PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5916, 4 June 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(per united pbess association,) Thubsday, In the House of Representatives, Sir Robert Stout announced that the Hon Mr Reynolds had been sworn in as a member of the Executive. Replying to questions, it was stated that jt was not intended to bring down any measure dealing with Road Boards. Mr J. W. Thomson moved that a committee be appointed to inquire into and report whether any member of the Legislature negotiated for or claimed or received any commission or other remuneration for promoting the. passing of '.'The District Railways Purchasing Act, 1885," or for negotiating the aale or purchase of debentures issued or to be issued thereunder by the Government. Agreed to. Mr Bryce resumed the debate on the Financial Statement by saying that he took a most despondent view of the immediate future of the colony, and felt so strongly on the subjeot that if a better condition of affaira did not soon come about he would retire from politics altogether. The policy enunciated was on a par with Sir Julius Vogel's policy all through, namely, one of extravagance He criticised the state of the markets for New Zealand produce and their prospects, and insisted that there was no ground whatever for Sir Julius Vogel's expectation of a sharp rally in prices. If they looked their difficulties fairly in the face, they would do well enough, but it would not do to go on as at the present times He cautioned Mr Ballance that he had better look out that the Maoris were not selling him all the bad land and keeping the good, and reviewed some of the purchases in an adverse spirit. Whether the Government said they could or could not make reductions, he was positive they would have to be made before two years. The Hon. Mr Ballance commented on the style of Mr Bryoe's speech, but urged that he showed no cause for the reduction in the Estimates. He pointed out that he had for years been a hearty follower of Sir Julius Vogel's Public Works policy! Mr Bryce had said the Government were buying native land at Murimotu, while all the best of their land was in the Waikato. Well, he would be glad to hear that they hod induced very nearly the whole of the Waikato chiefs to pass their land through the Court, and two million acres would shortly be available, of which the Government could get a portion if they considered it desirablet He denied that they -were worse off than in 1879. The working classes were far better placed. He asked Mr Bryce if he thought the depression waß never to be remedied. Immigration certainly waa not affected by our indebtedness, which was not now proportionately so heavy as it once had been. The policy of the Treasurer and those associated with him had been to abolish ÜBury on loans for private investment. He did not think Mr Montgomery should have taken the position he did, which waa that of an auctioneer. The Government had offered one amount of reduction, and he wanted an advance, The question of putting the people on the land was the most important question at present, and should be put before all others. Mr Montgomery had accused the Government of Incessant borrowing, but he himself was quite ready to ask for a railway for his own district* He held that the Government was quito entitled to a dieeolution if the policy or personnel of the Government waß attacked, No Government could possibly reduce their estimates by £75,000 during a year. It would be a great hardship all through the oountry. Mr Macarthur said it was ateurd to talk of a dissolution on a question like the present. After the usual adjournment, Mr Macarthur went on to refer to the differences of opinion between Ministers, and adverted to the general ignorance of members as to the finances of the colony. He praised the local bodies proposals, with which he thoroughly agreed. Dr Newman wondered why the Government regarded this as a No-confidence motion, whereas last year half a million could not dislodge them. Retrenchment should begin with Land Boards. Absentees and Maoris ought to be made to pay towards the cost of governing the country. ' District Courts were too costly. He reiterated what had Deen said by previous speakers as to the specious nature of the figureß in the Financial Statement, Considering the Treasurer's great experience, he was disappointed at his not having done more for their finances. He was afraid the colony was getting into a Bad plight, and he was Borry the amendment had been brought up so suddenly, beoause it placed members who would like to vote for it in an awkward position. Major Atkinson asked if the £386,000 liabilities on railways would be all charged to tho million and a half to be voted, Ihe Hon Mr Richardson said thatpraotically all would. Mr Whyte said the Government, during the recess, had learned many useful lessons, and evidently now knew more about what the colony wanted than they once did. If they survived this division they would probably learn still more. The hon member continued in a satirical vein to comment upon the failings of the Government, whose virtues, he said, were not the virtues of resignation, Mr O'Connor said he deßirod to addreas his constituents like other members, and did so, supporting the Government at the tamo time, The estimates as a whole were moderate, but savings might be effected in departmental ' expenditure. The Hon. Mr Richardson gave some figures regarding the railways, to bliow that they had been worked with the utmost economy. Though 90 additional miles had been opened last year, the expenses were £60,000 lees than the previous year. He asked the leader of the Opposition how it was that laßt year the liabilities were oarried on to the expenditure voted for that year, and no question raised about it, while this year it appeared to come upon them as a new discovery, Mr Bruce did not consider any particular Government wsb to blame for the depression. He favoured moderate borrowing, but the heavy loans contracted in the past had drawn people out of the country. He was quito ready to Bupport any economy consistcat with efficiency. Mr Menteath took exception to the way

the amendment was brought forward. The present was the very worst time for effecting reductions iv departmental expenditure. He wanted to know if they turned. out the Government who were going to replace them. It was true that ho had once differed from the Premier, but the latter had since come round to his views, aud consequently now had his support. Mr Rons gathered from the Budget that the Government were in favour of retrench* ment, and if they limited borrowing to such an amount that interest could be paid out of the revenue he would support them, Mr Lev-eatam supported the Government 4 The House divided on the question that the words proposed to be omitted stand as pact of the question. Ayes 44, Noeß 28. The amendment was lost, DIVISION LIST. Ayes. Allwright MoMillan Ballanoa, Menteatk Bevan Moat Bradshaw ' O'Callaghan Brown Pere Oadman ' Pratt Cowan Reese Dargavill ) Roid Duncan E. Richardson Eraser Ross • Gore Samuel Grace Seddon Guinnesa Steward Hakuene Stewart Hatch Stoufc Holmes Taylor Hursthouse Te Ao Ivess ' Ti Thompson Lanco Tole Larnach Turnbull Levestam Yogel McEenzie Walker Nobs, Atkinson Lake Barron Locke Beetham Macarthur Bruce Mackenzie, M» J. Buchanan . Mitohelion Buckland Montgomery Wi F. Bnckland Moss J. Conolly ' Ormond Dodson G. 'Ft Richardson Fergus . Rollesfcon Fulton Russell Hirst ' J. W. Thomson Hialop ' Trimble Hobbs Wilson Pairs. For, Againßt. Coster Hirst Joyce . Peacock Fitzherbert Johnaton Kerr Fisher Garrick Wakefield Macandrev/ Grey Pearson Sutter Harper Bryce Smith Whyte O'Connor Newman The House rose at 11.40 p.m.