GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 721, 11 October 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

{Per Press Agency.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, October 10, board of health. The amendment proposed by the Governor in the Public Health Bill, providing that the Christchurch Drainage Board as constituted by the Christchurch District Drainage Act, shall be the sole Local Board of Health for the district constituted by the second section of the said Act, was agreed to. MINISTERS IN UPPER HOUSE. The Council to-day agreed to a resolution moved by Hon Colonel Whitmore, that two Ministers should have seats in Council. ; the NEW ZEALAND FORESTS ACT. The New Zealand Forests Act Repeal Bill was thrown out. MUNICIPAL BILL. In committee, the Council considered the postponed clauses in the Municipal Corporations Bill, and reported progress. PUBLIC WORKS BILL. The Council passed some clauses in the Public Works Bill. THE KUMARA. In reply to the following question by Hon Mr Bonar, whether—in view of the rapidly increasing population at Kumara, the fact that the supply of water for that goldfield is very limited in extent, and that the principal source of supply has been reserved by the Government for the Waimea water-race—-the Government will take immediate steps for the completion of the head works of such race, so as to admit of the full quantity of water the race has been constructed for, and is capable of carrying, being brought in for the above purpose, The Hon Dr POLLEN said careful consideration had been given to the subject, and it had been determined to ask for power to complete the head work for the Waimea water-race. THE MATAU. In reply to the Hon Captain Fraser, as to the alleged remissness on the part of the Customs authorities at Wellington re the Matau, The Hon Dr Pollen read a statement from the Secretary of Customs, showing that the Matau had taken no more passengers than was allowed in the trade between Australia and New Zealand, and that her deck cargo only consisted of twenty cases of kerosene and three iron tanks. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Tuesday, October 10. The House met at 2.30. NEXT SITTING OP ASSEMBLY. Mr Thomson gave notice to move —“ That the next session of the General Assembly be held at Dunedin.” LEAVE OP ABSENCE. A month’s leave of absence was granted to Mr Macandrew. SALARIES OP JUDGES, Mr Harper asked whether the Government intended to amend the Civil List Act, 1873, for the purpose of increasing the salaries of Judges of the Supreme Court. Hon O, C. Bowen said the Government did not at present intend making any arrangement for increasing the salaries of udges. WAIMEA RACE. Mr Button asked if the Government intended to proceed immediately with the completion of the Waimea race ? Hon E. Richardson said when the Governmdnt first brought down their statement, they did not intend to provide for the completion of the Waimea race ; but since the new rush they had re-considered their decision, and would make a certain proposal to the House in regard to carrying out this work. SIR J. VOGEL’S EXPENSES. Upon the order for going into committee of supply, Sir G. Grey moved for an inquiry by a Select Committee into the cost of Sir J. Vogel’s two missions to Europe, The Premier moved an amendment that the matter be referred to the public accounts committee. Sir G. Grey protested against the amendment. Mr Rees, who spoke at great length in favor of appointing a Select Committee, asked if the Government refused to agree to the committee because his name was on the committee. He moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr Stevens pointed out that as the inquiry was merely into detailed items of expenditure, there could not possibly be any falsification, and the finance committee was as suitable to enquire into tlie matter as any other committee. After considerable discussion, Sir Q. Grey’s motion was negatived by 39 against 23. Mr STAFFORD then gave notice to move that Sir G. Grey’s name be placed on the finance committee. Oa the amendment being put another division was called for, and the amendment carried by 48 against 16. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. On going into committee of supply, Mr Montgomery said it was four months since the House met, and they had had no discussion on the finances of the colony, and pointed out that owing to the way the accounts were laid before them it was very difficult to understand them. The Treasurer said last night theie was an available balance of £50,000 to begin the year with. He denied this, and held there was an actual deficit, and referred to the ninth financial table. There was a falling off in Customs of nearly £IOO,OOO, in stamps of over £IO,OOO, in railways of over £13,000, and in trail*ays constructed by the provinces of £48,000. The hon gentleman proceeded to analyse the various items of revenue and expenditure in the account of the colony a.' set forth in the published financial state jnents during the session, and also in rela iion to payments on loans and interest and .sinking fund, &c, in order to bear out hit £ f atement. Bo far from the Treasurer having a

balance, he believed the colony wan £300,000 to the bad. He hoped the Treasurer could show him to be wrong. Touching the proposals and estimates of the Treasurer for the ensuing year, he pointed out that the bon gentleman was wrong in his estimate last year, though he was warned at the time that his estimate would not be realised, and be was told that revenue was controlled more by the spending power of the people than by the actual number of population. In relation to the ensuing year, he thought he was again making an excessive estimate. He calculated upon an increase in the Customs revenue and the return from railways, and he ventured to predict that the hon gentleman would find hehad exceeded ths amount by £46,000 Mr Montgomery then quoted from Sir James M'Culloch who, in framing his estimates for Victoria, with a population twice that of New Zealand, calculated upon jS 18,0001 ess revenue for the incoming year than for the preceding one, basing his calculutions upon the fall in wool and unfavorable weather, He maintained that the fall in wool must injuriously affect New Zealand in the same way as Victoria. He believed there was no fear of the people of the colony not surviving their difficulties if they faced them and were true to themselves. But they must not stave off their difficulties by issuing Treasury bills. They were not in the same position with regard to their private indebtedness as in England, inasmuch as the colony had to send home about a million a year, which, added to the million they had to send home as interest upon loans, was about equal to the whole of the wool revenue. The hon gentleman pointed out that the chief cause of the bankruptcy of most countries that indulge in too much borrowing was, because the people of those countries had been unable to advance the money to their Governments, and he reminded them that New Zealand obtained her money from abroad, and was consequently, in that respect, going the same road as those countries referred to. It was time they set to work to put their house in order. If they did that all would yet be well. They must make reductions, and not in any cheeseparing way. They must raise taxation where it could be best borne, and where in fairness it ought to be placed. They must tax property. The late Treasurer said it was unpopular, and therefore inexpedient, but it appeared to him that it was inevitable, no matter who was at the head of affairs. He was sorry he could not take a more cheerful view of the state of the finances of the colony, and he would move —“ That it be an instruction to the committee that the financial necessities of the country required an immediate reduction in all the departments of the public service.” Sir G. Grey asked that progress be reported. They ought not to go on further until they had a reply from the Treasurer to Mr Montgomery. The Premier objected. He was not going to answer every speech made. Let the debate go on. He held that the hon gentleman had not shaken one of his facts or figures, and at the proper time he would undertake to prove it. Mr Stout thought it was almost useless to discuss finance because, when that came on, the majority of the members left the House, and that was especially the case with regard to Government members, and when a division was called for, Government had only to say abolition is threatened, and they voted at once without further inquiry as Government wanted. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment, LAST NIGHT’S SITTING. The greater portion of last night was taken up in discussing the finance of the colony. Mr Stout argued that the Ministry were utterly unable to cope with the finance of the colony, and generally criticised their administration adversely. Hon G. McLean replied to him. From a compilation of figures based on the Otago Provincial estimates, he showed that the pro province would not lose by the impending change in administration when it took place. Mr Rees treated of the matter in a jocular speech. Hon 0. C. Bowen said Mr Montgomery took too gloomy a view of the position of the colony, and pointed out that the hon member had not distinguished between the issuse of Treasury Bills, for the purpose of balancing, and as a permanent arrangement. Mr Stevens reviewed the finance at some length. He dealt with the banking account, and alluded to the promise given to the Bank last year as to legislation during the present session. He hoped the present Government would not again put themselves in such a position. There was no doubt there was financial difficulty. It had arisen owing to the expenditure of public money with too great haste. The proposals of Government as to the land fund would not bear criticism, and the Treasurer candidly admitted it. In his opinion, however, no other course was open ; and, as a first step towards retrenchment, they should all go home as soon as possible, and leave the Government to make the necessary arrangements. If they were to carry on the business of the country they must recast the present system. After some further discussion Sir G. Grey wanted progress reported, as he wished to move a resolution. He and many others thought the estimates could be reduced £IOO,OOO. Hon Major Atkinson said they wetc not prepaied to make such a reduction at one sweep. It would not be prudent. He would give way to no man in his desire to make reductions. The House went into committee, and passed a number of items. Several proposed increases under the head legislature were struck out, but two large reductions attempted to be made by Mr Burns and Sir G. Grey were lost. Progress was reported, and at 2.30 the House adjourned. POLITICAL NEWS, {From a correspond cut of the Press') Mr Seaton was a passenger by the ilawea which left for the South to-day. Mr Macandrew has already obtained leave to remain in Otago in a state of peace or warfare for a month, Mr Donald Reid satirically suggesting that he might remain till next session. Mr Stout leaves by the Australia to-night, and Mr Reader Wood goes by the Taupo to Auckland. Some are disposed to [say these be signs of dangerous times, each particular absentee being elevated to an important position, but those who remain in the House expect peace, the expedition of business, and an early conclusion of the session.