The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1879. MONTHLY SUMMARY FOE THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1479, 18 June 1879, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1879. MONTHLY SUMMARY FOE THE ENGLISH MAIL.

There lias been nothing very startling m political matters during the past montli. The dato when Parliament shall meet for despatch of business hnß been fixed for the llth of July next ; and since the announcement was made a great many members have addressed their constituents. Mr McLean, at Waikouaiti, was very severe on the Government, who, he said, had failed to carry out any of the promises made by them to the House on taking office. Instead of reforming the Legislative Council they added eight new members to it, at a cost to the colony of LI7OO a year ; the expenditure had been increased instead of reduced ; no reduction wns effected m the prices of the necessaries of life as was promised when the Customs duties were reduced ; palatial residences were still occupied by Ministers ; and the Government yacht was still maintained at a cost of £8000 a year for the convenience of Ministers. JHe estimated that there would be a deficiency of L 360,000 m the revenue derivable from tbe laud fund, but thought the estimates of the Government would be realised m every other department, with tbe exception of the Land Tax. The collection of L 50,000 would involve an expenditure of £30,600, whicli sum might have been saved had tho collection of the tax been left to County Councils. He declared himself, as he had hitherto been, an uncompromising opponent of the present Government, and at the close of his address he received a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr W. A. Murray, m his address to his constituents at Milton, condemned the Land Tax, and advocated a Property Tax. He also condemned the Companies and Beer Taxes, and the remission of sugar duties ; the Maori clause m the Electoral Bill ; the recent appointments to tbe Legislative Council ; the Triennial Parliaments Bill; and secular education. He would be m favor ofthe

adoption of some uiisectarian form of •rajer which conld be read m all the schools. Ho was opposed to the present system of education, aiid urged that men of capital shou.d be introduced as well as working men. He declared himseli on the whole opposed to the policy of the present Government, aud received a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Stevens, at Cliristchurch, criticised the measures introduced during the last session by thc Government, and said the Government had completely failed to perform the promises which they made to the country. Ho disapproved of reducing the duty on tea and stK'ar, and said that an Income Tax and Property Tax should not be levied unless the absolute necessity for them was demonstrated. Ho characterised the present Land Tax as extremely unjust, and went ou to say that he had loat confidence m the native policy of thpresent Government. He wound up by expressing his want of confidence m the present administration, and received a voto of confidence. The Hon. Mr Richardson also addressed his Cliristchurch constituents m almost similar terms. He condemned the entire polioy of the Government. Mr Barff, at Hokitika, was the only member who attempted to foreshadow tho proposals which are to be brought forward next session. After declaring himself m favor of giving a subsidy to denominational schools, he said that it was intended to raise a loan of L 3,000,0000 ; to double the Land Tax ; tv impose an Income Tax ; to take the duty off the necessaries of lifo, and put it on luxuries ; to extend the franchise ; and wound up by declaring himself a supporter of tho Government provided they carried out this programme. A vote of confidence was accorded him. One peculiar feature of the past recess is that scarcely a thorough-going Government supporter has addressed his constituents. The Premier and tlie lion. Mr Stout addressed their constituents very early m the season, but both made very weak speeches, such as would be mado by persons defending a bad cause. They, however, took good care to speak very little about what they intend doing during next session, and consequently the country is m utter ignorance as to what the measures which the Government will introduce next session will be. It is, however, admitted on all sides, that an attempt will be made to obtain authority for negotiating another loan, but what its amount will be 11113 not been officially made known. When the Minister for Public works and the Attorney-General visited Dunedin recently, a telegram fiom that city announced that the loan would be L 9,000,000. This was regarded as coining from a good authority, owing to (lie presence of Ministers m Dunedin, but m a few days afterwards a semiofficial organ — the Wellington Evening Chronicle — announced that the Government would not ask for authority to borrow more than L 3,000,000. The native difficulty has increased since the date of our last summary. On the 26th of May last news reached us that the Maoris had entered the land of settlers at Oakura, near New Plymouth, and commenced to plough it. When questioned for having done so, they stated that they were working under orders from To Whiti, who hnd instructed them to take possession of all tho confiscated lands, asthey belonged to the Maoris. The Maoris continued their ploughing operations ; while telegrams were flashed to the Government, and a great scare created among the settlers m the district. The sensation wns increased by -mother contingent of Maoris commencing to plough land within a stone's throw of the ArmedCoiistabulai-y depot, where a large number of the Armed Constabulary force was stationed. At tirst the Government regarded the matter as a mere uothing, and gave instructions to prosecute the Maoris for trespass. This conrse, however, was not followed, and sinister rumors began to go about that the Maoris were arming, and evidently intended to rebel. Recollections of the Poverty Bay massacre reminded tho settlers cf what atrocities the Maoris are capable, and meetings wero held m the districts wliere the Maoris were becoming tioublesome to consider what steps should be taken m tbu event of a disturbance occurring. Resolutions were passed urging the Government to place the districts m a state of defence immediately, and almost every man capable of bearing arms joined the local Volunteers. The Government, on finding that things were assuming bucli a serious aspect, took more active measures for the suppression of the disaffection. The Premier, tho Native Minister, and the Defence Minister visited the disaffected disfricJ-s, and, at the urgent appeal of the settlers, resolved upon arming tho seltlers, and placing a large forco of the Armed Constabulary m the districts. The force was strengthened by enlistments, and training for active service was commenced. Telegrams wore sent to the Defence Minister from Volunteer corps m all parta of the colony, offering tlieir services m the event of the Maoris rebelling ; and it was stated that ICOO friendly natives could be placed m the field. Still tho Maoris continued to extend tlieir ploughing operations. They took possession of another farm, whicli they bad not hitherto touched, and gave notice to an hotel-keeper at Opunaki to leave his houso. They were also seen making thenway m large numbers., and carrying with tlieni flour and other articles of diet to Parihaka, wliere the cJ.iief mischief-maker, prophet and chief Te Whiti lives, and this was regarded as an indication that they intended to fight, and that they were provisioning tho above-named place as a stronghold. News also was received from several other districts to the effect thafc the Maoris appeared very unsettled, aud a general rebellion on the West Coast was dreaded. Still the Maoris gave every assurance that they did not intend to fight, that there shouid he no fighting, aud that they only meant to test their legal right to the confiscated lands. In the meantime, while these things were going on, the Government were enlisting men, and sending large forces of the armed Constabulary to the disaffected districts. When the Maoris saw that the Europeans were not to be frightened by bounce, and thafc war was intended if such practices were continued, they began to realise the difficulty m which they had placed themselves, and things assumed a more pacific aspect. Tito JKowaru, one of the leading chiefs of the disaffected tribes, declared tliere was no intention on the part of tho Maoris to fight ; and that if the Government wanted to fight, they would have to shoot the Maoris down like pigeons. He ridiculed the idea of a war, and himself aud bis followers continued to improve their homesteads on the confiscated lands as if nothing unusual had occurred, aud tbey had a perfect right to the land. JN"o definite understanding has yet been arrived at regarding the settlement of the dispute, but it is believed, though the Government still continue to send armed forces to the scene, there will be no disturbance, and that the Maoris will be frightened into relinquishing their claims to the confiscated lands for ever. The money market still remains very depressed, though the past month showed an improvement on the previous oue. Large contracts for railway construction and other worJks have been let by the GovernmentjlJaud operations are to be commenced at once. These works trill employ a large number of men who are at present seeking employment, and a better state of things is anticipated. . Political matters, are m a disturbed

state m many of the Australian colonits at present. Thedifficnlti'-s between thetwo Chambers of the Victorian Parliament, concerning which an Embassy was sent to England, continues to be a source of annoyai.ee m that colony, but hopes are entertained that it will be got over more peaceably than was anticipated. A similar difficulty has arisen m the South Australian Parliament, but the proposed reforms m the Legislative Council have been postponed until after the settlement of the Victorian question. The South Australian Parliament was opened on the 30th of May last. Tho speech from the Throne announced theinauguration of extensive puhlic works, considering that the colony was well able to bear an increased national debt. It was intended to introduce a iiuasure to compel the propertied class to contribute more largely to the burden of the colony, thus enabling tlio Government to re adjust tho taxation through the Customs. A Bill would be introduced to compel the Chinese m the Northern Territory to contribute to the revenue. Tlie Legislative Council of New South Wales, where the penalty of deatli for rape is inflicted, threw out a Bill for the repeal of that odious statute. The sentence of death passed on persons guilty of the above-named offence, was notwithstanding this commuted to imprisonment for life, probably m deference to a strong public fueling which the sentence aroused. There is also a disagreement between both Houses of the Tasmanian Parliament. The Ministry have declined to make known the course whicli they intend to pursue, and the Council are determined to adhere to theii* resolution of not granting more than six months' supply. The bearer of a message ftom the Council was ridiculed by the Assembly, and so rudely was he treated that the House m its cooler moments considered it proper to apologise.