BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Southland Times, Issue 1308, 16 September 1870, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

■Wellington, September 13. The G-overnnient, in order to avoid prolonging the session, brought down an amendment in the Public Works Loan Bill enabling the Government to^ negociate with the Imperial Treasury for the guaranteed million, and to give it any priority that may be found desirable. They also brought down a temporary Loin Bill authorising £500,000 to be borrowed at any rate of interest which may be fixed by the G-overnor in Council. This is intended for defence, telegraph extension, railway and water works surveys, North Island roads, purchase of Native land, and refund to ordinary revenue if the war lasts. No new extensive public works are to be undertaken, as it is quite possible that the House will be called together again soon if the war continues. The Government' would not dissolve the present House until everything was prepared for the new elections. Messrs Stafford and Richmond thought the sum named was too large, and advocated a short prorogation, so that, in case of emergency, the House could be readily re-assembled. . The Government expressed great, unwillingness to prorogue at all in the present, crisis, bufc believed it was quite impossible to keep the House together longer. Mr Stafford moved an amendment that the loan be £400,000; hut onMr Vogel's positively declining to accept the reduction, Mr Stafford ' declined the - responsibility of pressing the amendment to a division. ' Mr Fitzherbert supported the Governiment proposal. The Bill was then passed. Great anxiety is expressed here as to the probable effect the war will have upon the Colony. & large number of Bill3,includin^ the Public "Works, Otago Hundreds, University, Otago and Southland Union, Disqualification, and Ballot Bills have been assented to by the Governor. j The House agreed to reject the Legislative Council's modifications on the Eailway Bill. They would sooner lose it altogether. ; The Canterbury members protested against the adoption of the narrow gauge, as it would involve a loss to that province of £80,000. Parliament has been prorogued until the 11th October.