PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 178, 6 July 1871, Page 6

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

( Condensed from the Dunedin papers. )

Monday, 26th June. Mr. Bastings moved :—": — " Ist. That the time has arrived when Provincial Institutions should bfe divtstfeil 6f ftismy 'of the existing expensive surroundings. 2L That, as a first step towards retrenchment in that direction, all necessary means should be taken to obtain such alteration in the Constitution Act as will- abolish the present system, and establish one in more conformity with the exigencies of the times. 3i*d. That tinder, any new system, the number of electoral districts, and number of representatives,, should be considerably reduced j and that the Superintendent should Le elected by the representatives in Council assembled, he acting as chairman of the Council. 4th. That during the recess, the Government take steps to give effect to these resolutions." Mr. Reid opposed the. motion. The debate was adjourned tiE Wednesday. Other motions of -little importance followed. In the evening the Honse went into Committee of Supply, when Mr. Bradshaw made the long-looked for financial statement. From his remarks we gather these facts :— On the 31st March, 1870, there was a balance debt against the province of £43,350. At the end of the financial year, 1871, there was a further debt of £54,228 13s. Id, The total expenditure during the year inclusive of balance was 393,308 ss. 7d, against 295,12965. lOd. of . revenue — being a deficiency of £97,-578 18s." 9d. The estimated revenue for last year, was £327,900 ; and the actual amount received was £263,443 10s. 7d., showing a deficiency of £65,456 9s. sd. The Provincial Treasurer then stated that there had

been a falling off in almost every item, He also explained how the difference between the" actual revenue and the sum shown on the balance sheet occurred. The difference is made up from the following sums amounting to £32,285 16s. 3d., viz. : General "Government, on account of Southland debt, £27,500 ; do., compensation to Southland officers, £1541 17s. ; scab assessment and sheep inspection fees, Southland, £890 18s. Id. ; pilotage and port charges, Southland, £228 15s. 7d.; railways, £2124 55. 7d. ; total, £32,285 16s. 3d. This, added to the actual revenue, £263,443 10s. 7d., makes £295,729 6s. 10d., as it appears on the balance sheet. After further explanations of expenditure during the past year, Mr. Bradshaw proceeded to mdi cate the financial proposals for the current year. He estimates the revenue at £287,898 16s. 4'd., less by £40,007 3s. Bd. than last year. The expenditure to be £264,561 9s. lid., showing a large reduction on last year's expenditure, and which will reduce the deficit to £69,010 18s. 4d. After further statements, Mr. Bradshaw said a further reduction of deficiency will be sure to take place by non-expenditure of votes, if the appropriations are not added to; but a still further redaction is not •possible unless an increase in our revenue takes place, that is not probable unless our land laws are amended. If the General Assembly carries out the wishes of this Council in this direction, a much larger proportion of the public estate might be judiciously sold than is estimated, and the deficiency materially reduced during the current financial year. It is clear to me, siuce I have been in the Treasury, that unless we economise or submit to additional taxation, the beginning of the end is close upoa us. I allude to the beginning of the end of the present system of Provincialism. Our land fund is our great holdfast ; when that goes, Provincialism goes with it. The policy of the General Government is obviously to sec-ure our land fund. He moved the item Interest on Loan, .£3208. Several items having been passed, progress was reported and leave obtained to sit again. After some unimportant business had been transacted, the House adjourned.