PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 248, 11 August 1874, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

On Wednesday last, Mr T. L. Shepherd moved the second reading of the Goldfields Act 1866 Amendment Bill. To show the importance of the mining interest in the Colony, the honorable member quoted figures to the effect that the total value of water races, tail races, dams, and mining machinery in the Colony amounted to £1,663,181. He wished to place it out of the power of any individual to arrest such an important industry, in stopping tail race water from flowing over his land, and instanced tv case in point—a case now pending between a squatter and miner at Marewhenua. It was an industry which was of more value than all the rest in the Colony, and deserved more consideration. The second clause of the Bill gave the miners the right to get rid of their tail water by fouling streams. The Premier could not possibly agree with the second clause, which was dealing with a question now before the Law Courts. He would not object to the second reading if the hon. member would withdraw for the present the second clause.

Mr T. L. Shepherd declined. In the interests of the goldfields of the Colony this was a battle to be fought, and the sooner the better. Were they to arrest an industry

; which had exported £28,000,000 during the M eight; years, because some squatters > waited to dip a few sheep;?, He would divide the! House if he stood alone. The BiH was read a second -time, and referred to.the Goldfields Committee.

A Wellington correspondent of the Times telegraphs as follows :~r-The Goldfields Committee hive reported on Mr T. L. Shepherd's Bill, legalising the fouling of rivers by mining operations as follows :—«, That with reference to clause 2 of the Goldfields Amendment Act 1872, this Committee, is of opinion that it is urgently necessary that legislation should take place with the view of disposing of the difficulty at present existing with regard to the Using and foulingof the waters and streams for mining operations, and is further of opinion' tHatVthe clause as printed, leaving a discretionary power to the Governor, will meet the case,, arid' recognising, the necessity of immediately dealing with the matter, the Committee recommend that the provision proposed by the Bill be made law during the present session of Parliament;" '.-.■'•

The Guardian regrets to learn that Mr V. Pyke, M.H.R., Was compelled ! to leave Wellington, and return to Dunedin before the close of the session, in. consequence of very severe -illness, which it was feared would place him on a bed of sickness for some, time. He was, while in Wellington, subjected to a serious attack of ulcerated throat, which prevented him from. speaking, and his medical advisers recommended his immediate return to Dunedin. .We are glad to learn that he is since much better, and that he shortly will be able to resume his ordinary duties.

ABOLITION OP THE NORTHERN PROVINCES.

On Thursday, Mr Vogel obtained leave to make..a.-statement as to the course the Government propose to adopt in regard to the State. Forests .Bill, namely the question of abolishing all the Provinces in the North Island.: At an early period of the session, when the Financial .Statement was made, he would not disguise it. that it was the desire of the Government to assist the Provinces in the North Island to continue to discharge thejr functions, and proposed that fresh assistance should be given in some cases by loan. The question was materially changed by the debate on the Forest Bill. It then appeared that some of the Provinces, notably Wellington, looked upon the Forests Bill a3 aimed :at Provincial institutions generally and Wellington in particular. One speech was of such a nature as to direct the attention of the Government to the whole question of provincialism, in the North Island especially. The result was the ascertaining of figures, which showed beyond an extent he never dreamed of, or members generally supposed, the enormous proportion of revenue and means expended on this Island that was indirectly supplied by machinery of the Colony and Assembly. He could not say what impression these figures conveyed to the mind 3 of the members, but they made a strong one upon himself. Since his speech, made the evening before last, the Government had received assurance from all sides, which left no doubt in the minds of Ministers that the majority of members were anxious to see the Provinces abolished. He believed a large majority of members were prepared to assent to such a proposition, and see it given effect to with as little delay as possible. Therefore it would be idle to deny that the Government had taken into consideration whether it would be opportune to bring down a proposal to that effect during the present session. After what he said the other evening there could really be no doubt as to his own opinion, but the question was whether action should be taken this session. The Government came to the conclusion not to ask for effect to be given to this proposal during the present session.—(Hear.). They did this because there had been a sort of understanding that the session should not be unnecessarily prolonged, and that beyond the subjects indicated in His Excellency's Speech at the opening of Parliament, no important legislation should be proposed. Although the Government would demand that consideration should be given "to all matters of urgency, it would be always well to adhere to such understandings. But the chief reason which weighed most with the Government in coming to their decision, was that although the majority of the House held the opinions he described, and that although he believed the opinion of the people; throughout the North and Middle Islands would ratify such a scheme, which was exceedingly popular, yet there would be a general feeling that it would be dangerous to indulge in large legislation of this kin<l in a.hurried manner and without due notice. Even those most favourable might say, " After a surprise of this kind, may we not have surprise we could not welcome?" There would naturally be a feeling of insecurity if, while Parliament was sitting, large organic measures should be passed with out ordinary notice,.so as to afford constitutional means, to the people to express their opinions by petitions. Their warmest supporters might dread surprise legislation in the shape of a coup d'etat He did not wish to assert any right to prevent the House expressing its opinion on the matter. Many members might think that the necessity of the country would justify extreme action ; but the Government did not approve of such a course. They thought that such a measure would be more acceptable if it came from the country while Parliament was no 5 sitting. He was not, therefore, prepared to say that there would or would not be brought down resolutions on the subject; but the Government had not come to a decision yet.