LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3387, 30 October 1879, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, Last night. PRISONB ACT AMENDMENT. In the Council to-day tho Prisons Ac!; Amendment Bill was passed through all I its stages. It was to correct an informality re the non-proclamation of the Wanganui gaol. PRIVATE 13H.LS. Hon. Col. Whitmore drew attention to the standing order which prevented local bills coming on later than two months after the opening of the session. He said through delay caused by party strife an alteration would have to be made this year, and he asked the Hon. the Attorney- j General to consider the matter. VALUE OF EXPOBTS. The Hon. G. Buckley moved— "That in the opinion of this Council the values of experts should be carefully ascertained. He compared the declared values given here and the prices realised in London, and from the difference said the value of the total exports was more than a million less than it was supposed to be. As an instance the average value of wool was declared to be 13§d, whereas it did not bring, at the highest, 12d. Id was the same with gold, tillow, wheat, and all chief articles of export. Hon. Mr Whitaker said the Customs officers were instructed, when exporters manifestly over valued their exports, they were to be reduced.' Instructions should be reissued.

The Hon. Colonel Whitmore said of course it was impossible to ascertain the balance of trade without nearly correct figures, but he thought the aveiage given was within a small limit of the accurate amount. Exporters paid insurance premiums on their declared values, and it was not to their interest to over value. The Hon. Mr .Robinson spoke to the same effeat, and the Hon. Mr Waterhouse supported Mr Buckley's remarks, and said the value of exports of New Zealand had not increased within the last ten years. The motion was carried. BIE JULIUS VOGEL AND FALMOUTH. Sir P. Bell moved that it is desirable that Government should express its views re Sir Julius Vpgel contesting a seat in the House of Commons while continuing Agent-General. He thought it would be undesirable for the representative of the Colony to be mixed up with English party politics. He might for instance be a supporter of one Ministry, but on a change of Government, would necessarily be in Opposition, which would ba an unpleasant position for one obliged to bo in frequent communication with them. The Hon. Mr Whitaker said the present Government had not yet considered the matter, but the late Premier had interdicted Sir Julius Vogel from holding both positions at the same time. Col. Whitmore said he believed the recent political events had much to do with the prospective holding of the office. Hon. Mr Waterhouse said if Vogel was bent on entering the House of Commons, he would not be deter/ed by being forced to resign his present office. In that case the duration of his holding office by successors should be reduced to three years, so the office might be made a reward to many able mon in the Colony. The Hons. Messrs Menzies and Fraser proposed to abolish the office, and send home a mission on special occasions. Hon. Mr Buckley alluded to the vast quantity of railway material sent out which was found useless on arrival. He said the colony cost scores of thousands by it. Sir F. D. Bell subsequently withdrew his motion, Government promising to state its views on the matter later on. All other business was unimportant. The Council adjourned at 4.15.