Parliamentary.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1004, 15 July 1881, Page 2

Parliamentary.

Major Atkinson delivered the Financial Statement on the evening of the 6th in. slant.

The House was very quiet during the early part of the Statement, the first indications of applause oeiugat the announcement that the railways had pai i 3J per cent net profit on the cost. This not being new, it created only a little enthusiasm ; but when the Treasurer stated that over a million was avaiiaole fo" public works, applause was quite vucif-rons. When Major Atkinson alluded to loed finance, there was s .mo derisive laughter at tnu proposal to give local bodies rating power up to ‘2s, and one voice called nut “ Make it three ” ; eliciting renewed laughter. The proposal to relieve local bodies of annual valuation by utilising the property tax valuation was a good dral applauded, but the greatest outburst of cheeiing arose when the Treasurer said the KsMmates were reduced L334,11(10 below those of last year, and when he announced the various reductions in taxation.

11l the Legislative Council, the Gaming and Lotteries Kill was supported from Committee without amendment, the motion to erase the clause legalising the totalisator being rejected ny 10 votes to 7The bill was then read a third time, and passed. 'l'he following bill was introduced by Sir George Grey, and read a first time To provide that in any general or other election of members of the House of Representatives each elector shall be entitled to vote in respect of one electorate only. On the motion of House it was agreed—- “ That in the opinion of the House, with a view to administrative economy and public convenience, the Stamp Act should be so amended that up to a certain amount postage stamps shall be substituted for revenue stamps. ’’ Two notices of motion affecting gold minhave been tabled—one by Mr Reeves to regulate mining on private property, and another by Mr Pyke to reduce the charges for miners’ rights. Mr M‘Donald gave notice of motion affirming the desirability of the functions of Waste Boards being vested in the county councils.

Mr Andrews gave notice of motion in favor of holding the next session in Christchurch, and for an address to the Government to place a sufficient sum for that purpose on the Estimates. Mr Bain gave notice that he would ask if Government intended to provide mr the resumption of nominated immigration. The goldfields members have agreed that Mr Reid, of Hokitika, shall move the resolution in favor of abolishing the gold duty and urging the Government to bring in a bill to effect this.

A fow members informally on Tuesday to initiate steps tor the better consolidation ot the Opposition party, especially in view of the approaching general election. The Hon. Major Atkinson said a telegram has been received from London announcing that the report niton the Life Insurance Department by the actuaries hart been posted, \ sum of L 50,000, it was found, was devisable amongst insurers. The accounts of the department would bo ready for production in August. A scheme for the distribution of the bonus was in course of preparation, and would bo laid before the House as early as possible. A bill was also being drafted to hand over control of the department to a board. The Regulation of Elections Rill has been discussed on its second reading. Its leading points were that it extended the hours p dling from 6to 8 a.m., substituted written nominations for the hustings show of hands, and provided for the representation of minorities in so far that in districts returning three members no elector could vote for more than two candidates. Members generally were opposed to doing away with the public nominations.