GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2494, 2 August 1873, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[Per Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph Agenct".] Wellington, Aug. 1. In the House to-day, Mr BatuGATE denied having stated in the House that he had not read certain Bills introduced bj him, as stated in the " Evening Post." The " Post's " report was incorrect in every particular. The Speaker said.the newspaper reporters were admitted to the gallery by favor of the House. The reports should be correct. He would take care that the reports in the press should be correct. Mr Gillies said that Mr Bathgate was rash in stating that the report in the "Post " was incorrect in every particular. The report in the " Post" was correct. All the reporters in the gallery affirm the correctness of the " Post's " report, and deny the Speaker's authority to interfere with newspaper reports.* The Speaker has excluded the " Post's " reporter from the gallery. In the House to-day, in reply to Mr Sheehan, Mr Vogel stated that the Government had no intention of amending the Mining Companies Act of last year. In reply to Mr Carrington, Mr M'Lean replied that the Government would make some provision for repairing ! roads through native reserves where the natives were not paying rates. In reply to Mr Thomson, Mr Vogel said that the Minister for Public Works would make a public works statement early. . . la reply to Mr Kolleston, Mr Vogel said that Queensland had prohibited the importation of stock from New Zealand ; New Sonth Wales and South Australia would follow suit. In reply to Mr Murray, Mr Vogel said that the Government did not think the Land Improvement Act necessary. In reply to Mr Wakefield, Mr M'Lean said there was no intention of making any statement on Native matters simultaneously with the financial statement regarding the condition and management of Native affairs. Mr Johnston asked the Commissioner of Customs when he will produce a statement showing the value and total quantities of all articles specified in the new tariff upon which Custom duties were paid during the financial year, and the amount of duty paid thereon. Mr Vogel said there would be an increase of £50,000. A great many persons were passing resolutions upon a mistaken notion ; they were mistaken in supposing that the new tariff will not lead to a decrease in the declared value of imports. Mr Sheehan asked the Native Minister, whether the Government proposed to afford the House an opportunity of discussing the Native policy ? He said that tbo policy was before the House in several bills ; why not bring down the whole Native measures, and have a discussion on them on one day. Mr Vogel said the Government did not admit the necessity for a discussion, therefore there was no intention to submit the question to the House. Certain measures regarding native matters would be introduced, and Mr Sheehan could then take action. In reply to Mr Tribe, Mr Vogel said that the Government had no intention to increase a vote for water supply to goldfields to half a million. The Provincial Officers Disqualification Bill, introduced by Mr Brown, of Canterbury, was read a first time. The Civil Service Amendment and Permanent Officers Salaries Bill was postponed. The Cable Subsidy Agreement Ratification Bill was committed, and Mr Stafford objected to the Bill as it did not compel contractors to keep the cable working between New Zealand and Australia. According to the Bill the contractors might close communication, losing only five or six thousand a year. Mr Vogel said the sixth clause provided for the case. The time was coming when New Zealand would be independent of Victorian importations, hence the necessity for direct communication with Europe. Mr Gillies did not see that the cable would effect such results. The debate assumed a bitter tone. Mr Rolleston accused Mr Vqgel of impertinence towards the Houee in challenging its right of criticism. Mr Vogel.replied, accusing Mr Eolleston of irritability of temper. Mr Fitzherbert condemned Mr Vogel's contract with Queensland and Sydney, and advocated that New Zealand should retain the right to send messages via South Australia. - Mr Vogel said another offer was about to be received from the Telegraphic Construction and Maintenance Company. The Bill was reported to the House without amendment. Mr Vogel said that fresh proposals had been received from M'MeckaD, Black wood and Co., relative to the Australian Mail Service, which, would be submitted to the House.