WELLINGTON.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 128, 21 July 1870, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

, (From our Own Correspondent.) Since my last letter, there is very little of interest to report. The debate upon the financial propositious of the Government has commenced ; but as the leaders j j upon either bide have not yet spoken, it is diiiicult at present even to conjecture what turn it will take. It is rumoured that Mr. Stafford will deliver himself to-morrow evening, and his words may probably be fairly taken as the key note of the opinions of his party. The talk in the lobbies would seem to point to a j success for Ministers so far that Mr. Vogel's schemes will be considered, and not at once rejected as absurd and impracticable. Mr. Rolleston and some of the Auckland men would go as far as this, b\it the more moderate men think it much ; better that the details should be thoroughly criticised and discussed, so that the country, with whom the issue really lies, may have the opportunity of understanding them in all their bearings. What I have said refers especially to the construction of public works, &c, by means of a large loan. On the subjects of protection duties and permanent appropriation for Defence purposes, there is half a doubt Ministers must bo defeated. I The more the alterations in the tariff are looked into, the less they are liked ; and it would seem as if the mining community all over the colony have been especially picked out as victims for the proposed increase of taxation. Everything ordinarily consumed on the goldfielda is to be doubled in price, while the absolute necessaries of life are, for the first time in the history of New Zealand, to be subjected to an import duty. Mr. Yogel is a representative you should all be proud of; he has always treated his constituency with- insolence, and now he adds injury to insult. No progress yet with regard to the rival Hundreds Acts. The Repeal Bill will first be discussed, and should it not pass, Mr. Macandrew will then bo in a position to bring forward his bill, which embodies very nearly the amendments of the Provincial Council. Your member, Mr. Brown, is indefatigable in his endeavours to work up a majority, but the squatting interest, led by Macandrew, Main, and Co., and backed by the influence of Ministers, will probably prove too strong for him. It should be a question for Otago whether it would not be better to go in for a thorough revision of the land laws, and to make this the tost for the hustings at the ensuing elections. (From a Coirespondent.) There are two Bills before the House at the present time for the settlement of the lands in your province. These Bills have been provoked in consequence of an Act which was passed last session called the " Otago Regulation of Hundreds Act, 1869." That Act caused much anxiety in your province last year, and in order to allay publio feeling, an amendment Act has been introduced by Mr. Macandrew. It is said to be a compromise between the agriculturists and the squatters. The owner of the public estate (the public) seems to be ignored altogether. The compromise (as most compromises generally are) is all on one j ! side. The squatter is to have a right to purchase 640 acres, and the intending settler on the goldfields is permitted to have 200 acres. Why one class of persons should have 640 acres and another class only 200 acres, I cannot say. It is one of those curious matters in politics that I, a common person, do not comprehend. It is left to Superintendents and such like statesmen to explain these anomalies in the working of our institutions. The public I find is to be served in a very liberal way, that is, uin the event of your paying me compensation I will permit you to take that which suits me. You may not take that which you require, although you are the owner, but what I know in many cases you cannot get, namely, two-thirds pastoral, and one-third agricultural lands. If you cannot get blocks of land of this kind, then wait for the next fourteen years. In the meantime Victoria would be glad to accommodate those persons who require land or homes." The other Bill is to repeal the " Hundreds Regulations Act, 18G9." It has been brought on by Mr. J. C. Brown, and read a first time. If this Bill becomes law, then you will be in the situation of 1866. There are a number of persons favourable to Mr. Brown's Repeal Bill. Every attempt has been made to obstruct the Bill, but I believe he will succeed in carrying the measure through the House of Representatives. I think the matter one of such moment, in these stirring times, as to be worthy the consideration of a new Parliament,

and a new Council, and, therefore, the repeal of the Act of 18C9 would bo better than amending it. Mr. Brown, your new member, has been very fortunate. He has not only been favoured with local notices, but leading articles have been devoted t'> him. I believe his groat object is to serve and benefit the people generally, and so long as this is his aim, and he acts up to that principle, he can laugh at all those who think and act otherwise.