IN THE LOBBY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1010, 1 August 1883, Page 2

IN THE LOBBY.

[from our parliamentary CORRESPONDENT ]

Wellington, To-day.

The Treasurer made. a remarkable statement last night in regard to the present financial position of the colony. Referring to the alleged existing depression of trade, he admitted that there was really a depression of trade among the wholesale dealers on account of over importations during the past year to the extent of about L 1,000,000 in exce-s of requirements, and there was a consequent difficulty in disposing of the stocks paid for and advanced upon. But he denied altogether that there was any general financial depression ; on the contrary, he asserted that consumers were better off than usual on this very account, because they could buy what goods they wanted cheaper than they would otherwise have been able to, in consequence. of th> se abundant stocks on hand. As an illustration also- of the general soundness financially, he mentioned that although for many years past during the Winter there had always been a cry of largo numbers of people being out of employment, there had been no such complaint anywhere in the colony during the p.esant winter.

Says the Times to-day:—“We have reason for believing there is no foundation whatever for the rumor in circulation during the last two days, thtft the amount of payment proposed to be awarded to members for their services or expenses is to be L3OO annually. Unless we are misinformed, the amount to be inserted in Members Expenses Bill has not yet been decided upon, but it will very probably be very similar to that paid at present. Several southern members complain that, they have been compelled to pay the Union Company for the passages of their wives and families on coming up .for the session, whereas brother members and their families were brought down in the Hinemoa at the Government’s expense. The Gaming and Lotteries Act, introduced by Mr Shaw, provides that the following words shall be added to section 18 of the said Act (1881), and shall be read and construed as part of the same, that is to say :—“Any person advertising, publishing, or printing, whether by newspaper, placard, or circular, or causing to be so advertised, published, or printed any such lottery or scheme, under any pretence, form, denomination or description whatever, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act, and'shall for every such offence forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding pounds.” The following proviso shall be added to section la of the said Act, and shall be read and construed as part of the same, that is to say: —“ Provided always that nothing in this section shall apply to any sweepstake or sweep in which the stake or share of an individual participating shall not exceed the sum of 20s, which no person promotes, organises, or conducts for any commission or reward.