PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2291, 5 August 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

IBi Telegraph.] [PBOM XHB OWN COBBBSPONDENT OP THE “ PBES3.”] WELLINGTON, August 4. It is now understood that the Public Works Statement will not bo made earlier than Tuesday next. This is to suit other Parliamentary arrangements, and not because the statement itself is behind hand, for I have reason to believe ithat it is quite ready for presentation, if not actually printed. I hear that it is somewhat full and exhaustive in character, and will occupy about sixteen pages, the tables and appendices being very copious, and filling nearly 150 pagee additional.

J To-morrow night will be devoted to the financial debate, the whole policy _of the Government in this respect being discussed on the motion to go into committee of supply. I understand that Ministers will be attacked on all the details of their financial policy ; for instance, for proposing to reduce the property tax, for not abolishing it, for reducing Customs duties, for not reducing them more, for not increasing them, for not restoring the tea and sugar duties, for reductions in salaries, for not making larger reductions, and for the manner in which the reductions have been made, &c., &c. However, no organised or combined onslaught is probable from what I can gather, although there is sure to be much detail skirmishing. On Monday the estimates will be gone on with, if the House consents to sit on that day, and the Government will propose to take the estimates every following Monday evening until finally disposed of. The Railway Construction Bill is not yet ready. A Wellington deputation waited on the Government to-day to suggest various alterations in detail, and the introduction of certain new provisions. The Bill is not likely to be out before Monday or Tuesday next, and the second reading will come on after the Public Works Statement, when the whole question will be discussed. There is no sign yet of the .Representation Bill, although there are small private local caucuses held daily to consider suggestions as to district boundaries. There are now at least a score of different plans before the Cabinet, and plenty more yet to oomo. The Public Petitions Committee report on tho following petitions:—(l.) Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, ! praying that the Bible bo reintroduced into public schools ; the committee say that they have no further recommendation to make on on tho subject. (2) Bishop of Dunedin and others, and of 407 residents of Dunedin in favor of tho Gaming and lotteries Bill; that the matter is now under the consideration oi the House, therefore the committee have no special recommendation to make. (3) A. Bichardt and others, Christchurch, against an increase in license foes ; the matter had been dealt with by the House. (4) William Wright and others, Christchurch, against the abolition of bottle licenses; same report, (5) Keith Ramsay and others, Dunedin; ditto ditto, (6) Good Templars in favor of local option ; ditto. (7) Bishop and others, of Christchurch, for certain clauses to be introduced into the Licensing Bill; ditto. (8) Various highway districts, for an improved form of local government; the committee report that it is a question of public policy, and is therefore referred to tho Government. (9) W. Evans and others, Cambridge, In favor of tho Town Districts Bill ; ditto. (10) Robert Studholme Thompson, West Coast, Native interpreter, for compensation for alleged wrongful dismissal; they report thatlpetitioner has no claim against the colony. (II) Fire Insurance Companies of Now Zealand for amendments in the Fire Brigade Bill; dealt with by the House. (12) Edward Smethurst, Kaiapoi, that sand and gravel may be carried on railways at an uniform rate; referred to the Government. (13) W. G. Rees and the shepherds of New Zealand, that sheep dogs should not be taxed ; recommended to the favorable consideration of the House. It is proposed for the future that the Posteffiee shall collect the whole of the Property Tax, as well as other items of revenue, it being found that in this way a large expense in collecting can be saved. Beer duty stamps will be sold at nearly all tho post offices, and various license fees will be collected by postmasters, who also in certain cases will be authorised to issue miners’ rights, and forms of application for mining leases. It is intended further to utilise the poet office machinery for tho collection of revenue. The net coat of the San Francisco Mail Service for the past year was £8166 for the conveyance of 443,283 letters, 136,443 books, nnd 1,110,349 newspapers to the colony ; and 483,900 letters, 23,314 books, _and 433,048

newspapers from the colony. The net cost of the Suez Brindisi source was £9464 for the conveyance of 97,484 letters, 37,978 books, and 255,782 newspapers to the colony, and 57,307 letters, 2074 books, and 16,679 newspapers from the colony, Mr Stevens’ Bill to amend the Corporation Act, 1876, is very brief, the chief operative clause being as follows :—Munoipal Council may from time to time as may seem fit make by-laws to provide for public order, decency, health, comfort, and convenience of the public, and generally for any purposes of good rule and government of boroughs; provided that no such by-law shall have any force or effect which shall be repugnant to the laws for the time being in force in New Zealand.