PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 988, 25 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Last Night's Proceedings. Wellington", August 25. Mr Rces continued the debate on the incidence of Taxation. He maintained that the predictions of his pamphlet of 1872 were fully borne out byjthe present financial position of tlie colony. Serious disaster, if not national bankruptcy, was impending, and the only way to maintain credit was to take the land fund. The right of expediency and necessity concurred in indicating this as the proper course. Mr Travers supported the motion as the only means of escaping a serious financial difficulty. He pointed out that the railways were deprecating at the rate of £BO,OOO a year, and no provision was made for renewal. The cost of management was also above twothirds of the gross receipts. He maintained that the compact of 1856, to which he was a party, was in no way binding now. It was a political.absurdity to say that they could not reverse it. He strongly condemned the fortyfive members who, at the caucus, had pledged themselves to support everything the Crovernment did. He criticised the Civil Service administration —especially store department—severely. He objected altogether to the centralising tendency of the Grovernrnent in undertaking to do everything for the people. He believed Ministers to be honourable men, meaning well, but they were only a kind of superior clerks. Mr Lusk supported the motion on the distinct understanding that instead of the land fund being illegally used to minister to the necessities of the Grovernrnent, it should be made colonial revenue, administered on defined principles, in opening and settling the country. He knew Ministers intended to seize it, and they had better act openly at once. There was no use longer to indulge in finance to save an almost bogus land fund. Mr Pyke characterised Mr Wood's proposal as political repudiation. Mr Delato.ur also opposed Mr Wood's motion. Mr Barff thought the land fund should be colonial revenue, but could not vote with Mr Wood. Mr Montgomery opposed the motion, but condemned the silence of the Grovernrnent on such an important matter. If given rope enough, they would soon settle their own fate. Mr Woolcock's amendment was negatived on the voices. The division on Mr Wood's resolutions- For, 13 ; against, 46. Sir G. Grey then called attention to the advertised sale of large blocks of land at the Wairoa, protesting against it, and desiring to move a resolution, but was ruled out of order. He reiterated all his charges against the Ministers regarding land transactions. Hon. Major Atkinson replied, but promised to make inquires about the Wairoa sale. Mr Stout attacked Ministers. Mr Moorhouse defended them, and attacked the members of the Opposition. Mr Whitaker promised at an early opportunity to enter fully into all the charges which had been made*against Ministers in reference to land transactions. The House rose at 1.5. [FEO3I OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEJJIN, August 25. The Jockey Club programme announces £2700 for prize money to meetings this year. The Railway Piute of £100 ; Champagne Stakes" of £IOO, with added money. The J.C. ami Forbury Handicaps have been increased by £SO.