GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 4 August 1870, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Weucin-gtok, July 27th. Mr Travers moved his resolution in favour of taking the verdict of the majority in juries, in an excellent speech. Messra Potts, Macffarlane, Ludlam, Clark, Macandrow, Brandon, Gillies, and Reynolds supported the motion, and Messrs Yogel and Main opposed it. Mr Haughton and Mr Stafford supported the motion generally, but argued in favour of a postponement of it. The motion, lapsed through the adjournment for dinner. The financial proposals of the Government have been recommended to the House in a message from the Governor, and will be considered to-morrow. July 28th. Colonel Whitmore has given notice of the following resolution: — "That the time has now arrived for a radical alteration, of the provincial institutions of the colony, aud. that it is especially desirable to restrict the legislative, functions of Provincial Councils to the enactment of bye-laws, and the administrative functions of Provincial Governments to matters of a purely local and municipal character. That it is desirable that the Superintendents of provinces should cease to be political officers, and that the General Government should introduce an Act into both branches of the Legislature without delay, to give effect to these resolutions." The previous question was carried to-day by 27 to 25, on Mr Travers's motion regarding taking the verdict ol two-thirds of a jury. The previous puestion was agreed to after the resumed debate on Mr Reynolds's motions regarding financial separation. M,r Reynolds stated it to be is intention to move them again on the motion for going into Committee of Supply, and said that he still had hopes of carrying them. Mr M'Gillivray withdrew his motion regarding the conduct of the Imperial Government tow.ards the colonyThe Payment of Jurors Bill has been read a second time. It is rumoured that an attempt is going to be made to reduce the number of the members of the House to 61, by giving Hawkes's Bay, Marlborough and Taranaki only one momber each, and Wellington only 6 members; Otago .and Auckland to have the same number as at present. No details are rumoured as to Nelson, Canterbury, Southland, and Westland. Our correspondent forwards us the following as the latest modification consented to by the Government to catch support in Committee. No doubt considerable alterations will still take place :—: — 1. That the Railways should not be enumerated in the schedule, but that provision should be made to the effect that the Colonial Government should place itself in communication with -the various Superintendents and Provincial Councils, ascertain their wishes, and lay them before the Assembly, together with such recommendations as the Government may think fit. The xisseni-

bly from time to time to decide on the Railways. 2. Reduce money to be borrowed in aid to four millions, viz., for Railway Purposes, £2,000,000; Miscellaneous, £1,000,000 ; Immigration, £1,000,000. 3. In Miscellaneous, water for goldfields to be £300,000. 4. Provisions to secure exclusively separate custody and expenditure of money. 5. A central authority at home to have control over all Immigration agencies or sub-agencies. 6. Section 2.2 of Immigration and Public Works Bill to be excised. 7. Interest not to exceed 6 per cent. If they bear 6 per cent, interest, debentures not to be sold under par ; if they bear less than six per cent, interest, debenture not to be sold at price which will yield to purchasers more than 6 per cent, interest. 8. Money borrowed for Defence purposes to be subject to appropriation by the Assembly from time to time. Reciprocity Bill to be altered, so that instead of a bonus being authorised, power be given to reduce or abolish duties on Intercolonial products and manufactures. 10. Change in duties to be open question. 11. Clause to be added to Consolidated Loan Application Bill, authorising, if necessary, addition to Consolidated Loan. July 29th. The following new stipulation was agreed to :—": — " That the magnitude of the undertakings proposed, and the necessity of providing for a due responsibility and control by the Legislature, for the manner in which they are to be executed, require that a Minister for Public Works and Immigration should be appointed, and that he should be assisted by a Board of Works as a council of advice." The Otago and Southland Re-union Bill has passed through the House. The Waste Lands Committee have reported on the petiton of the Mayor and Town Council of Cromwell, asking for commonage. The report says that there would have been no ground of complaint had the Otago Executive put the land laws, of the province into I effect. i A motion for the resumption of the shipping telegrams was negatived. Mr Driver' has given notice of the following resolution : — " That it is j essential to the carrying out of the financial policy of tho Government, that the land laws of tho Middle Island be assimilated on the principle of free selection, due regard being bad to existing rights ; and that the Government take steps in that direction during the recess." In the debate on the Gold Duty Bill last night, Mr Yogel introduced clauses allowing the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Superintendent and Provincial Council of any province, to reduce or abolish the gold duty and miners' rights in such province. The proposal was warmly supported by the marjority of the Qtago members, and was carried by 26 to 24. On the resolution being reported today, Mr Kynnersley moved the recommittal of the Bill to excise these clauses. Mr Stafford declared them to be impolitic and unconstitutional, as really giving the provinces the control of the Customs duty, and the motion of the recommittal of the Bill was carried by 34 to a.L. In Committee, Mr Yogel offered to abandon the clause relating to the gold duty, if one were adopted allowing the Governor in Council to reduce the miners' rights in any province to l()s each. Mr Kynnersley refused to accept the compromise. The miners, he said, never felt the fee charged of LI per annum, but they wanted the one right to extend over the whole colony. The Financial Bills have been read • a first time, and their second reading appointed for Tuesday. July 31st. Mr. Vogel's proposed compromise on the Gold Duty Bill was rejected on a division, and the clauses objected to expunged by 35 to 31. The Government withdrew the Bill, to consider what course they should adopt regarding it. Mr. Fox moved his resolutions regarding the redistribution of the representation. On the first resolution, Mi*. Gillies moved an amendment, empowering the Committee to consider the whole question of redistribution of the representation of the colony. The Government accepted the amendment, which was carried. On the second resolution, Mr. Gillies moved an amendment, making population the basis of representation as far as possible. The Government opposed this, and on a division the amendment was rejected by 43 to 17. Mr. G-illies's proposals woujd have given Auckland 18 members, and Otago and Southland (together) 20. The desirability of an increase in the representation of Auckland and Westlancl is generally admitted. The Government will probably come down with more definite proposals. Taranaki has put in a claim for a share of the million loan. At a public meeting, held at Now Plymouth, resolutions were passed to the effect that the principal portion of the loan should be expended in those districts which ha.d [ suffered most from the war,