PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 457, 16 October 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(jjy telkgkaph.)

"VYku.imjton. Oct. 111, The House met at half-past 7 o'clock last evening. The Treasury Benches were occupied by Sir George Grey, Messrs. Larnach, Macaudrew, Shechan, and Fisher. Sir George Grey rose amidst applause to make his Ministerial statement. He said Mr. larnach had requested Ins assistance in forming a Ministry. He had accorded that assistance, and had endeavoured to reconcile the differences arising from a division of the House into three parties. The Ministry was not yet complete, but it was intended shortly to add two more members, as well as certain Native members. A thorough consideration of the financial position of the Colony and every 1 possible retrenchment, were, he thought, the most important subjects before the country. They had not had much time to look into the finances of the Colony as yet, but what had been seen showed that retrenchment was absolutely necessary. In the course of a few days, a further imprest supply would be required to meet current expenditure, as the last L100,(KIO granted was more than half expended when they took oflice. The Colonial liabilities" also were found to greatly exceed what they had expected to find. The Colonial Treasurer would next day make a full statement on the subject. Any linaneial difficulty was, however, only likely to be temporary. Retrenchment could, lie thought, be best effected by the changing to some extent the mode of administration throughout the Colony. The Provincial Governments had been absolutely destroyed, but not the Provincial system of administration, which caused a vast and useless expenditure. If the administration was concentrated in the hands of the Central Government very large reductions in expenditure could be made. Large savings could also be made in railway management, and to both these subjects the best attention of the Government would be given. Ministers intended to set the example of economy by beginning with themselves and reducing their own salaries as far as possible, but salaries of a small amount would not be interfered with. The immigration and public works policy would be carried on fully, and by a judicious administration they hoped to be able to carry on that policy more energetically and more successfully than had ever yet been the ease. Regarding native lands, they proposed to withdraw the Native Land Sales Suspension Bill. The Act of 1573 gave the Government full powers to prevent any improper trafficking in native lands. The policy 6f the Government towards the natives generally would be to cultivate most friendly relations, and in doing this the Government had the advantage of a Native Minister born in the Colony and brought up amongst the natives. He was unable to give any pledge regarding tho land fund, but the Government would fully, carefully, and calmly consider the whole question in order to come to a conclusion satisfactory to the Colony and just to all parties. The Government desired to bring the session to a close as soon as possible. Tliev would take up the Land Bill, Mines Bill, slaughterhouses Bill, Consolidated Stocks Bill, and others. The Land Drainage Bill, Fencing Bill, Charitable Institutions Bill, Harbours Bill, Settlement Works Bill, would be dropped. Every facility would be given to private members to push on their Bills consistently with ending the session in three or four weeks. The Government intended to take the sense of the House on the question -of creating a Department of Mines under a responsible Minister. It would be proposed at as early a date as possible to place the representation of the country on a more satisfactory ba.-is. They did not this session propose to bring forward any great measure ; but would, during the recess, give attention to the best means of dealing with great questions. It would be for the Douse next session to pronounce an opinion on the measures, and say whether the Ministry should be entrusted with the task of giving effect to the will of that august Assembly. The Government would take the House and the country into its fullest confidence, ami no information as to its finances or other matters would be withheld. The following Bills were read a second time :-—The Public Reserves Hill, and the Otago Roads Ordinance Amendment Bill ; and the following Bills were referred to the Waste Lands Bill, after their second reading :—The Vohmteei and Others' Land Bill, the Kaiapoi Native Re«ervcs Bill, the Public Reserves Vote Bill, and the Manawatu Land Orders Bill

A motion by Mr. (Jisbornc to refer tho whole question of the sufficiency of the compensation to Provincial officers to the Public Petitions Committee to report on, was negatived by 'AS to 16. The House adjourned at 10.1(1 p.m.