PARLIAMENTARY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2745, 9 July 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND FINANCE POWERS BILL. MEETING OF WEST COAST MEMBERS. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS. THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS. INQUIRY INTO KUMARA HOSPITAL MATTERS. IMPORTATION OF MACHINERY. DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT ON THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS. CAUCUS OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS. PROBABLE RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTRY [SPECIAL TO KUMARA TIMES.] Wellington, July 8. The member for Kumara convened a meeting of West Coast members to consider Government bills on Local Government and Finance, and as to how they affected the local bodies on the West Coast. There were present Messrs Guinness, Bevan, Seddon, Menteath, O'Connor and Kerr. Mr Seddon was elected Chairman. The following resolution was adopted :—Thai; the first election of County Chairman shall be for two years, and thereafter every three years ; that County Auditors shall be appointed by Government ; that the borrowing powers of local bodies should not exceed the previous year's income ; that the law relating to the rating of Crown lands shall remain as at present; that the subsidies to be paid shall be in counties where there are no road boards an amount equal to £2 for £1 upon the amount collected on, the assessment not exceeding six farthings in the £ ; that the £22,000 set apart for distribution to goldfields counties should be awarded on as fixed basis, the amount to be paid to each county to be determined pro rata by the gold produced in in each county for the last three years. Time did not permit of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill being fully discussed, but members generally expressed themselves satisfied with it, and with certain committee reservations intended to support the same. This evening warm work is expected. Government intend to stand or fall on their modified proposals ; the division will be close. The Oppositionists are very active, and are supported by the Free Trade Government supporters.

Some time ago Dr. Monckton asked for an inquiry into the cause of his dismissal by the Kumara Hospital Committee. The Committee, in a letter of 29th June also courted inquiry. To oblige both parties the Colonial Secretary has appointed Dr. Giles and Major Keddell to inquire into and report on the whole matter from the beginning. Meantime it is unlikely any further subsidies will be forwarded. The Colonial Secretary also asks to be supplied with the alleged written agreement entered into between Dr. Davy and the Committee.

Mr Seddon had a long interview this morning with the Premier relative to placing engineers' machines, machine tools, boiler mountings, and engineers' brass fittings on the free list. He urged •that every encouragement should be free to engineers to import the latest improved machinery ; that if Government wished locomotive and other eingines to be made in the colony, they must encourage their own founders to get first-class machinery ; otherwise, labour being dearer, they could not compete with Great Britain or America. The Premier promised the matters favourable consideration.

July 9. The Government are defeated on their Financial proposals by 21—on the item of duty on Boots and Shoes by 9 votes, and on the duty on Candles by 12 votes. Progress is reported. A caucus of Government supporters was held this morning. The situation is grave. There is a probability of Government resigning, and the Atkinson Administration assuming office.