PROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 51, 27 February 1873, Page 2

PROVINCIAL.

Wellington, February 27. j Bro?den's tender for the Brunner Mine railway : has gonein to-day; " f :, § Port Chalmers, February 27. The Pbcebe sailed, North with: the Volunteers yesterday. " ' * ...... Auckland, February 27. Both the Herald and the Cross, condemn Mr Waterhouse's action. Two natives attacked a party of ditchers, at Waikato, severely wounding one of them. DuNEDitf, February 27. At a meeting of the Otago Freight Association it was Jesolved to liquidate the Association. A Committee was appointed towait upon importers, and endeavor to induce them to take shares in the New Zealand Shipping Company at Christchurch. At the wool sales, yesterday 1430 bales were auctioned. The great bulk was passed, Greasy, 1 Id. to, la Id.;; mixed, Is;v2d. ; Lincoln; and cross-bred, Is. 7-|d. to is. lOd.; :•• • <•...,. Cyrus Haley, for attempting to.escape from gaol, was sentenced to six months in irons. Gretmouth, Feb. 27. A carpenter, named Hicks, cut his throat- and then threw himself into the sea. Tim abu, February 27. Mr. Stafford addressed his constituents last night, and was received with cheers. The Mayor was in the chair. He referred to the prosperity of Timaru and of Canterbury and Otago generally, which, he said, were never in. a more healthy condition. He caw when the Parliament of 1872 met that, being composed of new men, no distinct parties could be formed, and referred. to the disappointment that was felt when the Parliament met, regarding the administration of the Public. Works policy. Mr Vqgel had exceeded his powers in the Brogden Contracts. No organised opposition was formed until the estimates were brought down Then he was offered the leadership of a party on the basis of prudence in finance. He began with only fifteen, but they soon increased to twenty-one. They saw that the Government was half-hearted about the Education Bill, Mr Yogel absenting himself from the House whenever it was brought on for discussion; The Bill was suddenly withdrawn. The Government also allowed the Insolvency Bill to lapse, and other useful measures. When the Public Works N Act was under discussion, railways got upon the schedule of . the Bill' for political • purposes, and it degenerated into a mere political scramble. He referred to the Lyitelton Times as an authority as speakiog of them as political railwayß, and read most damning speeches;thereon from even Government supporters, immigration had been neglected up to the present time and the immigrants were not employed on the railway, works and settled on the lands., The San Francisco service was linpunctual and uncertain. Mr Stafford traced the history of the Superintendents' resolutions which he declined to support, and was then requested to table a want of .confidence motion. He was disinclined to take office on account of the financial difficulties in which the country was involved. He was defeated because he did not receive support from those quarters where he was led to expect it. During the debate it transpired that Brogden's contracts were entered into before any plans were formed by the Government, who did not avail themselves of Brogden's large experience, but kept him as a sort of head navvy for the construction of lines. He was prevented by the neglect of the Government from making provision for the importation of the necessary railway material. The country was trading upon its credit in, London, and paying interest on loans out of loans. The borrowing power must come to an end. The revenue of the colony was only £1,100,000, while the general and provincial debt amounted to £10,000,000, the interest and sinking fund on which was £616,000. Mr Yogel had calculated on railway receipts in three years, but none had \ yet accrued. He had estimated £30,000 a year 1 as receipts from railway: estates which he had never created. There would be a deficiency of £40,000 from stamp duties, also £612,000 Treasury Bills falling due. The Hawkers Bay Herald was prognosticating a Land Tax, and the Southern Cross an Income Tax. The knowledge that taxation must be increased, and-that hei would be blamed for the faults of others, made him decline to take office. There would be stagnation, distress, and want of employment when the re-action came, and. the Customs would, fall off. The re-action might not come this year' or. next, not- until our 1 borrowing powers were exhausted, but come it would, though he did not believe it would ruin New f Zealand, whose resources were boundless, and elasticity. r great., It the land fund of the province would not pay the. working; expenses of the railways, then a general tax. would be made upon the province or district. He had not the least, hesitation in saying ; that if he had chosen to adopt certain means he might have remained in office. He declined to' Deiieve there was only one man in New Zealand who was able to keep peace with, the natives. He had taken office as Native Minister at the request of a large number of influential native chiefs. He then referred to the importance of defining the powers of Provincial Governments and Councils. He would not indicate any.special policy for the future, regarding as he did the present policy as good, while he condemned the manner in ■which: it was being Worked out. - ;.;..:i.i "Mr Stafford sat down after answering several questions.... • -:,, / >,- „: ■- / > ,■.;-• .■ • v".v ■;•■■.: ■•