PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2292, 6 August 1881, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

WELLINGTON, August 5. The waste lands committee of the Lower House have again reported on several petitions of the County Councils in favor of the restoration of the 20 per cent, of land funr, and the elective land boards. The committee report that the former request is reasonable, and recommend that it be granted. On the second they decline to make any recommendation, it being a matter of public policy. The public accounts for the last quarter, ended 30th June, show that the total octua; revenue received during the quarter was £764,002. Deducting this from the ordinary expenditure, £718,860, it leaves a surplus for the quarter of £45,142, but iu addition to the ordinary expenditure above quoted, deficiency bills to the amount of £94,200 were paid off during the quarter. Against this may be set the balance from the previous quarter, £83,533, which increases the total receipts to £833,546, so that after meeting the total expenditure, £813,060, there is a surplus of £49,486 for the quarter. On the other hand, however, new deficiency bills to the amount of £200,000 have been issued in aid of the revenue. This increases the apparent receipts to £1,052,546. If from this sum be subtracted £813,060, the total expenditure, an apparent surplus of £239,485 is left, that being the credit balance on 80th June last. Sir George Grey’s Parliamentary Oaths Bill (which he introduced in the Lower House on rejection by the Council of his Affirmation Extension Bill) provides that it shall be lawful for every person elected to be a member of the House of Representatives before taking his seat therein, to make, in lieu of the oath now by law required to be so taken, the following promise, affirmation, or declaration before the person or persons empowered to administer the same, that is to say: —“ I, A B —, do sincerely promise and affirm (or declare) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Victoria.”