PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1006, 20 September 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Wellington Sept 13. Mr Stafford said that Mr Curtis will be commissioner of Stamps and Customs, temporary Postmaster-General, and Telegraph Commissioner; Mr Sewell to be Colonial Secretary and the sole medium of communication with the Agent-General. He felt that the public works would require the sole attention of one of the ministry ; therefore the immigration would be given into the hands of Mr Pitzherbert. The Government was convinced that the whole of the public works policy depended on the introduction and settlement of immigrants, and Mr Fitzherbert would devote his attention to those points. He would also examine into the state of surveys throughout the Colony with a view to the introduction of a reliable uniform system throughout the Colony which, while not ignoring the value of information and work already accumulated, would secure for the future unity of action, especially in reference to trigonometrical surveys. Mr Pitzherbcrt would also superintend the Crown Lands department, He disapproved of the practice, like Mr Gisborne's, of Ministers securing permanent office, and would never countenance it. Government intended to co-operate most fully with the Provinces regarding the introduction and location of immigrants. The Ministry was formed on the principle of maintaining the unity of the Colon}', with the seat of Government at Wellington. He would oppose any direct or indirect attempt at separation, and meet Mr Reynold's and Mr Macandrew's motions by the previous question. At the same time he admitted tho existance of a feeling in favor of insular separation, both in the North and South Islands, and during the recess the Government would carefully consider whether such administrative machinery could be devised as would remove tho causes for such a feeling. The Government

ntended, as soou as funds allowed, to si >roceed with the railways already > luthorised, but it was evident that the !V unds at command were not sufficient t( o complete anything like the whole of h ;ho lines in the schedule of the Rail- ii ,vay Act. The contracts already let t ibsorbed nearly three-fourths of the h imount available, and rolling stock, t departmental charges, and interest o would only leave an inconsiderable t balance. It was necessary, therefore, j< to consider the means to obtain funds a for the completion, sooner or later, of v other lines, and until this was done no c new contracts beyond present means j would be entered into; and in any j future contracts, he pledged the Go- ] vernment not to give any amount in 1 excess of the price authorised by 1 Parliament, which would fix the \ amount, and they would not exceed it. They would, as quickly as possible, ; expend the amount voted for works north of Auckland. Wherever unein- ] barrassed by existing arrangements, ;

;hey will let all works by tender. The Ministry would give effect to the opinions on Native matters expressed ay him in his speech in reply. At the present period of the session the Government would not take up any loan or new questions. He hoped the session would close in a month. In order to save time the Government would accept their predecessors' Estimates generally, but would endeavor to reduce them as largely as possible when before the House. The Government would strenuously endeavor to bring the ordinary expenditure within the ordinary revenue of the Colony, and avoid increasing the floating debt.

He admitted the growth of public dissatisfaction at the increase of the civil service, and intended to ask for the appointment of a Parliamentary Commission to inquire intothe matter during the recess, and recommend the steps to be taken by the House nest session. He approved of the principle of hia predecessors on the Public Revenues Bill, but would not pledge himself to all its details. He would, nest session, introduce a new Goldmining Bill, and a Bill to supplement existing machinery, where defective, regarding education, so as to make the opportunity of primary education available in all parts of the country. He would also consider tbe question of gaol discipline, with a view to provide for the of prisoners, by having special gaols for longsentenced prisoners. The Government were aware of the existence of discontent on the Nelson Groldfields, but not of any special causes therefor. Mr Curtis hardly shared his colleagues' opinion as to the sound nature of those causes, but the Government would fully consider and investigate the matter, with a view to devising somo means of improving the administration of affairs, so as to render it more acceptable to the people. He did not believe that the creation of a new Province would conduce to the good government of that part of the Colony. During the recess they would consider the "question of amending the insolvency law. The present Gold Mining Bill would be withdrawn. They would take up the Stamp Act Amendment Bill, and extend it by reducing cheque stamps to one penny. They were not prepared at present to accept Mr Shechan's proposed extension of Maori representation, but would not object to give Native members to Waikato and Poverty Bay districts. They would not proceed with the present Civil Service Amendment Bdl. September 14. The following Bills were read a second time : —Telegraph Notices Bill; Stamp Duties Bill, reducing rceeipt and cheque duties', and providing for a large number of remissions in cases of manufacturing companies, friendly societies, &c. ; Post Office Amendment Bill, reducing the newspaper postage ; Gold Duties Bill, reducing the duty to 2s ; and the Public Eevenue3 Bill.