HOUSE OF REPRESENATTIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 287, 4 December 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENATTIVES.

Wellington, Monday. The House met at 230 this afternoon. Leave of absence for ten days was granted to Dr Walliß and Mr Reader Wood. Replying to questions Ministers said:— (I.) Inquiries are being made, and, if necessary, £300 would be granted to supplement the water supply at the Lyell. (2.) Correct Crown grants were being prepared for the Military settlers at Ormond. (3.) The Government would carry out the recommendation of the Native Affairs Committee on the claims of the Tapsall family to lands in Waikato. The following new Bills were introduced: Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill (Sir G. Grey), Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works Properly Vesting Bill (Mr Sheehan). The Waste Lands Sales Bill was read a second time without debate, but on a division of 30 to 26. As the Bill had to be referred to tbe Waste Lands Committee, the House adjourned till 7-30 to enable the Committee to meet. The Governor sent down a message with the correspondence between himself and Ministers in re the visit of Sir W. Jervois and Colonel Scratchley. Sir W. Jervois asked for the Finemoa to be sent to Hobartown for him. Ministers refused, and in further correspondence say that, in the present financial condition of the colony, no money can be spared for external defence, and ask the Governor to indefinitely post^ pone the visit from Sir W. Jervois. The Governor in reply, expresses great regret, and says such conduct will not tend to raise the credit of the colony abroad, and he asks for the correspondence to be laid before Parliament. , Tuesday. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Finaucial Arrangements Bill. He explained its operatiou to be to equalise expenditure and income as far as possible by making the land fund colonial revenue. He poiuted out the advantage of the 20 per cent that would he saved for local purposes, and said that next year steps would be taken to secure better provisions that this percentage should be devoted to opening up the country, but for the present it was thought desirable' to distribute it without restriction. Even after taking the land fund the revenue would at the end of the year show a deficit of £136,000, taking as correct the Estimates of the late Ministry. This deficit they hoped to be able to reduce or extinguish by savings in expenditure and similar ways. Major Atkinson demanded from the Government a clear plain balance sheet of the estimated revenue and expenditure for the next six months. He contended that there wis really a deficit of £138,000, and uo means whatever were proposed for meeting it. The supplementary estimates and provincial liabilities would actually increase the deficit to £800,000, aud this was the way in which the equilibrium between revenue and expenditure was to be restored. Although not opposing taking the land fund for the use of the colony he criticised the details of the Bjl.l adversely. Mr Rees replied to Major Atkinson's figures, and supported the Ministerial pro posals. Mr Bowen opposed tb^e seizure of the land revenue, and the proposal' to' sell iandp by auctioa and at a uniform price. ' " ' " Mr Gisjjorng opposed the Bill, recommendiug some alteratfous in its details. Sir R. Douglas opposed raising the land to a uniform price as it would stop all sales in mauy districts.

Mr Gibbs agreed with Sir R. Douglas, and protested against the price of land being raised. Ho thought that the lands should be classified, and as was already done in South'

land it should be exempt from a uniform price. He generally supported the Bill. Mr Hursthouse oppose raising the price of land, but approved of colonialising the land fund. He would not leave even the 20 per cent. *

Mr Murray supported the Government proposals.

Mr Beetham thought that colonialising the laud fund was only an act of justice to the north. The 20 per cent should also be taken.

Mr Johnstoue supported the Bill generally He objected to borrow more than two milhons. He opposed raising the price of

Mr Stevens opposed the proposals as most uujust to Canterbury. Taxation extending over the whole of the colony would have been a fairer way of meetiug the difficulty than robbing Canterbury.

Mr Montgomery opposed the Bill. He did not consider the proposals fair, or the arrangement likely to be permanent. He urged taxation, and the discontinuance of subsidies to local bodies. He would not support more thau a two million loan. Mr Wason strongly opposed the Bill, and moved that it be read a second time that day six months.

Mr Rolleston thought the Government policy treacherous and illusory. Mr Orniond while condemning the general policy of the Government, supported taking the land fund. He would for the session support the Ministry because he was sure it would get the colony into a great mess before the next session. He wonld not support more than a two million loan. He opposed raising the price of land.

Mr Stout referred to the carping, paltry criticisms on which the night had been wasted. He supported the BUL After a few words from Mr.Reid the amendment was lost by 46 to 14, aud the Bill was read the second time by 41 to IS. The House rose at 1-35 a.m.