PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET. GOVERNMENT VICTORY BY 33 TO 29. (By Telegraph — STAR REPORTER.)

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 273, 16 June 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET. GOVERNMENT VICTORY BY 33 TO 29. (By Telegraph — STAR REPORTER.)

Wkixim.ton. June 12 to 14. Covrnutt to anticipation, no one spoke yestciday afternoon on the motion for t.ho second reading of the Custom.- Duties Hill, and a dhi.-ion was taken, with the following result : — Ayi s 53. Ukiik-on Loujjliu\v Ballance McUicu'or Blake Mitoholt-on Button Moj\t ("adman -Monk Doch-on Mo."> Feldwick O'Calln^han Feigns O'Connor FL-her Peiceval Fish I\\ lye Fitchett Ree\e- (lnangahua) Fit/heihett Uee%e-(St. Albany) F rase i Uiehaidson (Kaiapoi) (Joldic Kn>haid-on (Mataura) (Jivy Samuel Guinne*- Seddon Hislop Seymour Hobb.s Stew\ud Hodgkinc-on ai t Hutchison Ta.mei Jackson Taylor Jones Thompson (Mai -den) Jverr Thompson (Auckland Lance Noith) Larnach Tmnbull Laury talker I.c\c*tam Y\\nd Koj s, 29. Allen McKen/ie (Clutha) Anderson Maichant Barron Mill* Beet ham Newman Bruce Ormond Buchanan Paiata Carroll Peacock Cowan Rhodes Duncan Ross Fulton Smith Grimmond Taipua I Hamlin Taiuhauga I/ard Wilson Macarthur Withy Mackenzie (Mt. Ida) r-AiK> : — nut • u.mnst: Hall Whyte Biown Menteath The Piemier then moved that the Bill be committed forthwith. Mr Beetham objected to the immediate committal of the Bill, as many hon. members had been taken by surprise. He had intended to move that "In the present position of the colony it was. inadvisable to go into committee on the Bill until the Government had an opportunity of consideiing whether fmthei reductions could not be made in the public expenditure." Mr Peacock .-aid that as the House had afhrmed the principle of the Bill by passing ics second loadinjj, he would not otier any iactiou- opposition to it-- subsequent stages. M-r Le\e-tam complained that he was taken by suipii-e, because durin<r the hum and noise of the proceedings he had not been aw ire that a di\ision was being t iken. Mr Seddon -aid he had gheu his vote deliberately, in outer to hasten the decision of the question, re-ei\mg to himself the light to piopose amendment- in committee. Mr Mills had also been taken b % \ liut he hoped to have another oppoitunity of stalinir he had oppo-ed the P>ill. and '-liMng the reason why he con^ideied that the additional duties were not necessary. Colonel Fraser said he had purpo-ely lefrained fiom=peakvnL r , becau-che considered that the country would benefit more by the .-a\ing of time than by the lot of twaddle which had been talked. Mr Macarthui thought it very remarkable that not a -ingle Minister had risen to defend the polic\ of the Government. The two Ministerfe who had spoken had confined themselves to "slating'" their opponents, and the Premier had introduced the Bill with half-a-dozen words, and had not spoken in reply. This \\a- all the more strange seeing that the Minictzy had been put into office b) a party of free traders ("Oh !''), or their -strongest adherents were free traders. Mr Buchanan hoped that the Piemier would agree to the postponement of the committal. Mr R. H. Keeve-s urged the Premier to push the Bill lorwaul as quickly as possible in order to settle such an important question. Mr Blake said he had asked Mr McGregor in the lobbies just before the division was* taken as to what he intended to do. Mr McGregor simply winked one eye and pointed with his ringer over his shoulder. (Laughter.) This he took to indicate that .somebody was likely to be (Renewed laughter. ) Mr Bruce thought the Premier should have more consideration for those free tradeis who had hitherto followed him through good and evil report. In defence of Mr McGregor, he said that gentleman had told him that he did not intend to .speak, and that if he (Mr Bruce) intended to do so he had better take the opportunity. Mr Scobie Mackenzie protested against the Bill being carried through two .stages ab one sitting on the more assertion of the Premier that it was an uigent measure, seeing that the Premier himself had shown that he did not deem it urgent because he had interrupted it in order to allow the Midland Railway question to be considered. He moved as an amendment that the words " Friday next " be substituted for " forthwith." Dr. Newman twitted the Government with having so far asked the House to pass a- a matter of urgency every measure which they had brought forward. He believed that reductions nearly equivalent to the evfcia taxation proposed could yet be saved by economising our mail service expenditure, and in other ways. Believing, as he did, that the people could not afiord the crushing imposts, he thought the Bill should be further delayed until the Government had an opportunity of considering these questions. Sir G. Grey was of a similar opinion, and .said he had hitherto supported the Bill. In desiring its postponement, he was not anxious to embarrass the Government in j any way. Mr Monk was not yet satisfied as to the necessity for extra taxation to the extent proposed. In his opinion about £25,000 could be saved from "defence expenditure., and from £50,000 to £80,000 by reform in the railway management. The Premier expressed astonishment at the attitude of the so-called free traders, whohad practically said that only they knew what was good for the country. JVleru- j bers'mindhhad been saturated with the ques- j tion for the last ten days, and he could see no advantage to be gained by postponing the committal of the Bill. The majority of the House had already declared in division on Mr Onnond's motion that they would not consider whether certain services be

dispensed with, and he supposed that if a vote were again taken the result would be tho same. If the dissatisfied gentlemen were anxious to move a no - confidence motion, the (Government would willingly accept it. For his own part he would readily resign his charge to those gentlemen, if any of them wore capable of dealing with the situation. The motion for the immediate committal of the Bill was agreed to on the voice;?. The Premier then moved that tho Speaker leave the chair in order that tho House mi" hi go into committee. In the matter ot the tarill', it wa.s impossible to have made inquiries, beforehand as fully as could have been defied, but since it had been placed bcfoie the Route, he had reeehed from all part* of the country tele grams appro\ ing of thenew duties, from hoe trader?! as well a.- protectionists, for they recognised that there s\ us 1.0 question of free trade or protection in the tariff at all. (Cheoi.-. ) This, it would be seen, was not the position taken up by the so-called tree tiaders in the House. Seicntitic finance- on the ba-is of free trade was impossible, and he had already told the House and his constituent*- that it was ot no u.-e to argue upon theory, but they must go into committee and on tho pros and cons, take each aiticle and decido upon the duty to be placed upon it. The Cabinet was competed ot a majority of free tradcis— gentlemen who had been so before many of the opponents of the Bill were born, and who had -tuck to their colouis through thick and thin, not only as theorist -, but as piactieal men of business u-od to the Government of tlic country. These gentlemen still nailed then colouis to the mast. The position of the Government was quite clear and emphatic. They were going to insist upon having sufficient re\enue tor carrying on the af lairs of thecountiy. They would be happy to iecei\e in committee any sugtrealion trom either freetraders or protectionists, but would not peimit tho tariff to be torn to pieces by either party. Burden.would be removed from industry as far as possible, but the Government were determined that their taiiff should be cariied as a whole. .Mr <). B. Wh} te accused the Government of ha\ing rfefeated Mr Ormond's amendment for consideriug tlie question of services betoie voting the Bill, and of not having .-uih'ciently led the House in the debate. Mr Lcvestam discussed tiie Bill from the pioteetionists' standpoint. He suggested that riio l)iigadc implements should be admitted free, and mentioned the manufacture of straw ha L s as an industry that miglit well be encouraged by piotection. At the evening fitting Mr Ward cun-g-uitulated the Ministry on the amount of sa\ing they had e-flected, but he would nofc altogether agiee with their tariff The property' tax should certainly not be raised, lor, as it was, it kept British capital oul ot the colony. He hoped at no distant date to gee it leplaced by an income tax, and any difference in ie\ en«e made up by mdiiecttaxation. Hcapprox edof theabolition of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act, but not of laisim/ the school age, and thought endowments of secondary schools should be appiopriated to the purpose of primary education. All subsidies to <-eaborue mails should bo abolished, and a pa\ merit ior mails at so muchperpoundsubstituted. Anud valoiem duty on tea would be pieferable to a fixed r.ite. The volunteer \ofce might >yell bo allotted to better ad\antage, and the force wa> over-otKccied : and he regietted to see the capitation allowance i educed. In conclusion, he hoped that the Bill would be tound to be of advantage to the colon\, and that w r c would soon see general piosperity ie-tored. Mr Bmce thought that in view of the peculiar complication- of party lines on the Hour ot the House, pai ties ought Jo be completel) reconstiucted. The Government weie entitled to ciedit foi their retrenchment proposals. A manly attein|)t must be made to grapple with the colony's financial dilhculties, and in oidcr to do so it will be nece-sai\ to make some self-saciih'cc. With reference to his severance from the Government party, he explained that when the Pi emiei had agi eed to accept the leadership of the party, he (the speaker) and obhei* had agieed to support him until he brought down hi- policy. That policy had been broughbdou n,and ifcdid not suitfiee tiaders, but there was no reason on that account for lecriminatiou on either side. Elected as an uncompromi-ing free trader, he was of cour.-e opposed to any taxation on the necessaries of life, and when he saw the ultrapiotectionists suppoit the tarifl, that was, he thought, ample reason to make him cautious. Like Mr Withy, however, while opposing the tariff he had to acknowledge that he krew of no alternative proposal to make, but he had an instincthe belief that some alternative existed. Subsidies to local bodies ought to be abolished, and the bodies left to take advantage of the Loans to Local Bodies Act. For years the colony had been giadually drifting towards protection, and now we had a tarill which was only one step horn absolute protection, The effect was that vested inteie&ts would be created, and increased duties would yet be demanded, and this was the leason why he had left the Government. In conclusion, lie .said he parted from the Government moie in sorrow than in anger. Dr. Fitchetb said that, like many other members who had spoken in the debate, he had been a tree trader, but was nowa protectionist. If iree traders had the courage of their opinions they would abolish the Customs altogether. He contended that lie had heard nothing whatever either in the abstract or concrete to prevent the proposed tariff becoming the law ot the land, and he hoped it would be. Mr Beetham, at 11.53 p.m., moved' the adjournment of the debate till the following day, but in deference to the views of several hon. members, he proceeded with his speech. He said the amendment which he intended to move was not to be regarded as one hostile to the Government, but merely as an expression of the opinion of the free traders. The Government had not used all the means at their disposal for- economising before imposing the tarifl'. If Mr Ormond'd resolutions had been taken separately the necessity for his present action would have been obviated. For the last twelve sessions he had followed the Premier and had found him to be a good and willing leader, bufc he now ielt it his duty to protest strongly against the tariff proposals. He was not a rabid free trader, as his past action had shown, but he believed the principle of free trade should be carried out as far as possible, and he had as yet heard no argument which could cause him to alter his fixed convictions. Asan alternative to the protective duties, which he condemned, he would propose to carry out rigid economy, and the raising of the school age to six should have been a cardinal point in the Government policy. School buildings should be erected out of loan as heretofore, and under certain circumstances he would 1 not object to the discontinuance of local subsidies, but while the burdens fell so heavily upon real estate he did not think | they should be abolished. With regard to retrenchment, he did not desire the discharge of, or reduction of, more officers. That had already been carried to a snflioient extent, except in tho case of the Railway Department, where judicious pruning could bring about

savings of botweon €20,000 and £40,000. The San Francisco mail subsidies ought to be abolished, and ho boliovcd that the sorvico was so important to Americans that they would keep it on without subsidies. Without being Jin alarmist, he deprecated any too serious relaxation in the maintenance of the- dofonco provision, and hoped the volunteers wouM rccehe duo consideration at the hands of the (iovcinment. lie intended to move, ''That it is desirable to delay the committal of the Customs Duties Hill, so as to onablc the (Government to have another opportunity of considering *vhothor the necessity for a portion of the taxation might not bo obviated by further retrenchment." The Piemicr had invited the House to con sidcr the Bill without regard to party lines, and lie would like his amendment to be discussed in the sme spirit. The fioe trade party were actuated by anxiety for the wcltaro of tho colony and the desire for true economy. They considered that the (Jo\ eminent had gone further than circumstances justified, and though they could not expect to accomplish thorough tree trade, they would approximate it as neaily as possible. Mr Harron seconded the amendment. Mr Rhodes mo\ed the ad|ourument of the House until 2.30 next day. Mr H. 11. Reovob urired that the division on tho amendment should be taken without debate. The Premier said he was willing to do j f-o. J Mr Soddon asked what position thoUo- j vemment intended to take with icgaid to the amendment. The Piemier : As soon as tho House has ■voted upon it I'll tell the lion, gentleman. Mr Soddon said Ik- took that to mean that, the I'iomiei would tieat the amendment as one of no-eoniidonee. If so, although hu had supported the second leading ot the Bill, he would not be dragged at the Premier's chaiiot wheels. He wi&hed it understood that if tho question wa« one of no-eonlideiiee, he, like the liibhmau at New Yoik, was "agin the llovernmeiu." The motion for adjournment wa'-agtecd to, and the House rose at 12.40 a.m.

THE TARIFF —OVERWHELMING PROTECTION MAJORITY. Ik politic* it is said the unexpected always happens, and this proveibial remark was fully exemplified by the altogether unexpected and sudden collapse of the linaneial debate yestetduy afternoon. MrMcdregor, whohadmo\ed thead]ournment of the debate at last hit ting, intimated to several membeis that he intended to continue the discussion, and an understanding was come to that Bruce .should follow, and cany speaking up to the dinner adjournment. But the earlier part ot the sitting w.i^ occupied with the Midland Railway question, and when the adjourned debate on, the Cut-torn' 1 and Excit-e Duties Bill was. called on both Mes'sis Me(ircgor and Biuec and se\ oral otlier intending .speakers weie in the lobbies. Mr Mos\s lose, but thinking that the House was anxious, to come to a dhision, instantly resumed his seat, and almost before members in their places had time to recognise that a snatch division wa-> being recorded, the Speaker put the question, and Mr Barron, an opponent of the Bill, called for a division. AN hen the bell was rungmembei* hooped in in considerable numbei-, and no le^--than 83 of them weie in their seats when order was given to lock the doors. Of course the result of the dhision wa< a foregone conclusion, and there was. wanting that excitement which generally attends the taking of a \ote on an important financial question. Fitty-three voted for the second leading of the Bill, and twenty-nine against it. Four members had also paired, thus leaving eight \otes unaccounted for. In addition to the Speaker, Sir Mauiiee O'Rorke, these aie :- -Me^sr.s (iraham, .Joyce, Kelly, McKon/ie (W'iihemo), Pearson, Rus&ell, Valentine, and Sir J. Yogel. The majoiity oi these would ha\e been in favour ot the Bill, had pahs been obtainable for them. On the motion for Ihe committal of the Bill, those lion, members who had been jockeyed out of their speeches on the second leading took advantage of the opportunity of explaining their votes.

MR PEACOCK LXFLAINS. Mr Peacock, who had voted against the second reading of the mcasuie, .stated that as the Ilou.-e had affirmed the principle of the Bill, he would not ofl'er any factious opposition to it 4*4 * vub.sequent. stages.

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. The debate on the motion that the ropoit of the Midland llaihvay Committee should be laid on the table wa^ resumed at lust evening's sitting. In the couk-o of the discussion, Sir George G rey explained that his main objection to taking 1 up the question an to whether Mr Speaker was right in allowing the interruption of the tarid" debate to consider the Midland busine^b was to conserve the rights and prhilcge^ ot the House. The motion that the report ■should lie on the table wa-» agreed to on the voices, and the Premier stated in answer to a question that he did not intend to propose itb adoption.

CRIMK IN THE COLONY. The criminal statistics for last, year show a very satisfactory diminution in the more eerioub ollcnces such us murder, attempted murder, arson, manslaughter, foigery, and horse and cattle s-tealing ; and few cases of larceny have occurml. The year lias, however, been .specially noticeable for n marked decrease in the offence of drunkennes>&, the number of cases being 842 less than in the previous year. Much the same may be said of wife desertion, which 'it one time bade fair to become « # i common ofFencc. The decrease in this criminal item i.s attributable to the prompt measures taken for the arrest and enforced return of a man who had fled to the adjoining colonies. During the same period the actual decrease in crime throughout the colony has been 393 cases as compared with last year, viz., a decrease of 747 cases in the South Island and an increase of 564 in the North Island. >So far the balance is in favour of the former, but in that Island there ha.s been an increase in many of the serious oi fences, while in the North they have decreased notwithstanding that the minor offences have increased,

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' GRIEVANCES. Ifc is very probable that the grievances of railway employees in Auckland will be the subject of a warm discussion in fchc House in a clay or two. It transpires that the changes recently made were on the recommendation of Mr Rotheram, who was recently on a visit to Auckland, and were partly with the object of breaking up the cliques which were said to be causing favouritism. With reference to the petition of W, Elliott, cf Newmarket, the Committee, it is said, have decided on reporting that they have no recommendation to make, bub the report, with others, will probably not bo brought up till after the debate on the Customs Duties Bill is ended, as that debate is to go on without interruption. Reforence is made in Auckland papers to hand by mail to the dissatisfaction in the

Railway De[jartmenUhoro,and the probable replacement of sovoral firemen by men from the South. Mr Mitcholson knows nobbing of the mattor, bulling mudo nmemorandunj of the statements with the object of inquiring into them. The railway employees' grievances are engaging a good deal of attention just now. The Petitions Committee havo boon considering tho case of Mr Elliott, dispensed with in Auckland, and reported yesterday. Tho condition of tho woi k.shops at Now market is attracting attention. Mr Moss says it is his intention to take advantago of the oppoibunity which will be aHorded by the report of the Petitions Committee on Mr ElliotiAs |)etition to bring up, if possible, the whole question connected with them, from Mr Jackson.:, appointment up to the present time. The opportunity is not exactly the ono he would have piefcrred, but it not taken ad\anlagc of no other is likely to occur. He declares that from what he heais and from letter* received by other membeis, theio is much reason to fcai that one object i^ to lill the workshop-, with men n\ ho can and uill be made to support tho dominant political [-arty, and a reign of (error will be established. lie himscli icg'lids Mr Jackson's appointment as vicious horn the lir.-t Major .Jackson being the d'ovcrninent \vhii> is o{ itself budicient to cieatc di^diiht in the uuittei, and any good reason tor helping in a young man and div chaiging an old, taithful, and ollirient public^ci^ ant like Mr Elliott, it i-,, he '-ays, impossible to conceive. His own opinion U that Mr .Jackson'b appointment phoutd bo cancelled, and that gentleman sent to some other district, or he thinks it will ho importable now for the public to regard the woikas anything but a political machine rhop m> long as he remains theie. Some oi the othei' Auckland mcinlieis, Mr Mo>-s say--, arc sttouglj' disposed to take the same \ iew.

SLY (JKOC - SELLINC. Since Inspector McCovem n^ium-d t lie charge ol Ba % > ot Islands di-tiiei there h;i\e been 24 convictions toi >i\ p'ojj-MjlHnjr within its boundaries, in which lines and ro^ts to the amount ot L'^J'J have been mIlicted. Tlio Commissioner ot Police f-a\s he attributes the Mippicsj-ion of this fci tile source of ciimc almost entnely to the eilorts of the Inspector, who has iniused ncsv life into the men, who for .some yc.iis had piactic.dh been their own ma^tcis, without Iho hiipervi>ion ot either ollicois or sergeants. Small wondei that these men, who \seie bey ond the in(luenee|of eithei admonition 01 eneouia^onient, should ha\ c j>rown supine. The Inspector at Auckland h.is. been in no way to blame of thin .state- of things. H<^ had simply too many duties to pertoim, and attended to the mobt impoitant VOLUNTKKII LAND CLALMS. Jfc will be a reliof to many to know that the Bill dealing u'ith military naval and volunteer laud claims, and piowdin^ foi a new commission, has conn baclv hoin the Waste Lancta Commit toe with pi aetieally no alteration. Tlie Committee leeomniend that the Hill be allowed to pioccod, and that a provision be inserted in the Hill making cci titicate.s transtei r.ible by endorsement.

A HKMARKAIiLK CLALM. Olio ot the petitions icpoi tod upon yo^ierfi.i\ «(b fiom I ferny B'lucke, ot W'olliu^itm. ilo u^oi't- fchj.it a smi ot money due to him \v;ita wi.oiujfull} p.iui to one Cameron, of Auckland, and u-.ks the authority ot hiich paj mcnl. and i.ulmj; its production claims payment of stiii!^ amount in£ to L' 67,165, which ho siy.s me <I<jo to liim by the colony. The ( ommittee adheic to n [>ioviou*s decision tliat. the monc\ x\api opei ly paid to Cameum, and tint liancke hah no claim against the (olon\.

ELECTORAL REPRESENTATION. It i-> the intention of Ministers io try and carry the Electoial ]>ill as it is inhodueed. but the feeling of members >-eems Io be avei.se fo the adoption oi the Ifato v^tom of rcprescntafciou, and it i*> doubtful whcthci this representation will be earned. In any ca^o, a detei mined elioit .\ill l)e made to amalgamate city electoiate?. An olloit i^ to bo made to get the quota in fa\oui of eountiv distiiets mci eased.

REISCIIEKS LOSS. Mr Peacock hu> dtawn the attention ot the ( !o\ eminent to the lo^ ot a \,i!uaMo collection of biid skit)-> .sustained i>} Mi iJei-ehoU. 11<j i^ asking who \vn* in chaise of tlic .stcann'i at the time, and if the Mini-4oi of Marine intend- to eompeiwite iNJrKoiichck if he l-^a'ji^lied then, wa-c.ue-leshiic^^.

ATTITUDE OK THE FIiEE TKADERS. The hee-tradc .-eotion ot (he llou^e who formeily supported the i.!o\einmenl>, bnl have .receded in consequence ot the tat ill proposals, intended to mow an amendment , to the second reading of the CibLoiiis I Jill, and they were veiy much anno) ed at the sudden collapse of Chodchato. Air licoUiam, a^ the oldest (lOxei-ninent Mippoitot anion^, the [)arty, and a-- one w ho had been a coim^tent Atkinbonite,\\'a&selected f or the pur| >o-e. The amendment, which i^ to the following ellect, was snlc-eciuenbly moved .—". — " Thai the committal ol the C'u&toms Tavitl 1 > ill should be delayed •so a& to enable the <!o\einmcnl to sec whethci the nece^sit\ joi imposing a portion ot tlic pioposed taxation could not bo obviated by further retrenchment/

HIGHLY-PAID OFFICIALS. TJie retrenchment party, who intend op posing tbo salaries of highly-paid olheiaK when the Estimates come on tor con&idci.ition, are likely to find that their intention.s aio misconceived. The Inspector ot Lunatic Asylums is one of those whose salary if to be attacked, but as lie has an cntra^cment till next year at the late of Cl/JOO no reduction can be made in his case. Undcr-SccretaryCoopei is another instance. Last year his salary was leduced to U 750, and it hei» further retrenched he will doubtless leave the service, as he, is now entitled to a pension ot C6OO a-year. (lavin, of the Treasury Oilice, is similarly situated, while Blackett, of the I'ublic Works Department, is entitled to even a larger pension. The probabilities arc that when the Works Department is abolished, O'Connor or Blair will be reduced.

AMENDMENTS IN THE TAKIKF. Mr Mosfe informs me that he ha^ received Icblers on various subjects connected with the tarill' which have been considered by the sub-committoc of which he is a member, and who are preparing a schedule to submit to the Premier. He say^ the protectionists are bound to act with the .Premier, and may have to swallow much that they do nob altogether like in order to (secure the principle for which they have been contending. The items of which they disapprove they hope to modify in future sessions, if ho doclines to do so now. Among the subjects thus referred to by Mr Moss, arc- soft felt hais, photographic chemicals, pepper and spice duties, sheep dip, Union shirting, sulphur, etc., etc. Mr Moss has also sent copies of the lettors he lias received on these subjects to the Premier direct for his eavly consideration.

SLAUGHTER-HOUSE ACT. A protest has been sent, to Mr Mob& by Warnock Bros, against certain provisions of the amendment to the SltvughLer-housD Act, which he has handed i.o the Colonial Secretary, who has the Bill in chargo, and

I promised lo give fcho protest his consiclcrai lion.

LOCAL MATTERS. I hoar from Mr Moss also hhixi John Fitzgerald, of NewmarkpL, and John Mendry havo thoir names included in Uie now schedules of bho A' aval and Military Sottlers Bill, which has not ye I passed the House, though almost) certain to do so. lie has also received from the Trade find Labour Council and other sources complaints ot the peiMsfcont ciloits fco lower the wages of tho&e in Government employ, and ot harassing them by needless and costly removals to other provinces. These [ue.stions lie lias brought before the Ooveinment, and will bring boforo the House at the fhst o))])ortunity, but bays the power of the Government is very jiicat in such matters, and their will h piaclically law.

AUCKLAN I) PETJTIONS. The following Auckland petition* were reported on yesterday : — .Beekeepeis ol Auckland— That as a Bill dealing with the subject matter of the petition is now beioie tho House, the Committee has no leoonimendation to make -John Noddai', lor <^i ant ol land — That petitioner has no claim against the colony. Adam Elliot and other Ohincmuii selcetnrs — That sueii settlers as have paid rent-> amounting (o live shillings per aereand upwaids should bo allowed to retain their leases at a moderate rent. J. I. Oakcs (two petitions) — No claim against the colony. .Simpson and oilier employees on li\uio'm Ohinonuin railway eontiaet — i'ctition reieired to i-o vurnment lor consideration. Tho petitions ot Hay, Stamp, Pratt, jSlc(Jinmt), and (Jaibestor i^rant.-> of land aie leicned to (!o\ eminent foi considci.ition.

AS Y LU M (.'KIEV AN ( ' H S. >Se\ ci al matlui>-i in connection with the Axontlnlo A.syluinhavo l)een uudiTcon.-ideid-Lion of the two committee^ u hose duly it in to deal with tfcuoKil petitions. (Jnc i^ the c;ihcot < \. Jliiuly, touncilyotLheA^ylinii. ;ind who petitioned tin on^b Air (loldiu as^ain^t his di^nii^al. Di. AJclire^or \\n-> examined at- some lenntJi a& to the present state ot tiling"? exi.stii)<i there. Mr (iuldit,, ibe lie\c, hitfi^c-tcd that the n^ht thm<<; to do was to appoint a. eommi^^ion who could take e\idenee upon oath, and >etth: once and for over the uncertainty that. t'\i>st-i a^ to tho management. li. MctJic^oi* did not appiove ot such a course. Ultimately the ( ommittee having only the ca>c of Hard,} betore them, who had ] i^i^ned of hi-, own free will, could do nothing, and therefoie decided that the}' liad noierommendation to make. The ci\*c ot Hpaldin^, who petitions Kir an inquiiy into tlie Asylum nmiri^emunt., w al-o betoie tho otliei bianch ot the Public I'elitioius Committee, l)iit no lai jio dtei.^ion has been urihwl at.

SUITHESSIOTS' OF LYIAJOJUAUTY. Out/ ot 15 witne<—e- examined on the Mihject of immoiality, no fuwci than 13, including 1 son oral olheeis of the Sahation Armj , recommended the adoption of 1-hc C'oiit,i<;ioii^ |)i-.o;ioo- Act u» a compulsoiy lnciihuio in lai^c towns ot tho colony, and many ot them thought Die pro\ iiion 1 - 1 should apply to men a.s well as women. F LIU IT VULV o\i PUMJ'KJNN V ]SJ r LcNC^tum lni-> icceiNcd a letter tiom Kill; pal-iick and Co., jam manutaeliuei-, relative to a telegram f-cnl by iHmedin |ani-niaker.s to Otaj^o meinbei^ relatnc to the dut> on fiuit pul]> and pie-ciNi'd fruit. 1 make the following e\tiaet .. — ll They .-ay that the piopu^ed tlut^ will elo.-o their f.ictoue-3, and tluuw 110 hamU out of employment. [n ihe lii->t place theie are not 110 hand- employed in making jam in l)unedin. \\ c n\ ill to make all the jiun consumed in Neu Zealand w ith 30 handb if n\ e do a- the l)unedin makeio (U>. vi/,, imjioit. fruit jiulp, a;- ot the j.unmakei- in hunedin make othei -ucii a^ contectionciy and bi-euit--. Tlicn Ikinilikely included the hand'- employed niakjnu tlifsu^uoiUinfhellO. Of eouuo, tho^'haiKN N\ill not hi allei'ted by the tarill In the .-ccond place, the Dunediu lam-makei-, anticip^tinu a duty on pul|>, Ikm t, mij)oitod enouuh pulp and pre-eiNod fruit to la-t 12 montiiTj oi 2 T,(jais, the 110 hands have thi- much work betou 1 them, 'out no hands n\ dl be tin own out ot employment. The dut ( > Nvillmakt manufacluiei-i look to IScn\ Zealand toi then supplier We aic getting raui u tmit e\eiy yeai, ami n\c Ikinc trot a number i ->\ idDiici^ to ->l! 1 fnut thiv >eai, and n\ (. expect- m ti\o or thiec yeai.^ to he able (o expoit. Mi Le\ e-tani ■spoke at length on tliN -übiect \e^te!da>, ui^in^; a dut\, on tiuit pul[>, \\hich lu> di'clavcd consisted l.u^ely ot mashed pumpkin.

FRIENDLY SOCIETY P.UILDLNCS. The mana^et ot the Fiiendly Society P opposed to tlio lineament ot M>cieue~. a" !>\nl<liii*»-> and othei pioperty. i!e »a\--i\e\\ Zealand societies ha\elot>( hea.\il\ b> ihe "buildup mania, a.>- iL lia^ btxn liuhlly nametl, ami yd tin*-. IjilUm (.\ptnenw) doe^ not seem lo dotci oihci^ liom ii^km<j; a cat poi tion 'md the whole ot Ihcir accunniLitod lund:> in Llns mode of in\o^Lineul, liiisfeL 1^ hoiti'j tound u\ en tooh~.li enough to liecome pcisoiudh liable iot mud-- .uhauLud on men Lq \sic ol the pi opci [}„ Vc\) it\\ except'ion--, chiefly in hu<jc town'?, may bo m-^L inreii wheio tlio \aliu 1 ot land and building ha^. considerably iiicioa^cd, and pioduced, 01 helped t.opioduee, n llouiish'iU!^ .-late ot Ihe finance-, !>ut thi>> tact does not alloid any lclict to lho.--e ho->c siMii^lnno beenieeklensly hilfeied away.

1 »0 LIU E 1 1 EUOMMEN I >AT LOK S. Tlic Uommih->ionor of Police leeomuieiids lo <io\ei'iimont that ollicers and men ot the iorcc .should retire at the a<j,e of 65. -Me regrott* that, ho cannot decide on any ftoneial pension .-chomc ior tlio loco, unle.^.-? assisted by a > early graut in aid fiom (Jovernnicnt. lie leconnnciuK alLeiation ot rule by which \i> is compuWuy lh;it all recruits tor the police toieo should bo diawn from the peimanent militia, and sug^o&Lb that the rulo shouhl be alteietl to thib extent, that while the militia should ha\etlie iirst chance, 3'cL iv the event of there being no suitable man a\nilo,blc from that corps, he .should be at libcifcy to take on men from the outside.

OHINEMUIU MATTERS. Mr Caclmun has been in communication with the Justice Dcpartmont relative Lo the establishment of a Wardens bourbat I'aoioa, and has received a letter from the Hon. Ah Fergus .saying that he is not batislicd that any groat necessity eMsfcs tor holding a Court thcie. This reply ib evidently ba y cd on the Warden sreport,and tho Departmeubcon sidcrthabholdiuga Warden .sCourt will en tail further expense which lit. pio^eut Jjhcy do not feel justified in entcrtainbi^. Howu\er, in a more lecent interview Mr Cadman pointed out that no extra expense need be incurred. Mr Ferguh lnit> promised that if upon further inquiry this can be borne out ho will favourably consider the application. Mr Cadman has also forwarded on to tho Mining Department applications from the County Councils of Ohinemuri, Thames and Coromandel, to which replies have been read stating that they will be considered when iho estimates? aro being framed.

'FRISCO MAIL SERVICE. Tho San Francisco mail sen ico has again fetched tho "I'o&t," like Mio proverbial ved rag lo tho bull, and that journal last night- says: — "The now taviil'

affords a strong argument in lavour of abolishing tho Han Francisco mail scrvico. Commercially, bhat service has never boon n success. Tho interchange of products between Now Zealand and America by it has never any large oi important proportions. Wo have sent very little away, and we have lcceived very littl* by it. Tho little that has been brought U) us irom San Francisco by the mail steamers has consisted mainly ot canned fi.>h and fruit. Tho importation oi each will now bo considerably decreased by the imposition of the heavy new duties on tho»e ai tides. There will, therelore, bo loss icasoii than ever tor maintaining this expensive boiviee." The assurance ot the I'lemioi the otbci day that practically nothing could be sa\cdby discontinuance of tho J (l i isco soi \ ice, which pays for itself, i-> a stulung commontaiy on this paLa-

graph. HEETIFAM'H MOTION. The division on BuuLliam'.- no conlifloncc motion u ill plastically bo tlio muuo as on Lho second lculiii^, ot the Cuf-toni"? Bill. Mi .St'ildun will \oLo io)' I/ho .uiicndincnly, hut. I'c.icoclv and W'hytc arc liLcly lo vote wiLh (<o\ct iiiiionL on Lhis occtbion.

F I : KE Ti I A 1)K CONCUSS l( >N. A conncMwm ot Ihe latill as oti^inally Inoujjit down with llial appoiulcd to iho (. ustoub 1 ill I showh 1 bub .^o\cial coneonsion-) !ki\c Ijgou made, and it co liiidu- claim to ha\o muloiiully iulluoiiccd (ho I'iennor in these 'iltciiitions. In the Di initial iai ill the dut> on Holland and caliuoi i \\a^ 20 pel cent. All under the \alnc of 5> ai c now lieu. Cotton ,-^hii Lilies coi (I in i a -, mok -kiii'- and ciiecsc cloth 1 - , have ulm) been added !o Ihuli^tof e^ einption^ }>oin the taiill.

-K)TTiN(iS. Mi Le\c-lain-.iyhlhal although Allernnay li<i\c qualified a.s a i\lai-tci oi Art 1 -, ho has not (fualilioci as a mastci ol common Mr !!iik'C '-ay- ho will not boa parly to iian^inn the millstone of pioteotion louml tin; neck of t\\\> youn<( Island colony. (!o\emmenf decline to give a moie cleLailcd ultimate ot the amounts likely to be jnoduced by the change in the Customs duties. The police ioicc now numbci-> 487, as against 5()2 last T\\ u . societies weie- le^i^tcied under the Tiade-. Union Actduiino the jear. Mr Peacock -a^.s the House ha\ii)fr pa.-— cd t lie second ic.ulin^ut the Cu^toms Dutitb iiill, he will not opposi it fiuthei. Mr i'>tnce deluded one ot the ab^c-it spoeelie-j in the ijnancial <lebate lastc\on'm<S- lie ua 1 - warmly auplauded. An uppoi lunily i- to be ailoided (.lie iiouse ot deciding w hethei the C'nil ~li\ants .shall lelain then .'-alaiie- undei List U.us estimates for Apiil and May ot tlii-s j eai . Mi .Maichaut ii .I'Liiij^ tin. intention- of the ( .o\oi uinenl with u^atd to the land claim petition- oi Mokau -ione^ and Owen.

Till] \ ACANT JI'IMJKSIIIP. Tin ki l- a <_>ood deal of -peculation ic-pecl-in<^ the piobablc appointment to the \adinj. jud^e.-hip. Ju-tiee Waul 1- con-ideied tlie tno-t Likely, but doubts aie e\pie--cd whether ho will [M the -e.it. The follow - mi x on the -übjeet .ippe.iictl in "Piill-" 1 column in the "' Fune- — " 1 ..m toidlh.it theio aic hl.cl^ (u be -oino (jiieei t'unuahnul tin-. |ud<_;e-hip! w lv d- w lbhiti w hecK! \\li>,-ukl\ the t '<o\ ci nioont w ouhl iu\ei (lu.iui ot di-po-iiiii; or , t n appoint niLiii oi -hul^u lni pulitic t il len^on- ' Oh, woulilnt I t.Ue>, that- all v Like a -hoi An) how, cit hoi 1 1 111 1 n <_;-i; -i beini( eijual, a- old audiew n -ed to ,-a\ when clc'ien<iiii^ a |ob. th< ; wouldii I he-H xte to appwmti a ra.ui who-i appointment' would miii. them be^t poli'iLall\ ' J'lil nimd y>u I ih\li -aid lhe\ h >d am political iib|<.cd m \it \» ' \\<Jl, \\ !iu h w.i\ l- the c.i to w.rnp'' (( i- \)iu^ coili d wp beioie the u>c at nie-ent a- ii hlie i hadn t <j.ol a |innp m hi i , but [ notice !>he ha- one eye open, and iheie- -can e!v a ])k i eeptibiL mo\emeni at llieeiul ot hci tail. .\i\ -lei ions eie'duie what cio )on mean ' Well, I lane) !3. (. , 1 Ja'j'-iii i', -U hunedm, wouldn't lelu-ethe ]iid»' i -]iip it it, w eie oheied him. \\ he\\ ' '.l.i^uitt, oh ' By -hue, i ne\er thought, oi him. 1 -hould !i i\c thought- he n,h too well oil to bothet ai)>ait.il ' Oh. thoSupiemo C oiuliJeneh ie a pieU\ mui'4 'eatioi ali\\\Lt v. lio-e done a lot ot haul woi U in hi- time piul « lio'h (Mi ni^eai- llau^r.t ha- a\ei\ !ai(j,e piaelico, liaan I lie' i wondei 'who'd <4C5t. that ' Y\ ell. now MoulV out ot politic.", 1 should not. be .-uipiisod if he !_ol a yood iat -li.ue oi u ile- uucominon sli.up. l- htout ' t - . 1 -i'ppo-L he knows lv- w.i\ abinit. >StiU, 1 m laclined to think \(»u'u' ;_;oi hold uJ the wionir cnil oi (he sink' leant till ym \, hj ju-l now , but | 1 iiimk m). \h, well, we -hail hi I .' j

CLAIMS TO \.\n\ b] LAM>S Mi Aillun Owen lui^ iinncd lu'io horn \e!-oti lo pi t^ec ulu his |Vt 1! ion <uul f l.iinis | iirtou: I'iii h.UiH'nt ( u 1 n.ai\o UuuK on the DDiLh hank ol ihe \iok.ui. The jt ti ([oil ui!l (Oino he.viu 1 i'.ti liamcnt mi- [ m is 'li«itiM, >^ !u! objorlioM v. ill [noli.il'l^ I'C mKom id -I'xual nictiil)Oi" of the \\ai\e Afi.-ni.-- < 'oitiiiiil ti'u lo rn( on Ihe c.i^t. Sir K. Stout, who n.i. l.^ lii\o appealed ten Ouon. H.i .iKoniMllcul-'outii, but MiSkoiU'tt lia^ t.ikcu t lie c.i^e, Mild ill act bctoic (ho Commit i iv

SHOP HOURS HILL I A nuH'iiii" ol ohi/i ns opposed (o .lo\ce Shop I ioui- lill w.i 1 - hold la- 1 11114111, when ll \\a^ ir-oho(! to petition i'.ulianicnl ni opposition to lhv % mca.^uii'.

l'\E\!i'Tl()NK FROM PU'H The Wellington Uaiboui l>o.ud lure nbinii L" 10,001) wuitli ot machine)}' oj) the yv <n vi^- UIK ' ie LVonuci lia^ fi^^urod them that all nuu'liinoiy oio'eicd puoi (o May 5 i. -I -hall bu exempt under the new (.tuili".

AN IMi'OUTAXT .MEASURE. iMinit-U;i> ha\<> undei eoiwdoi.ibion ;i mcii^uie toi iln* i-uppio-Mon of di-onleily hoiinos, and toi dci'hny willi oHcncus ii^ainst, the ])oif-oti The auo oi consent is laired to hixteon and ])io\^ion is also made \shcicby the police can lomovc fioni di^orcleily'houM> j,'irK under that i\»c riog<>in< T h. uhiy bo otdoicd ioi 1 ol]encc> a ( »aii)st women unit <j;ii l^-.

REJUIHK TO CREAT SOUTH JlOAl). Mr MitehcKnn or.icchilly assisted I\io-.q Road Boauls who have had to take over the <;reat South and Onehnn^i road.s in their prescntdilapidated condition. ThcOtahulm Road Hoard woio promised a certain quantity of metal for their section of the load bioken .it Mount Etlen by the unemployed. The Board, however, found that the co^t ot carting the metal to the station, loading liucks and paying Height and nyain cartiuy, its from chc station \\ould amount to the midi equal in amount of the value ol metal. I\epro.senta6ioij& bci'iomade to Mr INlitehcl&on, he ha^ consented to have the metal broken at !rft. AnnV Hi id go by the unemployed nenr the centre ol the locality where it will be required for llhO PUBLIC WOIIKS HTATEAIKNT. This .no-mod, the I'ublic >Voik> Statement will po-i^css exceptional importance. Nothing lntfa been done t>o far towardb

its compilation, although the general plan has been .sketched out. I believe the importance of the statement will centre upon tlio large reduction -made, and the fact that the rates naked for expenditure will be the smallest since the initiation of the public works policy.

A TAX ON SUGAR. A movement i.s on fool in the direction of making a propo.sul to the House in the diicotioii of adopting a halfpenny duty on ■sugar. It is contended that this tax would realise ,CJ 15,000, that it would remove what is considered to ho the certainty ot another lat'fje deficit, and would avoid the necessity for some present taxation in elites wJicie it is considered cv in hoi. some. The proposal would, howo\cr, meet with -itron^ opposition from fclu.jsc who object to so much indirect taxation on the poorer classes.

AUCKLAND RAILWAY SERVANTS. The Minister of Works has inquired iuLo the icpoited dismissal of railway .sen ants at Auckland, and says the facts arc theM, :--0n the lecommcndation of Air Kotherham, one foienian was promoted Lo Oreymotith, and ieplaccd by a man from Addin^ton. while another was disrated in consequence of the amalgamation of offices. Thcic has been no reduction of wan-es except thoKj announced in the House in the way oi lowoiin^ caipentevs, coachbuildcis, and })aintci.^ to a uniform rate. JNJUSTICE TO AUCKLAND. Should i\li j\lonk bneak to-day he will mako a j >i ote.st against tlie excefcsive yi-o-peity lax valuations? in bho North, comuaicd with Uio.-o of the South. He &ayfhe has known an instance of Auckland propoity lacing -old at 25 per cent under the piopeily (a : -valuation.