PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1445, 3 October 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[By Telegeaph.] [feom the coeeespondent of THE PEES3.] CANTERBURY PETITIONS. Mr Waion presented a petition from the ratepayers of Lower Ashburton, for the construction of a railway; also, a petition from the ratepayers of the districts of Lake Ellesmere, South Rakaia, and Ashburton, for the erection of a bridge over the Rakaia river. TARIFF REDUCTIONS. Mr Stevens last night, speaking on the Tariff Bill in committee, said he had been from first to last opposed to these redactions, on the ground that the colony did not require it. They knew perfectly well that they wore overborne by a majority in the House, and perhaps it would be much better to throw the entire responsibility of this action upon the Government. It was their duty, and if any honor was to be derived from it tbey were fully entitled to enjoy it, and he trusted they would ho equally satisfied if any blame resulted from their policy. ft would have been much more to the purpose had the Treasurer endeavored to simplify the tariff instead of making these remissions. One of the. most extensive importers in idle Canterbury district had expressed h s s opinion that the profit Resulting from those remissions would not go into the pockets of merchants holding in bond, nor to the consumer, but to middle men. If that wore the case ia one district, it would lie the same in another. He did not think anything would ho gained by prolonging this discussion. The whole subject had been fully debated in the general discussion on the financial measures of the Government. Those measures were disapproved of by an influential if not

large section of the House. He would advise Ins friends to allow this Bill to pass, and Joave Government to bear the responsibility. DAMAGE TO THE UANGITATA BRIDGE. This afternoon the Government were asked : (1) Whether they were aware that the northern embankment of the Eangitata traffic bridge, which had been just constructed in solid work against the protests of the inhabitants of the district and the local bodies, has again succumbed to floods? (2) Whether they will take steps to repair the damage immediately ? Mr M.icandrow answered that he had been advised that the northern portion of the bridge had been destroyed, but the approach on the southern bank was in no way injured, also that steps had been at once taken to repair the bridge, and that already the works were in a fair way towards completion. GOVE RN ME NT MEASURES. In the course of the deb ate on the Customs Tariff Bill last night, Mr Ballance took occasion to deny the common rumours that the Government intended to drop the Companies, Income Tax, and Beer Duty Bills. He stated that the Government considered them the main principles in their policy, and would of course stand or fall by them. THE COMPANIES’ AND BEER TAXES.

There is considerable doubt whether the Government will be able to carry the Joint-stock Companies’ Duty Act and the Boor Tax Bill. Both sides are industriously lobbying and counting noses, and both boast of a majority. The general opinion, however, is that if the Ministers make a firm stand, they will command a majority though not witnout a hard fight, as some of their own supporters are not “ sound on the goose.” ;