HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3286, 25 August 1871, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TnuuSDxVY, Auausx 24. The Speakee took the Chair at lialf-past two o'clock. NEW" MEMBERS. Mr Batbgato and Mr Keid took the oath and their seat 3. PETITION. Mr READER WOOD presented a petition from Joshua Cooper of Auckland, a medical man. Tho petitioner stated that having through inadvertence omitted to register his name, he had not been permitted to follow the practice of his profession, and prayed that the Houso would remedy tho defect in his case. PAPERS. "^fS^ferJOltNE laid on the table a number of returns, amongst them being the offers of Mr Hezekiah Hull, asked for by Mr Stafford yesterday. The latter return was in the hands of the printer, and would have been laid on the (able to-day in tho ordinary course of procedure. PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE. Mr KELLY brought up the report of tho Public Petitions Commit ten on tho petition of 5-16 inhabitants of the city of Wellington, •who asserted that if the proposed bill became law the borrowing power of the corporation •would be absorbed Yfithoufc any adequate return. The committee could not recommend the prayer of tho petition to the favorable consideration of tho House. Al?o, the report of the committee on tho petition of certain inhabitants of tho Nevis distrin, province of Otago; tho committee were of ooinion that the petition should have been referred to the Standing Committee on Goldfields. Also, the report of tho committee on the petition of certain inhabitants of Otago with reference to educational matters; the committee did not deem it within their province to make any report, but recommended that this and similar petitions should be referred to a select, committee on educational mattors. Also, the report of tho committee on the petition of — Hazard and others, of the Province of Auckland, with reference to the objectionable working of the Thistle Ordinance of that province ; the committee reported that they could not recommend that flic decision of the committee of last year in this eaeo should be interfered with. Also, tho report of the committee on educational petitions : tho recommendation of the committee was the same as in the case of a similar petition reported on above. The report on another petition was read, but neither Mr Kelly nor the Clerk of the House could be heard in the gallery. REPORTING DEBATES COMMITTEE. Mr HARRISON brought, up the report of of the Reporting Debates Committee on the dispute with reference to the price to be paid to the compositors employed on "Hansard." The report 6tated that there was good cause for the complaint urged by the men as to the unhealthiness of the workroom, and also that the work of composing on "Hansard" wna of a much heavier nature than that of ordinary newspaper work. The committee had offered an additional penny per thousand on that account, but the men had refused to accept, that increase, urging that in consequence of the many inconveniences of the oflice, through the faulty system of management, thoy did not consider Is 3d per thousand equal to the recognised trade price paid on the morning newspapers of the town, and asking that the amount bo increased to Is f)d per thousand letters. The men also complained that they ■would only be employed for about three months, and out of their wages hud to pay their passages hero and away again. In explanation of the mutter contained in the | report, tho hon member stated that the room ! in which " Hansard" work was done in was absolutely unfit for tho men to work in, on account of the extremely bad ventilation and tho large number of gas burners used, but this matter was now in course of being remedied. Many other complaints were urged by the men. With regard to the complaint that they had to pay their own passages from other portions of the colony, the committee did not | think that a fair ground on which to base a complaint, as men not in the employment of the Government had to pay their own paasages, and there were the additional arguments against them that several of tho men had been in tho town before tho session commenced, and that many of them would be kept in employment nffer tho session was over. Then, again, tho committeo felt that as the rate of wages in the town was the same as that paid in the Government printing oflice they would not be justified in recommending so large an addition as that demanded —an increase amounting to as much as fifty per cent, in advance of tho price paid in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland ; 60 that if the committeo recommended the payment of any large increase on tho sum paid in the town it would not only be establishing a very dangerous precedent in the Government office, but it would encourage them to demand wages at different times that would uffect the printing interest of the whole colony, and the committee did not think they would bo justified in making any offer that would be likely to exercise co prejudicial an effect,. Since the printers had gone out on strike they had offered to accept Is 4d per thousand instead of Is 6d. 'The committee had gone carefully into the matter, and he believed that they were justified in recommending that no advance on Is 3d should be made. Men had been sent for to all parts of tho colony, and for the present the work would have to stand over. The Committee did not wish to go any furl her in the way of concession because it might be an encouragement to insubordination in other branches of the Government service. In any further steps that would botak?n the commit tee would bo guided by the action of the Houso. The report was ordered to be printed. A MISSING BILL. MrMAOANDREW drew attention to tho fact that two days after the commencement of the session he had asked for leavo to introduco a bill to constitute a public cemetery, and that bill had disappeared from the paper altogether. .To-dny he had noticed a bill on the paper for second reading on a similar subject, which had been introduced after his. He wished to know how ho was to get his bill on (he paper for second reading. The SPEAKER said the bill was ordered to be refcrrejjl to the committeo on privato bills. Hejvjtffiii draw the attention of the committee -on privato billa to tho matter referred to by Ishe hon member. EXTENSION OF THE FRANCniSH. Mr STEWARD asked tho Colonial Secretary whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce a bill to extend the franchise to persons who nro neither householders, freeholders, nor leaseholders, on the basis of an income and residence qualification H The mover* poi"ted out there wa9 a largo number nf persons in tho colony who paid a considerable amount towards the revenue, but, for reasons which need not bo entered upon, were not owners of houso property. If a person who had resided in a particular locality for cay cix or nine months were shewn to have

a revonuo of £99 a year derived from income, he might bo permitted to exercise tho franchise. Mr GISBORNE said tho Government had under consideration a bill with the view of extending tho franchise, and would bring it before tho House during the present session. ENCOURAGEMENT OF WHALE FISHERIES. Mr O'RORKE asked tho Premier whether the encouragement of the whale fishery would bo included in tho bill tho Government propose to introduce on the subject of fisheries? It had been announced in the speech of his Excellency tho Governor that it was the intention of tho Ministry to bring in a fisheries bill, and he wished to know whether it would bo co framed as to offlr encouragement to whale fishing. Mr FOX said the Government were desirous of adopting the suggestion of the hon member, but at present they were not aware what would bo tho most suitable way of offering encouragement to whale fishing, After inquiry a 9 to the best means (o adopt, tho suggestion contained in the hon member's motion would be introduced into tho bill. VACCINATION. Mr ANDREW asked the Hon the Colonial Secretary if it was the intention of the Government to introduco during tho present session any measure to render more efficient tho law on tho subject of Vaccination ? He held that the preservation of life should occupy as great a portion of their time a3 any tther measure, and he also held that the subject of vaccination was ono of tho most important matters to which they could direct their attention. As far as Wellington vviw concerned tho Acfe was a dead letter. The mover pointed out that recently tho small pox had been raging in Berlin, New York, and other large cities, and after pointing out how easily tho disease might be introduced into tho colony, ho moved tho motion standing in his name. Mr FOX pointed out that last session tho Govermrrdfci introduced a bill for the prevention of disease, but the House was not then in a frame of mind to pa?s such a measure, but looking at the favor with which the hon member's remarks had been received tho Government would take an earlj' opportunity of introducing some such measure to the notico of the House. LEAVE OP ABSENCE. Mr COLLINS inorccl that leave of absence bo given to Mr O'Connor, member for tho Buller, for a fortnight from the present dato, on account of illness. Tho motion was agreed to. A COUNCIL OP NATIVE CIIIEF3 FOR THE MIDDLE ISLAND. Mr HORI KEREI TAIAROA moved that in the opinion of this House it is dcsirablo that a council of Native chiefs should bo formed for the Mid. do Island, who?e duty it will be to devise measures for the better administration of affairs relating to their lands which may or may not at present bo held under Crown grant, and to their property generally ; such measures to be submitted to the General Assembly for final approval. Tho mover considered that in the first place a committee should be appointed to consider matters relating to lands under Crown grant. The ; grants for land to Natives contained restrictions against, alienating their land, but in the restrictive clauses there was a proviso which enabled the Natives to dispose of their lands. Tho land belonging to the Natives in the Middle Island was very small in quantity, and therefore it should bo left to that committee I to any whether it was proper that the power I shouid bo left- to Iho Natives to dispose of tho I lands which they at present held. It was probable that if this power were still left for tho Government to decide, as at present, ono Native might wish to sell his pieco of land. This had been done by Bomo Natives, and it generally happened that tho Native who sold his piece of land catno to the other Natives in his neighborhood to support him, and if they did not support him ho became pauperised. Another matter to be dealt with by that Council would bo tho consideration of those lands held under a Crown grant, in which grant there were many grantees j and it would also bo desirable that the Council should have power to arrange matters connected with thoso lands which have been derived from their ancestors. Another duty for the Council would bo to account with reference to lands which were rot held under Crown Grants bufe which were held under purely native title, and if the Council was not able to take steps with ropard to thoso lands they could make known their proposals to the Governor. The Council would also have under its supervision the taxation of the Maori race, such as road rntes, dog taxes, &r. It might also bo left to the Council to arrange that in the event of their failing to settle any difficulty that might ai'ise in regard to these matters that it should bo submitted to the Governor for settlement. He would propose that the Council should consist of twelve members, who should be called together by an annual notification in tho Government " Gazette," the place of meeting to be in Otago. Ho would now nsk tho House to give to this Council such authority as to enable them properly to carry out the work which it might bo entrusted. Ho would conclude by moving tho motion standing in his name. (Loud applause.) Mr M'LEAN said there could be no objection on the part of tho Government to agree to the proposition, which appeared to be a very reasonable one. Hs was glad that tho natives of tho Middle Island were beginning to peo the advantage of taking care of their lands, and he was sure there would be no objection to the wish of the natives to regulate their own affairs. With reference to the number of members who should compose (he : Council he would suggest to tho hon. member ! that tho number should be fixed at six instead of twelve, because it often happened that those numerous meetings resulted in much talk and little business was done. Tho Government were very much gratified thai the hon. member should come forward with such a proposition, as it would be very likely to exercise n very beneficial influence in the welfare of the Middle Island. Mr IHOMSON said the matter was one which perhaps would receive little attention on the part of tho House, but he was glad to find that the hon. member was not going to be a silent member. He had certainly brought under their consideration a very important question. Ho only regretted that the hon. member was not able to address them in the English language, because he was sure he would have dono tho subject more justice. He (Mr Thomson) had risen simply because he thought it would hardly be fair to allow tho matter to pass without discussion. Ho thought tho natives should look upon themselves as colonists; instead of looking upon thomselves as natives, that they should begin to look at mutters from a colonial point of view. If they could be got to look upon themselves as colonists, that would go a long way to removing a distinction which it was very desirablo should be removed. By the motion it was proposed that any measures agreed to by the Council should be brought; before tho House for final approval ; butil, might happen that the House would not; ratify tho matters agreed to by the Maori Council, and that might lead to n disagreement between them ; lie would like to see a provision for avoiding such a contingency. He was gratified that tho native members had at once fallen in with the view? of tho mover of the motion. Tho motion was then put and agreed to. NKLBO'x O AS "WORKS. Mr CURTIS moved for leave to introduce a bill to authorise the construction of gasworks in the city of Nolson. Leave was given, tho bill was read a first time, and ordeied to be referred to a select committee. TIIE KANIKHI PETITION. Mr WHITE moved that the petition of John Bonfield, Gotland, and others, miners and residents in tho Eanieri road board district, County of Westland, with tho Public Petitions Committee's report thereon, be referred to tho Joint Commit teo on Goldficlds Bill and Petitions. Tho mover went into lengthy reasons for tho course he had adopted,

and was followed by Messrs Harrison and Tribe in support of the motion, which was agreed to. PREVENTION OP INFECTIOUS DISEASES AMONG CATTLE. Ml' GISBORNE moved for leave to introduco a bill inliluled An Act to consolidate and araond the law for preventing tho introduction or spreading of infectiou3 diseases among cattle. Ho stated that tbo object of the bill was to make a change in the present laws on the subject of disease in cattle, by vesting power in the Governor to dividp (be colony into districts, and appoint boards for for tho control of thoso districts. Leave was given, the bill was read a first timo, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered for Wednesday next. TKES UNDER NATURALISATION ACT. Mr GISBORNE moved for leave to introduced a bill intituled An Act to fix tho fees (o be taken in New Zealand under the Naturalisation Act, 1870, of tho Imperial Parliament. Leave was given, tho bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordored for next day. MAINTENANCE OP FHTSONER3. Mr GISBOIINE moved for leave to introduce a bill intituled An Act to make further and better provision for charging the expense of maintenance of prisoners detained in public gaols for punishment or safe custody. Leave was given, tho bill was read a fivst time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered for Wednesday next. DELIVERY OP MAILS. Mr T. L. SHEPHERD moved that a return be laid on the table showing tho number of days taken for tho delivery of mails to and fro between London and tho chief seaports of the colony by steamers via Suez, and the annual cost thereof during the last three years. It was tho impression at the present timo that wo were receiving an equivalent for tho extra money expended by more rapid communication. He desired simply to know what advantage they did gain, and with that object he had pluced the motion on the order paper. The SPEAKER drew attention to the fact that the motion was a similar one to one moved a few days ago. He should not therefore permit tho motion to be put. I SURPLUS REVENUE. Mr T. L. SIIKPHKRD moved that a return bo laid on the table showing tho surplus revenue available for public works in the various provinces and county of Wostland, during the last financial year of same, after deducting all permanent charges (colonial and provincial) and departmental charges. Mr REYNOLDS seconded tho motion, although lio. intended to vote against it for tho reason that there was a return already in existence which gave all tho information desired. Mr GILLIES spoke in favor of the motion. Mr GI3BORNIC hoped the lion, member would withdraw his motion, and bo content with the information at present at command. On division, the motion was negatived. AUCKLAND CEMETERIES BILL. Mr GILLIES said tho bill was not yet I printed, and he would ask that it be placed on tho order paper for Wednesday next. SUPPLY. The Speaker having left tho chair, the House went into Committee of Supply. The resolution granting a supply of £30,000 was then pnt and rend a second time. Mr READER WOOD would take the opportunity of asking the Colonial Secretary when ho thought it would be probable tho financial statement would bo brought down to the House. The information would give lion, members some notion as to tho limo tho real business of the session would commence. Mr GISBORNE said the statement would be made at an oarly date. The Government, themselves, were anxious that it should bo brought on as soon as possible. The House having resumed, tho resolution was reported, and leavo granted that the committee sit again to-morrow. Notices of motion having been given, tho House at twenty past four until half-past two to-morrow.