LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Bruce Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 1209, 4 June 1880, Page 3

LEG ISL ATIV E COU NCIL .

Wednesday 2nd June. The Legislative Council met at "2.30. Replying to a question, the Hon. Captain. Fraser said if the contractors under the Harbor Board took contracts believing the Government would pay, failing the Board, they (the contractors) would make a mistake, and would learn a lesson. The Government were under no obligation to assist the Otago Harbor Board. The Hon. Lr Grace moved the Address inRenly in a brief speech, in which he expressed a Ape that all parties would do their utmost to help the Colony ont of its difficulties. The Hon. G. R. Johnston seconded the Address. The Hon. Colonel Whifcmore spoke at length on the Government policy, chiefly in its favor, especially as to Native matters. He highly eulouued the Hon. Mr Bryce as being the best Native Minister the Colony had ever had. He criticised the Government's finance, and said he would further their interest! to help the Colony out of its difficulties. Finance came before everything. Their house was on lire, and it must be put out before abstract questions could be discussed. He opposed the withdrawal of subsidies, but would raise half tbe cost of education (in which there was gross extravagance) by direct local taxation.

The Hon Mr Whitaker briefly replied to the Hon. Colonel Whitmore's remarks, when the Address was carried.