PARLIAMENT. Wellington, June 20.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 56, 28 June 1884, Page 3

PARLIAMENT. Wellington, June 20.

Great interest was taken in the proceedings of iho House last evening, the galleries being crowded with an interested audience. Thero was a full Houso, over 90 members being present. The iirst and second orders of the day were the second readings of tho Pensions Bill and Anatomy Act Amendment Bill, but the members in charge of them, Messrs Shrimski and Fulton, agreed to thoir postponement, when Major Atkinson moved that the House go into Committee of Supply.

The Dissolution. Mr O'Callaghan then rose and moved the aracudment telegraphed to you yesterday, and in the course of his speech he argued that the Government should have recommended that Mr Steward be sent for. Ministers were occupying their seats against the will of the House, and the design of the amendment was to protest against the action of the Government and to throw the blame on them of putting the country to the expense of two sessions, and preventing the passing of measures desired by the country. This side of the House should have been exhausted beforo the dissolution was recommended. He admitted that the Opposition was disunited, but said that was a chronic stato of all Oppositions. He said the curt statement of Major Atkinson, in announcing the Governor's intention, had induced him as much as anything to consent to propose the amendment. Ho had expected a full statement of the Ministerial interview wfth the Governor. He had been entrusted -\\ ith the amendment as the Chairman of meetings of the Opposition. Mr Macand re w seconded the amendment. He said that tho action of the Government had placed the House in a humiliating situation. He believed that three or four Ministries could be formed. He thought there was no use discussing tho matter. Let them go to the vote at once. Mr Seddon said that he would be quite willing to give a silent vote on tho question, but he*knew that if they were silent, Major Atkinson, having the right to speak last, would endeavour to show to the country that the line of action taken by the Opposition was wrong. He then proceeded to attxick the adminibtratoiu of Government, especially in keeping the murderer O'Donoghue in suspense as to his fate for a month; also with tampering with justice by sending Dr. Graham, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, to Hokitika to decide regarding the murderer's sanity. He proceeded to accuse Major Atkinson of wilfully misrepresenting the state of the finances in 1579. If a dissolution took place now, all public works would have to stop for four or five months, which would greatly intensify the distress existing amongst the working classes. Reference was made to the pressing necessity of legislation ith respect to elective land boards. If members on this side of the House were on the Treasury benches they would have swept away freehold qualifications and increased the franchise by giving the leaseholder a vote. He accused the Minister of Mines of .strangling the industry, and in concluding lie said it was wrong that it should be put forth to the country that the Opposition •could not form a Ministry ; but he did not blame the Queen's representative as much as Ministers. He said it was nonsense to speak of Liberals and Conservatives in Kew Zealand. It was rich and poor against the middle and poorer classes, and the people of New Zealand should see that wealth was not unduly represented on these benches. Mr Munro said much as he regretted the defeat of the Government, he thought, outside party grounds, the Government should have recommended the Go\ornor to send for the Opposition, and leave to them the responsibility of carrying on the government of the country Mr Moss said he did not intend to support the Opposition on this occasion, and desired to explain his grounds. When the nvant-of-confidence motion uas brought down, he was a supporter of the Opposition, which, though called divided, -worked together when any great question arose. He regretted to say that during the proceedings of this session lie had from the first recorded his dissent, as he considered the real purpose by which they were moved was not for the public good, but because they had been joined by seceders from the Government who had a grievance against the Ministry, and wished to make use of the Opposition for putting aside the leaders they had followed in this case. It was the tail that wagged the dog, not the dog that wagged the tail. It was to oust the Government on ihe understanding that there was to be|a dissolution, and he shortly afterwards folJowed the member of Hasvke's Bay into the lobby in the support of the motion that a dis solution was desirable. Was he to go into niie lobby now and *ay a dissolution was jnofc desirable? He thought Government have been defeated on their measures if the Houses disagreed with them, but the of the no-confidence motion on the girst Tuesday of the session he considered unworthy of the Opposition. He regarded the Governor's action as a recognition of the riffht? of the House to make a recommendation through his responsible advisers, which the Governor was bound to follow. He did not place much reliance on English precedents, as he did not think they exactly suited the case of the colony. He <a<ioted, however, an instance of dissolution iandier circumstances that he considered analogous to our present condition. He I bailed ihe Governor's action as a mere eeeuring of the liberties of the country, and a recognition of the privileges of the House. Another aspect had occurred to him. Ministers had a twofold duty to perform— a duty to the House and a duty to His Excellency. That he would not be led into the difficulties of the position, he would vote on this occasion with considerable pun ; and in conclusion said that the petty triumph over the Government was not wortfc the breaking up of a great party. He hoped that next session the party would be reunited and strong— that is, if he read the signs of the times aright. A strong party would be necessary to carry out tho democratic measures for which they had fought so long, Mr Sutton spoke on the amendment, pointing out that the distinct object of the mover of the no-confidence motion was ft dissolution, and characterised the present proceedings as the " most indecent portfolio fmnl ;; that had ever taken place in the Mr Wakefteld admitted that the object of the no-confidence motion was to precipitate a dissolution, and with the present Ministry on the benches the Opposition would have been justified in voting to stop supply, but the middle course proposed by Mr O'Callaghan would have no practical result. He would be compelled to vote against it. Mr Joyce said he would support tho amendment. Mr Fish made an attack on Mr Wakefield, whom he accused of speaking on both Hides of the House and voting in the middle. fie would sooner have Mr Wakefield as a foe than a friend, as he couldn't endure a

I false friend, and he hoped that it liO (Mr Fish) was in tho Houso next, Parliament, ho i would not be on tho samo sido of tho Houso as Mr Wakeiield. Captain McKenzio spoke at somo length and with some warmth on the action of the Opposition in seeking to displace the Government and appealing to the country before legislation, somo of which was, urgently needed, was accomplished. Mr McDonald, the longest member in tho Houso, admitted ho was in a fog, but seemed very clear in his opinion that if a dissolution was necessary, it ay as also nocessary that tho country should be in possession of the contending parties. Major Harris justified tho action of tho Opposition in desiring to force tho amendment. Mr O'Callaghan thought they should have attempted some legislation, perhaps such as tho measure dealing with electoral reform, but it appeared that a dissolution was imminent, tho doctors avoic to be faced, and it was possible ho was now addressing the Houso for the last time. lie knew Government would oppose him at the elections. They had dono so upon the last occasion, and that in a most barefaced manner If the present Government were to have the manipulation of the elections, ho hoped thoy would manipulate them honestly. If they wore not honest, it was probable he would not have another opportunity of speaking to that House, for which members would of courso be sorry. (Laughter). Major Atkinson averred that the Opposi- j tion could not possibly carry measures if they occupied the Treasury benches, and the amendment re want- of -confidence in the Government would never have heen carried had it not been understood that a dissolution was what was wanted by the j House. Tho present action was only a dis- j creditable attempt to secure control of the j forthcoming elections. Ho twitted the j Opposition on the continued disorganised j condition of the Opposition. After what transpired in 1579, he would always do hi> best to prevent the lion, gentlemen who then occupied the Treasury benches from again manipulating the elections. Ho quoted from a memorandum from Sir Oeo. Grey to Loid Kormanby in 1877, in which it >\ as urged that at that time the House mas split into small sections and parties, and the situation was very much as now, and which claimed that the Governor should not exercise any individual responsibility, but unreservedly grant the request of his adviseis. He denied that he had told the Governor that the Opposition could nut form a Ministry. He believed in the old saying that theie were as many good fish in the sea as ever were caught, but ho also believed in the saying that it wat> hard to catch them. He twitted the Opposition on their want of unity, and their inability to fix up a policy. He'dM not caic -whether an amendment was carried or not, but he deplored tho \\ aste of time. Mr Shrimski supported the amendment. Mr Montgomery replied to the Premier, saying that -fv'hen Major Atkinson wss in Opposition Mr Sheehan frequently charted good naturedly the Opposition on their disunited character. He traced the, history of the last few sessions, showing that Major Atkinson had never been a leader. During the past three sessions he had followed Sir John Hall and Sir F. Whitaker (whom he complimented as possessing the greatest intellect in the colony), an. l when the lastnamed gentleman retired, Major Atkinson Found a majority of the J louse against him. Referring to tho matter of dissolution, he xskedwhat Government wished to go to the country over. Had they any right to expect that the country would decide in ■avour of them > Did the meetings at Dunedin, Christchurcb, or Wanganui favour bhal idea ? Colonel Trimble twitted Mr Montgomery ivith neglecting to state his policy, and dared him to deny that he had advocated Lhc financial separation of the two islands. He said the Government would go to the country on their public works, finance, and their native policy ; and in connection with the latter, said that the Native OJlicc now a\ as to w hat it -was a year or two ago as heaven to hell. Mr I'etrie attacked the public works administration. At 12/20 the debate came to an end, and tho Hou^e divided on the question that the House go into Committee of Supply, with the following result :— Ayes, 37 ; noes, 37. The following is the division list:— Aye^: Allwright, Atkinson, Beetham, Bryce, \\\ C. Buchanan, Conolly, Dick, Dodson, Fit/Gerald, Fulton, J. Green, M. W. Greun, Hamlin, Kobbs, Hurst, Hurathome, C. J. Johnston, W. W. Johnston, Kelly, F. W. Mackenzie, Macmillan, Mitchelson, Moss, Munro, Newman, Peacock, Postlethwaite, Rolleston, Stevens, Sutter, Sutton, Swanson 11. Thomson, Trimble, Watt, Wilson, WynnWilliams. Noes : Barron, Bracken, Bathgate, J. C. Brown, Caclman, Daniel, Dargaville, Duncan, Feldwick, G. Fish, George Grey, Harris, Hutchison, Ivess, Joyce, Macandrew, Macdonald, J. McKcime, Montgomery, O'Callaghan, Pearson, Petric, Pilliet, Scddon, Sheehan, Shephard, Shrimski, Smith, Steward, Taiaroa, Tawhai, J. \V. Thomson. Tole, Tomoana, Turnbull, W. White, Pairs: Ayes, J.E. Brown, Mason, Mcllwraith. Noes : Morris, Pyke, Holmes. The Speaker thus being called on to decide, gave his casting vote with the ayes. The Hoube having gone into Committee of Supply, Major Atkinson moved that the Committee report progress, and ask leave to sit again. The Hou&e adjourned till 2.30 on Friday.

Malting Small Potatoes of Mr Montgomery. Colonel Trimble, who is usually the very quintessence of dry decorum and portly precision, told a funny story in the House last night at the expense of Mr Montgomery, whose countenance (it must be related to point the story) wears an habitual expression of owlish wisdom. Colonel Trimble said that Mr Montgomery reminded him of a very wise looking man at a dinner party. The gentlemen present stuiTed good things into him, and the more they did so the wise-looking grew the wise man, who kept the strickest silence, and those present were much charmed with his apparent wisdom. At last some very fine potatoes wore presented him, and the wiselooking individual said—" Them's the jocks for me ;" this illiterate romark of course dispelling the illusion. Mr Petrie capped it. He said— "The hon. member for Taranaki has referred to potatoes. Perhaps the idea was borrowed from Te Whiti's remark — 'the potato is cooked,' only in this case it was the Government that was the potato that was cooked."

I Keeping Back Despatches. It is hinted that Government have some reason for keeping back the despatches that have passed between the Governor and the Secretary of State for the Colonies during the recess, these papers being generally laid on the table the first day of every session. Mr Hobbs presided at the annual meeting of the Wesleyan Foreign Missions, and Hone Tawhai was one of the speakers.

§an Francisco Mail Service. From papers regarding the 'Frisco mail, laid on the table of fcbe Houso yesterday, it appears that the additional clause inserted in the new agreement is as follows.:—C lause 15: The contractors * will endeavour to obtain from the Govern-

mont of Iho United States, or from othor sources, a contribution on account ot tho amount payablo under this contract tor carrying the said mails from Sydney to ban Francisco, and from San Francisco to Sydney, and from Auckland to San Francisco, and from San Francisco to AuckJancl, equal to one-third of tho total amount ot monoys payable hereundor for such services ; and it is hereby expressly agreed that if any such contribution shall be obtained as aforesaid, it shall bo applied and go in reduction of the payments to bo made under tho contract, and that as between the Postmastor-Geucval ot New South Wales and the Postmaster General of New Zealand such reduction shall be divided equally between them in respect of the payments agreed to be maclo under this contract ; and it is horeby also oxprcssly declared and agreed betweon the several parties hereto that, if the contractors shall not succeed in obtaining such contribution as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for tho Postmaster-lioncval of New South Wales to withdraw from this agreement at the end of twelve calendar [ months from said twenty-ninth day ot November, one thousand eight hundred and eighty three, on giving three months' previous notice to the contractor? of his desire so to do, and that the service of such notice upon tho contractor shall bo deemed and taken to have been sufficiently mado if tho same is left with agents for tho time being of said contractors in New South Wales, provided that immediately upon such notice being served on tho contractors as aforesaid theyshall cause a copy thereof to be forwarded to tho Postmaster-General of New Zealand for his information. Grants for Roads and Bridges.

Mount Roskill Railway Bridge. Government having received a (telegram that there was another narrow escape from accident at tho JMount Iloskill lo\ol railway crossing, Hon. Mr Mitchelson has to-day instiuctecl the Auckland Kail \uiy authorities to proceed at once uith the erection of a, bridge over the railway at a co.^fc of £1,250. The work a\ ill bo done under Mr Coom's direction.

The Vacant Seat in the Cabinet. Government ha\c abandoned their intention of iilling up tho vacant scat in the Executive.

Gum Digging Leases. Mr D. A. Tole has talegraphed to Government stating that, the agitation in Auckland re gum lenses is caused by misstatement in the " Herald." He points out that the Board do not wish power for leasing larger areas.

The Course of Businoss. So far as I can learn, i c Opposition have no intention of again intercepting Supply. If this is so, the Financial Statement will be brought down this afternoon. WjXLrv.'Tov, Junc-1.

Departure of Members. It i? understood that a large number of Northern members will leave by steamer tomoirow, and thoso from tho South on Monday.

Tno Financial Statement Criticised. The financial statement is condemned as incorrect and insincere. Whilst professing to f-how the finances of the country in a hopeful condition, it actually disolos-es Hie fact that betorc the end of September no le-%s a sum than LBOO,OOO will be required, and nothing is said w here it is to come from.

Railway Bridges at Kmgsland and Mount Albert. Mr Tole has been mging on ("Government the necessity of constructing ft crossing over the railway at Kingsland and Mount Albert-, but the answer Is that there is no money available. The Minister of hashovevci, directed an estimate of the cost to be prepared uith a view to performing the w ork at an early date.

The Honorarium Question. In the House yesterday afternoon Mr Holmes gave notice that the J louse do not %oto more than £50 honorarium to each member for this session. He then asked the .Premier if the Government would facilitate the matter to the attainment of that end, and the I'remicr thought it would be a matter f<r- the House to decide, but would make a proposal to reduce the honorarium by one-half this session. Mr Moss rose, and said it would bo an improper thing to reduce tho honorarium, but he asked if the Government intended to make the honorarium an annual instead of scssiona' one, to prevent two honorariums being paid in one year. Major Atkinson taid that they had no intention of bringing down unnecessary measures this session. In reply to Mr Shaw, Major Atkinson , said Government did not intend to bring in a bill altering tho duration of parliament?. i After an angry passage-at-arms on the vsubject of West Coast Education Jioard, Major Atkinson moved the House into Committee of Supply, and proceeded to deliver the Financial Statement. The delivery occupied one hour. We give a summary of the Statement: —

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. In the outset the Statement deplores the fact of the deiicit, and proceeds :— The total expenditure tor the financial year ending the 31&t of March, 1884, was estimated at L3,G(i1,497. Of this amount, L 1,645,694, 645,694 was required for interest and sinking fund, and for the Civil list and other charges under permanent Acts, and L 2,015,592 for the services for which annual provision is made by Parliament. The sums voted on the supplementary estimates, however, increased tho annual appropriation to I L2,04U,360. This sum, therefore, with the estimated charges under permanent Acts, amounting to 1.1,054,694, gave L3,C86,054 as the total appropriations for the year. The total actual expenditure on this account during the year proved to bo L 3,681,320,, 681,320, being L 4,734 less than the estimated amount. The payments under permanent Acts were L 506 in excess of the estimates, and thos? under the votes of the year were L 52,041 within tho amount authorised. These are the net results. During the year ISS2-83 tho total expenditure out of the ordinary revenue amounted to L 3,638,384, as against L3,G81,3?0 expended last year, the expenditure of 1883-84 beine, therefore, greater than that of 1882-83 by about L.43,000. The classes of expenditure mainly accountable for this increase are education, L 12.29 0; and railways, 1.53,700, but a saving of L 39.200 was effected in the constabulary and defence servicos. The liabilities of this account on the 31st March, 1884, were estimated at LI 66, 757, being L 8,773 less than the amount outstanding on the 31st March, 1883. Tho ordinary revenue of the year 1883-4, ]

that is, the revenue exclusive of the receipts from land sales, was estimated in the financial statement, 1883, at 1.3,573,900. The subsequent incroaso, howevor, in the property tax of ono farthing in tho L brought up the estimate to L3,GoS,SOO. Tho actual amount of ordinary revenues received and brought to occount by the Treasury during the year was L 3,493,659,, 493,659, being thus L1G0,141 undor the estimated amount. The main branches of rovenuo in which the ostimated receipts have not been realised aro Customs and railways. In Customs the amount rccoived was L 123,313 short of the estimated amount, A\hich was L 1,520,000. In railways tho amount estimated to be received was L 1,020,000,, 020,000, but tno amount brought to account proved to be L 963,117, being thus L 56,881 undor tho estimate. The estimated revenue during the year from sales of land was L 275,60 0; the actual receipts proved to be L 232,545, being L 43,055 under the estimated amount. Tho | rovenuo derived from cash .sales was L1G3,755, and from sales on deferred payments L 75.757. On tho 31st March, tho gross public dobt of the colony amounted to L32,3G7>711, and tho accrued sinking funds to L 2.702,508. Tho net public debt was therefore L 29,574,903. Of this sum, however, thoro remained unexpended, LS97/Jl2. During the year there has also been raised the second L 1,000,000, 000,000 of tho loan of thiee millions authorised in ISS2, together with the L 250.000 authorised by tho Colonial Inscribed Stock Loan Act, 18S2. Tho debt has further been increased to tho extent probably of L16J,300 by tho conversion of a largo amount of 4£ and 5 per cent, five - thirty debentures into 4 per cent, inscribed stock at the Bank of England. These increases of tho public debt, amounting to L 1,411,300,, 411, 300, added to L 25,354,551, give a total of L 29 ,723,881. For tho yeai oik ling 31st March last, Parliament voted out of tho Public Works Fund L'2, 0M, 757 r exclusive of tho voto for lam! purchase. L 77,000. Tho actual e.\penditiuo was L 1,278,710, 278,710 euclusive of the expenditure for land purchase, amounting to [„24,480, and also exclusive of tho expenditure under tho I loads and Bridges Consti notion Act, 3582, amounting to LIOG.3OS. Tho chief items of expenditure ucrc : Railway's, LGGI,S4G ; roads, L 222,213; public buildings, L1(J4,;J75 ; cmigmtiou, L 107.011 ; other services, L 123,20-. The liabilities outstanding at tho end of the year, exclusive of those for land purchase, amounted to L 997,443, which, added to the sum expended, L 1,278,710,, 278,710, gives ,a total of L2,27G,153, as against L2,01J,737 \olcd for the year. The land purchase liabilities an 31st March, as show n by tho return laid upon the table of tho House according to law, amounted to L 253,400, as against L309,2!)9 shown at the conclusion of the previous year, but as hon. members aie au arc, only L 200,000 was set apart under the Three Million Loan Act, 18S2, for tho purchase of nativo land, the Hou^o having approved of the abandonment of such of the proposed purchases as the Govcrnmontdidnot thinkitdesirableto proceed with. Out of L 300,203 standing to the credit of the fund availablo under the Roads and Biidgcs Construction Act, L10G,39S has been expended. Of this, L59,49b" was on account of main roads, and L1G,902 on account of district roads. The liabilities outstanding on the main roads accounts are L 100,483, and upon the district road account L 43,777. The balance of the Public Works Fund remaining unexpended on the 31st of March last, including the balance — L 359,000 i — of the second instalmenfcoftheloanoflBB2, not thun received, amounted to £577,912. After alluding at length to the subject of railwiy construction and expenditure, the Treasurer goes on to say that he would ask tho authoiity of Parliament to issue Lloo,ooo deficiency bills to provide for the deficiency in tho Consolidated Fund to the 3ls>fc Match hist. These bills will bo in addition to the L 400.000 at present authorised to be raised in temporary aid of tho revenue. From the experience of last year, lie 6a;y & t hat HOO,OOO of deficiency bills arc barely sufficient to carry on tho public service without tho risk of incurring serious dillicultics. These difficulties arise chieily from our having to pay at certain periods of t.ho year Jaigesums for interest and sinking funds before the consolidated revenue has accumulated sufficiently to meet the necessary payments. The revenue comes in irregularly from Customs and railway?, and especially from the property tax, which is collected only once or twice a year, lie proposes therefore, upon the present occasion, i\f, the property tax cannot be collected within the current halt-year, to ask for further oower to issue deficiency bills to the extent' of L 50.000. "With this additional amount of ways and means, and if the llou.se sees fit to giant authority to raising tho extra Ll 50,000 of deficiency bills to meet the deficit in last year's revenue, there will bo no difficulty in making all nccessaiy payments until the meeting of the now Parliament. Referring to tho depression, tho Treasurer says : —It docs not arise to any appreciable extent either from defective laws or errors of administration on tho part of the Government. It does not arise from the withdrawal ot capital or from the distrust of capitalists. There is no sign of such distrust anywhere. Capital can now be obtained in any amount, and upon reasonable terms, for any undertaking whichwill give a fair return for tho outlay incuried. Capital has not, as a matter of fact, been driven from our shores, cither by our system of direct taxation, or by the nature of our land laws, or by any other cause. Far more capital has flowed into the colony duiing tho last three years than in any equal period of our history. Nor does the depression arise from the large amount of interest we have to pay upon our public debt and private borrowing. Wo can pay with easo all the interest wo havo undertaken to pay, because the employment of tho borrowed capital has enabled, and is enabling, us to produce far more than the share our sleeping partners draw in the way of interest, and this must be evident to anyone who will look at the amount of our exports, and remember that this is the surplus affcor our population has supplied itself with all thechief necessaries of life, and especially when the enormous direct advantage to the producors, which accrues from the community, is at least two millions per year. The statement proceeds to state the causes of the depression in language similar to that employed by Major Atkinson in his recont public addresses. It closes thus -.--Had it fallen to my lot to have submitted a complete budget for tho current year, my proposals would not have necessitated my asking Parliament for any increased taxation for the purpose of carrying on the services of the year, as I saw my way to make both ends meet, with a fair margin for contingencies, by means of reforms under the proposals for the reform of the Civil Service, which the Government have had under consideration, by the savings which would have been effected under our hospital and charitable aid proposals, and by the savings upon other votes to which we should have by the action of the House given effect. I would point owt that within six months after the Hall Government took office, which it did in October, 1880, the Govemmont had to face a deficit of one million sterling upon the ordinary revenue, a deficit which was in 1882 converted into a surplus, while the same year the taxation of the colony was largely reduced. The present deficit \is to be regretted, but it is certainly not a

matter about which wo need have any anxiety. It can be provided for without unduly burdening any class of the community. Moreover, our credit never stood higher than it doos in London at the present timo. Our last LlO,OOO 4 per-cent. loan realised no less than LlOO 6s 6d per cen^ Wo have, so far as my judgment goes nothing in our presont circumstances to dishoarton ua— nothing but what should nerve us to renew our exertions with the certainty that great prosperity will again reward our efforts. At the conclusion Mr DargaviUe said it was inexpedient to proceed with the debate on the statement before membeid had time to consider it. Ho moved that tho Committee report progress and atk leavo to sit again. Mr Thomson (Clutha) said that a3 it was only a quarter to five, and the ordinary timo of adjournment was, 5.30 they thoukl not waste time, and ho proposed having his littlo say now. He stigmatised the statement as an electioneering manifesto, and asserted his belief that the deficit would be found to bo more than L 150.000. Ho reminded Major Atkinson that last session ho had been cautioned that he Avas estimating the Customs revenue too high, as tho colony was then over-importing, and ho found that the Premier had over-estimated ! tho Customs revenue by L 123,000, and the railway receipts by L5o',000 ; indeed, altogether, the revenue had been over-estimated by L 205,000. The Premier should be ashamed of this ; but despite his knowledge that the revonue was not coming up to the estimates, the expenses were LI SO, 000 move than the revenue of the year, and this despite the fact that they commenced the yoar with a feuiplus of L 30,000, The unauthorised expenditure amounted to L6!),000, so that adding the unauthorised expenditure to the deficit, they had ponded L 240,000 more thau they had received, or for every 2s they received they had expended 2s ]d. He insinuated that Government had held over th« accounts until after the e.\piry of tho financial year so that tho defieil would appear smaller than it really was. He spoke on till the 5.,".0 I adjournment, and on the House resuming at 7.00, continued his animadversions on tho financial administration of the (Government. Mr DargaviUe said that the Committee played in debating- the subject before they had timo to consider the matter, but as it appeared their intention to proceed with the debate, he would ventuio to offer a few obfccivatious that had occurred to him The first matter was in regard to colonial inscribed stock. In ISS2 the House issued a quarter of a million of colonial inscribed stock, it being represented by Government that it would be an advantageous means of investment for persons residing in the colony, the proceeds to bo paid into the .Public Works Func 1 . The loan was to bo disposed of gradually for the benefit of the public. At the time he took exception to the proposal, pointing out that it could not be but prejudicial to the colony, but so plausibly wos the matter submitted that the House was induced to authorise it. But what did they iind now ? Last year they "\\ ere told that the Government had not issued the stock because of the depression, and now, though llio depression was greater, the Government, ■without giving the public a chinco of competing, placed the whole sum, and it was now at a premium in the English market. This matter, ho thought, demanded an explanation. Turning to the Public Works Fund, they found the liabilities exceeded the assets by L 1,300,000,, 300,000, and to meet this they had LSOO.OOO. Thai, meant, with only two months of tho financial year expired, that the whole of the million loan was expended, and next yeiir's loan anticipated to the extent of L 500.000. The Premier was leaving the Treasury absolutely empjy for his successors, and largo liabilities. He referred to the vagueness of the report with reference to deficit bills. Perhaps the Treasurer had entered on a now era of deficiency bills, concerning which nothing would be known till tho new Colonial Treasurer was in power. Ho thought the Premier should have brought his statement up to a more recent dato than ho had thought fit to do. Major Atkinson here interjected that tho figures with reference to April and May appeared in the statement. Mr Dargavillo accused Major Atkinson of vishing to place his successor at a disadvantage, and said that Major Atkinson had not effected any retrenchment in the Civil Service. He gave Mr Mitchelson credit, as that honourable gentleman had not been more than a few weeks in office before he swept away a whole department as useless. MrMitcholson was a straight forward business man. Mr Kichaidson, follow ing, made reference to the curt nature of tho reports laid before the House, especially those referring to tho North Island Kailway. These works could .not bo proceeded with till a far more detailed statement was laid before the House. He took advantago of the privilege accorded in Committee of Supply to speak on any conceivable subject, and to criticise the management of tho railway. Mr Bathgato followed. Tho Committee then reported, and tho Houso adjourned till 11 a.m. to-day.

Amounts applied for. Grants made. Mongomu County liny of Islands WnauKavci County Hobson Kodne,\ Waitemata Eden County IWount Albert JOden Terrace .. .C 1.139 . J ,«»SS . ;»,000 .. 2,100 . I.SDS . 1..500 . . '2 00 1 . . ii,ooo 2.W SlO 7151 :wu 7!(i !K>() (0 10

Papers in connection with applications for grants under the Konds and Bridges Construction Act for the year ending in March last have been laid on the table. Tho total applications wero for 275,000, and the graw^ amounted to €104,004 10s. Tho following figures relate to Auckland applications : —