PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 5 August 1882, Page 14

PARLIAMENT.

Wednesday, 2nd August.

The history of to-day's proceedings in Parliament is very simple. Questions and Consolidation Bills occupiod the afternoon, and two of these latter went through all their stages. When the House resumed this evening the debate on the financial policy of Government was commenced, according to previous arrangement. Mr Montgomery made an exceedingly dull and tedious speech, lasting about an hour. He travelled over the well-worn ground bayond which the Opposition seem unable to advance. There was not a single new idea or noteworthy point brought out in his speech, which, although of course dutifully applauded by his claqueurs, fell very flat so far as tho great majority of his listeners were concerned. Hi 3 muttered delivery, too, is very much against him, and it seems a pity he did not take a few elementary lessons in elocution before taking the Opposition leadership. He was followed, necessarily, by Mr Johnston, and then by Messrs Lovestarn, Holmes, Hurathouw, Hurst, and JJisn. Thero was nothing remarkable m any of the speeches, which, as a rule, wero tame and trite ; but Mr Fish's was tho exception. He managed somewhat to revive the languid and flagging interest by tho delivery of a very vigorous and steadfast onslaught on^the Government. His main compaint was that Government had not explained how they proposed raising the increased taxation which would be required to pay interest on the now loans, aud had not manifested a disposition to equalise the incidence of taxation, which he contended was at present very unequal. „. „ , Tho petitions (1) of Thomas Harvey and others, of Otago, for a telegraph-line to Macetown, and (2) of R. M'Kiunon and others for the revision of the railway time-table between Invercargill and Nightcaps, also that a postoffice and telegraph-station be established at the latter place, havo been referred to Government ; as also that of the Vincent County Council, praying that the sources of revenue assured under " The Financial Arrangements Act, 1876," bo restored. KKPMES TO QUESTIONS.

S?Hol tO Mv r IoLLESTON said he had directed tho refund of the £30 levied on Mrs Lo Keong aud her two children on their return from China. Replying to Mr Macandrew, The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said proposals had been submitted for the opening up and settlement of the Hollyford Valley, Martin's Bay, and Government thought it might be warranted in assisting the County Council in repairing the tracks. Replying to Mr De Lautour, The Hon. Mr DICK said steps had been taken to rebuild the courthouse at bt. Bathans.

Replying to Mr J. M'Konzie, Tho Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said steps had l)oen taken to resume possession of the Shag l'oint Coal Reserve (Otugo) from Mr Bliott who had infringed tho terms of his lease. Replying to iVI r O'Oallaghan, The ! foil. Mr .l OHNSTON said tho opinion of the law officers had been asked as to whether ov not Government was bound by the fencing Ordinance in tho matter of railway fences, but tho advice had not, yet been re-

ceived. He thought it was, however, the clear duty of Government to maintain all railway fences, whether legally liable or not. Replying to Mr Hutchison, SS.M?KOiiSON,»idU TsNO,T sNO, 204, 210, and 207 were being survoyed for sale on deferred and cash payments m suitable areas, and would be ready for sale as Boon as the present leases expired, which would be on March Ist next year.