PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1701, 31 July 1875, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FEOM QUE SPECIAL COIIRESPON

JDJENTJ

WELLINGTON.

This day.

Kaipara Railway Terminus. In reply to Mr Yon der Heyde, Mr Richardson said he had not intended to remove the Helensville station although the present position was very inconvenient. _ He had never contemplated carrying the line so far in the first instance as the junction of the Kaipara and Kaukapakapa rivers. Horse Disease in AustraliaIn reply to Mr Steward the Government had no information but newspaper telegrams respecting the outbreak in Australia of a terrible American disease in horses, but would enquire particularly, and if so, take immediate steps to prevent the importation of horses. 'Lighthouses. In reply to Mr. C. O'Neill, the Govern ! ment replied that sites had been acquired for lighthouses on Cape Marie Vandiemen, Mokohinu, and the lights ordered. Bills Read a First Time. The following bills were read a first time : —Mr. Curtis's bill for a loan of ten thousand pounds : Nelson Extension of Gas and Waterworks. By Mr. Sheehan, the Highway Boards Empowering Amendment Bill; the Marine Act Amendment Bill; Machinery Inspection Amendment Bill. Local Government and Abolition Bills. When it came to the Local Government Bill on the notice paper, Sir D. McLean announced a message from the Governor. All arose, and the Speaker announced the Abolition Bill. After considerable demur, members being taken by surprise, it was read a first time, when a considerable debate ensued on fixing the time of the second reading. The Government proposed Friday. An earnest debate ensued as to the propriety of the later date, in which Grey, Reid, Wood, Sheehan, Bowen, and Fitzherbert entered keenly, resulting in an understanding that on Friday the Government would give an explanation only, and further adjourn the debate. Mr. Fitzherbert made great capital out of the Barrister of Colonial reputation, describing him as a professional " Mr.. Harris."

The proposal -was accepted. Next came the Local Government Bill, as on the notice paper. Sir George Grey demanded why the last bill was differently introduced, namely, by a message, and was replied to because it was in the nature of an Appropriation Bill, Upon which Mr Keid made a good point that it was significant that the Local Powers Bill required no appropriation, but it was necessary to tbe Abolition measure. Mr Fitzherbert enquired how many more Bills there were. Ho had heard of seven or eight in a series for Abolition. Sir D. McLean said none but the two. An effort was made by Mr Swanson and others to know when the Representation Bill would come down, but the Government could not tell.

The second reading was fixed for Friday. The complicated passages of etiquette between Mr O'Eorke and Sir D. Bell are in operation of going into Committee of Supply for £250,000 imprest supply, occupied the next half hour. Luring successive stages, in which Mr Wood made brave but ineffectual efforts to stay proceedings by reporting progress. Sir Ceorge Grey drew the attention of the Speaker to Dr. Pollen coaching up Ministers at the Ministerial, table, which had the effect of giving prominence to the little proceedings, though not checking it, inasmuch as members of the Council may have seats on the floor of the House. The quarter-million was rattled through in a jifl'y, everybody's nose being poked into the Abolition Bill and Local Powers Bill, just distributed. These, and the Financial Statement produce such embarass de richesses, that I must be brief; no one has time to digest either yet, but extraordinary electric tension is in the atmosphere. The questiou is, where is the General Government to get money to pay for gaols, hospitals, harbours, asylums, police, and education, from the ] consolidated fund? Surely the financial ; milleuium has dawned and we knew it nnt. Old Fitz's Opinion. .Old Fitz says the Ministry know as much about the finances of the colony as a child in the street. Beading tho Financial mentMajor Atkinson commenced reading the Financial Statement, immediately on resuming, after dinner. Every gallery was crammed with spectators. He read it slowly and distinctly, and was repeatedly interrupted by loud applause aa the glowing pictures were unfolded. Mr Stafford was very demonstrative at particular passages, showing the increased revenue and extraordinary success proved to have attended the policy which he had once so dreaded, even to resolving to sell out and go home. Mr Fitzherbert sat reclining, with his hat down over his brow, and his eyes closed as if asleep, but he was not sleeping. I verily believe he moved neither a foot nor opened an eye during the entire performance. Sir George Grey leant forward wrapt in attention as if astonished at the picture presented. Messrs Bunny, Sheehan, Wood, and others of that ilk exchanged sly mischievous glances of suppressed devilry as the more glowing visions were revealed. At the conclusion, long and loud applause followed, in which the Opposition joined. There being something more on the notice paper a contention arose about adjournment. Several members wishing to proceed. The House rose at 9.30. The debate will be continued on Tuesday. The General ImpressionThe general impression formed by the two abolition bills and the financial statement seems that if such visions are realised, abolition will be a panacea for all ills. The Government give everything to everybody and do everything for all, and ask no money in return; provincial jealousies are done away with, and only district jealousies take their place. This, surely, is an improvement. Auckland district cannot have the same jealousies of Otago district as Auckland province has of Otago province. All gaols, police, hospitals &c, are supported out of consolidated {revenue, leaving licenses, land funds, &c, for distribution among local bodies, without any new strain on the revenue or new sources of increase. This is a glorious feature in finance. The picture is said to be a counter-part of the glowing pictures introducing the railway policy when the capitation of two pounds ten shillings made all rejoice It is noted that all local revenues are paid into public accounts for distribution. The significance of this is manifest. Two pounds for a pound of local revenue is so attractive, quite as pretty as the promised capitation. The scheme is regarded as enchanting but utterly unfeasible, and will be torn to fritters in the debate on grounds of impossible j finance. The general feeling is an amused one, and all members say the millenium has arrived. Ministerial Canons To-day. A caucus of Ministerial supporters is being held at eleven to consider the future course. It is generally believed the Government will hear enough from their own supporters to deter them ..from pushing through this session the huge system embodied in the two Billa.