PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5216, 10 December 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Saturday, December 8. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. APPROPRIATION BILL. Before going into committee on the above Bill, Sir GEORGE GREY said he wished to make a few remarks on the legislation of the session. The Financial Arrangements Act was an important measure, and he desired to express his thanks to the House for the large support the Government had received in carrying it through. That support showed that the measure was a necessity—that it was one that could not be avoided, in the interests of the outside creditor, and in the interests of the people of the colony, as it put finance upon a substantial basis. He also expressed thanks to the House tor the liberal manner in which they had placed funds at his disposal. In the disposal of these funds great power was left in the hands of the Government, and their administration would be in the direction of frugality. Ha referred to what was said the previous night about breaking up what might be called the advanced settlements that it would be better to abandon them than to pay for them. He entirely dissented from this. The inhabitants should receive every assistance to maintain their position. In the contact of civilisation with semi-barbarism, if they gave up one point they would have to give up many. It would be a main point with the Government to give up nothing that had been acquired. Sir George Grey next alluded to the absence of defined party in Parliament, which, in his opinion, was necessary for the proper government of the country. He would endeavor next session to remedy this by bringing down measures of a liberal and comprehensive nature. A Bill would be introduced to place the representation of the country on a liberal footing, and at the same time secure perfect purity and freedom of election. It would be a measure which would have for its object that the will of the majority should rule in this .country. They would endeavor to bring about such a system of taxation that every inhabitant of the colony would contribute to the revenue in proportion to the advantages he derived from the State. A measure, would also be introduced which would offer every facility to those who desired to settle with their families on the lands of the country. The speaker then proceeded to show that the same necessity did not exist here for an Upper House as in the mother country. In any reforms the Government might endeavor to accomplish he confidently looked forward next session to receiving the support of Parliament. Major ATKINSON said for the past thirty years they had heard the same utterances of the high aims of the hon. gentleman. But what had he done ? When they heard of those high aims, and contrasted them with his acts, they would see that he was more able to broach theories than to promote useful acts of legislation. The time was not ripe for parties in’ New Zealand, became there were no great principles .to divide the people. Free trade and protection would be a subject which might divide parties in this colony in the future, but nothing the hon. member had enunciated woidd bring about that end. He (Major Atkinson) was not one of those who held that they could not have good government in the colony without party, and it was the duty of public men to endeavor to carry on good government under the present conditions. The hon. gentleman had promised to revise finance. Let them see how he had done so since assuming office—that would bo a test. What he advanced this session was not new to him. Years ago he had propounded schemes for the regeneration of mankind, and the peace and prosperity of this country. Also, a few days after taking office, he had found out a scheme to save the country, but was not allowed time to bring it forward. Two months had now elapsed, and the country were on the tiptoe of expectation. Their statement on finance, where it differed from that of the late Government, would blast the credit of the country for years. When they found their statements were not true, they had not the manliness to retract them. He could not see that taking 80 per cent, of the Land Fund would obtain greater simplicity in the public accounts. It was no doubt taken mainly with the object to strike a balance. Ho (Major Atkinson) had proposed to take .£167,000 from the land fund of Canterbury and Otago, which would have left a balance of £102,000. The Government had adopted his estimate of revenue and expenditure, and he would therefore accept it as correct. He would have had suppkmeutary estimates to the extent of £BO,OOO, leaving a balau-e of £20,000 to meet any deficiency in the Land Fund. If he were called upon ho

did not think he would make up a different statement. The hon. gentleman showed that there would be a deficit of £246,000 at the end of June next, and no provision was made to meet this enormous sum, although he had taken office on the understanding that he was to place finance upon a sound footing. Admitting that the Government would spend £IOO,OOO less than estimated, there would still be a large deficiency, and they either would have to stop payment, or call the House together much earlier than usual. That seemed to him a bad beginning for a Government who promised so much. The Public Revenues Bill was prepared by the late Government, and that would have been an effective measure if the Government had gone on with it. However, they introduced another, and when he pointed out to them defects in it which would have rendered it unworkable, his suggestions were received with bad grace by Sir George Grey. The Act was amended in every particular that he (Major Atkinson) pointed out. He next spoke of the provincial liabilities. The Government maintained that he was wrong, and that it would require £600,000 to meet the liabilities, but the previous night, instead of £600,000 they only asked for £300,000, When he introduced the Bill for the inscription of stock, the hon. member for the Thames denounced it as the most impudent proposal ever - introduced into any Legislature, yet the present Government had taken it up. They had also taken up the principal measures of the late Government. The only alteration they had made was in finance, and he took their own figures to show that there would be a deficiency at the end of the financial year of a quarter of a million. The Premier had stated that Customs duties could be remitted to the extent of half a million, which would be made up by a tax upon property; but no property tax, short of actual confiscation, would make up this amount. A tax of Is. in the £ now only yielded £138,000. If such a violent charge was made, they might expect a greater deficit at the end of the following year. He wished the Premier would devote his great intellect to some practical end, and devise some scheme whereby the great deficit in the present year would be met. Sir GEORGE GREY, in reply, said he had been asked whatpracticalgood he hnd done for the country. He had only to point to the place they were now in. It was through him that the first landjhad been reclaimed in Wellington. He had also first brought the town into communication with the interior by having roads constructed to the rich plains of the Wairarapa, and to the west coast of the province. It was well-known that since he accepted office he had been bound and fettered. With regard to provincial liabilities, he had asked £500,000 from the House; but he could only get £300,000. He was told that he required more money to carry on the business of the country; but if he he ventured to ask for it, the hon. member for Egmont would be the first to pounce upon him, and try to make him ridiculous in the eyes of the country. It was distinctly understood that the Government would not exceed the Estimates, but that they would retrench in every direction possible. They had done the utmost that they could and regretted that they could not do more. The greatest modern statesman in England had aimed at remitting certain Customs duties, to bring about what was termed a “ free breakfast table ” in every home in Great Britain, and he saw no reason why such a state of things might not prevail in this country. Sir George Grey concluded by stating that he would persist in his efforts till all he aimed at was accomplished. The Appropriation Bill and the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Bill were considered in' committee, read a third time, and passed. The House adjourned at 4.30 for an hour, so that ’ the Bills should pass the Legislative Council; but on meeting had to adjourn from time to time, and it was not till nine o’clock that the Bills were received from the Upper House, and the Speaker having made the usual announcement, the House adjourned till Monday at a quarter-past two. Immediately prior to the adjournment the Premier laid en the table the correspondence between him and the Governor re dissolution of Parliament.