PARLIAMENTARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1717, 23 June 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

| UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

In the House on Saturday afternoon on going into Supply, Mr Montgomery criticised the

Financial Statomonfc. lie made tho deCciency to March 31 to bo £IBO,OOO, and believed it had teen growing since. He accused the Government of dealing illegally with public moneys, Regarding the inscribed stock loan and, unauthorised railway expenditure, the Government had been a most extravagant one, although preaching economy. As to Major Atkinson's statement about the reductions he could make, it,was only to influence the elections,.

Mr Petrie objected to tho harbor works'expenditure on the West Const

Mr W. W. Johnston defended the accuracy of his. Public. "Works Statement last session,

■ Mr Holmes thought tho statement of- Major Atkinson like a Chinese puzzle, He made the deficit on 31st March to be £420,980.

In the House on Saturday night Mr Holmes continued the debate, contending that tho quarter of a million incribed stock has been illegally raised, and the -Government had usurped functions of the House in dealing with public money. He dissented altogether from Major Atkinson's views as to the cause of tho present depression. It was not due to the low price of produce, but to the absurdly high price deferred payment selectors had been led to give for their land, Ho advocated Government borrowing money at four per cent and lending it to bona,, fide settlers for improvement at five percent, . .■■.•.,' • •■,.■: a; ■'[

Mr Shepherd, at considerable' length, reviewed the question-of taxation. He did not think the financial condition of the : colony was quite so bad as somo people seemed to suppose it to be, Mr Montgomery asked assurance from Major Atkinson that no political appointments or to Legislative Council be made during the recess, He,also asked when tho writs were to be issued.'

Major Atkinson, in reply, said the Government would, before tho end of the session, take advice of the Houseon the latter point. On the former one lie wished to consult his colleagues. He denied a contention made by Mr Holmes tliat'tlio excess of imports over exports was a bad thing for the colony. It was quite the other way, ; He wished the excess was greater. The true amount of deficiency bills out was only ,£348,000, or, deducting the the Treasury bills for the deficit, only £245,000. They had out of this paid the liabilities of last year, amounting to 1170,000 ho could easily have so arranged tho accounts to make tho figures look much less, but ho desired ' them to show plain truth.. It was also overlooked that £250,000 had been paid into the sinking fund. They had ■also spent a considerable sum in rolling stock for future use, and by pushing on public works had avoided causing much distress, He quoted figures to show that the departmental expenditure had been steadily reduced during the htA few years,. Ho had done all he could to reduce it, but what was required was reorganisation. He had taken this in hand and had ho been allowed would have made proposals. which would have brought tho expenditure of the year within- the revenue..' Every/ step taken by Government in dealing; with public .funds was .done' with' advice of law officers. He denied that' his successor would meet with any' ; great difficulties either in the treasury or in regard to public works,

Sir G. Grey declined to omsider details of accounts which the Treasurer admitted he could have cooked if he wished. He aseribeel the depression to undne competition for deferred payment land owing to blocks opened up being too small. Great personal distress Lad thus been produced, Ho believed the great Liberal party would return triumphant from the elections, and inaugurate a new era of prosperity. He hoped the people would be told the wrongs they suffered .under from a nominated council unfair taxation, and the absence of a. doomsday hook, Mr Turnbuli, said that while three millions was drawn from.-wool and 11 millions acres occupied in its production only some half'million was spent in the colony, ■ That was the cause of depression, These largo estates should bo broken up. There was' otherwise no hope for the colony. The real question was should this" vast area ■remain practically unproductive. Annual Parliaments would bo the effectual remedy, but he' despaired of getting them, At 12,10 Progress was reported and the house adjoarned till 11 o'clock on Monduy morning,