PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1074, 6 December 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Last Night’s Proceedings. Wellington, December 6. In moving the second reading of the Loan Dili, Sir Gr. Grey admitted that though authority to raise four millions was ashed, it was not likely to be exercised immediately. It was necessary to clothe the Ministry with this authority to pay everybody in order to enable them to negotiate on fair terms with their creditors. Within eighteen months £1.500,000 would be required for public worts and immigration, £500,000 for Provincial liabilities, £300,000 to re pay the advance from the public work? account, £1,000,000 to the Banks, and £832,000 ip treasury Bills, In all the sura of upwards of four millions was, required. There were also guaranteed debentures to ho redeemed if necessary. It was not. absolutely necessary to either pay off the Banks or Treasury Bibs, but it was desirable o have power to do so if pressed. He pledged limself not to raise a penny more of the loan ban necessary. Major Atkinson declared he conduct of the Government in asking i ,uch powers on such a vague statement mprecedented. lie denied the existence of lalf a million provincial! liabilities. Thos. o called were speculative estimates iron )tago, which if recognised, the rest of tin •olonv would have a right to demand at leas lalf a million more. He criticised the details if Sir G. Grey’s statement, and challengtc liui to refer to the public acfojmty coaunitUa CO report whether Me Mod not in hie Budga

provided for all proper Provincial liabilities and other charges of the current, year, and whether the consolidated fund would not be able to repay the £300,000 borrowed from the public works account. He would oppose borrowing more than two millions. Sir G-. Grey refused to do anything of the kind. He said the public accounts committee had been picked for party purposes, when nominated at commencement of session by late Government. This was denied by several members, and a long discussion ensued. Ultimately, the Bill was read a second time. The Public Revenues Bill passed through committee. In committee on the Consolidation of Stock Bill, Mr Fitzherbert said the process was desirable, but, the time inopportune. Progress was reported. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a third time. The House rose at 1.35 a.m. till noon to-day. This Day’s Proceedings. The House met at noon. Mr Barff asked the Government if they will make arrangements for vesting in trustees, on behalf of the people of Hokitika, the building known as the Government House in the town of Hokitika, together with that portion of the reserve on which it is situated. He suggested that it should be used as a public library and museum. Mr Macandrew in reply said the Government agree that the property should be devoted to the uses of the people of Hokitika, and would make all requisite enquiries to carry this out. Mr Wason asked if the Government will, in consideration of the fact that the recent trial of Canterbury brown coal in Auckland had been entirely satisfactory, import suitable engines from Auckland or elsewhere for use in Canterbury. Mr Sheehan read a reply, saying the Government would do all they could in the matter. . Mr Sheehan stated that the sum would be placed on the supplementary estimates to make the members’ honorarium £2OO as last session, instead of £l5O, as in the sessions of ordinary length.