HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVI, Issue 953, 7 July 1883, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, 3rd July. , REPLIES TO QUBSTIONS. Ministers, in reply to questions, said Government was anxious to get further information re the suppression of blight in fruit trees than : they had at present, with the .view of taking steps to legislation on the subject ; that means were befog taken to get more accurate and reliable information as to the export Tallies of wool and grain exported from this Colony ; that Government was not yet prepared to alter the laws so as to provide compensation for injuries arising from fireß caused by railway engines. NBW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time : — To amend the law of distress (Mr Holmes) ; Roads through private lands (Mr Ivess) ; Drainage of Mines (Mr J. C. Brown); Auctioneers (Mr Dick.) THB ANNEXATION QUESTION. In moving the following, the Colonial Treasurer said the debate would be taken on the Committee's report, which was r «%rfced to:—" That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report upon the following resolution : ' That this House approves of the steps taken by the Government in conjunction with other Australian colonies to promote the establishment of British rule in certain islands of the Pacific ; that this House undertakes for its part to give effect to any assurance that may be required by the Imperial Government that this Colony will, in common with the other colonies of Australasia, beara fair share of the necessary expenses.' The Committee to consist of Sir George Grey, Messrs Montgomery, Macandrew, Peacock, Wynn- Williams, Larnach, and the mover." SECOND READINGS. Carried the second time — The Bankruptcy, Impounding, Mining Companies Act 1872 Amendment, and Affirmation and Declaration Bills. IN COMMITTEE. In Committee, the New Zealand University, 1874, Amendment Bill was passed without amendment. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. At the evening sitting, the Hon. Mr Johnston delivered his Public Works. Statement, a resume of which will be found elsewhere. Wednesday 4th July. REPLY TO QUESTIONS. Ministers, in reply to questions, said that it was not intended to give special inducement for railway passengers to take return tickets ; that the question of fencing railway lines was under consideration of the Government ; that Government did not intend amending the law so that no person shall have- more than one vote in 1 •lection of members of the House of Representatives, nor yet did they intend to amend " The Regulation of Electors Act 1881 " so as to extend the hours of polling ; that working men employed by Govern- , ment sub-contractors were entitled to be paid fortnightly in cash, and it was their duty to look after their own rights in this respect ; that the San Francisco mail contract expired in November, but arrangement! had been made for its continuance for a further period of two years, with the right to terminate on three months' notice at the expiry of 12 months. THE LIQUOR TR ATTIC . Mr M. W. Green moved the second reading of the Local Option Extension Bill. Mr Fish argued that the bill was one which proposed a startling change in the lair as at present existing. With the view of enabling the country to understand its object, he moved the adjournment of the debate to that day three weeks. The amendment was carried, and the debate adjourned. NOTICE. Mr Montgomery gave notice of the following motion: "That the existing system of central government has failed to realise the results anticipated, and that the promises and arrangements made at the time of the abolition of the provinces have not been fulfilled ; that in consequence of this centralising policy, much discontent prevails throughout New Zealand. That to ensure economy and efficiency in the administration of local affairs,' it is necessary that all such local affairs, including public works, should be withdrawn from the control of the central Government, and vested in local governing bodies elected by districts having community of interests." He said he understood Ministers would be prepared to give him an early opportunity for discussing this motion. The Hon. Major Atkinson said that he understood Mr Montgomery had no wish that it should be accepted as a no-confi-dence motion, but if carried it might result in such. There was no wish, however, in the meantime to stop business, so that he would give Tuesday next for its msiion.

, "HANSARD." MrFeldwick moved : "That the number of copies of " Hansard " supplied to each member be increased from 12 to 20 copies." The Hon. Mr Dick objected, stating that it would involve an additional expenditure of £263, and the advantages were highly problematical. The House divided. — Ayes, 42 ; noes, 26. The motion was carried. THI ANNEXATION QUESTION. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Annexation and Confederation Bill. It was a most important measure, and dealt with a question of wide interest. The bill proposed a solution, of the greatest difficulties, and it would be beneficial to New Zealand in many ways. The Hon. Major Atkinson would not object to the second reading, but asked that the bill be referred to the Select Oommittee already appointed on the annexation question. The second reading was agreed to, and the Bill thereafter referred to the Committee already appointed. EARLY CLOSING. Mr M. W. Green moved the second reading of the Regulation of Hours of Shopkeepers and Others Bill. He would only ask that the second reading be passed pro forma, and then allow the bill to drop, so that the country might have an opportunity for considering the matter, and if thought good it could come on again next session, and be passed into law. After discussion, the House divided on the second reading — ayes, 22 ; noes, 41. The Bill was ordered to be read that day six months. SALS OF GOODS BY RETAIL. Mr Bathgate moved the second reading of the Sale of Goods by Retail Bill. The object was to check the system of indiscriminate credit which existed among retail dealers, who trusted to the law to enforce their claims. The present cooperative sytem was doe to the effortß of a few industrious persons to live without doing their business on the credit system. The question was put, that the bill be read a second time. — Ayes, 18 ; noeß, 48. The amendment was carried and the bill thrown out. ABOLITION OP THE UPPER HOUSE. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Constitution Act Amendment Bill. His task was a difficult one. He was about to ask this one branch of the Legislature to sanction the abolition of the other Chamber. He looked upon that branch as an incumbrance and hindrance to the well-being of the community. The Hon. Major Atkinson said there were two reasons why the motion should not be passed. The first was, the measure was of such large importance that it must be dealt with by Government if dealt with at all ; and second, the mover had not shown any reason why it should pass. There was no statement that the Colony demanded it. Mr Montgomery did not consider that Sir G. Grey went out of his way in introducing the bill. He believed in two Chambers, consequently this bill did not meet his views. The House divided on the second reading — Ayes, 26 ; noes, 50. Thursday, sth July. Ministers, in reply to questions, said that correspondence had taken place re the construction of the Otago Central railway by a private firm, bufc the correspondence disclosed no definite offer by such party to undertake the work under the Railways Construction and Land Act ; that while Government recognised the merits of Mr Pyke's handbook of local government law, they did not propose making a present of a copy of the work to each member of the Legislature ; that the terms under schedule 3 of "The Land Act Amendment Act 1883," providing for payment of rent in advance, were extremely liberal, and Government saw no necessity for altering the same. THE N.Z. LAND COMPANY'S BILL. The Joint Committee on Standing Orders reported that the Examiner's report on the Now Zealand Company's Bill was correct, but that having heard the promoters by their agent, they recommend that Standing Orders 31, 32, and 16 be dispensed with, and the parties allowed to proceed with their Bill on condition that clause 6 (allowing the Company to purchase Native lands) be expunged. Mr De Lautour moved that the report be considered to-morrow. The Hon. Major Atkinson asked that a later date be named. The Bill was one of such great importance — really affecting one-half the North Island — that it was requisite for the Government to have time to consider whether a Bill of such great magnitude, dealing so largely with public policy, could be dealt with by a private Bill. He moved that it be considered on Tuesday. The Hon. Mr Bryce said of course members, like the public, knew a great deal about this bill. They now found it not in compliance with the Standing Orders, and dealing with matters which should not be dealt with in a private bill. Time for consideration should, however, be given. The question was one of great public importance. The amendment that the report be considered on Tuesday was agreed to, and the papers ordered to be printed. BILLS. The following new bills were introduced and read a first time :—": — " Juries Act 1882 " Amendment (Mr Tole) ; to Amend the Laws so that No Person shall have more than One Vote in the Election of Members of the House of Representatives (Mr Steward) ; to Amend " The Regulation of Elections Act 1881 " so as to extend the hoursfor polling (Mr Barron) ; New Zealand Government Railways and their Employes (Mr Seddon) ; for the Amendment of the Law relating to the Gaming and Lotteries Act (Mr Shaw). The Hon. Mr Conolly moved the second reading of the Married Woman's Property Bill, which was agreed to. — It was pointed out that the Bill was a transcript of the Act passed by the British Legislature, with such alterations as were required by the particular situation of this colony. The Bankruptcy Bill was considered in Committee. In clause 43, sub-section 3, the words ". three days " were altered to " five days." Clause 45, sub-section 1, was amended to compel the bankrupt to file in the district 1 in which he has resided or carried on business for the greater part of the previous six months. In clause 47, the words " fifty pounds " were inserted in place of "twenty-five pounds" as the minimum on which a debtor could be adjudged as bankrupt, by a division by 38 to 4. Clause 66 was amended that on the filing of a debtor's petition, his property should vest in the assignee. Clauses 57 to 59, inclusive, passed, and progress was reported.