PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 128, 11 June 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(From our Own Correspondent.; ■Wellington, June 9. The Financial Stat nent was brought down last night, the contents of which were duly transmitted to you by wire. The attendance on the occasion was very large, all the galleries and (daces for public resort being chock full. The delivery occupied precisely one hour and twenty minutes, and it is hardly necessary to add that it was listened to with wrapt attention. Various provisions were received with applause, others of the proposals being greeted with laughter. The expressed opinion is that the Statement was able and exhaustive—exceptionally so, when contrasted with certain miserable abortions brought down by the previous Government on former occasions. It was generally understood that in deference to public opinion remissions would be made in the provisions of the Property Tax. These remissions have, as you will observe, taken the form predicted in the telegraphic message forwarded to you on Monday. Personal effects are to be wholly exempted, and in lieu thereof, a sixpenny impost per gallon is to be put on both Colonial and imported beers. It was supposed that tea and sugar would come in for a share of the burden. On that proposal, however, Government appears to have thought hotter, and these articles for the present remain as they were. The proposal to inev/n e railway rates has created dissatisfaction—great J dissatisfaction—in Otago and Canterbury. These districts, it is supposed, will make a dead stand against the proposal. The question in which Marlborough, in common with the rest of the Colony is more particularly concerned is the proposals ra Local Governing Bodies. All subsidies are to be abolished. This is to be done in accordance with an understanding come to last session, and which has been a good deal commented upon throughout the recess. Curiosity was naturally enough excited as to what proposal would be made in lieu of these subsidies. Lacal Bodies, you will rote, are to be empowered to strike a general rate not exceeding 2s in the £, or a special rate to which no limit is imposed. Government property and Crown lands are to he rated as ordinary property, and Native lands in Boroughs be levied upon against their owners. Outside boroughs their lands are to be rated, and one-half of the current rate paid by the Government. Main trunk roads are to be defined presumably with the view of being taken over by Government. A Central Board of Local Public Works is to be established, whose functions seems to he the providing of a fund out of which the Local Bodies may borrow on the security of their rates, as also a special rate to cover-interest and sinking fund. These are briefly the provisions on this head. Now I take it that the effect of these proposals on Marlborough and Blenheim will he this. Your Boroughs will lose the subsidies as a matter of course, and in lieu, therefore, they will have powoi to levy a rate to the extent of 2s in the pound, or an unlimited special rate —such rate or rates to include all Government property situated within the Borough. lam afraid neither Blenheim nor Picton will be gainers by this change in local administration. You will have the glorious privilege of bearing your own burdens, without anything material to compensate yon for the extraneous, aid hitherto afforded by the subsidies. Then, again, the position of your County, so far as I know the situation of affairs, and the proposed new regium, will be pretty much the same. With little or no Crown lands, and no Maori land, the rural districts of Marlborough will be left pretty much in the same position. Another question arises, and one which I cannot sec has been provided for, viz., the case of the Counties where the Act has not been brought fully into operation. A question on the point will be put ) the Government shortly. Affecting, as it does, Marlborough you will be interested in the answer. The after part of the proceedings of the night in question was simply an exhibition of had taste and ill-temper on the part of Sir Geo. Grey. 'To all appearance he seems more determined than ever to establish his reputation as a poiitical nuisance, pure and simple.

July 10.

Last night’s proceedings wore for the most part taken up with the resumed debate on the second reading of the Licensing Act. This measure seems in a fair way for getting a most severe handling. A further adjournment of the debate took place until to-night. During the earlier part of the day the proclamation conferring the honor of knighthood on the Speaker was formally produced by the Premier, the event being taken advantage of for an expression of congratulation all round.

Wellington, Thursday Evening.

In the House to-day Mr Seymour asked if the Postmaster-General would endeavor to make arrangements for the transmissisa of the English mail to Marlborough soon after its arrival in the Colony. The Hon. John Hall replied that the delay was occasioned on the last two occasions by the mail arriving in the Colony late at Auckland, but every endeavor would be made to prevent a recurrence of the delay in delivery at Blenheim in future. He blamed the Captain of the Napier on the last occasion fbr leaving just as the English mail steamer was coming in. Had be waited one hour, such delay would have been avoided.

A long debate took place this afternoon on the constitution of a Native Affairs Committee. The Opposition moved the addition of names belonging to their party, and charged Government with partiality in its selection for party purposes. On a division the motion was lost, and Sir George Grey gave notice that lie would move that liis name he expunged from the Committee. Mr Hamlin did likewise to his name. Government denied that their was any cause for alarm as to the spread of pleuro pneumonia. This Day.

In the House last night, Mr Seymour presented a petition from the Sheep owners of Marlborough, praying for a repeal of Clause G 9 of the Sheep Act, relating to driving. A similar petition was also presented to the Legislative Council by the Hon Major Baillie.

To-day the Petitioners Committee takes evidence on the subject, when Mr Seymour and others will be examined.

The Licensing and other Bills passed their second reading, last night.