General Assembly.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 393, 13 August 1856, Page 2

General Assembly.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. June 20. THE ADJOURNED DEBATE ON THE FINANCIAL . POLICY OF THE STAFFORD MINISTRY. (From the "Southern Cross.") The adjourned dtbde upon tbe miir'sterial scheme of finance was resumed by Mr. Cargill, j tin., "who spoke in opposition to it. He was followed by Mr. East, who supported it. The Colonial Secretary (Mr. Richmond) then rose, unci dwelt at some length on the impracticability of what he termed "milking the Otago cow." A sum of £59,000, he said,.had been extracted from the Middle Island since 1853, and Otago was still behind bund. But be did not think it advisable to go into hack accounts ; he would letby-gones be by-gone-, and give the Province ef Otago the beneiit of the proposed arrangement. By apportioning the public debt among the provinces, he was not dividing them, but seeking to .put, an end to a vicious system of communism. ATr. V. Smith would vote for going into Committee on the .Resolution!*', but was not piepared to support them in their entirety. He expressed his disappointment that the ministry seemed no longer disposed to make concessions, although when introducing the Resolutions they bad declared themselves prepared to give and take largely. Mr. Ward after arguing that Wellington bad a right to demand credit for the New Zealand Company's Lund Scrip, on the ground that if the claims had not been satisfied with laud, they must have been satisfie I with money, which would have formed an additional burden on the Colony, broke out - iuto a strain of invective against the Resolutions, which, to use the mildest phrase in com- ' ment, was very unbecoming. He said that he could only consider the financial policy which they embodied as "one of the most iniquitous and nefarious .scheme's,of plunder ever yet concocted." Now, considering that the Superintendent of. Auckland, as a member of the Cabinet, is one of the " concociers," —a man upon whose probity, even in the most violent beat of provincial party contest, not one of his opponents has ventured to cast a shadow of imputation,—considering that the expression ' used by the honorable member for the Wellington Country District amounts to an attack upou character, he could not expect it to pass unnoticed by the Auckland members in debate. Accordingly Mr. Carleton reproved liiin for it in very plain and uumistakeable terms. This is not the first occasion on which our Superintendent has suffered in the House at the bands of Wellington. Yet, —and the fact is remarkable, notwithstanding the violence of party faction in the province, not one word has fallen from his owu provincial opponents in the House of even indirect disparagement. After Mr. Ward, Mr. Fitzherbert rose. After speaking for more than two hours, in that very discursive' style which the House does not ' tolerate so patiently towards the close as at an earlier period of the .session, the lion, member moved the adjournment of the debate for an hour and a half on the ground of exhaustion, at the same time giving a clear enough intimation'of'his intention to continue his address ■when the House should resume. Mr. Se\vell_ incautiously assented, and the motion was carried, almost before members were fully aware of the consequence. A strong feeling of impatience was manifested, several members declaring that they would not return. This, of course, would have made a material difference in the result' of the division, and it was finally arrranged ■ that a certain number should engage, to return for the purpose of making a House, and immediately adjourning until the following (lav. On Saturday, Mr. Fitzherbert proceeded in continuation, when Mr. Carleton rose to order. .Be said that he had no desire to hinder the ■member for Wellington from speaking, but wished, for the sake of avoiding a most inconvenient precedent, that it should be by indulgence of the House, and not as a right. He believed the hon. member to be out -jf order, Irom not having stated his intention, in precise words, to continue his speech, and even setting aside that ground of objection, he believed that Mr. Fitzherbert's having moved the second adjourmnenLwas such an interruption in continuity, as to throw him out of order. * The Speaker said that the .point was, whether the House had .clearly understood the bou. nieinj>er*_ intention to ..re-commence. He hud no

doubt on the subject himself, and ruled that the bon. member could i r >ceed. Mr. Fitziierbki.t then concluded his address, confining himself closely to the subject, and was listened to with marked ■ attention. Fie was followed' by Mr. Carleton, who refrained from going into the merits of the Resolutions, on "account of the length of time that bad been absorbed by previous speakers, confining himself to the reasons for the vote he was about to give,—namely, that no notice had been given of the amendment; that the amendment was not brought forward at the proper period of the debate; and that a vote against going into committee on the resolutions was conclusive, signifying that they were not worthy of being entertained at all, while an affirmative vote committed no one, as the resolutions might be amended, or even perhaps thrown out, after going into committee. He also commented in very pointed terms on the language that had been used by Mr. Ward. Messrs. Fox. and,.Sewell appeared;, to .be waiting on each other, neither of them choosing to be the first to rise. The "consequence was that neither of them addressed the House. A division was called for, vut'i the following resultQuestion, that the words proposed -to be omitted do stand part of the question. Ayes 24,—Messrs. Bell, Wells, Stafford, Britiiu, Ludlam, Campbell, Domett, Williamson, Lee, tbe Colonial Treasurer, Messrs. Beckham, Merrituan, Smith, East, Brown, Carleton, Curtis, Cuff, Travers, Taylor, Brodie, Hall, Major Greenwood, the Colonial Secretary (teller). . Foes, 10, —Mr. Fitzherbert, Captain Cargill, Messrs. Featherston, Cargill, Fox, Macandrew, Henderson, Daldy, Graham, Waid (teller). BASK or issue. The Colonial Treasurer moved for leave to bring in a bill, enabling the affairs of the Bank of Issue to be_wouiid up. j The Banking Act having passed through the , House, the necessity arose that the Bank of I Issue should be wound up. The bill proposed j to do so in the simplest possible manner, the j details of which the bon. member briefly narrated. Leave granted, bill read a first time, and its second reading fixed for Monday. ALTERATION IN THE; CONSTITUTION ACT, The Colonial Treasurer moved for leave to bring in a bill to alter the provisions of the New Zealand Constitution Act. so far as relates to,the distribution of the Surplus Revenue of the Colony. This-was a small bill, but it would have considerable effect. At present the revenues were distributable among the provinces in a certain ratio. The clause of the Constitution Act, under which this was done, rendered it necessary that advances should be made to the provinces, and that there should be a final account to-be "adjusted. Much confusion had thence arisen. He therefore proposed, under the powers given in the 57th clause of the Act, to I pass a law, which would he reserved for her Majesty's pleasure, giving the General Assembly power to remedy the evil, by making a fixed appropriation to the provinces. Mr. Bell could not assent to the principle involved in the bill, as it would be the cause of much injustice to the provinces, and would create feelings of great dissatisfaction. Mr, Fox was taken by surprise at the introduction of the present bill "by the Colonial Treasurer. He believed that the House had power to appropriate the whole of the general revenue, and that no special enactment was necessary. The provinces were only entitled to any surplus over the appropriation. The General Assembly, if it pleased, could appropriate the whole of the revenue, and leave no surplus at all. But tbe Bill before the House actually the power to appropriate to specific purposes the amount that was to be paid to the provinces. It was in effect, to constitute the House a six headed Provincial Council. It said, the "money was to be paid for such services as by an Act of tbe Assembly might be directed." (No, no, from the ministry.) It was so, if the English language had any meaning. A little further on, and he found' a somewhat remarkable instance of the use of .that "mystical language which was so often used by the ministry —he found, in connection with the subject of .• revenue, the word '■hotch-pot.'' (Tremendous I laughter.) The revenue was to be .taken' and

-converted into cabbage and leeks, with tbe necessary seasoning. They were there to develope the resources of a new country—its'prosperity based on successful labour—timl lie really trusted that its laws would not be framed in such unintelligible language as that to which he had averted. The Col. Secretary said that, after the very amusing speecli they had beard, he would ask the attention of the House to the matter really before them. After some remarks on the subject of the surplus system, he proceeded to the clause of the bill that had been commented upon. He admitted that in the clause in which the money was said to be appropriated to particular services, there might he some ambiguity, but no such meaning was conveyed as that ascribed to the clause by Mr. Fox. Then as to the word which bad been n*ade the theme of so much amusement, —the word ' hotch-pot,'— it had actually been put in the proof of the bill as a bait to the bon. member, who was so fond of verbal, criticism, and who at once fell into tbe trap. He gloried in the word, and heartily., enjoyed the amusing speech of the bon. member (Mr. Fox), on the introduction of the word "oaky into an act in Wellington, a word which none could understand. Mr. Fox said he had opposed its use in the said Act. Mr. Meuriman commented upon the fact that a discussion, amusing enough certainly, was proceeding upon a bill, leave for the introduction of which had not even been granted. Mr. Tkavers supported the bill, as it was likely to settle a long-vexed question. He explained the meaning of the word ' hotch-pot,' a familiar word to those who happened to have marriage settlements, and said that it was tbe most appropriate word that could be used under the circumstances. Leave jjiven, the bill brought up, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and its second reading fixed/or Tuesday.

June 21. In Committee. financial resolutions. The fiist, as 'follows, having been agreed to, the Chairman reported progress. 1. That it is expedient without delay to make provision for all ascertained outstanding liabilities ; and permanently to adjust the public burdens of the Colony ; which adjustment ought to embrace a settlement of the New Zealand Company's debt, and the charge on the Land fund for the purchase of Native Land. Monday, June 23. In committee, resolutions two to six were passed in the following shape. 2. Tliat as part of such arrangement "it is necessary to make provision by loan for sums absolutely required for native land purchases for the ensuing financial year, and to make permanent provision for the same object. 3. That amongst the liabilities to be provided for by the colony this house recognises the following : — ''„-.' Balance due to the Union Bank of Australia Deposit Accounts... Arrears of Fourths due to the New Zealand Company Balances due to the provinces Outstanding liabilities on contracts for purchase of Native Lands , .-. 4. That as a provisional arrangement for satisfying immediate liabilities, providing- for the purchase of Native Lands, and for general services, it is desirable to raise upon debentures a loan not exceeding i 6100,000, at interest ,not/ exceeding 10 per cent., payable off at the option of the colony in one or two years. Any portion of such loan in excess of the amount required to complete existing contracts, which shall be expended in the'purchase of native lands to be. repaid with interest out of the permanent loan of^£ 180,000 to be provided for effecting such purchases. . . 5. That it is expedient, as part of a general and permanent arrangement, to redeem the New Zealand Company's charge on the Land fund upon the terms offered by the Company, and assented to by tbe Imperial Government; viz., that payment be made to them on the sth April, ,1857, of a su.m of £200,000, towards which all moneys in their hands at thaj, date in excess of the interest shull be applicable by way of reduction, the Imperial Government guaran-

teeing a loan for that object of. £200,000, to be obtained in Eiiglaiiil upon the most favourable terms practicable. 6. That as further part of such general and permanent arrangement, it is expedient to exonerate the Land fund from its liability for the puich: S3 of Native Lands, and to provide a Capital Fund for carrying on such, purchases ; with which object it is expedient to borrow a sum of £180,000 to form such Capital Fund; such sum to he raised and made available as circumstances may require in such manner and subject to such conditions as to the application thereof as the Legislature may direct j'.'anrl that it is expedient to make application to the Imperial Government for a guarantee for a loan for such purpose of £180,000, to be raised in England upon the most favourable term's practicable. In concluding the debate on the 6th resolution, Mr. Domett said, —One point appeared to have been overlooked throughout the discussion. All hou. members appeared to assume, that in settling the balance of advantages and disadvantages between the Middle and Northern Island, only the laud was to be looked to. But what was the true state of the case? Why had we so much land at disposal in the Middle Island,- —why bad they so little in the Northern? Clearly because of the absence of natives, in the former and their presence in the latter. But diil the presence of a native '.'population give no advantages to a settlement of one kind, as wpII as their absence of another kind ? Had not Auckland and Wellington been almost made by the produce of the natives, for exports on one hand, and the expenses-caused on account of them by the Home Government on the other? Why, the military expenditure at Wellington was"for some years nearly £100,000—£95,000 certainly. And the Customs revenue was about £12,000 a-year ; little more than 10 per cent, for Customs dues on the military expenditure invested in imports. At Auckland the expenditure had been even greater; to say nothing in either case of the £50,000 Parliamentary Grant. The consequence was they had ready money, population, wealth, all the benefits of greater progress in the Northern Island, —in the Middle we had our bare lands, our comparative villages, our sparse and scanty population. Surely, if we were compensating for respective advantages and disadvantages on principles of abstract justice, the benefits of the presence of natives shouldbe considered as well as those of their absence. And look at the actual results of the circumstances of the two islands; judge by them Which had the most advantages. Did the Northern Istand want to have all the former, and then require compensation for not possessinir the latter, lie would assert, that if the members from the ; Middle Island insisted on regarding the entire unincumbered possession of their Waste Lands only as a set off against the advantages resulting from the presence of natives in the Northern, they would be borne out by abstract justice and reason. But they asked or asserted no such thing. They came forward with a liberal, a generous offer of compromise. They took upon themselves £200,000 of.debt exclusively. And this sum, as far as any benefits to themselves from its expenditure are concerned, might as well be thrown into Cook's Straits. But on the .other baud, the money' raised for the purchase of land in the Northern Island would all be spent among the settlers themselves—would be invested in a most remunerative speculation. And what would the sum buy! In the Northern Island there were twenty-two millions of acres unpurchased from., th*? natives.;-. Now this of course included gieat -masses of useless mountains, Tongariro, lluapiko, and the rest; just as in the Middle Island all those millions of acres alluded to by the lion, member for Wanganui comprised also great tracts of rugged mountains, particularly on the western coast of that Island. . Well, taking all the kinds of land together, he,(Mr. Domett) believed that 3d. an acre was a fair average price that would have to be given to the natives for it. Now twen y-tw'o millions of acres at 3d. an acre would cost £277,000. But the land would not be wanted for years—could not be used o*r sold if it could be 'bought; so that th.3" money would only be draw,, by instalments at long intervals. No\y £200,000 to be immediately paid, was, in reality, an equivalent for a much greater.sum than £277,000 so to be borrowed. Well then, there was a vast amount of land for the Northern Island too, from which would be derived a large Land fund. This Land fund <

| would be free, and eutiiely their own. He thought the scheme not only fair but liberal towards the Northern Island, and would therefore vote for'it. Tbe resolution wis agreed to, and the bouse adjourned. ♦ — (From the " Now Zealander.") June 24. After some miscellaneous business,- — The house went to the orders of the day, when .The Colonial Treasurer proposed the 7th resolution, as follows :— 7. That as further part of such general arrangement, in order to liquidate all outstanding pecuniary! debts and liabilities of an immediate nature, including the he fore-men-tioned Provincial Land and the old Deoenturesbut exclusive of laud scrip, it is expedient to make application to the Imperial Government for iis guarantee for a further loan to be raised in England upon the most favourable terms practicable. Agreed to. The Colonial Treasurer moved resolution 8, thus: — 8. That the'aggregate of such loans ought not to exceed £500,000. Agreed to. The Colonial Treasuis.es moved the ninth resolution :— 9. That the ground on which the House conceives itself entitled to claim on behalf of the colony the guarantee of the Imperial Government for the requisite loan is that burthens have been imposed on this colony by the Imperial Parliament, greatly disproportioned to its revenue and which without such aid would prove deeply injurious to its progress and prosperity. Mr. Hall said there were other grounds than the one slated in the resolution, namely, that burdens hail been unjustly imposed upon the colony ; and he should like to se<j the resolution worded, " That among the grounds." The suggestion was adopted, and the resolution agreed to. Alter in agreement had been come to between Mr. Seweil and Mr. Fitzherbert that the passing of this resolution should not preclude the latter from bringing forward a supplemental resolution of which he had given notice. Another alteration was made at the suggestion of the Colonial Treasurer, a sentence being inserted to the effect that these burdens were '.* unjust in themselves.'' The tenth resolution was adopted, on the motion of the Colonial Treasurer, after Mr. D.ildy and Mr.V. J. Smith had expressed their dissent frotn the principle enunciated. The Colonial Treasurer moved the eleventh resolution as follows : — 11. That in accordance with a former resolution of this House the Province of Auckland be relieved retrospectively, as well as prospectively, from the New Zealand Company's Debt; and that aftei payment of the sum due to the Company on the Bth April, 1857, the balance of the loan of £200,000 be made applicable to that purpose, leaving any deficiency or excess to be adjusted when the same be ascertained. Mr. Ludlam wished, before this resolution was pu',J to move a resolution as to the principle, on which the expense of the General Government should be apportioned ; but the Chairman said uotice should be given first. Mr. Ludlam said, perhaps if he read his resolution, the house might allow the discussion to go on at once. The resolution was read. That as further part of such general and permanent arrangement, it is expedient that the interest on tbe floating debt, and also the charges of the General Government be borne upon the revenues of the whole colon}', and that the Land revenue shouid contribute an equal quota with the Customs revenue to such interest and charges. Dr. Lee said this would be to upset the whole scheme of the Government. Mr. Hall thought it had better be disposed of at once, as otherwise the House was wasting time (bear, bear) Mr. Stafford said if it were moved as an addition, it had better be on clause 12. Mr. FiTZHiißßiii.T thought notice should be given, as many hon. members had left the house, thinking all further opposition would be useless, and therefore apparently meaning to allow judgment to go'.by'default.' The lion, members for the Hint aud the Wainuapa now

began to find the net nairowing about them and he would support them to the best of his power. Mr. Williamson hoped Mr. Ludlam would take the sense of the committee on his amendment now, as otherwise the time of the House was being wholly wasted. Notice should have been given of such an important alteration. The absence of mem Iters, who o.ight to have been at their posts to consider these important resolutions, was no sufficient reason for the postponement of this question. Mr. Ludlam explained that he' had said before going into committee that he had an amendment to propose. The Colonial Treasurer thought the amendment was very simple in principle, and one that might and ought to he disposed of at once The proper place for this to come in would be at the end of clause 10. Mr. FiTziiEKßtcßT having pressed again for notice to give lion, members time to study the question, ' Mr. Domett said Mr. Fitzherbert surely must'have forgotten his own speech, which was devoted to this very topic (hear, hear). The member for the Hutt had plainly slated his intention to bring forward the subject of his present motion. Mr. Ludlam said he could not agree with the Colonial Treasurer that his resolution, if carried, would be subversive to the scheme of the Ministry —[Mr. Stafford: Clearly so] —and be left himself in the hands of the House. Some discussion then took place on the eleventh resolution, which Mr. Daldy thought would be of no benefit to. Auckland, while Mr. Fox thought Auckland was being unfairly ! relieved from charges to which she was especii ally and exclusively liable, particularly the Pensioner Force debt of £78,000, and the Fitzroy debentures. Mr. Bell said that on the sth September, 1854, Mr. Wakefield moved a resolution exempting Auckland from its share of the New Zealand Company's Debt, on tbe condition it boreils own peculiar liabilities. He bad been under the impression that this was one of tbe peculiar liabilities of Auckland. But it appeared that on the following day, a notice of motion was given by the bon. member for Christchurch, in which the only peculiar liability of Auckland named was a sum of £900, while this of the debentures was assumed to be borne by the Southern provinces, except New Plymouth. And between that day and the 15th, when the resolution exempting Auckland from any contribution to the New Zealand Company's Debt was passed, no further allusion, seems to have been made to these Debentures as an exclusive liability of the province. Dr. Campbell said these debentures were. clearly raised for the General Government, and if they were now charged against Auckland, equally might all the expeuses of that Government be charged against the province notwithstanding the Government had!been moved to Co >k's Straits. Dr. Lee believed that, if the Home Government had meant to have demanded this £78,000 on account of the Pensioners, it would have been demanded. i*s a siue qua non, like the payment of the Company's debt before the Consii* tutiou was granted. If this money were to be demanded, what were they to say of the money advanced in excess to Wellington for laud purchases (hear) ? The Colonial Treasurer said this Pensioner debt was undoubtedly a possibdity, but he did not fear it would ever be claimed. Then there was a sum of £911 which Aucklaud could not refuse to bear. As to those debentures, if it were a question to be raised, it was between the Northern ami Middle Islaud, not between Auckland and Wellington. At the time those resolutions were given notice of in 1854, the view taken was, that these Debentures were issued lor the joint benefit of Auckland and Wellington; this was clear from New Plymouth being excluded; and it would be found almost impossible to separate this account and show how it was exactly divisible. He proposed to add to the resolution that Auckland should bear any debt fur which it was exclusively liable. In this specification be only meant to include ±911, and the Pensioner Force. Dr. Campbell objected to this addition-; if it were made there could be no permanent adjustment. (Hear). We ought to act on the doctrine enunciated by the Colonial Treasurer the other day, "as tfie tree fell, so !e; it

lie." If Auckland were to be left liable in this way we must go into the account against Wellington. Dr. Lee suggested a close examination into the liabilities; " and Mr. Daldy said the discussion convinced him he was right in objecting to the give-and-take principle. We ought to know exactly how the account stood, from what period it was to he calculated, and so on. Mr. Domktt advocated the adoption of the resolution on the understanding on which the resolution of 1854 was based, namely to relieve Auckland from these old debentures. If this were not done, Auckland would not be relieved in any proportional rate as .compared with Wellington. We ought to settle these vexed questions on great general broad grounds, not on mere .'huckstering, principles like rival tradesmen. The debate was continued by Messrs. Clifford, Smith, Ludlam, Macandrew, J. Cargill, Fitzherbert, Fox, and Bell, (with a qualification as to the Debentures) in support of affirming the liability of Auckland to the debt in question. Mr. Daldy objected to Auckland being called upon to pay anything without a strict account being gone into of all provincial liabilities, and repeated his objections to the financial scheme altogether; while Messrs. Camnhell, Williamson, and Taylor, afier con! ndinj that the Debentures were not issued for Hie especial benefit of Auckland, but for the general expenses of the General. Government, stated their readiness that Auckland should be held liable for die Pensioner-force debt, if it were pressed hy the Home Government, (tbe probability of which they doubted,) but protested against such debt being named in the resolution as if on purpose to challenge the.attention of the Home Government to that item ; if it were, they should object to the government scheme altogether. Similar views were expressed even more strongly by the Colonial Treasurer and Secretary, Mr. Travers, and Mr. Stafford; and after one or two amendments and amended ditto bad heen proposed by Messrs. Daldy, Travers, and Fox,.a division took place on the amendment moved by Mr. Sewell (for making" Auckland liable for the sum of £911.) with the i'ullowiuuresult; — For Mr. Sewell's amendment :—Messrs. Stafford, Qurti-:, Well:-, Domett,. Sewell, Richmond East, Brown, Cuff, Brittin, Campbell, William. sou, Brodie, Lee, Beckham, Taylor, Daldy, Henderson—lß. Mr. Richmond, teller. Against: — Messrs. Fox, Ludlam, Fitzherbert, Smith, Hall, Cargill. sen., Ward, Cargill, jun., Macandrew, Clifford—lo. Mr. Fitzherbert teller. Mr. Bell was locked out; Mr. Travers did not vote;, and Dr. Feaiherston and M.ijor Greenwood paired off ; Messrs. Meiriman and Graham were absent. The amended resolution was then put, when Mr. Bell (who came in by the strangers' gallery just as the first division was heinjr taken amid general laughter, was'remitted' to the.'strausers' till the division was over) voted with" 9 bis Wellington friends ; and Messrs. Hall and Travers voted with tbe Government, thus making the numbers 20 to 10.

: June 25. .The House "ent into Committee of Ways and Means, when,on the Colonial .Treasurer moving the 12th resolution, Mr. Ludlam moved the following '".amendment—" That a* further .part ofsuch permanent arrangements, it is expedient that the interest, oil the floating debt, and also the charges of the General Government be borne upon the revenues of lbs whole colony, and that the L'Mid, revenue should contribute'an equal quota with the customs revenue to such interest; This motion was briefly supported by the lion.' member, showing his reasons ffor differing on this part of the financial scheme of the Government, which he thoughtwould.be injurious to lhe Northern Island. Considerable debate followed, in which the Colonial Treasurer, Mr Traver.sMr. ,B._H, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Williamson, spoke in opposition to the motion. Mes:>rs. Frx, Fitzherbert, Featherston, Macandrew. supported- the motion, of which Mr. Hall generally approved, but was not prepared just now.to give itunqualiffed support. Mr. Daldy also thought the scheme should be well considered. The speakers on both sides.uatural.lv had to travel over ground already s*> ty.ell beaten that hardly any new arguments were introduced into the discussion ; and the only noticeable feature was the interlude, n.% it we-e,occasioned by the Colonial Treasurer (speaking us a-member

for the Middle Island) asking the supporters of the amendment whether h„ was really to understand that it was intended by the proposition that the land fund of the Middle Island was to be entirely and'finally exonerated saving the hall a crown per acre ? He could hardly believe it; the ..ffer was too good to be true—but (said Mr.Scwell) ' we 'are open to a hid, and he would challenge the opposition to make one. Mr. Fox accepted the challenge, by giving- notice of the following amendment, for the next (Ihy, on the I 13th resolution —" That the debts of New Zealand, viz., the amount of-than to be raised to pay off the New Zealand Company's Debt; £200,000 to effect purchases from the natives in the Northern Islaud,and the amount necessary lobe raised to pay off the floating debt of the ; colony, say £100,000, be consolidated, and charged, together, with. the , expenses of the General Government, on the general revenue (Customs and Territorial) — the Territorial revenue to consist'of 2s. 6d.an acre and no more on all lands sold or a.ienated, except on mere pastoral licenses within the colony (not including those disposed of in satisfaction oi' scrip now in existence)."—The debate was brought to a close by Mr. Travers moving the Chairman do .report progress, which.,on a division, was-carried by 20 to 8. [In the course of the discussion, Dr. Featherston recommended lhe Ministry not to push through their propositions without an appeal to the country, but afterwards withdrew the suggestion.] Adjourned to the following day.