PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 244, 25 September 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Own Correspondent.] Legislative Council. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24. The Pharazyn Case. In the Legislative Council yesterday, the Colonial-Secretary stated it was not the intention of the Government to interfere in Mr. Pharazyn’s case, the Council itself having control over its own members. Second Readings. The Pensions Bill passed its second reading. Bill Referred Back. The Napier Harbor Bill was referred back to the local bills committee to hear the evidence of Mr. Kinross and other petitioners against the bill. House of Representatives. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25. Temporary Advance of Half a Million. In the House yesterday The Treasurer stated that arrangementshad been made with the Bank of New Zealand to obtain an advance of half a million, in anticipation of the million 1< an next year. First Readings. On the motion of Sir George Grey, a Bill to provide for the appointment of a Parliamentary Under-Secretary, and a Bill to provide that Justices of the Peace be elected by the people, was read a first time. The Financial Debate. Colonel Trimble resumed the financial debate, and spoke strongly in opposition to the proposals of the financial statement. Mr. J. S. McKenzie argued at considerable length that the proposals in the financial statement were calculated to advance the general prosperity of the colony. Mr. Montieth said the financial statement gave a pleasant view of matters, but he would prefer a statement which was more gloomy in the immediate present, and would teach the colony to keep within its revenue. Mr. Gillies said the Atkinson Government had had terrible work to pull up, and he gave them credit for what the had done. They had been unwise, however, in imposing the additional grain rate at the time they did. He objected strongly to the proposed reduction of the education vote, and hoped Government would replace it on the Estimates. The reduction of the Property Tax was not justified, and if a vote of the colony were taken he believed it would be in favor of the tax being restored. ' Mr. J. McKenzie eulogised the financial statement, and said it came as a surprise and relief to the colony. Mr. Ormond regretted the Treasurer’s proposal to reduce the education vote, and he thought the reduction of the Armed Constabulary unwise. In other respects he agreed with the Financial Statement, and would support it. With regard to local Government, he considered a radical change in the system was needed, and would like to see Government drop the idea of referring the matter to a Royal Commission. Hospitals, Charitable Aid, Education, Police, and Gaols should all be handed over to the local bodies, and the right way to provide those bodies with funds was by a Land Tax. If the Government brought down proposals such as those next session, and the House disagreed with them, Ministers would be entitled to ask that the country should be heard on their policy. Mr. Pyke said the number of local bodies in the Colony was very large, and Government made things worse by interfering with the duties of those bodies. Mr. Grigg said if Government did not modify some of their proposals, they would not long occupy the Treasury benches next session. Dr. Newman criticised the Fnancial Statement adversely. Mr. Beetham said, while strongly objecting to the present combination on the Treasury benches, he would not offer any factious opposition. The debate was continued for some time, and at 5 o’clock a.m. the motion for going into Committee of Supply was carried by 51 to 4. The House then rose.