PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 196, 15 August 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

House op Representatives. Wellington, August 15. In the House yesterday, Mr O'Conor asked the Postmaster- General whether the Government would extend the postal communication to the townships of Hampden aud Matakitaki. The Minister replied that the first was not necessary, and the second place had only three hundred and sixty letters for the year. In committee, Sir F. D. Bell (the Speaker) spoke at length, advocating the principle of the ad valorem system. He criticised the budget, and said that last session £120,000 had been charged to the loan account for capitalization of interest, instead of being provided for out of current revenue. Mr Yogel said ihe principle of the tariff was right. An income-tax was objectionable, as it would bear heavily on conscientious people. A property - tax would prevent improvement and hinder settlement. The liabilities of the colony were- not heavy, and could be doubled or trebled without serious mischief to the colony. Mr Reynolds, in reply to Mr Johnstone, said the Melbourne valuation should be placed on goods direct from Victoria. Mr Johnstone, in discussing the schedule of the bill, moved an amendment to the effect that the uniform duties should be reduced to seven and a-half instead of ten per cent. In the House last night the discussion in committee on the tariff bill was resumed and continued for three hours. Eventually Mr Johnston's amendment was lost on a division of 18 to 42. Ayes — Messrs Johnston, Gillies, Rolleston, White, J. C.Brown, Sheehan, Swanson, Thomson, Karaitana, Shephard, Stafford, Curtis, BrandoD, C. Parker, Munro, Wood, Wilson, and Clark. Noes— Messrs. Reynolds, Hunter, M'Glasban, Cuthbertson, M'Gillivray, Bluett, Mervyn, W. Kelly, Buckland, Bryce, Ormond, Bathgate, Atkinson, Fox, Richmond, Studholme, Bell, Reeves, O'Neill, Carrington, O'Rorke, Tribe, Richardson, Webb, T. Kelly, Parker, Steward, Katene, Harrison, Henderson, Yogel, O'Conor, Andrews, Jackson, Kenny,, J. E. Brown, Pearce, Parata; Taraioa, Macandrew, Shephard, and M'Leari. A uniform tariff of ten per cent, was carried. The Bill was read a third time, and the following articles 4 were added to the list of exemptions : — hair, seating, curled hair, upholßterer's webbing, metal spring, hogskins, felt, hoods, and shellac. The-report of the Civil Service Commission was brought up, and a bill in accordance therewith read a first time. The second reading of the Auckland Waterworks Bill was moved by Mr Yogel, and negatived, after a long discussion, on a division. A, return has been laid; upon the table Showing the cost in each 'electoral district of forming and revising the electoral roll for the year 1872-3, together with such classification as to show how the expenditure bas accrued. The total amount is £2995. In the House to-day, Mr Williams, tbe new member for Wanganui, took his seat and the oath. Mr Parata presented a petition from tbe Thames natives against the Floatage of Timber Bill. The report of the Committee on Importation of Stock, was brought up.