HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1461, 24 October 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, 20. Macandrew gave notice to ask whether Government will grant a bonus for the first 20 or 30 tons of tinned fish, with a view to the encouragement of the industry. The Civil List Amendment Act was introduced in committee by Stout and read a first time. Stout moved that the amendments made by the committee in the East and West Coast (Middle Island) Kailway Bill be agreed to. Eolleston moved the recommittal of the bill with the view of inserting a clause to the effect that no other railways than those specified be constructed under the provisions of the Act. Stout did not consider this course necessary, as any fresh contracts would have to obtain the sanction of the House. He hoped the bill would not be recommitted. Barron said if the bill were recommitted he should move that the words "80 per cent of the cost of the railways" b« inserted in clause 9 instead of 50 per cent. He thought members voted on this question on Friday night under a misconception. Holmes and Richardson (llataura) also gave notice of certain amendments if the recommittal of the bill was agreed to. Considerable discussion ensued on the proposal to recommit the bill. Seddoa advised the Government not to consent to the bill going back to the committee, as they would not get it out again in a hurry. Menteath supported the recommittal with the view of moving that the words " the Arthur's pass route," be struck out. Macandrew hoped the Government would stick to the bill and not consent to its recommittal. Bryee advised the withdrawal of the amendment. He said if the Bill were recommitted it would certainly not get out of committee again that afternoon. Rolleston then rose and said he would withdraw his amendment for the recommittal of the bill. Grey thought the bill should not be allowed to proceed without further information from the Government as to the land to be taken for the construction of the railways. He moved that the bill be recommitted so that the several amendments might be discussed. Captain Russell said he would like to move in clause 9, if the bill werp recommitted, that the words " without any regard to any prospective value that will be given to suoh land by the proposed uudortakiag " be

struck out, and the words » with due regard to" be inserted. The motion for the recommittal of the bill was put and lost on a division — Ayes 40, Noes 15. The amendment was then agree! to. On the question that the bill be read • a third time being put, Wakefield said a very impcit&jifc change had been madft in the 1 •111 in committee by causing the railways to be changed. . from a trunk line to a disconected piece of railway. This i change had been effected by fixing on the Arthur's Pass route, which prevented the line from being a. trunk line from Nelson to the East and West Coasts. He thought, however, that the bill had been greatly improved by its passage through committee.- He merely mentioned this objection because he thought th« change that had been made had effected tho continuity of the route. Richardson combated Wakefield's arguments and pointed out that the distance of the line would be the sam» whether it were constructed by Arthur's Pass or by Cannibal Gorg;>. The bill was then read a third time and passed. The Weatporfc and Greymouth Harbor Boards Bills were then reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. The Government Insurance Association Bill was further considered in Committee. In Clause 5, relating to the constitution of the Board. Stout moved that the words " Auditor and Controller-General " be struck out. Montgomery objected to the Board being elected by the. policy holders. The Government should appoint it. Dr Newman moved that tho. portion of the clansp which provides for the nomination of three persons by th« Governor for the Board be struct out. A long discussion ensued on the constitution of the Board. > Grey objected to its constitution altogether. Atkinson hoped the Committre would pass the clause as it stood. Me defended the constitution of the Boai'ii, and said it was impossible to carry on the .system of Government insurance properly without appointing a board to conduct it on commercial principles. The clause, as amended by the Premiwr, was carried on division — Ayes, 86 ; noes, 16. In Clause 7, relating to the qualifications of voters for election of directors by policy-holders. Stout moved " Every holder of a policy of full &'s:g and insured under such policy fur not I less than £100, and which has been ill existence for six months," shall bo entitled to vote, <fco. Tile amendment was agreed to after a lengthy debate. Seddon moved that the further consideratiou of the clause be postponed, but the Chairman ruled that the amendment had been agreed to by the Committee. Seddon then moved to report pro* i gross. The motion was interrupted by tl.e • 5. 80 adjournment. On the House resuming at 7.30, the motion for reporting progress was pot and carried, and the House adjourned at 7.35. p.m. The House met at half-past seven and immediately adjourned — the hardworked legislators having well earned a little relaxation — in the hope of doing the light fantastic at a ball given by Lady Yogel and Mrs Stout. Whilst the members of the House of Representatives were enjoying themselves the mernbttrs of the Legislative Council were quietly undoing some of their questionable work. By 21 votes to 9 the District Railway Leasing Bill was rejected. It is feared that the East and W«st Coast Railways and Greymouth and Westport Harbor Bills will m«et the same fatp. " Your own correspondent thinks different, the Lords will scarcely be bold enough to become th«ir own undertakers. To go further than they have means a serious conflict between the two Houses. In the House this afternoon th(» Premier, on behalf of Sir Julius Yogel gave notice, to move on next Friday that the House go into Committee to consider the following resold tion : — "That the difficulties surrounding the railways constructed under the District Railways Act. and the hardships to which th*» ratepayers are subjected in connection therewith are such that this House considers the Govern me.nt should seize a favorable opportunity to acquire the said lines ; the cost not to exceed the value ascertained by a court of enquiry presided over hy a Judge of the Supreme Court, based on the actual cost at which at the time of construction the railways could have been constructed (unless depreci\tion and deterioration serve to form a reduction in market value and wear and tear) plus any amount the company owners of the said railways have been or may be authorised to levy on th« ratepayer* up to 81st Maoh last ; it being made a condition that all proceedings against ratepayers shall be stopped, and all payments received from ratepayers be returned to them; the Government to pay one third in cash for the said railways, the balanoe to bear four per cent interest, and to be paid in four equal annual instalments ; the Government next session to introduce a bill to make the ratepayers liable for onehalf of any amount short of 4 per cent, which the railways yield after paying working expenses, plus the cost of the rates."