Wednesday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 20, 11 September 1885, Page 11

Wednesday.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, replying to Mr. Vincent Pvke, if the Government will give effect to the recommendations of the Goldfields and Mines Committee re aid to prospecting and rewards for the <li-covery of new goldfields, the Hon. W. J. M. Larnach said the Government would place a Mini on the Supplement*ry Estimates for that purpose. —On the motion for gong into supply, Mr. Macandrew de-in-d to move the motion of which be h d given notice, which was "That a Royal Commission be appointei during the recess to consider and repoit how far it may be practicable tv place theaffaiis of the North and Middle I*l md of New Zealand under two or more dis inct provincial legislatures without impniiing the unity of the Colony, and that it be an instruction to the said commission, in the event of its recommending any change of the existing system, to embody such recommendation in a bill to be submitted to Parliament at its next annual session or » special session

to be convened at an earlier date for consideration of such bill exclusive, should his Excellency's Advisers see fit." In moving the motion he alluded to the manifest bad results of the present foim of Government. He said there was no doubt that the pracice had been to get out of the colonial chest all they could, and the result had been to destroy i hat self-reliance which should exist in a constitu-tionally-governed country. No debate was needed on the ques'ioti. They had the stern logic proclaimed from the housetops, that the revenue was not keeping pace with the expenditure, He did not blame any Government for the present state of things. It was the system that was at fault, and from this House downwirds everyone was in what might b called a fool's paradise. Under this sysrem no public work, however important, could be undertaken, except with a yiew to its locality, and men were g laged us stitesm'n by their capacity to take back spoils to their constituents. A. very great reduction could be effected in the expenditure. If tnis system was continued they would end in what the Americans calle I au " eternal smash." Such a commission as he wi->hed to be appointed could detail a scheme which would commend itself to the Hoase and the Colony, and he held that it would not affect the community of the people, but if that were found unavoidable, then he would say of two evils choose the least. Mr. Pyke had no doubt but that &b years advanced the two islands would drift farther and farther apirt. Not geographically ; he did not mean that, but in feeling. It was seen now by the bill which came before the Houß3 that the interests of the two islands were not idt nlical. 'P'he latest instance of ihat occurrel on y on the previous evening wnen the South Island snpportc 1 tie Gold Duty Abolition Bill which was thrown out by ths North Island members. But there were worse troubles than that. There were two parties in the House — a Northern ani a Soul hern party. The Hon. R. Stout said he had never been an advocate for separation. He expressed his surprise at the hon. member bringing forward his motion now. He did not think a Royal Commission would do any good. The gentlemen compjsmg it would be certain to be biassed either one way or the other. The matter could be discussed as an abstract question at another time At the present he did not think it was possible to adopt separation in view of the position of the Colony. Captain, Russell moved a fun her amendment to the t fleet that in the opinion of the House it is desuable that the nnb'ic works expenditure be reduced by a sum of n it less than £500,000 J.He disclaimed any party spirit in making the motion, and said he should not go into any details. He aid not blarae the present Government any more than the late Government for tl,e pre s ent position of thi> Colony, but he considered th it the Coloni d Treasurer when in 1876 he hail brought down his Public Work? scheme was the Frankenstein of the Colony. He held that the House ought to endeavour at once to reduce or do away with borrowing. His only object was to put the Government in the position of having to reduce their expenditure by the amount he mentioned in hi-, amendment. With regaid to insular separation, he did not think it was advisable and as perhaps the oldest, colonist in the House be strongly dissappoved of'that proposal. He pointed outthelaige reduction which had'iaken place in the railway returns, which was now more than 1 per cent, less than it was 14 years ago. One good thing in the reduction of boriowing would be that propciiy would come to its proper value. He pointed to i he late fall of the wool market, and a^ked whether, in view of all ttu se facts, it was not advisable that they should reduce their expenditure until a more successful season. It had not been shown, "he contended, that any of the large works pioposed were necess/ry. The Hon. E. Richardson said tne liabilities on tne Ist August last were £1,912 000, and it should be remembered that muiy of these liabilities extended over a period of two or thrci ye irs. The expenditure for the year, it was anticipated, would be within a million and a quarter. If the vote was reduce ias buggesied, it would mean a decrease in roads and in public buildings. Considerable iiduetious might be made in the Railway Estimates ou various lines to the extent of about £400,000. If the motion of the (hon. member was earned, the vote for roa Is must also share in the reductions, which would also have to be made in various other votes. He pointed out that the effect h of such a motion as that of the hon. member being earned would be very disastrous. Mr. Macandrew's motion was putand loston the voices. ( >u the question that Captain Russill's amendment be carried, Maj >r Atkinson said he was glad to hear the .Minister say that, the Govern ment was prepared to accept the motion. The Hon. E. Kichardbon •aid he had indicated the direction in which reductions could be made, and if the motion was earned he would move to that end. The Hon K. Stout said the Government were not gjing to buppurt the reductions. They would vote against them. Mr. Buchanan moved the adjournment of th' 1 deb ite,i which was agreed to. Alluding to Mount Ciiffel, th" Wan ik* conesp.indent of the Daily Times writes as follows — I once again say to all intending c<im< rs : Be advised, men, an I wait a few weeus yet. Snow fell heavily more thin once during the past week, and there i 9 fully a foot of it lying about the main diggn gs now. The cold is feirful. There is no rirewooi. No store is fin shed yet, and no provision-! that I have heard ot are on the top. HusDiind \our resouices. an 1 you will then have funds to nrcspect the country. Wait till fine weather sets in, and provisions are on the field, and ever, needful at hand, then when you make your raid on Criifel you can riddle her as you have riddled many a field in da_\s ot yore, and may every true digger go in and win. Should anything of a startling nature occur at any time I shall wire you. None but men possessed of patience, endurance, energy, and stamina need come here. At Monday '• wool auctions 11,600 bales we r« catalogue 1. Th market was weak, prices generally ruling Id to I^l lowei, while all descriptions of inferior ami faulty wools >vere tally 2d below la«t sales. The negotiations between the German and Spanish Governments on the question of the Caroline Islands are being conducted in an amicable spirit, Germany having offered t > relinquish possession of the island of Yap (or Uup), if it can be proved tuat the Spaniards previously occupied the island. It is generally expected a peaceful settlement will be am Uat

Cholera i.s again spreading in the south of France, and it has made it* appearance in the district of Herault.