Essence of Parliament.

Manawatu Herald, 2 July 1892, Page 2

Essence of Parliament.

The House met on Wednesday afternoon.

The Minister for Education said the Government had done what they could to bring about uniformity in school books by reducing the schedule from 181 to 60, and it was possible further reforms would be made.

The following Bills were introduced and read the first time : — A Bill to confer the electoral franchise on women ; the Compensation to Licensed Victuallers Bill ; the Road Boards Act 1882 Amendment Bill ; a Bill intituled " An Act to" provide for the protection and conservation of an area of land near Dunediri, known as '• The Sandhills " and the beach of adjacent thereto, and for the management thereof as a public domain " ; the Ljquor Traffic Local Option Bill ; the Fisheries Conservation Act 1884 Amendment Bill ; the Sydenham Borough Council Empowering Bill ; the Kaipo reserve Bill ; the Ngahauranga Native Ken serve Registration of Lease Bill; the Mere Taka Land Grant Bill ; the Tahoraite Titles Amendment and Validation Bill ; the Oyster Fisheries Bill; the Napier Harbour Board Further Empowering Bill; the Napier Harbour .Board Loan Bill ; a Bill to empower the trustees of the Oamaru Racecourse to borrow a sum of money tor the purpose of the trust ; the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill ; the Eight Hours Bill. .

The resolution that in the opinion of this House the totalisator shoal 3 be abolished, and that the Government be requested to bring in a Bill to give effect to this resolution was lost by 28 to 25 votes.

The debate on the Bryce petition was interrupted by the dinner hour.

After dinner, the Premier moved the resolution of condolence, given elsewhere.

The debate on the Address-in-Roply was continued.

And after notice of Supply was given the House adjourned.

Lilfcle oi any interest was done on Thursday afternoon. Mr E. M. Smith put a question re granting a pension to Lady Atkinson and which the Premier styled premature, and promised further information later in the session. Further new bills were introduced find read the first time :— Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill; Police Offences Act Amendment Bill; The Inebriates' Homes Bill. An Imprest Bill for £250,000 was passed. The debate on the Bryce petition ws r.^ain interrupted. In the evening, the Colonial Treasurer read his FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The revenue received amounted to £87,287 more than was estimated. The principal items of excess were from the Customs, Eailways, Miscellaneous ond Property Tax. Stamps Beer, and Depasturing Licenses yielded less than was estimated.

The actual receipts for the past financial year amounted to £4,361,---087 and expenditure to £4,192,947 resulting in an excess of revenue of £168,140. The amount has been reduced by applying £30,000 to roads and £16,522 to cover overdrawn Land Fund Account, and so the surplus is reduced to £121,608. To this must be added surplus at 81st March 1891 of £43,965, after having paid off £100,000 of floating debt, and putting tbe two amounts together I arrive at a surplus of £165,---573*-.

Tne\pubiic debt on which we pay interest is £88,713,068 but as the Sinking Funds are estimated at £1,085,449 the net debt at 81st March 1892 is £37,677,619.

The estimated revenue for the year is £4,825,100 and with the surplus is £4,401,674 and the estimated expenditure is £4,161,397, so that there would be an estimated surplus at the end of the present financial year of £330,277

A measure to acquire Native lands to an extent not exceeding £50,000 a year will be introduced. A bill to acquire private lands under voluntary sale will be brought forward.

The result of the Land and Income Tax had been so far satisfactory that there will be a surplus over the estimated yield.

The Government have decided to organise a Department of Agriculture, and have appointed as Secretary the Chief Inspector of Stock.

I do not think it wise to attempt to raise another loan in the English market at the present time. I believe it possible to place a moderate loan at a reasonable rate of interest •within the Colony The Government have come to the conclusion that a loan can be avoided by devoting sufficient out of the surplus revenue for the year to carry on public works at the rate of £200,000. This sums will be transferred to Public works account. This will leave a sum, from the anticipated surplus, of £94,000 to provide for Supplementary Estimates and contingencies.

If our policy is not to borrow money for the construction of public works, it is evident we shall not be able to part with revenue. So essential do we consider it that no revenue should be parted with at the present moment, we have postponed for a time the change we contemplated last session of reducing the postage.

The reading of the Statement occupied one hour and twenty-five minutes, and it was frequently applauded.

Progress was then reported and the House rose,