PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4760, 28 September 1893, Page 1

PARLIAMENT.

f Per, Press Association.! Legislative Council. Wrdnesday, Sept. 27. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.30. ELECTORAL MAPS. The Colonial Secretary, in replying to the Hon H. Feklwick, said the Government intended to prepare electoral mapifor eauh island, showing the various electorates in distinctive colours. CALL OF THE COUNCIL. The Colonial Secretary did not move his motion for a call of the Council foi Tuesday. LEAVE. L>ave of absence, on account of illhealth, -was granted ta Dr Pollen. LAND AND INCOME TAX. The amendments by the Governor in the Land and locome Assessment Act Amendment Bill, presented to both Chamber?, were agreed to. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the L^nd for Settlements Act Amendment Bill and explained iti provisions. The Hon E. Oliver opposed the Bill, as he did not think thai the Act pas3ed last year had been afforded a fair trial. Unfortunately, land could have been purchased almost in any portion of the Colony at very much kus than its value. The Bill, if passed, would create a feeling of great insecurity on th? part of men who had acquired property, which might if the Bill became law be taken from them by the Government at any moment. As an amendment, he moved that the Bill be read that day six months. The Hon S. E. Shrimski remarked that so sure as any Government brought in a Bill to settle people upon the country, co 60on did certain hon members oppose it. The populatiou was inctoaßing everyday, and yet immediately a .scheme was proposed to settle psople objections were raised. The taxation was increasing every day, and the people were desiring homes, and yet immediately the Government attempted to take land fit for settlement from owners at a fair price ifewas hampered J and accused of robbery. He should i suppoit the second reading. Sir G. S. Whitmobe eupported the amendment. He objected to the Government picking the eyes out of property and leaving the poor balance on the hands of the original purchaser. The Hon W. D. Stewart failed to Bee why, when a man had spent the whole of his life in acquiring property which would Bupport him, and which he might leave to his children, he should bo liable to have it wrested from him by any Government. There were in add tion other consideration?, such as mortgages, which would operate prejudicially to property-holderß. The Hon J. Eigg regarded tho Bill as one of the best ever introduced into the Legislature, because it sought to restore to the people their birthright. He should support the Bill. Tho Hon E. Fhahazyn supported the amendment. He characterised the Bill a3 having a moat mischievous tandency. He would bo exceedingly glad to sllow Mr Eigg or any of his friends to have his property at a fair valuation. The Hon C. C. Bowen as one who could not be accused of being a large landowner, had no hesitation in expressing hi 3 opinion that the Bill was an inequitable one. The Minister for Lands, under the Bill, might take anybody's land at his own sweet will, without giving any reason why. To his own knowledge a great deal of land near Chri&tohurch, and in Otigo aud Southland could be purchased afc present much below the Government valuation. It appeared to him that notwithstanding men in years past had by their thrift and labonr acquired land, later arrivals appeared on tbe scene and said, "Your land belonged to the people, and therofore we intead to resume it." The New Zealand and Australian Land Company owned 226,000 acres of good arable land, which it desired to get rid of. Therefore, why did not the Government negotiate for (he purchase of that property ? It seemed lo him that to place such power as was provided under this Bill in the hands of any Government was a most dangerous procedure, and would allow the tyrant for the time being to place his foot on the neck of progress and industry. The Hon E. C. J. Stevens said the Bill itself oarried its own condemnation. To compel a man to part with his land was a gro33 injustice, and anything unjust was condemnatory. The hon gentleman reviewed the provisions of the Bill, and intimated his intention of voting for the amend oienfc. He warned Ministers that if the Bill passtd they would regret it to the end of their individual lives. The Hon L. Walker supported the amendment. The Hon J. Macgregor supported the second reading, his contention being that tho rightß of the few should give way to the requirements of the many. The Hon J. Kerr warmly supported the second reading of the Bill, which was a Liberal measure. He failed to see why it was that the Council persisted in throwing out the Liberal Bills of the Government. The Hon Dr Grace supported the amendment, &3 he feared that the Bill, if passed, would prevent settlers from borrowing on their properties. He admitted that a Bill of .this character was demanded in some portions of the Colony. The Hon W. T. Jennings, speaking as a New Zealander, expressed the opinion that land in largo are as had baen t»ke_ away from the people of the Colony. Whilit respecting vested interests, he would vote for the Bill, a3 being a fair and equitable one. The motion for the second reading was lost by 17 lo 14, and the amendment agreed to, tho Bill being thus killed. The following is the division list : — Ayes, 14 : Messrs Bolt, Buckley, Dignan, Feldwick, Jonkinson, Jennings, Kelly, Kerr, Macgregor, M'Cullough, Montgomery, Eigg, Shrimski and Swanson. Noes, 17 : Messrs Acland, Barnicoat, Bowen, Grace, Hart, Holmes, Johnston, Mantell, Oliver, Ormond, Pharazyn, Eeynolds, Stevens, Stewart, L. Walker, vVbitmore and Williams. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. EVENING SITTING. On the Council resuming, The Colonial Secretary announced that the Chairman of Committee was unavoidably absent, and the Hon J. A. Bonar was appointed Mr Baillie's locum tenens. conspiracy hill. On tho question for going into Committee on the Conspiracy Bill, Tho Hon C. C. Bowen said, ss Chairman of the Statutes Eavißion Committee to which the Bill had been referred, he would move that the Bill be committed that day Bix months. He taok this step because tho Committee feared that it was too late thip session to effect any amendment. The Hon W. D. Stewart remarked that the Bill did not meet the exigencies of the Colony ( He thought if the Bill passed in its present form it would prove little lees than a farce. The Hon J. Eigg spoke vigorously against the motion for the non-committal 1 of the Bill. The Hon J. M'Gkegoe fiought it spoke very little tor the Colony that they could not, even at this late period of the session recommend tha!; the Billshtfui.d beallowec toprocee3. Af!er discussion, tho motion .or tin 1 committal of the Bill vra3 carried ,°y 1( , to 13, and the Bill was committed.

Clause 2, amendment of law as to conspiracy in trade disputes. The Hon Wi D. Stewart moved that progress be reported, in order ihat the Bill might he amended in accordance with the English Statute. The Attorney- General objected. Mr Stewart's mot : on for progress being reported was lost by 1 5 to 14. The Attorney-General said he would ' agree to report progress provided that • Clause 74 of the English Aot was not > inserted in Clause 2 of the Bill. He was > perfectly willing to accept any reasonable amendment, but not the clause in the English Act he had referred to. 1 Clause 2 was agreed to. The Hon Dr Grace moved tbat progress be reported, with leave to sit again. Agreed to by 18 to 12. railways bill. The Government Eailwaya Act Amendment Bill was further considered in > Committee. ~ The Colonial Secretary intimated > that he intended to take a division on Clause 3, providing for the appointment of a Minister for Eailways. 1 The clause was lost by 20 to .15. 1 All the remaining clauses, and also the 1 schedule, were struck out on the voices. This left the Bill with only two clauses, a i very short title, and a clause extending the ■ term of office of the present Commissioners for another year. The Bi!l was reported in this form, the third reading being set down for next day. workmen's wages. The Workmen's Wages Bill was further considered in Committee. Interpretation clause. Slight amendments were made in the subsection referring to " employers." Cansiderable discussion took place on Clause 15, " workmen may sue," owing to th.9 Labour Bills Committee having struck out the words "his employer" and substituting the words " the contractor." The amendment of the Statutes Committee was agreed to, and the clause as amended passed. The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. first readings. Tho Cheviot Estate Payments Bill and Infant Life Protection Bill were received from the House and read a first time. NEWMARKET HALL. The Newmarket Hali Act Amendment Bill was committed, reported with amendments, and passed its final stages. SECOND READINGS. The Auckland Hospital Eeserves Exchange Bill, Kaitan^ata Cemetery Site Sale Bill, Hawera Borough Council Enabling Bill, and Otago University Eeserves Vesting Bill were read a second time. The Council rose at 11.35.