WELLINGTON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3131, 11 July 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(from our own correspondent.)

July 9, 1881

Those who bave had any experience of Parliamentary proceedings cannot but be aware that the real interest of any session does not commence until the delivery of Financial Statement. All that comes before is merely preliminary skirmishing. No persons more than members of Parliamejt appreciate the truth of the axiom that " money makes the mare go ;" the mare—in other words, the public interest —has not very much atttention lavished on it until it is known as nearly as possible how far, and at what pace, money is forthcoming to drive it. This year the Honorable the Colonial Treasurer is deserving of credit for at least two thiDgs. has delivered bis statement early in the session, and he has delivered one that will have the effect of re-assuring the public creditor as to the financial soundness of the colony. Major Atkineon has met with so much abuse deservedly or undeservedly, for last year having drawn an over-gloomy picture, that it is only fair he should now obtain credit for having skilfully presented the reverse side. Remembering the severe newspaper criticism of last year, it might have been anticipated that the gallant and honorable member, availing himself of the outward and visibly improved condition of commerce, might have gone to the other extreme. But he did not do bo. He admitted the general improvemen f , and erected thereon a castle of prosperity which, if still in the air, has a substantial foundation, with every reasonable probability of being erected in fair proportions from base to finial. Asa proof that the statement has already made a favourable impression on the London money market, lam aware that a private telegram bas been received in Welliagton announcing a steady advance in New Zealand securities. Only those who know bow much is meant by the expression standing good "on change " can fully appreciate how much this means. I repeat that while Major Atkinson drew his picture in attractive colours, be most judiciously avoided any such gandy brilliancy as might at Home have raised the suspicion that it was intended to dazzle rather than to instruct.

It is perhaps a little too early in the day to examine too munitely financial proposals in detail; but lam only reflect' ing the most generally received opinion among members, and, I think, the public, when I say that the weak point of the whole is the proposal to vest in a Board, to consist ot tbe Minister of Public Works aud three other members, tbe disposal of a sum of £300,000 to be expended in the construction of roads, bridges, &c. The impression appears to be much the same as it was Jast year, when a similar proposal was mooted, namely, that such a board would, from the nature of its construction, become a political body, swayed more by party consideration than by a desire to distribute the money fairly throughout the colony. The announcement that in place of increased Customs duties the Treasurer found himself in a position to reduce the duties upon some of those articles most used by the working man was a pleasant surprise to the House, and elicited some warm applause. As a matter of course these proposals have yet to undergo the criticism of, and possibly modification by, the Houee ; but I feel almost certain that no material change will be made in the manner in which the Treasurer proposes to raise the revenue, however much the committee may alter the disposal of it. The suggested tariff alterations will not, at all events, be dissented from.

The debate on Dr. Pollen's pension was a dreary one, and for the moment only served to raise some rather angry feeling. Dr. Pollen will, of course, continue to enjoy his pension. It is, however, not at all improbable that now that attention has been drawn to the care-

lessly lavish manner in which the colony has hitherto bestowed pensions, the strings of the public purse may in future be drawn very much tighter. MrWeston has already given promise of making his mark iv the House. He has twice spoken-at some length. On the first occasion it was only natural that curiosity to bear a new man, and an ex-Judge, kept members in their seats; but it was a eign that they appreciated his first speech, when, upon the second occasion, benches that had been deserted began to fill, and remained filled until he sat down amid some very appreciative applause.

Few reports laid on the table of the House during the session afford a better clue to the general welfare of the masses than that of the Registrar of Friendly Societies. The report this year, dealing with the six months ended December 31st, 1880, is eminently satisfactory. There are of course, cases of individual lodges retrograding: but they are extremely isolated. Every Friendly Society of recognised stauding has made gratifying progress, the voluminous tables attached to the report shewing not only a decided advance in material wealth, but clearly indicating the steady growth of thrift amongst the people. The lodge which can claim the largest number of members is Court Star of Canterbury, A.0.F., with 429 ; the smallest, Court Patea, A.0.F., wirh 2.

Wellington is at present in that phase of existence during which the political element is uppermost. Wellington possesses two distinct existences during the year. Like the bear of the Arctic regions, its has its period of hybernation and its period of activity, the only difference being that, with the bear, it is a physical change ; with Wellington, both physical and political. Some wicked people say that it is also moral, and that the moral barometer is not at its highest during the recess.

The session is now a month old, and while Ministers have certainly displayed an inchn-tion for work, it has so far not gone much beyond inclination. Some progress has been made with the Licensing Bill, but whatever satisfaction this may give rise to is dashed by the consideration that it is very unlikely the bill will ever see the light of day. In committee some amendments have been inserted that are very unlikely to pass the ordeal of " the Lords;" and by the ti.ne the measure returns whence it came the Hon. the Colonial Secretary will scarcely be in the humor to acknowledge the bantling as his, or the House to care what becomes of it. The Regulation of Elections Bill drags its slow way along in Houses so thin that they have frequently been on the eve of a count-out, and on one night adjourned shortly after eight o'clock by mutual consent. Strange to say, within twenty minutes thereafter, the elect of the people, who had been listlessly dozing on the benches of the House of Representatives, were almost preternaturally wide awake and uncommonly lively on the seats of the Theatre Royal. The pretty girls of the ballet in the Pirates of Penzance evidently bad more attraction for them than their legislative duties. Now, do the gentle public pay each honorable member his honorarium for the purpose of discharging these legislative duties or for the purpose of purcbasing dress-circle tickets ? I merely ask the question. I don't know if the Pirates—they of Penzance—will travel your way. If they do you will confer a benefit on the people of Wellington by killing them. They threaten to return here, and as they have already half killed us—with laughter— we are anxious not to have the other half of us killed. We prefer that they should be annihilated. Joking apart, " The Pirates" is the biggest theatrical success of the day.