MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 181, 4 August 1870, Page 4

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

On Tuesday last Mr. Vogel made the Ministerial explanation ia reference to what the Government proposed to do in regard to the financial bills. "It had been stated," he said, " that the bills might be made the battle ground for arguing some abstract theories regarding tbe constitutional institutions of the country, but he trusted nothing of the kind would be done, as it would be unfair to the Government and its measures to raise such questions ia relation to the bills. There was uo lack of opportunity of raising issues on such questions if it was desired to do so, but he hoped they would not be raised in the present instaoce. As Mr. Tancred, in his Borough School Bills, 1 was compelled to recognise the existence of Provincial Governments, and to use their machinery, so it was impossible for the Government in their financial mea- , sures to ignore the existence of those Go- ' vernments. He could not consent to bind himself down as to details of administration ; but he would at once declare that every precaution should be taken to render the Government of the day directly and completely responsible to the House for the administration and expenditure of the proposed loans. The bills would be brought down at the next sitting, and the modifications would be as as follows : — J. That the railways should not be enumerated in the schedule, but that provision should be made to the effect that the Colonial Government should place itself in communication with, the various Superintendents and Provincial Councils, ascertain their wishes, and lay them before the Assembly, together with such recommendations as the Government may think fit. The Assembly from time to time to decide on the railways. 2. Reduce money to be borrowed, in all four millions, viz., for Railway purposes ... £2,000,000 Miscellaneous ... 1,000,000 Immigration ... 1,000,000 3. In miscellaneous, water for gold fields to be £300,000. In deference to the wishes of many honorable members from each Island, the sum tor purchase of native land in the North Island would be left as originally proposed at £200,000. 4. Provisions to secure exclusively separate custody and expenditure of money. 5. A central authority at home to have control over all immigration agencies or sub-agencies. 7. Interest not to exceed 6 per cent. If they bear 6 per cent interest, debentures not to be sold under par ; if they bear less than 6 per cent interest debentures Dot to be sold at price which yield to purchasers more than 6 per cent interest. He did not think this a judicious alteration or one which would prove beneficial to the credit of the Colony at home, but it was made in deference to tlie remarks of the Hon. Mr. Hall. 8. Money borrowed for defence purposes to be subject to the appropriation by the Assembly from time to time. 9. Reciprocity Bill to be altered, so that instead of a bonus being authorised, power be given to reduce or abolish duties on intercolonial products and manufactures. 10. Change in duties to be open question. 11. Clause to be added to Consolidated Loan Application Bill, authorising if necessary, addition to Consolidated Loan. Mr. Vogel concluded by stating that if the estimates were at once proceeded with, the session might be brought to a close in about lour weeks.

Any hope that may have been entertained as to the sea encroachment at Westport having ceased, giving place to a new formation of beach, has been dispelled by the experience of the last few days. Recent tides have again carried away large quantities of sand and shipgle at the lower end of Gladstone-street, and the first rough weather in conjunction with high tides will again make seiious inroad upon the portion of the township referred to. One op tiie gentle sex says that the heaven of the strong minded woman is " where buttons grow in their plaees, where men cease from botheriug, and where the needles are at rest.' 1