HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1858, 20 July 1874, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, J uly 17. Mr O'Rorke, in reply to Mr Harrison, promised to lay on the table correspondenpe which has passed between the Provincial Government of Nelson and the General Government on the subject of the reduction of the number of Wardens on the South- West Gold-fields ; also correspondence between the Provincial Government of Westland and the General Government respecting the payment of the salaries of the Resident Magistrates, who are also Gold-fields' Wardens in that province. Leave was given to Mr Curtis to introduce a Bill to consolidate and amend the wa&te land laws of the Province of Nelson. In replying to Mr J. E. Brown, Mr Richardson said that owing to a

scarcity of engineers and other difficulties, the Government had not been able to ascertain the best course for a railway to connect the West Coast of the Middle Island with the northern part of the Province of Canterbury, but intended to do so as soon as ever the service of competent persons was available ; probably during this session. • .< In replying to Mr Reader Wood, Mr Richardson said that a similar difficulty had prevented the opening of the un--finished portion of the Auckland and Waikato Railway. ■.■•■> Mr Murray asked if the penalties for non-ful6ltnent of Webb's Californian contract had been received. The Premier said no. Application had been made for them. Webb refused to pay, and the person who took over the liabilities of the firm said he was not able to do so. He could not positively say what step would be taken next towards their recovery. He would ascertain from Mr Russell what course would be most advisable, with any reasonable probability of being successful. Mr Richardson, in reply to a question by Mr Murray, said that the Tokomairiro to Lawrence portion of the Clutha Railway would be open on the Ist June, 1875, and the Dunedin to Clutha on the Ist September, 1875. Mr Murray's motion, that members should be allowed to send telegrams during the session at press rates, was negatived. Mr Swanson asked the Premier whether he had any objection to lay on the table the opinion of the Attorney-General as to the right of Civil Servants to pensions, which was submitted to the Select Committee appointed last session to report upon the Civil Service Bill.. The Premier Eaid he had no objection to the proposal, and would take upon himself the responsibility of laying it upon the table. Mr O'Niell asked the Commissioner of Cu3toms when the report on New Zealand lighthouses would be laid on the table/ ..; Mr Reynolds said as soon as the Government was in possession of full information regarding the lighting of the whole coast. The marine report was not yet compiled, as reports from remote stations were not yet received. If the mover waited upon him he would give all information at present known. Mr Kenny auked the Commissioner of Customs why the lighthouse at Tory Channel Heads had not been erected, and whether it was the intention of the Government to proceed without further delay. Mr Reynolds said any delay had been absolutely necessary, and would be found out to have been wanted, if they succeeded in lighting Cook's Straits properly. : Fouiteen days' leave pi absence were granted to Mr Webster. , . . The principal business this afternoon was the discussion of the proposed alteration in the excise' by the Customs — . namely, that after 14th' July, 1875, seven shillings be charged on Colonial distilled : spirits ;! after the 14th July, ] 877, eight shillings ; and after the 14th J uly, 1879, nine shillings. ;The Commissioner quoted a lot of statistics, showing the quantity of barlejy grown and the number of gallons! of liquor distilled since the Actpaased in 1868, the result of which was that the revenue had, 105t L80,606, and ,' T that for every bushel of barley grown in the Colony the differential duty lost to it was nearly 2s per bushel. That instead of distilling promoting agriculture, it did the very reverse ; nor did the business employ labor to any great extent, the permanent hands employed at the Auckland brewery being only five, and in Dunedin 23. Mr Pyke opposed going into Committee. Mr Sheehan wanted to see the matter placed in the hands of a Select Committee before going into Committee of Ways and Means, and defended the interests of the Auckland brewers. Mr Dillon supported the Government view. If the proposed changes seriously interfered with any interest, it was the business of the Select Committee to deal with that subsequently. Several members suggested that they should do away with the distilleries in the Colony, since the revenue suffered ,so much. Mr M'Glashan opposed that as absurd. Mr Reid thought the country lost much in a mistaken attempt to foster distilla" tion. They should devise some means of recouping themselves from the industry . they had spent so much on. Mr Reader Wood said this was their first attempt at protection, and it was a great failure ; all future ones would be so also. Mr Murray thought they ought to rather exclude imported spirits than interfere, so as to check Colonial distilltion. At the request of Mr Tolmie, the petitionsfrom the Dunedin distillers was read to the House, and the House rose. July 18.. The debate on the new excise duty was resumed. Mr Puko opposed the proposal strongly, but expressed himself in favoj? of an amendment which Mr Macandrew had given notice he would move, as meet- ( the exigencies of the case completely by at once securing the Colony from further loss while protecting those engaged in distillation from loss by any sudden change in the excise duty. Mr M'Gillivray opposed the proposals. Mr Thompson warmly supported the position taken by Mr Caulk well in his pamphlet, as being the beat side of the.

argument. He considered much of the hue and cry was due to importers, who were naturally jealous of the success of the colonial article. * V ; The question was put to report progress which was negatived by 22 to 36. The resolution then passed, and was reported to the House. . The Post^Ofnce f - Savings' Bank Billpassed t wj.thpu^amen,d_ment.,, • . .-_• „,;„ Mr moved the. second, reading of -the-Government Insurance and Annuities Bill,'': arid explain edits provisions, n ;.' ,! <i A long and sharp discussion ensued upon the Civil Service" Acts Amendment Bill, Messrs Reader Wood,; Swainston, and others vehemently opposing allowing | the Gojvernor in Council tb have discretionary! power to grant pensionß'tn excess; of annual fund of L9OOO. ■■ - ! ' ' - : ' ! : "•■'■'"