THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1797, 23 September 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(Jit: jsijauTSiu imußHd-as.tr a..} Wellington, September 19. Forty-seven members of the House of Representatives met at Mr Vogel's caucus to-day, and forty-four pledged themselves to support tbe Government in their present action. It was also decided to send up a Provincial Loan Bill separately, retaining all the principal features of the former Bill, but striking out the rating clauses. The intention is to test the question whether the Upper House will allow the Provinces to borrow. If the " Lords" will not support" this, the Government will introduce a property tax, rating all descriptions of property, and will ©udeavor to raise further loans oa the security of the property tax. Property under £500 will be excluded. If the Upper House rejects the Government measures, the Government will appeal to the Home Government for power to reconstruct the Legislative Council. In reply to a question, the Minister for Immigration said if, on enquiry, the charges against the local agent at Belfast were substantiated, he should be superseded. The consideration of the remittance of Webb and Holladay's penalties was postponed till Tuesday. The Commissioner of Crown Lands Act, 1866, Amendment Bill, was read a second time. The report of the committee on Ministers' salaries recommended limiting the number of Ministers to six, and Mr Tolmie gave notice that he would introduce a Bill accordingly. September 20. The Bill proposed by the committee of the House makes the Premier's salary £1750, and that of other Ministers, limited to six, £1250 each, with £150 for house allowance, and two guineas per day for travelling expensea. In the House last night, the CrownLands Act, 1866, Amendment Bill, and the Henri Tareha Matangi Grant Validation Bill were read a second time, committed, and read a third time. The Commisioners of Crown Lands Act, 1866, Amendment Bill, removing the disqualification preventing the Secretary of Lands from sitting in the House, passed through committee with an amendment providing that the Secretaryship should be held by a Minister. The Immigrants Land Bill was read a second time. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Murray moved that a. radical change was required in the administration of the immigration scheme, but after discussion, the motion was withdrawn. The Estimates were then further proceeded with, and the items under | Miscellaneous, Militia and Volunteers, I and Charges on Defence Loan passed. September 22. In the House to-day there was a long discussion as to whether the number, functions, and salaries of Ministers ehould be decided by the House. The Premier suggested that there should be pensions for Ministers. Evenbually the House went into committee to consider an address to the Governor asking him to send down a measure increasing the salaries of Ministers, and a resolution, to that effect was carried.