other Colonies. He hoped Major Campbell would longenjoy that retirement from service which he was so well entitled to. He further wished to inform the House that in consequence of Major Campbell's .resignation, he had recommended to the Government that Mr Friend, who had «erved the House for twenty-seven years ■as -clerk's assistant, should be appointed to the vacancy, and that Mr Otterson, -with a service of seventeen years, should -reoeive the office of clerk's assistant. The •Government -had accepted both those -recommendations, and the appointments -had been made accordingly. NOTICES OF MOTION. Sir iH. Atbinbon gave notice to move «on Tuesday next that the Speaker be requested to convey to Major Campbell, on "3>ehalf of the House, its acknowledgment of liis long and valuable services during the last thirty-five years, and its appreciation , -of the advice and assistance which he was ■at all times willing to render members of the House in the conduct of their business. JJEr Tatlob gave notice to move — -"That the Property tax is inimical to the beßt interests of the people, that it -retarded the settlement of the land, prevented th 9 investment of capital, and the •establishment of industries." Mr T_i__sner gave notice that he would -next day move an Address in Eeply to the Governor's speech. QUESTION. Beplying to Mr Taylor ■Captain Bussell said he had not lost .light of the interests of old soldiers and Volunteers during the recess, and he had tgiven instructions to the various Crown i Lands Commissioners to push on their •enquiries into those claims as quickly ab ■possible. He hoped to be able to announce -something more definite before the close -of the session. -MOTION FOB ADJOURNMENT. The Hon B. Mitchblson moved the -adjournment of tbe House at 3 p.m. SirG. Obey said he had an amendment to propose. He contended that it was the duty of the Government- to at once advise the Gevernor to dissolve* the present Parliament, and to assure his Excellency that fall supplies would be granted in -order to carry on public business till the meeting of the new Parliament, which might be in about aix weeks* time. He «trongly condemned the action of the -Government in keeping themselves in office without adopt iag such a step as that he proposed- He then moved—** That the House forthwith resolve itself into Committee for tbe purpose of drawing up a tumble petition to the Governor praying him to dissolve Parliament, and to cause ■writs to be issued for the election of a new Parliament:-; that the House also assure His Exce-leaey that ample provision would ■be made for the public service till the meeting of the new Parlia-a-ent.** He eaid ie .had brought forward his amendment without consultation with anybody, and he hoped the House would support him in it. ThefikpßAKEß'Tukd that an amendment of that kind could not be made oa a motion for adjourning (bhe Howe. ____<r said that Sir G. Grey's contention was fair and just, and he was astonished at the Government introducing anything of a debateable character which the country would have to decide in a few months. Mr Fisher complained that Sir G. Grey -bad not taken members into his confidence over this amendment, and said they were all taken by surprise by it As to the question whether a dissolution was .required or not, he Baid emphatically that the country did require it. and that tbe dissolution should have taken place twelve months ago. He should support the amendment. The Speasceb, in reply to Mr Cadman, ; aaid the amendment was not before the' House at present. The House rose at 3.30 p.m.