GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 11 June 1880, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

— ♦ — —~ir t Wbili^gloN, Jane 8. ' In the debate on the and Charitable Institutions Bill* Sir George Gr>y sa»d : Providence Lad brought one 'i&seniial aid to Ins side fcllat uight. In the speech just delivered by tlie previous speaker,' he had traced out the evils of pauperism as it existed iri itbe British Isles, and ihea contrasted it with the state of the population io. l?ranee« The deß« c.iption of a French peasant, with his small iio'dinp of landj*presenfs a sfrr.kmg contrast to the English pumpers «-? the ffreafc difference was (be Jailer bad no little plot of ground he , could call b»s own. He hart no ''btivci«,4ie was an but-?" cast looking at a starved wife and family. It was this sad picture which made him r ß sort to drink and aitfobfllie ntimulan*s. He believed th.Pt if the previous speaker would only reagon out his own arguments to their owj reasonable conclusions, Le would mosr assuredly come round to his side of the house, and take care that not another acre pf native land -was gripped for the purpose of acquiring great landed estates to the detriment of the population as a whole. He a^eeed with the previoas speaker in thinking that Ibis Bill was calculated to promote pauperism. If the Government would tear op their Native Lands Bill and being forward bills for the purpose of promoting bonn fide settle* meat instead of promoting Piako Swamp jobs, they will do more to prevent pauperism, more to prevent drunkenness, than all the charitable aid schemes that conld posssiWy be imagined. Mr Eolleston said that the reception this maHer had met with convinced him that the country was now content to settle down to practiea.l legislation. What they had to do was to face, the evil of pauperism. He claimed for this mtasure that it would effect that object through its local bodies, by assistjn« the Government. In making the Biil a complete measure they would do good 'service to the country. Mr Delatoor could not agree with the Bill, as jt would- do away with voluntary principle. t . - _ Mr Oliver ppote in support of the Bill. Me Speight thought the Bill "'had. been ■presented to them in -a str^lft forward manner, still he took exception to a number of the provisions. Mr Hall having replied, The motion was then put and sswied on the voices. At 10.15 the House adjourned. Mr Mantell gave notice to bring in a Deceaspd Wife's Sister Marriage Bill. Dr Pollen's motion for a return showing how many electors have been added to the new rolls was carried. The mover said he should have something to say on the subject when the return was pre* sen ted. After a very large amount or routine and small business bad been disposed of, the Deceased Wi c's §jster Marriage Bill was brought in by Mr, Msatall aod read a first time. Mr Wbitaker gave notice to introduce a Gaming and lotteries Bill. The House met at 230 p.m. Mr Sbrimski gave notice he would ask why the privilege of transmitting press telegrams by special correspondents to \0

o'clock p.m. was sot efteadied this session, Dr Wallis. g«F$ potipe that he would ssk if it is the intention of the Govern* m^nt to extend the A|t prohibiting in« deceot theatrical exhibtfons at present »n force in Otago to the rest of the Colony. Mr Murray gave no! ice that he would move that the honorarium payable to members of the House of B<-presenta-tives b 1 ? £100, and that no honorarium be paid to members of the Legislative Council, as also that the salaries payable to future Governor* as well as Ministers of the Crown be reduced. Sir William Pox asked whether the Goverpment bad seen in the London Times a prospectus for the formation of a Mortgage and Investment Company to carry on business in New Zealand, on? of the managing directors of which 39 Mr John Bathgate, District Judge, Dunedin, and whether the Government considers the office of a director of such company compatiwle with his position as a Judge receiving a salary from the Colonial Treasury. Mr Eolleston replied that Government did not consider Mr Bathgate's appointment as a director compatible with bis position as a District Judge, and that ije would be notified of that fact. The following Bills were introduced, and read a first time.— To Extend <he Franchise io Women (Wallis) ; to Prop hi bit Party Processions (Pyke). Mr. Dick moved the second reading of the Licensing Act. Mr Barrbn was in favour of the bot* tie license being placed on a more stringent footing, and only issued to respect able persons. Mr Stewart spoke against the impro* priety of the total abolition of She bot« tie license. Mr Seddon complained that ample provision had not been m»de against the illicit sale of spirits. He also ma'm- \ tamed that some concession should be mode for accommodation houses. He a!so objected to single women being allowed to hold licenses. ' / Sir George Grey pointed out that the withdrawal of the Property Tax on pers sonalities, books, &c, and imposing a Beer Tax in lieu thereof, was only xbiftiltg tbe burden From the shoulders of those who could afford it, and placing it on those Who could not. Foreign bondholders escaped free while New Zealand ones were taxed The proposals were unjust and tyrannical and unwam ranted, and he hoped they would not be submitted to. Major Atkinson twitted the last speaker with not knowing what he was talking about regarding the exemptions under the Property Assessment Act. He knew one great magnate who only paid £4 per year under the Land Tax, but under the Property T&x would have tq s £403 per annum. He denied that the tax was irq'iisitorial, and Sir George Grey knew it. Sir George was the man wKo Complained about works of art being liable to be taxed, and now he complained about their beipg exem.pt. There was no pleasing him in any way,, June 0. Sir W Pox gave notice that he would, on consideration of the Licensing Act, move the insertion of a clause givlne relatives the right of action against any one supplying persons with liquor to their injury. Mr Sutton gave notice of a motion to the effect that subsidies b© payable to local bodies as bithertofore during the next few months, pending the ehanee proposed in tbe Financial Statement being brought into effect.