House of Representatives.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 7326, 29 January 1891, Page 2

House of Representatives.

Wi'i MfOTON, Jan. US. The House met at I p m. notich oi srorior?. Mr Buckland ga\o notice to iiio\o that the ballot bo substil uted ii'stead of illusions in tho House. Mil iish's ji Olios. Tho Speaker ruled Mr bull's motion of eoneuro on tho Governor, of nlnuh notico was given yealorday, out of ordor, on the ground that tho Governor was responsible to his ioveroißn alono, and not to tho colony. IF objection wore taken to his proceedings, ftH appopl oould alivajs bo uindo to the Crown thro»gh tho Sscretary of State. couhse or btt3im.ss. Mr Eollcston asked the Premier what the course of busmass was to bo, or whether they contemplated prorogation O' 1 tho adjournment ot tho House 'iho I'icmioir said ho hop n rt to finish by the e.ul of uc\t week, but it would lurgely depend on inembois themselves. The Go■mnment. did not intend to intiodnce any extraordinary legislation. Tho House would probably meet again somo time in Mny, nnd the Government behoved that it would bo more convenient to liavo a prorogation than a long adiournruont. In repV) to Mr ifaciirthur, Mr Biillanco slid that the honorauum was provided for by Art. Memborswould gel, half the honorarium for tho second session. He went on to say that tho present Government wero not vi'9pon>iblo for tine session ; in fitct,thej had provided against it by a specific agroomont that the Ministry should rosign if defeated at tho oleetion, without culling tho House together. It waß not his fault that tins had not boon done. AVSWIIBS TO QUKSTIONS. Pophing lo c]UC3tious, it was Btatod tint arrangements would bo mido to luio New Zealand represented ut the Fe leral Convention — That tho Government would gi\o consideration to the propriety of cillmganothcr native member to the Upper House. —That lua 'Cxeollency had been adused to postpone tho Auckland HospiLal inquiry iv order to give time for inquiry into the (ompontion of tho Commission, b«l the Council hid not intoifercd in any wiij with tho Govoinmcnt — That no funds had been prouded undoi tho loan for completing tho Northern line from Kketahmm lo Woodullc, but tho Govordmont considerod the question a matter of pohcy, and would gne it their attention. -That the c[UC3tion of diverting the funds from tho 'ie Aioha and Penroso railway to finish the Rotorua line would reccivo attention — That omv iifort would bo made by tho Go\ eminent to effect a reconciliation bclween tho late cmployos nnd Railway (.'omrmssioiHis. Facli application for ln- < rcascil pay aud promotion should bo deal/, with on its merits, and tho Uo»ornment would do I heir beat to promote harmony between employes and Commissioners. — That tho Ghnornmonl would endeavour to get a terminal point in Now Zoalund for Iho Giiiiiiliim-l'iiuific Gublo. Tub attack on thi: laib jiu si'eiiiikv. l[r X Thompson moved for a copy of the lettor adduced by the late Piemier to Mr Mair on December 10th Ho characterised tho st ilcmcnta thorein contained as slanderous inuendocs, and asserted that ho I nod, >vithoul avail, to get the late Government !c* hold an inquiry into his charges a.jniii'jt Iho Into Piopurty Tai Commissioner, cud he would then have proved what he allogcd, 110 wrts pioceoding to dceCiihd Sir Harry Atkinson's conduct as cowardly and unmanly, when he was chocked by tho Speaker. Cnptain Bnsscll mid tint an attack on nn absent men locoilcd on tho bead of hn invariant, and Btiongly ropiohondod Mr 'ihompwn'B behaviour. U j twitted him with avoiding tho oppoitunitj which Mr Spcrivy'u relations were willing lo give in a court of law of trying to provo his accusation% nnd spoke in strong terms of Mr Spomiy's probity and honour. Tho'Pr»nun* i>aid that tho letter had not jel boon printed in tho olScial record*. Tho motion was agreed to. NKW l'H-UOUTH IIAIIEOUR BOABD. A Select Committee wna appointed to inquire into nnd report in three weeks on the prcsout position ol the New Plymouth HiU'Lotir Boaul, sin aaonais ohb '. . Mi* Rues moved ' Unit this House desires to placo on record its dcop legret at tho enforced retirement lrom po itical life ol Sir George Giay, and to convoy to him .in iisoiiraiue ot tbo aporeeialiun of th.it loni;, illustrious, and beiieficicnt career, which lias been devoted to the bestiutprests of New Zealand and othor portions of tho Umpire " Mr Eoo3 paid a high tribute to the abilities and career of Sir George, Tho Premier supported tho motion. As nn old collcaguo of Sir George Greg's, ho concurred iv admiration of his character, though sometimes it was nocossarf to differ from him. It was recognised that his motives woio always pure. Ho mentioned that in a short timo tho biography ot Sir George Grey would appear, Mr Kolleston said that tho goncral verdict about Sir Grey, whatovcr differences of opinion peoplo might have had with him, win that he ul him shad at heart the greatest good of the greatest numbor. Messrs Pctldon, Scobio McKenzie, W. Hutchison, and other members spoke in tho same strain, and tho molion was carried by acclamation, the Speaker being directed to lrivo tho resolution engiossod aud forwarded to Sir George Grey. cjiaijojav or oojnnrrEßS. 'Xhc l'rein.er moved lh.it Mr W. C. Smith be appointed Chairman of Committees. Mr Palmer, us an independent member, moved tho positiou be not filled up till next session, Tho amendment was lost by 31 to 20. At tliu hour (5.30) tho adjournment arrived and interrupted the business. The folloA-iiii* w the division list on Mr Ballanco's motion — "That tho original \v oids stand part of the question" — Ayes (31) — lii'llance, Buiek, Cadman, Carncrots, iJawson, Duncan, Eamshaw, lTish, Guin-ne-3, Hall-Jonps, Houston, Hutchison (Wiutolnni), Hutchison (Ci f y of Dunedia), Joyce, Kelly (Kinl Oo.iii), Macdonald, Mclntosb, ArcKon^ic (YVaitaki), Mills (Wtumcii-I'ictoii), Pariitii, I'mkorton, Kobb, KceicH (liiiuigahmi), Kcevoa (City of ChiHtobiiich), St"M.Mi, Slu'rn, Smith (Now Plymouth), Tunm'i, Tiulor, tt nd Ward. Noim (:'!i) -li".XX, lliii'h'ii,.in, Buckland, Cuioll, Outline, l'lHhoi.UoMi,., Hall.Harkiic3i, Imwiv, iUiii'iulhui, Mmkoivio (Mount Ida), Ali'lvi<ii/ii< (Clulln), Meredith, MuVhi'Nim, IMiioro, l\ihm>r K'hodi", HollohLuii, liii'lutdtioii, Ktit^ill, yuiiudora, Swan, Tnipim, Tli ( iiiijh,im (Miisdou), Thompson (Cih of Aiii'Miuul), T'hompttun (Uiiicii), \ itlfliilii i. mi,l Wilrlii r-nri — AyiM — IVuiiii.il iiml Uliilic. iNui<i»l<Y.iimh mid .1 . Mill' Tlip Atlilu';!!;-i!i-l\V|>ly. The lldiiid ii'iuiiiihl ul '„'UI. Mr flackioii I'uliiii'i nun oil llm ldilie*v in-Hoply, ami iiul if tin- Ouvcriummt del eloped a polity in iiivoul moo with tho Goi prnor'a npiwli il would obt'ini tho support ol main moiiibcii who, like himself, woro independent. Kuivrriug lo luticnuhmenl, ho said a Hojul ('mumiiMiim should bo appointed to inijiiiui into tlu> Citit Service throughout tho polony. Tho Govern-

mont in dealing with the land laws should see that the Native lands wero taxed, and that thoso lands bo opened up. Ho favored the repeal of the Property Tax, and if the Qro\ eminent could prevent n conflict between Lulor and Ciijiiljl il would desene well of the colony. Mr I'mkciton, in seconding tbo Addros", justified the jecoss asked by tho Go\ernmeut to enunciate a policy, 110 hoped tho Government, in dealing with tho land laws, would consider tho small farmers. As a moans of overcoming tho '■ unemployed" ilillioully eiery encouragement should bo given to the farming interest. Tho Property Tu,k, he thought, fell heavily on small farmers, and he would favour its repeal. He commended tho Government for establishing an "Agricultural Department." He attributed tha lalo labour struggle to tho purchase of cheap labour, and this would have to be remedied beforo the difficulty wai solved. The GovernniLiit would have lih hearty suppoit in devising a scheme of settlement between labour and capital. Dr Nowm in commended tho Government on tho biuifne-,3 of tho sicoch, and thought it would have been hotter it it had biougbt down no speccn, as it only led to unncecfsary wrangling. He diow tho attention of tho Government tj tho monopoly of coal mini's, which lnoie.i^cd tho pi ice ol that aitido. He thought Sir Hurry Atkinson would hivo beon niao to havo lesigni'd after Iho election, and allowed the Govcir.oi to call Mr Callance. Ho hoped Ibo Goieinment v.oukl gno somo indication of their uatno land polio) aud then 1 policy of opemuf,' up tho country. Ho spoko us a member ol tbo Opposition, and Inpod when Mr Ballanco left oilice there would nob bo a largo deficit He hoped tlio Fii'iiner would not introduce a s^tcm of taxation that would load lo a deficient y. Mr Smith sind ho would suppoit the present Government, as he believed (hey would suppoit tho measures he would bung forward for the encouragomcut of the mining indiißhies. Mr Ballancs congratulated tho mover and •acondsr of tho Address, and stiid tho Government would give attention to the proposal for a Royal Commissioner to enqmro into the Civil Senico and also to tho suggestions lespecting small holdings. As to the Property Tax the Govornmrnt was pledged to repeal it, but could not go fully into that question ut present. Ho hoped when tho Financial Statement was brought down it n ould bo found that the Govornmont had not neglected this great question, 110 claimed tho Go\ornment was entitled to tho recess asked, asked and said tho effort of tho Goi eminent would bo to givo effect to election promises. Mr Scobio McKcnzio attacked the speech and said little was eipcctcd from the present Premier, as on former occasions when leaving odice he had had a drficit. Referring to the time asked by tho Govornment ho pointed out that in 1887, when the finances wero in a doplorablo state, Sir H. A. Atkinson had only asked for a fortnight, and that was objected to by those who now naked for four months. Ho saw no reason for tho delay. Ho thought it was the duty of the Govcrnmonl to introduco a Bill to validate Judge Edwards' appointment. He thought tho Governmont should have had a policy ready alter tho attempt which had been mado lo ou?t the late Government, and thore was no reason to delay the Graduated Land Tax for four months when it was to its absence that his Government attributed the exodus from the colony. Ho anser'cd tbo country was against the Government, but the mere accident of the unfortumtto labour struggle had placed them in power. Mr Hogg said Mr McKenzio's speech was full o£ inconsistency, and referring to tho land administration of thelato Government, said it had led to gambling transactions all omm' tho colony. Ho defended the labor reprwenUtn cs from lhe aspersions cast on them. Mr Biycc thought four months was too long a delay and that such a claim was without precedent. The necessity for two sessions had not been shown and tho Government must be held responsible for tho c\penic. If, hoivever, Government wero detoiniincd to take four months ho hoped thej would not make it a prorogation, but moiely nn adjournment. Mr Kceves (Chnstchurch) characterised Mr Newman as an econouueist who wanted a lar^o amount of im.ney spent in the North Island. Eeferi ing to Mr McKonzie.he said be nt times bud been a strong supporter and strong opponent of Sir Julius Yogel, and Sir Robert Stout, and Sir Hairy Atkinson, and hoped Unit next session ho might bo found supporting fcho present Government. Ho was pioud to see tho position taken lip by the I abor party, and by their fruits they would bo known. As to tho recess asked (or, thco was a great difference between now and 1887. Thero had boon a short spssion at that limo which was uot the caso nt tho picsent. He ventured to say that when the land policy was brought down it would bo ioimd to moot the requirements of tha colony, and put a stop to duiiimyism. The Government did not intend to stand still, but if tho mijonty wished them to remain inactn o ho hoped they would pay them the compliment of asking them to lciueoflico. Tho reason tho late Government had not oallod Parliament together was in order that their chief might be piovided with a ceilain position — that position might bo found for tho member at Halswell— and that they might niako appointments in tin Legiilativo Council. Ho strongly condemnod the action of tho lato Premier in remaining in oflioo after tho elootions. He naked tho House lo trust (hem and to givo tho necessary time to mature their policy. They would bring down ft L'boral policy which would Dot deceivo their supporters. Mr Duncan moved the adjournment of tho debute, and tho House adjourned at 10.15 p.m.