THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1780, 15 August 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) ■«» Wellington, August 12. In the House to-day, in reply to Mr M'GHa9han, the Native Minister said that the delay in the issue of Crown grants in Otago had been caused by the grantees. The local officers bad received orders to issue notices to the parties interested. In reply to Mr . Mervyn, the Minister for Public Works stated that it was not the intention of the Q-overnment to recommend the construction of branch railways from Lawrence to Roxburgh, and from Falmerstou to Waihemo.

The Provincial Loans Empowering Bill has been read a first time. Mr Yogel, in moving the second reading of the Tariff Bill, said there was a misconception throughout the country regarding the new tariff. The Government would ask the House to sanction a uniform ad valorem tariff of 10 per cent. and pass the Bill through all its stages ; but the Government proposed to exempt certain articles, such as lead, copper, brass, iron in pi^s and bars, sheet iron, and paper, not leas than demy size. Mr Rolleston said the ad valorem system would encourage fraud. Mr Stafford said the ad valorem sys. ; tern would encourage the importation of inferior goods. 1 ocal industries should be fostered, and certain common agricultural implements should be admitted free. Mr Beynolds snid the mercantile community waa mistaken regarding the effect of the new tariff ; that consumers would prevent the importation of inferior goods, and that the new tariff was expected to produce only from £10,000 to £12,000 additional revenue. Mr Pearce suggested time for the consideration of the Bill. Mr Reader Wood opposed the Bill in its present state. Mr Hunter said the best plan would be to place the tariff upon a few simple articles, and admit others free. Mr Shepherd (Otago); said the objections to the tariff were from traders, and not from the consumers. The debate was adjourned. Mr Yogel announced that the Government had withdrawn the Electoral Bills, and would next session bring in others abolishing miners' rights qualifications, and substituting manhood suffrage, with registration and education qualifications. In the Upper House, a communication was receivevl from the Governor exonerating the Hon. Mr Lahinan, of Westland, for non-attendance at the Council. The Hon. Dr Menzies considered him guilty of contempt for not attending to the call of the Council. August 13. In the House of Representatives last night, Mr Fifzherbert spoke for four hours, and characterised the financial statement as chaotic, and a proof that the Government had no mind or policy. Credit was taken where none was due. The making of the loan 4 per cent, was really expensi% eto the Colony. He condemned the system of putting Colonial loans on the Australian market, as damaging to the credit of the Colony in England. The proposals in the statement were a reversal of the policy of 1871, but there was no sincerity in them. The powers proposed to be conferred on the Provinces to borrow were couched with such restrictions that they could not do so except at ruinous rates. Regarding the public works, the Colony had received little for the money spent. The proposal could be summed up as one to grab all the land, the provisions aa to the provinces giving double the amount of land as security for railways being alarming. The result would be that all the land would be locked up in the Government's hands, and would not bo settled. It was remarkable that the statement contained only one cold paragraph on the subject of immigration. The Government had failed in the work of settlement. If the proposals were carried out they mi^ht make a trunk railway, but no roads, bridges, or local works, and there would be no settlement. Without that the Colony would be dead. Mr Yogel replied briefly. The House then agreed to go into committee to pass the tariff through one formal stage. In reply to Mr Pearce, Mr Yogel said he thought the Government might consider proposal to reduce the duty on some articles to 5 per cent., yet he thought the duty should be uniform. In the House of Representatives today, the debate was resumed on the Tariff Bill, when Messrs Murray, Gillies, and Johnston opposed, til© Bill, and MV Hunter supported it. Mr Shepherd said the new tariff was not necessary, and desired more information. Mr Outhbertson supported the Bill. Mr Stafford said the Government were not working fairly. He would divide the House in favor of a reduction on certain articles. Mr Parker (Nelson) wanted more information. Mr Reader Wood opposed the Bill. Mr Brandon advocated a reduction of the new tariff. Mr Kolleston opposed the tariff on the ground that capital would press heavily on the consumers. Mr Yogel accused the Opposition of ignorance regarding the results under the new tariff. Consumers, especially working men, were well able to pay. The warehousemen were active, but not unselfish. Their figures showed that the new tariff would yield an increase of £90,000. The new tariff was notdesigned to increase the revenue, and the Government would press the Bill. August 14. In the Legislative Council to-day,' the Hon. Dr Pollen, in reply to the Hon. Mr Peacock, said that the Government would shortly take steps to remove the wreck of the brig Australia, now lying off Cape Campbell. On a motion by the Hon. Captain Fraser, for the appointment of a committee to enquire into the Governor's answer in the Hon. Mr Lahman's case, the Hon. Mr Waterhouse strongly defended the Hon. Mr Lahman, and said he believed him innocent. He charged certain members with entertaining an animus against the Hon. Mr Lahman on account of bis social position. The debate on the motion for the reconstruction of the Council was resumed, when the motion was negatived by 19 to 12. 8 p.m. The House is now discussing Mt Johnston's amendment to the Tariff Bill, reducing the duty to 7£ per cent. It is, generally expected tbat the Government proposal of 10 per cent, will be carried.