LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 701, 16 July 1870, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

/ ■: DunedJn, July 15. Yesterday, Robert Reid, .master of phe cutter Brothers,' was drowned in the- New River. A public meeting to consider the financial policy of the Government was. held yesterday afternoon. About 300 persons were present.' Mr Tolmie, Deputy-Superintendent, presided. , -, i Mr E. B. Cargill moved, and Mry Millar, F.S.A. seconded, " This meeting, without committing itself to ah approval of the details, is of opinion, • that, the financial proposals of the Government embody a scheme calculated to promote settlement and the permanent prosperity, of the Colony. The adoption of a general and comprehensive system of immigration and public works of a reproductive character, judiciously carried out, will tend to develope the great natural resources of the country, and raise it from that depression which at present exists in all its varied interests." Mr Grant moved as an amendment, " That this, meeting has no faith in the budget, proposed by the Treasurer, and no confidence in the Ministry.", Mr Graham moved another- amendment, "That. the meeting be postponed until the result of Mr Reynolds' resolutions on separation be known." The last amendment was carried. The meeting was fairly carried away by the two local demagogues, and cannot be said to represent the opinions of the city, [w. c. times.] Wellington, July 14. Mr Fox's speech consisted chiefly of a' running criticism on the previous speakers.' He denied that Government proposals were framed with a view to the elections. The essential points, immigration, arid public works, were agreed to by the Cabinet in October last, and printed. He objected to the proposals to entrust; the expenditure to a Board of Works, as establishing the worst form of double Government, as any board must be rer sponsible to the Ministry;- The alteration in the tariff was not intended as protection, but supply, viewed as question of ■revenue. He did not consider the pro^ posed loan excessive, .extending, as it did;over ten years, and between nine provinces.. There was nothing speculative in the proposals, as the money was for reproductive works. He complimented Mr Stafford for the impartial and patriotic manner in which he treated the subject. He confessed he had since his return to the Colony greatly changed opinions garding borrowing. He was not ashamed to confess conversion, as he always, was a progressive man. The proposal to enable Government to buy native lands was absolutely necessary, to avoid awkward complications. He repeated Mr .Vogel's assertions, that the Government would go to the country, unless there was a sufficient majority to enable the schemes to be carried without material alteration^ except the schedule railway works, whicii were qnite'open for modification. He concluded by a fine peroration as to relighting the sacred fire of colonisation, which had almost died out in the Cbldny, and sat clown amidst cheers. Mr Hall severely criticised Mr Vogel's view of the system of accouritsj which, he said, prevented them finding out how affairs really stood. As far as he could make out, last year showed a deficiency of L 236,000 between ordinary revenue and expenditure. The Ministry had during the year spent nearly double what was promised should be the limit for defence expenditure . He advocated protection as a boon the. North might give to the South, and likely to promote, friendly feelings between the Islands. The proposals of the Government was too large to be decided on hastily^ He asked .Government to be content with affirming the principles by -resolutions, leaving the details to the new Parliament. . , He would, not oppose a grant-for a sufficient sum to carry on immigration and public works during the year. „ . .; v ' ; .; . ; Mr Kynnersley approved of no part of the Government proposal, but water supply to gold fields, the amount for which was too small. He approvedgeneraily of the principle of borrowing money for reproductive works, but not doing so ten years in advance., The Government plans leave 10,000 people' clamoring at an empty Treasury, when the expenditure stopped. On behalf of 10,000' miners whom he represented, he protested against protection, which would only take the money h\it of the pocket of the miners on the W^st 1 Coast and put it in the pockets of the farmers on. the East Coast.' He considered mining, the. most important industry of the Colony. .■./.". . i Mr Reader Wood moved for an adjournment, intimating he would move the following amendment-^" That the committee, whilst approving of the policy for promoting immigration and public works throughout tho Colony, proportionate to its resources, would, in view of the early dissolution of Parliament, prefer that the country be consulted on the whdle plan." He resumed the- debate to-day, and declared •Mr Eox's speech unworthy of himself, on this occasion, as ' he only ridiculed and chaffed the previous speakers,' and did not enter into the real question. He 1 had not intended his motion as a pnrty one, was not the mouthpiece of any party, and thought. Government could not object to carrying out the suggestion about, appealing to the country, with the exception )f the words "proportionate to resources." The resolution followed Mr Vogel's own words, and was surprised, therefore, to be informed to-day that the Government regarded the amendment as' "an 'hostile one." He feared Government were not sincere in their- desire to appeal to the country, as it was impossible to do so. unless some one proposed it. " tinder the circumstances he would not, move the amendment, as he was ndfe 'prepared to take the responsibility of moving an hostile vojte. Was. the great secret. :ofthev Government opposition in the words "proportionate to resources ?" He would vote ; against all financial biHay. but if they were, passed he hoped the. expenditure wouldibe fixed by J»w, bo as to avoid the divided responsibility which led to squandering a ilireemillioji loan, ' The Oolqny

has been going to the bad for the last four years at the rate of one hn ndred and twentyfive thousand pounds a year. He thought it the duty of the House to interpose, and prevent any fresh loan till theCommisBioners retttrned to explauTthe assurance given to bond holders. They should sh^w a., profitable expenditure for . .a , miliipin before g^omg further with the scheme, which was altogether beyond the resources of the Colony, and he implored the House to pause before --.so.' large a draft on the fnture, and taking the first step in the direction of increased taxation. They wanted' a tubular bridge across . Cook's_Sti»tt*.:tp make them.complete. :" j Mr Stephenson is now speaking. He considers the floating debt should Ye; funded, and approves of the capitation grant, and grants for road districts, but the latter should go further. He opposes any purchase of native lands, and refuses to sanction, a five years' vote 'for defence purposes: : Approves of the ' Gold Fields Water Supply vote; Advocates attempting by immigration to lessen the cost of production, of grain, instead of futile attempts to raise the price by protective duties. ' . The Daily Advertiser in this morning's leader i said that Mr Seweli yesterday in the Council advocated separation from England, and going on their own hook. To-day Mr Seweli denied saying anything of the kind, and brought the article uuder the notice of the Council as a breach of privilege. The matter is adjourned till to-morrow. . r /