FINANCIAL REFORM in AUCKLAND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 23, 22 February 1868, Page 3

FINANCIAL REFORM in AUCKLAND.

By the last mail from Auckland we heard that the financial reform movement had been taken up in Parnell. "We now hear that the City of Auckland is determined not to be behindhand; and a meeting has been held for the purpose of inaugurating an Auckland League. We take the following account from the Evening News of the 15th. Whatever may be the opinions of the Reformers, we hail this awakening interest in the public affairs of the colony as a most healthy symptom, and we cannot permit ourselves to doubt that it will be attended with useful results: — Last evening a well-attended meeting was held at the Brunswick Hull, to take into consideration the question of financial reform, with a view to the estublUbment of a Reform League in Auckland to work in concert with .kindred societies iv other parts of the colony. Archibald Clarke, Esq., having been voted into the chair, commenced proceedings by explaining the obje.-t of the meeting, and claiming for each speaker a fair nnd impartial hearing. Mr. Firth — who advocated the imposition of a five per cent, income tax, in the place of direct taxation on the necessaries of life, and animadverted strongly on the heavy amount of taxes paid by every head of a family, and indeed indirectly by every man, woman, and child in New Zealand — moved the first resolution, which was as follows: — " That this meeting is of opinion that the present rate of taxation and Government expenditure in New Zealand is excessive, and manifestly injurious to the prosperity of the colony." Mr. (Jr. Webster briefly seconded the motion. Mr. J. Rodgers proposed an amendment, to the effect " that the rate of taxation of tho General and Provincial Governments was excessive." Mr. Matthews seconded tho amendment, calling attention to the fact of the General Government being omitted in the original resolution, and trusting that the meeting would affirm the statement that botli the Generul aud Provincial Governments were extravagant, and that radical reform and retrenchment were urgently required. Mr. Eastwood considered it was all the fault of the people themselves, through choosing bad representatives. He was altogether opposed to a system of double government. Mr. Ellis, at considerable length and with much ability, supported the original motion, and alluded to the power which the Auckland vote of fifteen members had always exercised in the House, and said if that powerful vote were exercised in the interests of Auckland, Government could not be carried on unless justice were done to the Northern capital. The amendment was carried by a large majority. Mr. Reader Wood moved the second resolution, "That, as the efforts hitherto made by the representatives of the people have produced no appreciable diminution of taxation, it is now absolutely necessary for the people themselves to act by systematic agitation and organization." The mover advocated a general reconstruction of the whole government service, and the ample modification, if not total repeal, of the Pensions Acts. Mr. Hurst seconded the resolution, and urged the necessity of electing proper representatives to the General Assembly, and of the people themselves commencing a system of organization to effect the object in view. The resolution was carried unanimously Br. Nicholson proposed the third resolution, "That it is desirable that a Financial Reform League should be established in the province of Aucklaud, to act in concert with kindred associations." Mr. Lamb seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr. J. Beight, and carried. Mr. Lusk proposed the next resolution, which was as follows : — " That this meeting npproves of tho following fundamental principles as those upon, which such a league may be most advantageously founded, namely — 1. That as the only hope of success in the effort at a radical reform in the financial administration of New Zealand rests in the unanimity of the popular movement which demands it, the Auckland Leugue should exclude from its objects all matters of a merely local character, such as might interfere to prevent hearty co-operation between itself and sister associations in other parts of the colony ; 2. That the most important objects for the attainment of which the League should exert itself are the reduction of Customs duties ; the establishment of a mode of raising the necessary revenue less burdensome to the industry, commerce, and enterprise of the colony than that now in use ; such a retrenchment in our public expenditure as may greatly and permanently lighten the burden of otic taxation ; 3. That every new colonist shall be entitled to be enrolled a member of the League on payment towards its funds of an annual subscription of not less than five shillings." This was seconded by Captain Coopeb, who said they would never get any substantial reform until there was a separate Government for the Northern Island. Mr. Swakson said working men could not afford to pay 55., as they wanted all they had for bread. He believed in direct taxation. Luxuries ought to be taxed, and people be made to pay according to their income. Let the rich contribute a year's tax to the funds of the League, and he would willingly pay in advance for two years. After some discussion, an amendment, that the minimum subscription be one shilling, was agreed to. Mr. J. Wkigley moved the fifth resolution, " That the following gentlemen be named as a committee for the purpose of cooperating in the establishment of the proposed Reform League with the committee appointed at tho Parnell meeting; and that it shall be the duty of those gentlemen to call a meeting of the members of the League as soon ns a sufficient number of names have been enrolled, for the election of a committee and office-bearers for the ensiling year: — " R. Wood, D. Nicholson, W. J. Hurst, A. Clark, W. C. Duldy, Major Cooper, W. Eastwood, — Ellis, J. Harris, and Osmund Lewis, with power to add to their number." Mr. J. M. Clark seconded tho resolution, which was unanimously carried.

Acclimatisation in Auckland.— The barque Novelty, which reached Auckland from London on the Bth instant, brought out with her a large number of birds for the Acclimatisation Society. The birds consist of sparrows, goldfinches, yellowhammers, greenfinches, skylarks, linnets, blackbirds, thrushes, ■»tarlings, chaffinches, and partridges. Six hares placed on board, died during the passnge. Another shipment for the Society, which included twentyour partridges and seven hares, is on board the Empress, now on her passage from Louden Jo .Auckland.