PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 77, 9 August 1873, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[From Southern Papers]. The Independent says that the Government intend to propose a measure which will absolutely fix the right of the provinces to borrow money without the necessity of Parliamentary legislation. Each province is to be allowed the power of borrowing money upon its own credit upon specific security, the colony not being liable for the interest or jinking fund of the debt. A letter from Mr. Finnimore, formerly Government auctioneer at Wanganui, to C. E. Haughton, Under-Secretary for Immigration, was read. The writer referred to sales by auction of certain lands, and went on to propose that he and Mr. Haughton should enter into land speculations, offering to pay Mr. Haughton half profits. Mr. Finnimore did not wish his name to appear, and proposed that the railway reserve should be sold to him at the upset price, then auctioned, and the profits divided. He offered to deposit £lOOO, but the transaction was to be strictly private and confidential. He also referred to services in the field, and said he might claim a larger slice of land from the Government, but he had not got a rood. The Government twice ruined him. He said if Mr. Haughton joined him a large sum might be made. The letter was headed “ private and confidential,” and signed Finnimore. Mr. Haughton replied, stating that he could not regard the letter as confidential, and therefore handed it into the Native Minister, who dispensed with Mr. Finnimore’s services, and appointed Captain Ray, of Patea, to conduct all land sales personally. The Treasurer said he had pleasure in being able to communicate io Parliament information that would prove that New Zealand had never been in a more prosperous condition than at present. The Civil Service Amendment Bill has been made an order of the day for Friday. It proposes to deduct 4 per cent, from the salaries of officers, such deductions to be made monthly. These sums will all be invested at interest at 41 per cent., and on the retirement of the officer, will be repaid to him, unless he is entitled to a pension and prefers taking it. Mr. Steward moved—“ That the Government be requested to obtain from Mr. Colenso such portion of the Maori Lexicon as had been completed to date, and cause the same to be printed and published.” Mr. Reader Wood spoke in strong terms of the past history of the transaction. He said it was ten years since it was authorized, and it was expected it could be done for £3OO. Now, three or four times t hut amount had been spent, and yet it was not finished. The estimates were laid on the table :—The Customs at Gisborne is set down at £335. The Native Department is unchanged, except an increase in the salaries of assessors at Waiapu, Taupo, Poverty Bay, and Wairoa. Militia and Volunteer sub-storekeepers and drill instructors at Gisborne and Napier are done away with. Surveys on the East Coast (new), £lOOO. New billets —Private Secretary to Agent-General, £400; Chief Agent, Dublin, £400; several engineers, Ac.

In reply to Mr. Sheehan Mr. Vogel said that he had calculated the results of the new tariff as regards revenue, and found that the excess over the tariff of last year would not exceed £50,000. In reply to Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Vogel said that Government did not propose to afford an opportunity for general discussion on native policy. A long discussion ensued in committee on the Telegraph Cable Subsidy Ratification Bill; the debate was 1.-ft unfinished.

Daring the debate hot words took place between Mr. Vogel and Mr. Rolleston, the former telling the latter that he had not mastered the demeanor appropriate to Parliament. In the House the Premier stated, in reply to Mr. Thompson, that the information recently telegraphed, to the effect that Mr. Russell had made arrangements at Washington for a new Californian service, was not correct, but that, if the other colonies liked to join New Zealand in the matter, it was probable that a satisfactory contract could be arranged. Mr. Henry Russell alleges serious illness as the cause of his non-attendance in the Legislative Council. Mr. Burret, the stationer, has written to the Commissioner of Customs representing that the new tariff will shut up his establishment for the manufacture of account books.

The proposals of the Treasurer in the matter of Provincial borrowing, really mean that provinces can borrow what they please so long as the lender is satisfied with the security. In reply to Mr. O’Connor, Mr Vogel read an opinion of the Attorney-General to the effect that a seat in the council was not an office, and that the Disqualification Act did not apply. In reply to Mr. Wakefield, Mr. M'Lean said that Parata and Katene jrendered efficient service as menbers of the Executive, and received a salary of £3OO each. Mr. Steward moved for a committee to consider the constitution of the Volunteer force. Several members expressed their opinions that Volunteering in the South Island was a farce. The matter was referred to the Defence Committee.