THE DEBATE ON THE GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL POLICY.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2387, 25 November 1870, Page 2

THE DEBATE ON THE GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL POLICY.

This morning, in the Provincial Council, Mr George Turnbull moved, and Mr Fraser seconded, the following amendment on Mr Calder’s resolutions, passed in Committee : “That while this Council believes that the Public Works indicated in his Honor’s message No. 2 might be more efficiently and satisfactorily carried out by the Provincial Government, it is neverthless of opinion—“lst. That it appears evident, from the course of events in the Colony and General Assembly during the past three years, there is no probability of any of the Provinces being allowed to borrow, on their own account and credit, funds to enable them to prosecute I’nhlic Works, beyond what they can accomplish with their ordinary revenue.

“2nd. That should the Province not take advantage of the ‘ Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870,’ there appears noliklihood of the works referred to in his Honor's message and others of an equally pressing character being carried out ; and, moreover, tlia' f-uch action will entail injustice on this Province, inasmuch as the otln-r districts of the Colony will avail themselves of the Act in question ; while the united Province of Otago and Southland will in any case be liab'e for the full share of the interest and principal of tho loans sanctioned by the General Assembly for the purposes of immigration and public works. “3rd. That considering the depression existing in the various interests throughout the Province, and the decided expression of tho opinion of the settlers, it is expedient that the works indicate' in his bio or’s message should he at once proceeded with, as well as those urged on the CoLuial Government by the represent iti-ca from Otago ami South’and—viz., the Matmra and Enver arvill Railway, the railway from Tokomairiro to Tuapeka, together with tne survey of the goldfie'ds, with the view of an immediate water supply. “ 4th. That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, with a respectful request that he will communicate the same to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Tho House divided as follows :—Ayes, 13 : Ashcroft (teller), Driver, Fraser (teller), Hughes, Johnson, M‘Derm id, MTndoe, Millar, Seaton, G. Shand, Sibbald, Taylor, Turnbull.

Noes, 23 : Allen, Barr, Broun, CaLicr (telex’), Clark, Duncan, Fish, Gillies (teller), Green, Hay, Henderson, Hutcheson, Kinross, Mills, Moseley, Mouat, Murray, Reid, Shepherd, Thomson, Toshack, Wilson, Wood.

Mr Calcler's resolution as passed in Committee, was put and carried on the voices : “That this Council having had under its consideration the communication! from the Hon. tho Colonial Secretary, enclosed in His Honor's Message No. ‘2, is of opinion that though it is dcdraMc that works having for th'dr object the development of the Cold Fields and the resources of the Province generally should he undertaken without undue delay, yet that it is inexpedient for this Council to make any recommendation with the view to the initiation of any works under tho “Im i i/ration and Public Works Act, 1870,” until tho whole policy of that Act has been considered by the various cnnst'.tuencie- throughout the Province, and either con tinned by a now Parliament «■' nr (lilied in such a wav as will leave the Middle Island free to deal with its own finances for the promotion of public works and Immigration; and this Council considers the only nraeticable way to arrive at such a desirable result is by a financial separation of the two Islands.”