PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1304, 3 October 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

ADDITIONAL MAORI MEMBER. REDUCTION IN PRICE OF TELEGRAMS. THE. OPPOSITION'S INTENTIONS. ; . Wellington, Oct. 2. Last night, in Committee on the Maori Representation Bill, the clause giving an additional member was carried by 30 to ir. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Yogel called the attention of the Government to the desirability of reducing the price of press telegrams, so that papers could get more news without the revenue suffering. Mr Curtis said the subject was under consideration. He believed the charges could be reduced with benefit alike to the public and the revenue. He also contemplated a reduction in shipping telegrams and curtailing the present extent of official telegraphy. Mir Yogel also called attention to the desirability of subsidising a steam service between NewlZealand and Fiji, pointing out the importance of keeping the South Sea Island trade in the hands of the Colony. . Mr Gillies expressed a desire to cultivate to the utmost commercial relations with these Islands, but the Colony must now limit its desires by its means to grant such a subsidy, unless the Colony was willing to provide the means through ' taxation. Mr Sheehan said the Island trade was now ours, but was slipping away, and it would be too Qate to talk of encouraged ment when once the trade was in the handa of Sydney or Melbourne. Mr Yogel intimated his intention of bringing down a motion on the subject. In Commiitee of Supply, Mr Yogel intimated his intention, at theproper timey to discuss the Financial Statement, which, he said, was fullof matter .calculated to create a false impression. Mr Gillies replied fully. He said he understood that proceeding with the Estimates did not preclude such a discussion. The whole of the votes in classes 2 and 3 were then passed. 7.17 p.m. The Public. Works Statement will be made to-night. ; . To-day Mr Reader Wood moved a resolution deprecating any further expenditure on Government buildings at Wellington until the House mat next session and had an opportunity of considering the administrative changes which the Government had promised to propose next session. \ He admitted the motion was aimed at the seat of Government, and the question would never be allowed to rest while the seat was at Wellington. Mr Stafford said the Government would raise no question at any time involving the question of the seat of Government, and although still thinking its removal from Auckland a great mistake, the Colony was now bound io abide by the decision of 1864. The line was interrupted while He was Bpeaking. 1