HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1441, 8 September 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, 3. The House met at 2.30. •". Stout said they were aware he had promised that, if possible he would today be ( i,n a position to announce to them that he had succeeded in completing the task entrusted to him by the Governor of forming an administration. He had been enabled to do so, and announced the names of those j sworn in. There were two offices still to be filled up, and he hoped to be able to announce' to them in the course of a few days that the had succeeded in filling up those. It was their desire, if possible, that these offices should be filled up from North Islands members— one if possible from the Provincial District of Auckland. In regard to the positiort taken by Yogel of Treasurer, lie liad to explain that but for the fact of his bad health he (Stout) would have insisted upon him taking the position of Premier. As it was, Yogel had point blank refused to take that position. If his health improved, however, there might be a change in that respect. The members of the Government as formed had reserved their individual freedom of opinion. In the formation of an administration he had found himself in a delicate position, and to his late oolleagues he had been greatly indebted for the assistance they had given him in the work. So much had this been the case that he confessed that their kindness in that respect would never be forgotton by him. The Government as constituted recognised the great importance of fostering the mining industry. He meant by that not only the production of gold but cf all the other metals, inoluding •joul, etc. With the view of giving

effect to that determination they would at an early date ask members te agree to the appointment of a Minister for Mines, one who would devote himself specially to that department. That would necessitate the appointment of an extra Minister, as at present they could only appoint seven members to the Government. Parliament having now been in session for some weeks, Government recognised the importance of getting the business gone on with as fast as possible. They -would therefore be prepared to go on with the Order Paper as fast as possible. He would say a word more as to their policy. In the Governor's speech members would remember that reference had been made to questions of abstract policy, and Government proposed to bring down a bill at an early date dealing with these. As regarded the management of railways, their purpose in that direction would be made known when the finance and public works statements were produced. No attempt would be made this session to change the incidence of taxation, as the subject was too great importance to admit of any such change being made without more mature consideration. From the position of the colony at present the polity of the Government had to a gre it extent to be regulated by their nuances, which being the case, the policy of the Government could not be fully disclosed all at once. Several measures of importance, however, would be brought forward. Government recognised that the present system of local government was most unsatisfactory. They, however, considered that it should not be thoughtlessly cut down or destroyed, and with that view they would take till next session toconsider what changes should bo made. Respecting the North Island railway, the proposal to appoint a select committee to consider and report upon the best route was a proposal made in all sincerity, and not with any desire of shelving the question indirectly, as had been asserted. Government believed that would be the most satisfactory course to both Parliament and the country. When the j committee had arrived at a decision on the point it was the intention of Government that the work should be gone on with without delay. In conclusion, he stated that the portfolios as enumerated aliove had been hastily allocated, and upon more mature \ reflection Government might see that ] is was desirable to redistribute the same. He would, however, ask them to accept the names mentioned for the present, and !>y that means allow thuin to proceed at once to business. In Reply to a question put, Btout said that the financial and public works statements would be brought down within a fortnight; and, in reply to another question put by Mr Guinness, who a&ked if was tru« that the Governor had promised a dissolution in the event of this Government not standing, Stout said that it would be most irregular for him to state what transpired between him and the Governor. Replying to Levestam,Mr Ballance said the cost of arming the volunteers with Martini- Henri, instead of dniders would be £1500^ and Government could not see their way to expend this amount at the present time. Replying to Be van Ballonce said, Government had not yet had time to consider what it would do in the matter of providing. for elective Waste Lands Boards. Replying to Moss, Yogel said Government would bring in a bill for the payment of members, providing for the amount being paid annually, and not as at present sessionally. Replying to Holmes, Yogel said that in two instances monies belonging to the Government Insurance Department had been invested in the purchase of district railway debentures. The folllowing bills were introduced and read a first time : — Abolition of Gold Duty Bill (Brown.) To Amend the Property Assessment Act (Grey.) The usual sessional committees were appointed. ' O'Couor moved that to relieve con- ' solidated revenue from the charges arising from deficient railway returns, it is desirable, unless where a special provision has been made by the Legislature, that deficiencies so arising, shall in eachi case be made good by a tax to be levied upon adjoining lands j in proportion to the benefit received j from the railway ; and then, to ensure i satisfactory and efficient management, that the local governing bodies be invited to suggest to the manager any alterations necessary in their locality ; such suggestions so made, with a note of the action taken upon them, to be laid before the Hotjse early in the session. He contended that his proposal would have the effect of securing more direct local interest in railways j than was at present the case. He : instanced a number of anomalies in ! the traffic, which arose from the railway authorities not being sufficiently conversant with the actual requirements of the particular districts, and providing for more direct and intimate communication between the local bodies and the railway authorities. These would be obviated. . Joyce opposed the motion. These lines had been made with the sanction of the House, and as such they became public property. It was in all respects similar to the postal department. Some duties paid and others did not ; but as a grand whole the one had been made to sustain the other. Secldon moved as an amendment the adjournment of the debate, which was one which required more data to deal with tha i they had before them. Garrick seconded and supported the amendment. Pyko called upon Government to

tell them what they proposed doing in the circumstances, as the matter involved a vital point of policy. Yogel said the question of railway administration was one which required to be considered from different pot 'its of view. They might make their railways pay at the expense of their : usefulness, and that was not by any means desirable. He asked them to consent to a few weeks delay, in order that they might be prepared to approach the subject in the light of the importance the whole .question demanded. O'Cpnor was prepared to accept, the adjournment, which was put and carried. j Barron moved the secoud reading of the Plurality of Votes Biii'^ Replying to a remark; tnade by Guinness, Stout said the Government could not recognise any necessity for making this a party j^estiou. Ho cited instances to I&sw"tbat ..in. the Imperial Parliament a course of that kind would not be adopted; Yogel spoke against the Bill, and reprobated the practice I>f Vested rights being interfered wic^ 'without mature oo 1 1 sideration . ;f l -^ - Sir G. Grey~:*UJ>potte& the bill, stating that the restriction aimed at was a most important one, and one which was well worthy of the achievement of any new Parliament. Pykc pointed out certain anomalies in the registration system, and stilj He supported the principle. He denounced the bill as framed v aa being altogether crude and unworkable. The motion was carried, and the House adjourned at 5.30 till 2.30 to- ! morrow. September i. The House met at 2.80. Shepherd gave notice that he would move to-morrow that J. W. Steward. j be elected Chairmau of .Committees: Guinness gave notice that he.w6.ujd ask if Government intended abolishing the postage on. newspapers in this colony. Replying to O'Calla&bau, Stout ' said that Government could, svo u u,p necessity for amending the R&tiiig j Act (1882), with a view to relief of : tenants not beneficially interested in the capital value of the property j leased to them ; but if upou enquiry i a defect was discovered that wouid bo remedied. Johnston gave notice, he would ask when Government intended appointing \ a committee to enquire as to the best route for the North Island Main -Trunk Railway. Stout intimated that the Hon. P. Buckley had joined the Government in the Upper House, and had been allocated the portfolio of Colonial Secretary. .i ■ -,-#*. ■: :"""• • The following billsVorc introduced and read a first time :-— To enable trustees for religious, charitable, or educational purposes to form themselves into bodies corporate, j (Harper). ' ■' >• • Mining Companies Act (1872) , Amendment (Menteath)