THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1871.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 40, 22 November 1871, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1871.

The General Assembly -was prorogued at noon on Thursday, the lGtli instant. The s.s. ‘Wellington’ loft before the prorogation, but nvc have a copy of bis Excellency’s speech via Wanganui. From our exchanges and correspondence tve arc likewise in possession of reports of the proceedings of the Legislature up to the formal act of prorogation, which was performed in state by the Governor in person. The real work of the session appears to have been crushed into the last fortnight. Up to the last month, none of the hills embodying the Government policy, were submitted to the Legislature, and concurrently with these came a requisition, originating with the Executive, but purporting to emanate spontaneously from members of both Houses, requesting the Government to prorogue the Assembly a fortnight sooner than the prorogation has been found possible. The object of this move was so transparent, that beyond a foNV “ blind followers of the Government ” in both Houses, the memorial was passed round without signature. Ministers were therefore forced to debate their policy, and to face the Assembly as best they might. They were not at fault, however, in expedients. If deficient in administrative talent and political honesty they are fertile in resources; and they were not slow to avail themselves of the demoralised state of the House to make good their position. This was conspicuously done by Mr. Gisborne, ou the Immigration and Public Works Bill, when in committee. He submitted to the Committee the proposals of the Government. After mature consideration, lie intimated that the railway lines mentioned in the first schedule of the Bailway Bill, wore the only lines the Government could recommend, but, of course, the Executive would be bound by the majority. This intimation carried the hills “living through the House.” Every member, almost without exception, had some pet scheme to propound for the benefit of bis own constituents ; ami the bills went up to the Legislative Council encumbered with ■proposals for “sharing the plunder” amongst the various constituencies of the colony. To their credit, lie it spoken, the Legislative Council did not sanction this reckless policy, which had been invited by Ministers to secure their own position. The Legislative Council excised all the new railway projects, as nvoll as the sections providing for the construction of the branch railwavs, and empowering the Minister of Public Works to define districts and levy rates on property therein, to supplement the railway receipts. The Legislative Council also struck out,' but subsequently consented to restore, the sections of the Immigration and Public Works Bill, which authorised advances to he made in aid of public works on goldfields ; but took care to enact that these advances should only to lie on account of projected works a'ftcr having been sanctioned by the M inister. The Government proposed to make advances on account of works already constructed; but this would be manifestly impolitic, as it would lessen the sum available for necessary works, which cannot now he undertaken owing to the want of funds. The contribution by the Government is to be one third the sum raised by the promoters. The amendments by the Legislative Council led to a free conference of the two Houses. The result was a compromise, in which the Legislative Council had the host of it. The sections authorising the contraction of branch railways have heen so amended as to make it impossible to proceed with any without special parliamentary sanction. It is also provided that the rates are to be raised by direct taxation, involving a property tax and an income tax. It was likewise seriously proposed at the conference, to impose a poll tax to defray the cost of branch railways, for the benefit of owners of property. Direct taxation, however, is now unavoidable. Food lias been taxed already ; the stamp duties have been largely increased ; and nothing now is left but to impose direct taxes, to maintain the Government, for in a very short time the ordinary revenue ■will be absorbed in paying interest and sinking fund on loans.

We'arc glad the clauses empowering the Government to make advances in aid of water works on goldfields have become law. The following are the clauses, as they appeared in the bill when it passed the House of Beprescnt a tives .

77. The Minister may receive applications from the owners or less vs of works for flic supply of water on Goldfields for mining ami other purposes or from other persons interested in such works const metal or about to be constructed for advances of money to aid in the construction extension or improvement of such Nvorks.

78. The Minister may make regulations prescribing the mode of making aud the form of such application mul for proceeding on such application and ou receiving any such application the Minister shall consider the. same and shall obtain the best scientific opinions available as to the value of such works aud other matters relating thereto so as to enable him to form an opinion whether it would be for the public advantage that such advance should be made and whether sufficient security can be given for the advance.

Til. If after investigation the Minister is satisfied that the amount asked or some less amount may with advantage to the public be advanced he may recommend to the Governor what advance not exceeding oncthird of the value of the Nvorks constructed at the time of the advance or to be constructed thereafter for the purpose ought to be made and what security should be taken for the repayment thereof.

80. On such recommendation the Governor may authorise such advance to be made out of the moneys standing to the credit of the Public Works Account mul there shall be taken to and in tlie name of tlie Queen such security as in the opiuion of the Minister will be sufficient to provide and secure the repayment thereof together with interest at such rate .as the Governor shall fix.

We have already intimated that the Nvords “constructed or,” in the 77th section above quoted, have been struck out. Otherwise these sections arc printed as they have been enacted. They will be found of very great importance in this district, The sections for “aiding the de“velopineiit of coal mines and other “purposes,” in the Public Works and Immigration Bill, arc likewise essential to the development of our goldmining and manufacturing industry. With cheap coal, mining pursuits Nvill become more extended and profitable. The proposed railway from the Kaua lvawa Mine to deep NVatcr at the Bay of Islands, if made, Nvould place us in that fortunate position, besides enabling the produce of the mine to bo largely exported abroad. Let us avail ourselves as soon as possible, of tlic provisions of the Act above referred to, because it is not an improbable event to suppose that the money raised by borrowing may run .short of completing the vast Nvorks already sanctioned. A word to the wise should not be spoken in vain.