The Press. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1867.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1577, 26 November 1867, Page 2

The Press. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1867.

The Committee of the Financial Baform Association held a meeting yesterday to draw up a provisional set of rules and a scheme of operations for the society, which will be reported to a public meeting to be held on the 10th of next mouth. The objects of the Association are defined in these rules to be (1), to collect and diffuse accurate information respecting the finauces of the colony, and this province in particular ; (2), to promote all well considered improvements in the mode of raising thfe public revenue ; (3), to euforce by all constitutional means the practice of economy in the public service without detriment to its efficiency. These objects are those also of the Keform League, with, which, and other similar bodies that may be formed, the Christchurch League proposes to co-operate. The first object is an extremely useful one, which the Association will do a great service to the public by carrying out as far as possible. Notwithstanding the Colonial Treasurer's financial statement and the debates!

the quarterly publication of accounts thereon in the House of Representatives, in the General Government Gazette, and the information from time to time supplied by the press, we believe few people have any very clear idea of the state of the colonial finances ,at the present time. At the meeting the other eveuing, for instance, a statement of the gross amount of the public permanent debt, including both General and Provincial liabilities, seemed to take most of the audience by surprise, and was referred to by some of the speakers as throwing an entirely new light on the subject under discussion. Now at a time when schemes have been brought forward involving a total reconstruction of the existing system of government, and when important constitutional changes are evidently close at hand, it becomes of the highest consequence that the public should ha\e all the data necessary for understanding the exact position of the colony, and so for coining to a sound decision as to what changes are required, how far they should be carried, and what are the scope aud bearing of the several propositions now before them. We repeat, therefore, that the Association will do a great public service if it applies itself diligently to the task of collecting and diffusing accurate information respecting the finances of the colony.

As to tho desire expressed by the Association to do their utmost to promote economy in the public expenditure, we are not sanguine of much result from their eftbris in that direction. No one can say that the salaries of General Government officials are too high, or that the work is performed in an unnecessarily expensive manner. We do indeed hear occasionally at public meetings.a great deal of talk about "immense savings," "vast reductions," and the like ; but the speakers who indulge in this vaguely magnificent language seldom go into figures, or if they do, generally fall into egregious blunders. The real cause of the large expenditure is that the people choose to have it so. They insist on being served with a minute attention to their convenience that can only be accomplished at a great expense. Take the postal department, for example. No doubt a considerable saving might be effected if the people would be content with longer intervals of interprovincial communication, or with a less frequent or extensive delivery of the internal mails; but we know that any attempt by the Government to be economical in these matters is received with the strongest disapprobation. So with the administration of j ustice, and other departments. The system is an expensive one, and if the people will not consent to any abatement of that system they must uot grumble at its cost. With regard to the services provincially charged, the local knowledge of the Association might enable them to suggest possible reductions; but it will be quite contrary to the ordiuary rule if they do so. Retrenchment differs from charity in beginning anywhere but at horne — the reason, we suppose, being that it is more easy to preach it to others than to submit to it oneself. In provincial affairs, however, the existence of a society whose special duty is to scrutinize the expenditure, with the view to detecting and exposing any excess, may be attended with some practical advantage.

The third subject—an examination of the mode in which the revenue is raised—is one to which we are particularly glad to find public attention directed. There cannot be a doubt that the taxation of New Zealand is injurious to the commerce and a dead weight upon the enterprise of the colony. Yet tor reasons we have given before we doubt whether it can be materially diminished. Belief must therefore be sought, not so much in lessening the actual proceeds of taxation, as in adopting some form which shall be more equable than that now in use, and lighten the burden by bringing under its operation interests which now escape altogether. A. judicious employment of direct taxation would in our opinion be of the greatest benefit. In considering this subject we must call to mind under what circumstances and for what particular objects the customs tariff of New Zealand was adopted. The customs duties, as they now stand, are in point of fact war taxes. The tariff was raised.to.its present height to meet the enormous charges on the revenue consequent on the three-million loan, and generally on the war policy of 1863. It was not contemplated that the duties would be maintained for a continuance; the idea in imposing them was that the colony should make a vigorous selfsacriticing effort to clear its finances from the embarrassment into which they had fallen. Now in a time of great national difficulty men do not enquire minutely into the incidence of taxation. A certain amount of revenue has to be raised, and they adopt the readiest means at hand for raising it, without much care for a nice adjustment of details, which would delay, and might possibly end in frustrating, their

object. The necessity for obtaining money overpowers every other con- I sideration. But if the circumstances which necessitate that extreme financial exertion are prolonged; if it becomes evident that the country, instead of being called upon for a severe but temporary effort, will have to bear the burden with little or no remission for at least several years to come ; then the incidence of taxation must be regarded in a very different light. The question then is not only how to raise revenue, but how to raise it with least detriment to the country at large. It becomes- the duty of a statesman to consider, not only the gropg amount of income derivable from taxation, but also how it can be distributed so as not to press with undue weight upon any one class of the community, how all classes may be compelled to contribute their fair share towardsr the public necessities. in what form it is least calculated to check the reproductive energies and impede the progress of the country. A method of taxation that was suitable, or the best available, • for tiding over an emergency, may be the worst possible for a continuance. Such is the case in New Zealand at the present time. The tariff adopted in 1864, solely on account of the urgency of the occasion and the impossibility of waiting till some .other system could be matured, has been continued ever since ; and it is nov\ high time' that the whole scheme oi taxation should be reformed, with the view both of reducing the aggregate amount so far as is practicable, and of re-arranging it so as to be more equitable thin it now is, and to press less heavily on the industrial pursuits aud resources of the colony.

The Lekston Races. —We have been requested' by Mr Loe to state that the entries for the Jjeeston races will close on Monday, December 9, at eight p.m.

Civic Entertainment. —The Chairman of the City Council, after the business of the weekly meeting of the Council had been concluded last evening, invited the members and officers of the City Council to a private dinner, to be given at his residence.

Unsttccessotl Seaech. —The body of the child drowned on Saturday afternoon in the River Avon, near the residence of Dr. Foster. Fendaltown road, has not as yet been recovered, although a search was yesterday made for it by members of the force If is supposed that, as the river at the spot at which the boy is supposed to have fallen in is very deep and the surface covered with cress, the body has been carried down the river by the force of the under-current bulow the cress

The Colombo-Street Bkidge.—Thin bridge has been closed for the last few days, owing to ita having been found necessary that it should be repaired. The City Surveyor has decided, under the sanction of the' Council, that it should be strengthened by the addition of extra piles, and that the roadway should be asphalted. Tho repairs, although causing some little inconvenience for tlie time during which they are being carried out, will in the end prove of very great benefit to tho inhabitants of the neighbourhood. Runaway.—Yesterday morning, a little before ten o'clock, a horse that had been left standing in a cart opposite Lane's mill took fright and bolted along Oxford terrace at a furious pace. All attempts to stop him proved utterly useless, and on reaching th" corner of Montreal-street bridge the cart came into collision with the post opposite Mr Munning's shop, and was immediately capsized. Ihe shafts were broken off short, and the harness of the horse was very much damaged. The horse was caught near the Hospital, and returned to the driver. Ckickbt. —The match between a second eleven of the Albion Club and a team from the Lincoln, Prebbleton and Ternpleton districts will take place to-day in the ground of the U.C C C The wickets will be pitched at half-past nine o'clock. The Albion eleven will consist of Messrs. Banks, Death, Hodgt*, Chirk, Cresswell, Woods, Card, Tacon, Tetley, Poore, and Wills. The matches between the second eleven of theU.O C.C. and Albion clubs, and between five representatives of the samt , clubs, will be placed on Saturday next, which is a Bank holiday. A list of the names of the players will be published in another issue. The Late Fiee.—We have been given to understand that the General Government have, at the instance of his Honour the Supertendent and Executive Council, authorized the Provincial Government to offer a free pardon to any accomplice in the attempt to set fire ro Mr Gould's housp. Wβ hope that this and the reward of £250 offered by Mposrs Gamck and Cowlishaw, will prove suffiunt to obtain the evidence required for the conviction of the guilty parties. An inquiry into the origin of the fire will be held within the next day or two. The circumstances of the case are so very similar to others that have occurred recently that a very rigid inquiry is called for. Thb TtJNNßi.—Yesterday at half-past ten a.m. an engine, with a train of four trucks, at rived on the Lyttelton side of the tunnel Mr Holmes, Mr Richardson, Mr Dobson, and some other gentlemen, together with a number of workmen, passed through on the trucks, some of which were loaded with timber, 4c: We understand, tat the first load of wool will pass through the tunnel to-day, for shipment, per Blue Jacket. Captain Wlvte has invited a number of his friends to a dejeuner on board his vessel, We believe Captain White was present when the tunnel was commenced, tnid it is curious that lie should now receive the first loud of wool conveyed through it. City Wohks —From the statement made by the Town Clerk last evening it appears that the City Council have to their credit at the Bank a sum of nearly £1000 Some of the members were in favour of a portion of this sum being at once expended in the forming of streets and in the carrying out of other necessary works, whiUt others appeared to think that a large balance should be,left to their successors, in order that they might see how economically the worke undertaken by the present Council have been carried out. Tho money can only be spent once, and it matters little whether one or the other Council spends it, so long as it, is well kid out. The present time is certainly a very favourable one for i-arrying out public works.

Loan Socikty—The seventh annual meeting of the Tradesman's and Mechanic's Loan Society was held on Friday evening at the Foresters' Hall; Mr John Atkinson in the chair. The balance-sheet for the past year was read and received. It showed that the subscriptions amounted to £1546 12s. ; loan payments to £1675 2s 3d; entrances, £15 4s 9d ; fees, £45 8s 8d ; fines, &c, £16 13e lOd ; paid secretary, £50; rent and printing, £9 10*; dividends, £178 4a 8d ; shares withdrawn, £60L 2s 7d ; loans nett, £2632 ss9d ; leaving balance in bank, £335 2* 7d, and inland, £16 19s Id. The Chairman reported that notwithstanding some losses the committee were able to announce a dividend on share* of £15 per cent., which

would leave a small surplus to meet doubtful ruses. Mr John Cartm-m was elected treasurer in |>la.-c of Mr John Mills, resigned. MrS. Afannii-2 and Mr 11. Crooks were elected on commit'. fo, anil Mr 0. F. Money and M r J. Turner were elected trustees. Alter a vote of thanks to Mr Piper for his long "'r vices as chairman, mid to the retiring membe s of committee, the meeting terminated.

Thkatue Rotal.— The endeavours of the management of the theatre to keep tlu« house -elect do not seem to be altogether thrown a«ay. Last evening there waa a very fair attendance to witness the second performance of "Deborah," and the piece, from the manner in which it was pro lueed, met with very uenenil «u«v«. The actmg of Mina Bowring was highly commendable, and she receiv. d. as she riehlv d.-served to do, at the fall of the curtain a" very unanimous call from the whole house. We eanr.ot'Say that we admire altogether the play; toY" much is thrown upon Deborah, and on this part rests the success of the piece, the other parts apparently being only thrown in as accessories, which certainly do not come up to the g-nendly conceived idea of second-rate characters in any piece. 'Rudolf, the hero of tie piece, is a character certainly po-seesing no firmness, and on the occasion throws away his love for the Jewess on the slightest, provocation for the Christian girl Anna (Mis* Shepparde), a part which is fairh taken. The plot is, in spite of its ► eneationul adjuncts, r.-ither too fur fetched to meet with sympathy at a time when the rights of the despised race have been so fully acknowledged Hie piece last evening was well played, and undoubtedly deserved the applause it met with.

Caxtehbitry Railways.—The rulee for the regulation of the passenger and goods traffic on the railways within this province ar» published in a "Gazette" issued yesterday. The by-laws relating to liability for loss or damage of goods conveyed by rail are as follow :—The railway will not be answerable or accountable for any damage to goods or merchandise, nor for leakage, breakage, or rust, unless the same shall happen through the negligence of their servants, nor in respect of any goods which shall hare been improperly packed or addressed, nor for plate, chind, pictures, wearing apparel, or other valuibl ■!«, whether of a like nature or otherwise, unless specially entered and pud for as valuable or hazardous goods. No claim for lose will be allowed or re-noirni-i-'d unless the particulars of such claim be lodged with the station-muster at Cliristchurch within seven days after such loss shall have arisen, and no claim for damage will be allowed or recognised after the removal from the railway premises of the goods or merchandize alleged to have been damaged. The railway will not be responsible for any parcel above the value of £10, unless the value be declared at the time of. booking the s line. The rates charged for the conveyance of passengers on the Lyttelton and Chrisrehurch line are as follow—for single tickets in the firsreHss. carriages, to Opii.wa, Is; to Ifil sborough, Is 6d ;to the Valley, 2•>; to Ferrymead or through to Lyttelton, 2s 6d. On the Great Southern line, single fares by the first-class are—from Christchurch to Addington (2 miles), Is; to Ricearton (3 miles), Is 6d ; to the Racecourse (5 miles), Is 9d; to Templeton (9.miles), 3s; to Rolleston (15 miles), ss; to the Leeston road (18 miles), 6s; and to the Selwyn (23 miles), 7s 9d.

Cricket Match at Kaiapoi.—On many of the evenings devoted to , practice by the Kaiapoi Cmb this truly English and manly game appears to have been well patronized. A dosire to excel in the game is at the same time apparent,, and if earnestness and perseverance, combined with material of the rii»ht sort, tend to ensure success, there is no doubt, the members will be able to congratulate themselves on the attainment of proficiency' by the close of the season. At present the paddock used is in anything but good condition for the proper enjoyment of the game, and it will not be until an improvement has taken place in this respect that we shall be able fairly to criticiee the play of the cricketers of Kaiapoi. On Saturday the bachelors and married members of the club played a match which terminated greatly in favour of the latter. The game throughout was kept up with capital spirit. The scores made by Messrs Wright and J. C. Porter told largely in favour of their chance of winning, while on the opposite side the scores are all, with the exception of 20 made by Hurse, inferior, while the single men may also boaet a little of their " duck's eggs," being one in excess of heir rieals.

SINGLE MEN. C. Barker, c bR. Wright ... 7| 8. Barker, b C. E.Dudley 0 J. Barker, b R. Wright 3 C. Cooke, b C. B. Dudley 7 A. Pe.irce, c Wright, bJ. C. Porter ... 0 J. Hiirse, c Porter, b Wright 20 R. C. Roee, c Hinge, h Wright ... ... 13 J. Hebden, b C. E. Dudley 0 H. Revell, b O. E. Dudley 0 E. Revell, not out 5 Widee, 5 ; byes, 5 10 65 MARBIED MEN. R. Wright, run out 98 W. Wright, b Hurse 11 H. Hinge, run out ... ... ... ... 1 H. Burnip, run out ... ... ... 0 G. Weston, run out ... ... ... 7 E. Parrham, b Cooke 0 J 0. Porter, b Hurse 30 J Birch, st Huree, b Baker ... ... 7 C. E. Dudley, not out • ... 0 T. Revell 2 Wides2; byes, 11; no balls, 2 ... 15 Total 171 Financial Reform Association. — A meeting of the Provisional Committee of this association, appointed at the late publicmeetin'g, wns held yesterHay afternoon in the side room nf the Town Hull. Present—Messrs W. Wilson (chairman), G. Gould, W. Williame, Montgomery, Stevens, Hawkes, Andrews, Wakefield, St. Quentin, Inglis, and MacfarUn. The Chairman stated that the object of the meeting was to draw up rules to be submitted to smother general meeting. The Nelson League had drawn up rules which he thought they might consider and adopt as far as they thought fit. Mr Hawkes consented to act as secretary pro. tern. The rules of the Nelson Financial League were read, and considered seriatim, and carried with some alterations. The following is a copy of the rules aa suggested : —"1 The object of the association , sliall be to collect and diffuse accurate information respecting the finances of,the colony, and of this province in particular ; to promote all well-eonsilered improvements in the mode of raising the public revenue, and to enforce by all constitutional means the practice of economy in the public service without detriment to its efficiency." "2. In the event of similar associations being instituted in other parts of the colony for the uttiiinment of the same objects, the committee shall be empowered to .effect a union with such associations in any manner that may be agreed upon, and to adapt the means of this association to such alleviation of circumstances in any way that, may be expedient." " 3. Kvery subscriber of one shilling or upwards shall be admitted as a member for the current year." "4 The business of the association shall be conducted by a committee, consisting of a president, vice-president, treasurer, and not less than ten or more than seventeen other members, all of whom shall be elected annually by the subscribers; but vacancies occurring during the year may be filled up by the committee ; the committee shall have power to appoint a secretary and to make by-laws." "5. Besides an annuai meeting, the subscribers ehall be called together from time to time by the committee as occasions may arise, and upon presentation to the president of a requisition signed by twenty members requiring a meeting of the association, and stating the objects of such meeting, the president shall convene a meeting accordingly within a week." "6. In order to secure the adherence of the public at large for the common objrct of effecting a reform in the financial system, of Sew Zealand and the province of Canterbury, all proceedings partaking of & merely party

character except as regai-de financial questions elifill be avoided." '-7. Tii>r. all tioneral or sv>.-.-iil meeiing* by 'h> above resolu tio'i* ah til be a in on < or more of tin-loe-il n-wspapcM." It was then decided tliat the public meeting shoal i be lu-ld on the 10th of |)eeemb.-r, and that- a meeting of the committee should be held on th-> '.Ith. Aft.-r parsing a vote of thanks to the clmirnviu the meeting piM'arntcil.