PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2180, 3 May 1870, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

This Day. A pretty full notice paper this afternoon did not have the effect of “ drawing a good House,” to use theatrical parlance. A couple of petitions were presented, and received. Members of Government, in answer to questions, stated—lst. That the Provincial Engineer had received instructions to prepare plans for the construction of a jetty at Waikouaiti, at a cost of I 5900. In preparing those plans he aas guided by the report of the commission which examined the harbor two years ago. Since then he had examined the harbor and taken soundings himself. His opinion had now altered to a very great degree ; his estimate being LS2GO. The plans had been prepare!, and would have been sent to England last mail, but for the engineer’s report of the 27th of last month, The Government would have carried out the agreement entered into, if the jetty could have been erected for LSOOO, the sum voted, but finding the cost would exceed it by L3OOO, they did uot fed justified in sending home orders

foi 1 the plant, and it would depend upon the action of the Council as to when the or der would be sent. 2nd. The Government pamphlet of rules and regulations affecting goldfields did not contain the Amending Acts pulsed since 18G6. The omission was not however unintentional. The Secretary for Land and Works could not accept Mr Shepherd’s assurance, that the ’miners would not suffer from the omission, neither could he see how it could be rectified. The thing, however, is veiy plain, that the Government have issued a publication which is almost worthies'. —Mr Mosley rose to projwse —’“That an addr-ss be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will bo pleased to recommend to the General Assembly the desirability of a duty being levied for the purposes of revenue on grain and Hour imported into the Colony.” His speech was, hi the main, devoted to a review of statistics. He referred to those of the General Government for 18(38-0. The importations of 110. 1 ." during the year amounted to 8,817 tons, at a cost to the people, ca'culated at Ll4 per ton, of L 124,104. The wheat imported amounted to 188,477 bushels, which, at 4s per bushel, amounted to L 42.407 ; of oats, 10,227 bushels, which, at 2s per Imshe', amounted to L 1,220; of barley, 15,201 bushels, which, at 4s per bushel, amounted to L 3.306 ; and of maize, 88,701 bushels, valued at L 2,422. The total value of the importation of flour and grain was LIBO,OOO. He was of opinion that a duty on grain and Hour was proper and legitimate, thereby the foreigner would be made to contribute to the revenue. We should extend our principal instead of increasing our capital, otherwise we should become bankrupt. He found the large sum of LIBO.OOO paid to foreigners, which with cheap labor the Province might retain. As it was, the Province, with dear labor, could not compote with foreigners with cheap labor. There was no such thing as free trade in the Colony, and it was absurd to talk of it while wc were taxed as we were. Flour and grain were a legitimate source of revenue. By producing the amount of grain we were importing, employment would be given to 2000 laborers, each representing three souls, and there would be a tax-bear-ing population to the amount of L 36,000, besides which the remainder of the LIBO.OOO would be retained in the country. The present system was calculated to drain our resources, and produced those numerous failures now taking place. Doubtless warmin" with his subject, and with a burst of eloquence for which none were prepared, the hon. member went on to say that he was of opinion that we ought to shape our institutions according to our circumstances, and not like frightened children, do just as the mother country did. Why !we should take things as we find them, and act with common sense; an injunction which was only productive of laughter. Other young communities, he continued, had adopted a course which would secure for them ultimate prosperity, and in proof of this assertion he instanced the United States, Canada, and Victoria, which impose duties on imported grain, examples which we ought to follow. Mr Shaml seconded the motion, and after a little beating about the hush, stated his opinion that it was absolutely necessary that the agricultural interest needed encouragement. Mr Franco, after some blustering, and with an apparent loss of words signified his intention of supporting the motion. Mr Ashcroft was prepared to support it, hut would like the words “ for the purposes of revenue ” omitted. Mr M‘lndoe moved the previous question, and in the course of his remarks, characterised the farmers as the only pampered trash in the country, which subsequently brought the Provincial Treasurer upstanding, to defend the class, whom he sought to prove was the poorest of all. After Messrs Shepherd, Thomson, and M‘Demid had spoken in support of the motion and Capt. Mackenzie against it, the question was put and carried. (Left sitting.)