PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 250, 21 October 1871, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Oct. 20. The honorarium question caused a long discussion yesterday, innumerable proposals being made, from total abolition to salary of £300 a year each member, as in Victoria. Ultimately, the matter was referred to a Select Committee. The Defence Estimates passed. On those for Militia and Volunteers, Mr. Ingles proposed a reduction of £18,000, sayiojr he had only seen the Volunteers of Nelson, Marlborough, and Wellington; and with the exception of the Wellington artillery, the force was a farce, and the most inefficient one he had ever seen. He proposed to limit the entire number of Vqluoteers in the colony to 300 artillerymen, at the same time giving increased encouragement io people to learn the use of the rifle, and to rifle clubs. Mr. M'Lean admitted that the Nelson and Marlborough forces had greatly deteriorated, but denied the justice of the sweeping assertions regarding the force generally. A long discussion ensued, Messrs. Bathgate, Pearce, Steward, and other members warmly defending the Volunteers. Ultimately the total vote passed without reduction. The Brogden contracts are to be discussed on Tuesday next. In reply to a question from Mr. Harrison, Mr. Gisborne said the Government had no intention of re-opeoiug the award adjusting the ' debt between Canterbury and Westland, in consequence of any change made in dealing with the provinces share of the consolidated revenue, or any other cause. Mr. Yogel moved the second reading of the Public Revenues Bill, saying that Government simply asked the House's aid to tide over a temporary difficulty, in preference to permanently increasing the taxation of the country. He had no doubt of the revenue soon recovering its elasticity. Mr. Stafford said the obvious remedy for a deficiency in the revenue, was not to spend so much. Government,, however, had a majority which would give them a half-million as readily as £100,000, and they must be surprised at their own moderation in asking so little. Mr. Reid asserted, that by spending without considering whether or not the expenditure was profitable, Government bad secured its majority. Mr. Thompson opposed the Bill. Mr. Gisborne said, if the Government spent money, it was on public works, not on war. Mr. M'Leod thought, that with larger undertakings a larger margin might fairly be asked for. Parata opposed further borrowing. Mr. Calder said the proposal was to give the Ministry a wholesale vote of £100,000 to spend as it liked. He complained greatly of the want of inclination to deal with the question of settlement, which only could make the policy successful. Mr. M'Lean denied the existence of a single instance of impudence pr recklessness of the Government. It was desirous of promoting settlement, and schemes of special settlement were in operation in several of the provinces. If more had not been done, the fault rested with the, Superintendents, in not properly assisting. Mr. Macandrew spoke in high praise of what had been done ia Otago to encourage immigration. He expressed his belief that the G-overnment policy would prove an entire success. Mr. Fiizherbert supported the bill. He bad always doubted whether a margin of £60,000 was sufficient. Mr; Rolleston said he had co-operated most heartily with the Government; in carrying out it policy in Canterbury. ' J Mr. J.vE.Yßrowa''ideniedv;thaU;Mr. Rolleaton had ever heartily cooperated

with the Government policy. He always appearel hopelessly oblivious to all progress, or schemes for .benefiting tbe country. He denied that the spending power of the Government procured them o majority, or the support of Canterbury. Canterbury got less money proportionately than any other proviuce. He believed, however, a vast majority of the population approved of the policy of the Goverument. Mr. White opposed the bill. Mr. Yogel replied briefly. The second reading was carried on the voices. October 21. In Committee on the Payment to Provinces Bill, Mr. Yogel announced that, in order to meet the injustice that would otherwise bo inflicted by depriving the provinces of the funds on which they had calculated, the Government had determined that, on the request of the Superintendent, tbey would agree to devote half of the proposed Road Board grant, to the payment of any permanent work that the provinces might be under engagement to construct. He also stated that they would not cousent this year to make tbe iuland mail services a colonial charge, but hoped to do so next year. Messrs. Farnell and M'Leod protested against depriving the Road Boards of money for the benefit of the provinces. A few clauses were passed and progress was reported. On the motion for going into Committee on Ways and Means, Mr. Stafford moved an amendment protesting against the increase of taxation, and in favor of keeping the ordinary expenditure within the ordinary revenue by the practice of rigid economy. After a loug debate, the amendment was negatived by 40 to 22. Stamps on appointments were agreed to, the duty being altered to one per cent. The maximum on annual licenses to Joint Stock Companies was raised to £200.