TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 947, 28 May 1881, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(from our own correspondents). Wellington, May 27. Ministers are reported to be preparing a Bill for the re-constitution of the Legislative Council on the basis of election by the House of Representatives, instead of nomination by the Government of the day. The latter is supposed to represent the will of the majority of the Lower House ; but under the new proposal a vacancy would be filled by a direct vote of the Lower House on motion after due notice in the ordinary way. The size of the Council, however, is to be limited to half the number of members of the Lower House, and any deficit is to be at once made good by election. At present, through the death of several Councillors and the retirement of Sir Dillon Bell, etc., there is a considerable deficit, which would thus be filled up by resolution of the House of Representatives, and each subsequent vacancy occurring is to be similarly treated. Under this system the Council could never exceed a standard strength, and no Government, therefore, could swamp an opposition by creating new “ Lords.” A death or resignation would be followed by an election by the Lower House, and this would be the only way an addition could be made to the Council. In addition to these new provisions as to the number of Councillors, and mode of election, there is a third dealing, with deadlocks, between the two chambers. The proposal in case of a deadlock is that should concurrence prove impossible to be obtained in one Session, both chambers should sit together next session, and decide the question by an absolute majority. Other measures said to be in process of production, are for facilitating the working and amalgamation of local bodies ; and for promoting the construction of important railways by private companies, or by grants of land.

The results of the census involve some slight modification of the Representation Bill; the increase in population being tolerably uniform. A feeling, however, seems to be growing against the arbitrary constitution of single State constituencies splitting up districts which have distinct community of interest, and in order to establish smaller constituencies which may be grouped irrespective of unity of interests. 1 understand the liabilities outstanding from last Financial year, about which so much fuss has been made by persons unacquainted with the facts, are rapidly diminishing, and almost disappearing. The £225,000 has diminished to £lBO,OOO, by £45,000 having been paid off. This has been still further reduced to under £160,000 by savings in expenditure. The balance of the Property Tax has since come in so well that the total net liabilities left outstanding at the 31st March, will, probably, be reduced to less than £lOO,OOO by arrears since accruing, and by a surplus of £260,000 on the land fund. The practical result is to demolish the ground taken up by those who have averred that 12 months’ receipts have been set against 11 months’ liabilities ; and that it is in this way the Treasurer ie able to make a favorable report. It is understood that the Government see their way to make both ends meet in the current year, without any need of additional taxation, which, therefore, is not likely to be proposed. The plan in regard to further retrenchment is not to deduct 10 per cent, from salaries, but to reduce the aggregate by one-tenth, and to re-adjust salaries according to circumstances, and by deducting five, terr, and twenty per cent., according to whether an officer is paid highly or the reverse. The reports circulated about special reductions in police pay are wholly unfounded. Auckland, May 27. The 3-masted schooner Policeman foundered off Ahipara, North Cape. All hands saved. Insurance £5OO in the New Zealand Office.