TELEGRAPHIC.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 60, 17 September 1872, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

! HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. (From the Daily Southern Cuoss.) Pridav. In the House of Representatives to-day, Mr Stafford said that Mr Curtis would be Commissioner of Stamps and Customs, and temporarily PostmasterGeneral and Telegraph Commissioner. Mr SeweH would be Colonial Secretary, and sole medium of communication with the Agent-General. lie felt that the public works would require the sole attention of one Minister; therefore immigration would be given into the hands of Mr Fitzherbert. The Government was convinced that the whole success of the public works policy depended on the introduction and settlement of immigrants, and therefore Mr Fitzherbert would devote his attention to these points. He could also examine into the state of the surveys throughout the colony, with a view to the institution of a reliable and uniform system throughout the colony, which, while not ignoring the value of the information and work already accumulated, would secure future unity of action, especially with reference to trigonometrical surveys. Mr Fitzherbert would also superintend the Crown Lands Department. He stated that the Independent' '.s- assertion that Mr Moorhouse's resignation was owing to Mr Fitzherbert's appointment was absolutely without foundation. Mr Moorhou.se had carried his resignation about for several days, and sent it in within half im hour after the Ministry took office. They did not accept it till two days, and after three Ministers had seen Mr Moorhouse to induce him to withdraw. The Independent's other statement that Mr Fitzherbert expected a permanent office was untrue, and they would never countenance it. The Government intended to co-operale most fully with the provinces regarding the introduction and location of immigrants. The Ministry was founded on the principle of maintaining the unity of the colony, with the seat of Government at Wellington. He would oppose any direct or indirect attempt to secure separation, and woul 1 meet Messrs Reynolds's and Macnndrew's motions by moving the previous question. At the same time he admitted that there existed a feeling in favour of insular separation both in the North and South, and during the recess the Government would carefully consider whether such administrative machinery could be devised as would remove the causes for such a feeling. The GUm rnment intend as so ias funds would allow to pi'oceed with the railways already authorised but it was evident that the funds nt their command would not be sufficient to complete anything like the whole of the lines in the schedule to the Railways Act. The contracts already let absorbed nearly three -fourths of the amount available, and the roll-ing-stock and departmental charges and interest would only leave an inconsiderable balance. It would be necessary, therefore, to consider the best means to obtain funds for the completion of other authorised lines, and, till this was done, no new contracts beyond the present means would be entered into; and in any future contracts he pledged the Government not to give an amount in excess of the price authorised by Parliament. He did not, however, bind him<ef to the prices authorised haphazard last session, but in each case he would ask Parliament to fix the amount, and would not exceed it. He'would as quickly as possible expend the amount voted for works in the North of Auckland. Wbereever they were untrammelled by existing arrangements they could leb • all works by tender. The Ministry would give effect to opinions on native matters expressed by him in liis speech in reply. At the present period of the session, the Government ■would not take up any new large questions. I r e hoped the session would end in a month. In order to save time the Government would accept their predecessor's Estimates generally, but would endeavour to reduce them as largely as possible when they were before the House. The Government would strenuously endeavour to bring the ordinary expenditure within the ordinary revenue of the colony, and so avoid increasing the floating debt. He admitted the growth of public dissatisfaction in the civil service, and intended to ask the House to appoint a Parliamentary commission to inquire into the matter during the recess, and recommend the best steps to be taken by the House next session. He approved of the principle of his predecessor's Public Revenue Bill, but would not pledge himself to all its details. He would next session introduce a new Gold Mining Bill, Native Land Court Bill, and a Bill to supplement existing machinery where defective regarding education, so as to place the opportunity of primary education available in all parts of the colony. This measure would not interfere with existing systems, when satisfactory. He would circulate Native Lands Court and Goldfields Bills through the country prior to next session, and an Educational Bill also, if possible. He would also consider the question of gaol discipline, with a view to provide classification of prisoners bv having special gaols for long-sentenced prisoners. 'The Government was aware of the existence of discontent on the Nelson goldfields, but n< t of the special cau.es thereof. Mr. Curtis hardly shared the sentiments of his colleagues as to the sound nature of those causes; but the Government would fully consider and investigate the matter, with a view to devising some means of improving the administration of affairs so as to render it more acceptable to the people. He did not believe that the creation of a new province would conduce to the good government of that part of the colony. During the recess the Government would consider the question of amending the insolvency law. The present goldmining bill would be withdrawn. The Government would take up the present Stamp Act Amendment Bill, and woidd extend it by reducing cheque stamps to Id. He could not be at present prepared to accept Mr Sheehan's proposal for the extension of Maori representation, but he would not object to give a native member to Waikato and Poverty Bay districts. He would not proceed' with the present Civil Service Amendment Bill. ITR JOHJJ 3IAETIK AT THE BAH OP THE HOTTSE. Mr John Martin, accused of a breach of privilege, in having bought land on Mr Andrew's run, with an avowed intention of punishing Mr Andrew for a vote given last session, appeared at the bar of the House to-dav, and made a humble apology, offering to withdraw his application for the land. The case was adjourned to enable him to do so. Wellington, Saturday. 7.30 p.m. Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed with the new Ministry and their proposals. The Opposition considers Mr Stafford's statement as a reversal of the policy adopted and confirmed by the country. An Opposition caucus was lield to-day. There was a large and united meeting. General disapproval was expressed. There was no desire to create a factious opposition, but there was a feeling that : Ministers' proposals would be disastrous to progress, | and that both immigration and public works would be endangered.

House of Representatives on Friday night thtflrohowing bills were read a second time: —Telegraph Notice Bill; Stamp Duties Bill, reducing receipt and cheque dytios, and providing for a largo number of remissions in-caees of manufacturing companies, friendly societies, <fec.; Post-ofliec Amendment Ad, reducing the newspaper postage to a half-]>enny; Uold Duties Bill, reducing the duty upon gold f> 25.; and Public Ketones Bill. Christehurcli, Friday. The grain market is quiet. Wheat, 4/9 tj 4/10 per bushel. Flour, unaltered, but with a downward tendency. Oat.Viru proved; floin 2/1 toti/2-. Barley, largely purchased from (5 3 lo G/U; cheese, Bd. ; b.liter, 1/ to 1/1 ; hams and bacon, 7d\ to 7id. Tho st >ck market is brisk; beef, JCI bj to £1 10/ per 1001b.