PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 202, 5 September 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington; August 27Mb. Murray asked the Government what course they proposed to pursue to induce the Imperial Government to take measures to protect and encourage British commerce in Polynesia, or without involving any pecuniary liability on the Imperial Government to permit New Zealand alone, or in conjunction with one or more of the Australian Colonies, to deal with the question.

The Premier said the New Zealand Government had done all that rested with them at present. He did not think the other Australian Colonies looked upon the Polynesian trade with the same interest as New Zealand. He would assure the hon. member that the Government would continue carefully to watch over the question in future, so as to be prepared to act in conjunction with the Australian Colonies or otherwise. August 28. Something like a free fight ensued upon Mr. Gillies’ motion, as to how the million and a half was to be distributed as concessions to the provinces to prevent their opposition to the public works policy. A warm debate ensued, several members taking the oportunily to comment upon t4te whole policy, and upon the abolition of the provinces.

Ultimately the motion was negatived on the voices.

The Government passed the Bill providing for an advance of £60,000 for Otago, to be expended as the Superintendent and Executive directed.

Mr. J. L Gillies moved that a return be laid upon the tabic showing the distribution of tire million and a half stated by the Premier to have gone in concession to provinces to purchase support for the Public Works and Immigration policy. Mr. Vogel thought this was an attempt at a joke of the hon. member. Mr. J. L. Gillies : No, no.

Mr. Vogel said that year after year propositions had been made by private members, or representatives of provinces, which compelled the Minister for Public Works to deviate from his proposals so as to meet immediately tile views of provinces, and agree to construct works not originally contemplated. It had originally been intended also that certain blocks of land should be taken and made security for certain loans or advances, but that scheme had to be abandoned, and other plans fallen upon. It was also found that some gentlemen, after securing railways to their own districts, ceased to think any others were required, and the consequence was that, concessions were unavoidable. When they had nine provinces they had large pressure to meet, but when they had only four provinces there would less than one half the pressure. The hon. member, Mr. J. L. Gillies, when he considered those things, would be able easily Io ascertain how the million and a half went. Did not the hon. member for Avon agree to an expenditure of £500,000 for land in the North, for the express purpose of saving the land fund of the South from being made security for railway loans? (Hear, hear.) The combinations nine provinces were able t o make were too many for the General Government to contend against, and the proof was contained in the Provincial Loans Bill. If the hon. member examained the whole of the accounts of the ten million loan, for himself, he would find no difficulty in finding out how the million and a half had gone. He thanked the hon. member for the opportunity of adding another chapter to the history of those colonial matters which justified the recent policy of the Government with reference to the provinces.

August 29. The Governor will not assent to Bills till three copies each are printed on parchment. He does not leave the colony till December.

September 1. Mr. Vogel announced in the house that Mr. T. Russell, at the request of the Government, would shortly proceed to Sydney to re-arrange the Californian Mail Service.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT. THE governor's SPEECH. Wellington, August 31. Parliament was prorogued this afternoon. The Governor made the following speech :— Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—

I have to thank you for the attention which you have paid to the discharge of your onerous duties during the short but very arduous session, which I am now about to terminate.

As this is the last occasion upon which I shall have the honor of addressing you from this place, I desire to assure you that in resigning the high office which I have held but for a short term, I am deeply sensible of the constant courtesy and consideration which has been shown to me by all with whom I have been brought into contact, whether in official or private relations, and that in returning to a private station at home, I shall retain a deep interest in the welfare of this most promising community, and I shall deem it not less my privilege than duty to serve its interests in so far as my humble means and opportunities may enable me.

1 anticipate great benefit to the colony from the State Forests Act, which you passed, providing as it does for setting apart forests which will not only be of use in maintaining the future industries of the colony, but which may be expected to have beneficial effects on the climate, and upon the productiveness of its lands. Providing, as this Act does, machinery for the establishment of State forests, I am not disposed to regret a short delay in determining the actual positions of forests. You have unmistakably commended the colony to the establishment of State forests, and it will be your duty to see that adequate lands are provided for them, from which sufficient, revenue will be obtainable to do justice to your intentions.

You have passed many measures this session which will materially aid in carrying on the public service of the colony, and remedying the defects which experience has proved to exist.

I regret the length of the session did not enable you to deal with the question of promoting commercial intercourse with Polynesia. It is one which I hope will have your careful consideration, and it will be the duty of my advisers to bear in mind the large interest, which New Zealand has in the subject, with a view of bringing it before you on a future occasion.

The attention of my advisers will be earnestly given to further continuing public works, promoting immigration, the re-establish-ment of the Californian mail packet service, in conjunction with New South Wales, and giving effect to the provisions you have made for the public service, and it will be the care of my advisers to administer them with the utmost economy consistent with efficiency. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,—

This session will be memorable for the decisive step which has been taken in the direction of abolishing the form of Provincial Government in the North Island. The opinion of the House of Representatives has been expressed by a large majority which voted in favor of the resolution, whilst the debates in the Legislative Council have left no room to doubt that that Chamber is also favorable to the proposed policy. For some years past there has grown up a belief that the provincial system in this island does not really afford

that amount of local government which the people desire. The decision arrived at is memorable, also, for the desire which the Legislature manifests that the land fund of the colony should bo applied to suitable purposes, and as far as possible, be localised. That decision must effectually do away with the apprehension, in aiiy part of the country, that the change in the provincial system would mean the absorption of the land fund in opposition to the opinions expressed upon the subject, which have been confirmed during a long course of years. I hope the Provincial Governments in the North Island, loyally recognising the decision of the House of Representatives, will, during the recess, exert themselves to the utmost to so manage the affairs of the provinces as to enable the projected change to be effected next year, with the least possible inconvenience, I am glad to be able to continue to remind you of the increasing prosperity'of the colony and hope the success which has attended your past efforts will, under the blessing of Divine Providence, continue to be manifested in future, and. that you will live to see the result in New Zealand becoming the home of a large, prosperous, and contented population.