GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 280, 28 August 1877, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, August 25. Mr Rees continued the debate. He maintained that the predictions in his pamphlet published in 1872 had beenfully borne out by the present financial position of the colony. Serious disaster if not national bankruptcy, was impending, and the only way to maintain credit was to take the land fund right, expediency, and necessity concurred in indicating this as the proper course. Mr Travers supported the motion as the only means of escaping serious financial difficulty.' He pointed out that the railways were depreciating at the rate of <£86,000 year and no provision bad been made for their renewal. • The cost of management also was above two thirds of the gross receipts. He maintained that the compact of 1856, to which he was a patty, was in noway binding now. It was a political absurdity to say that they could hot reverseit. He strongly condemned the 44 members who at a caucas had declared; themselves above conviction, (and pledged themselves to support everything Government did. He criticised the Civil Service administration, especially severely the Stores Department. He objected althogether to the centralising tendency of Government undertaking to do everything for the people. He believed ministers to be honorable men, meaning well, but they were only a kind of superior clerks. Mr Lusk supported the motion \m ; the distinct understanding that instead of the land fund being illegally used by ministers it should be made revenue. The administration should bo on defined principles in opening and settling the country. He knew minis* , tera • intended to sieze.it. They had. better act openly at once. It was no use to longer indulge in bogus to save an almost bogus land fund. Mr Pyke characterised Mr Wood's proposal as political repudiation. ' ‘ Mr De Latour also opposed- Mr, Wood’s motion. ( Mr Barff thought the land fund - should be colonial revenue but could,, not rate with Mr Woods, .Mr Montgomery opposed the motion but condemned the silence of Government on such an important matter, if , they were given rope enough they would . soon settle their own fate., Mr Woolcock’s amendment was negatived on the voices. The division on Mr Woods, resulted in 13 for, 46 against. Sir G, .Grey , then called attention to the advertised sale of large blocks of land at Wairoa, protesting against it and desiring; to , move a resolution, but he was ruled put of order. Re reiterated all his charged against ministers, regarding land transactions. Major Atkinson replied, but promised to make enquiry about the Wairos * sale. Mr Stout attacked ministers. Mr Moorhouse defended them, and attacked the members of the opposition. Mr Whitaker promised an early opportunity for entering a protest against ministers, in reference to their land transactions. The House rose at 1.15.