MR FOX'S PROPOSALS. (From the "Daily Times" Telegrams.)

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 347, 18 September 1868, Page 3

MR FOX'S PROPOSALS. (From the " Daily Times" Telegrams.)

In introducing his amendment of " no confidence" on tbe lutb instant, Mr Fox. explained his policy. Instead of taking ever all Provincial payments for interest, &c, bo proposed a capitation allowance of thirty shillings, each Province boing responsible for its own interest. Besides othor advantages, it would have given L35.960 additional last year, and L18.670 this. With a view to secure uniformity of action, unity of purpose, and harmony of purpose — instead ol tho present conflict, uncertainty and intense bitterness — he proposed substituting for tho Defence Minister a Secretary for the Provinces. He did not think any great, reduction of taxation could be made at present, but it ought to be done to some extent, if only as an indication of the intentions of the Government to do so largely, as speedily as possible. He thought that sufficient savings could bo effected for this purpose. Believing that rebellion was ruin to the Provinces of the North Island, ho proposes delegating tho Native management and Defence to the Superintendents, but that of the East Coast — although m Auckland Province — to Mr M'Lean, tho Superintendent of Hawke's Bay. He would grant out of tho Consolidated Revenue, LIOO.OOO for each of two years, and 1.75,000 for each of three years, to those Provinces for Native and Dofence purposes, and, with a view to stimulate peace efforts, would allow all the balance to be spent on works requiring Native labor, &c. He would extend local self-government in every direction in pubordmation to, and not over, Provincial Institutions. He would extend it to mining as well as agricultural districts. He thought his policy would give an opportunity to reinstated Provinces to devote themselves to their proper colonising functions, which were now rendered till but impossible. For the present, and until the colony was brought back into a position in which it might prudently expend, he did not propose adding to its debt by borrowing. Messrs Graham, Reynolds, and Curtis supported Mr Fox's amendment, and Messrs Stafford and Browu opposed.