THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3305, 23 September 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

Wellington; September 22. In the House Mr Tolmie moved that the House go into Committee to consider the bringing in of a Bill to amend the Civil List, limiting the number of Ministers to six Europeans and one Native, and increasing their salaries.—Mr Thomson said the proposal was absurd, suggesting an increase of salaries, dependent on the reduction of the number of the members of the Ministry.—Mr Vogel said the Government could not entertain the question so put. The salaries were too low, and he suggested the granting of pensions. —Mr Fox moved an amendment in favor of an address to the Governor, asking him to send down a measure to increase the Ministerial salaries. —Mr Tolmifl then withdrew his motion. —Mr Stafford said the Committee had considered it advisable, if a change of Ministry occurred, that a reduction in the number of Ministers, and an increase in their salaries, should take place.—Mr Ifitzherbert said the Committee considered the voting powers of Ministers in the House to bo too great.—Mr Rolleston thought the House should fix the number, the functions, and the salaries of Ministers ; but the question was too large for present discussion. He suggested that the debate should collapse. —After further discussion, Mr Fox’s amendment was carried, and in Committee a resolution embodying it was also carried.

September 23,

In the Upper House yesterday, Col. Whitmore moved a motion in favor of the introduction of a Bill to .provide for increasing the liabilities of the Colony by a general system of taxation, to be equal on all classes of community, proportionate to the means and profits of the several classes of Colonial population.—Dr Pollen opposed the motion, and moved an amendment that such a proposal should not be initiated in the Council. —Colonel Kenny moved a lurther amendment for the payment of interest and sinking fund of existing loans, and meeting the expenses of any works authorised.—Mr Waterhouse moved that the debate be adjourned for three weeks, which was carried on the voices.

Tho Civil Service Amendment Bill was thrown out on the second reading, by twentytwo to seven.

On the question that the Licensing Bill he read a third time, Mr Pearce said tlxe Bill had been shorn of all its useful qualities. He was told it was now the same as the Auckland Bill, and it was not advisable to alter the law of the Colony to merely establish an uniformity with Auckland, tie moved that the Bill be read that day six mouths. The motion was negatived, and the Bill read a third time on a division, by twenty-seven to fifteen.

The second reading of the Miners’ Rights Extension Bill was negatived by twenty to eleven.

With regard to tho Land Loan Security Bills, the Premier said he hoped the Bill would be postponed till their next sitting; then tho Government would assist its passing with alterations. The borrowing should be restricted to sums obtainable from banks and capitalists in the Provinces ; thus the fear of clashing with Colonial credit would be removed. Also, the borrowing should bo restricted for works of a useful and necessary character; and requisite provision should he made for gaols, lunatic asylums, and educational purposes. With these amendments he hoped the Council would accept the Bills. Major Atkinson moved that the amendment by the Legislative Council in the Tim her Floatage Bill bo disagreed with. The Council had added a clause bringing tho Bill into operation immediately in Auckland, but in other Provinces by proclamation of the Superintendent and Provincial Council.—The Premier supported the amendment. —Messrs Rollestou and Fitzherberfc spoke against such special legislation for one Province.—Mr Sheehan also protested. The Bill particularly affected Auckland, yet Auckland was the only Province where the people were to have no voice in bringing it into operation. —Mr Swanson expressed the same views.—Major Atkinson’s motion was carried by twenty-five to fifteen; Mr Vogel calling for a division. Managers were appointed to confer with the Upper House. The Employment of Females in Factories Bi’l; the Goldfields Act, 180(3, Amendment Bill, were committed and read a third time. The Maori Representation Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Miners’ Franchise Extention Bill, enabling the possessors of Miners’ Rights to vote for Superintendents, was read a second time. (from our special correspondent.) There is no truth in the rumor that the Government intend to shirk the Loans Bills this session. A canvass was made among members to induce them to agree to this course, and at one time it was considered ibis was done with the tacit approval of the Government, The Independent this morning says : “ When at first it was suspected that the Government were a party to the surreptitious proposal that members should consent to tho shirking of the question of Provincial borrpwjng until next sessioq, there \yas strong feeling of indignation created ; not so much upon the question whether or not the Provinces should borrow, but upon the ques» tiqu of the dignity of the Ministry. We are sure we are not exaggerating the facts when wo say that had the Government approved of this policy of procrastination or have in any way suggested the expediency of suoh a policy, they would have forfeited the confidence of nine-tenths of their supporters, to say nothing of the respect of their opponents. It is satisfactory on the ground of Ministerial dignity that they have not contemplated such a suicidal step. Tho Bills will he modified to meet the demands of the Upper House.”