(Secretary for Lands and Works, 13th January, 1858. Secretary for Lands (only), 1st October, 1859. Secretary for Public Works (only), 1st October, 1859. Attorney-General, 7th September, 1857. Attorney-General, 15th November, 1858. J Attorney-General, 7th September, 1857. 15th November, 1858, Solicitor-General, 21st February, 1859. Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council. The members composing Mr. Forster's Ministry having been all re-elected, met the House on 29th November, 1859. The new Premier explained that he had assumed the duty of forming a Cabinet influenced by the belief that he might succeed in moderating the differences of parties. The Government proposed to make the Session a short one; to introduce Bills to alter the Constitution of the Upper House, to prevent the renewal of the leases of Crown Lands at the expiration of the period of ten years then approaching, and to reduce the salaries of public servants; also a measure to reform the magistracy. On the same day the Governor-General transmitted a Message to the Assembly, wherein it was notified that from and after the 1st December (1859) the Legislative authority of the Governor and Legislature of New South Wales over the territories and the revenues of the new Colony of Queensland would cease. The Colonial Treasurer made his Financial Statement on 8th December. In moving pro formá that a certain specified sum be granted to meet the Supply granted to Her Majesty, Mr. Samuel stated that he took the earliest opportunity to state to the Committee the estimated expenditure for 1860, and the manner in which he proposed to provide ways means to meet it. As it was but two months since his predecessor made a similar statement to the Committee it was unnecessary to travel again over the ground taken up by Mr. Weekes. He (Mr. Samuel) regretted that the statement he and had to submit to the House did not exhibit so large a surplus as that shown by the late Treasurer. Mr. Weekes estimated his surplus at £101,000; his surplus was only £16,359 8s. 9d. This difference had been occasioned by several causes, the most important of which was the separation of the new Colony of Queensland; and he regretted to state that after deducting the estimated expenditure from the estimated revenue a balance was left in favour of Queensland of £33,463, which was to that extent a loss to the revenue of New South Wales. A detailed estimate was submitted showing the estimated revenue which would have been derivable from the Moreton Bay District at £133,107, the estimated expenditure at £99,644, leaving the balance as stated. In consequence of the Separation it had been necessary to re-frame the Estimates. He had endeavoured to ascertain whether the estimate of his predecessor was to be relied on; and he did not hesitate to say that he believed it to be a fair and just estimate of the sums likely to be derived, in 1860, from the various sources of income. Deducting the deficiency occasioned by the separation of Queensland from the surplus brought down in October by Mr. Weekes (£100,982) the balance would be £67,519. He had now to account for the difference between that sum and the balance he had brought down-viz., £16,359 8s. 9d. The deductions from the expenditure amounted to £108,566 8s. 10d.; the additions to the expenditure to £124,925 17s. 7d., thus leaving the before-stated balance of additions in excess of reductions. Among the additions was an item of £12,000, to be made an annual charge upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund, for the purpose of paying off at maturity the debentures the Government would be compelled to issue during 1859. These debentures (subject to a vote of the House) were intended to provide for public works to the extent of £200,000, and to pay off debentures falling due in 1860 to the amount of £365,600. As he thought the system which required debentures to be paid off by the issue of others the principle of borrowing without some provision for repayment was unsound, he proposed to invest this £12,000, the interest on which should be set aside to meet the proposed loan. An annual sum of £12,000 would pay off the loan in twenty-six years; and the debentures, having a currency of thirty years, would afford ample time to pay the amount. If, therefore, they set aside 2 per cent of the gross amount of the liability they were about to incur, and off upon that obtain an interest of 5 per cent for thirty years, they would gradually extinguish it. Hon. members would see that the surplus was very small indeed-a surplus that might be regarded almost as a deficit; and he hoped that as large a reduction would be made in the general expenditure as would be consistent with the efficiency of the public service. It was not the intention of the Government to interfere with the taxation of the country. He was fully sensible that it required great improvement; he was also prepared to go with those who desired the repeal of the tea and sugar duties, if an unobjectionable substitute could be provided. He was, too, of opinion that the gold duties should be abolished; but that would involve a loss of revenue which could not be made up. He was unwilling to come down to the House with a revenue insufficient for carrying out the improvements of the country; for if it was to make any progress at all the people must be prepared for an increase of taxation. Still he was desirous of placing taxation where it could best be borne-that was upon property. However, questions of such magnitude could not be decided during the short period the Government had occupied office. Mr. Samuel concluded by referring to a proposal then lately made by Mr. Robertson for the repeal of the tea and sugar duties, and by again adverting to the difference that the separation of Moreton Bay made in the revenue. A Bill to regulate temporarily the Occupation of Crown Lands was introduced on 7th December by Mr. Forster; passed both Houses, and was assented to on 22nd December. A Bill to enable the Government to raise a certain loan to meet Debentures falling due in 1860 was introduced on 15th December; and having passed both Houses was assented to on 22nd February, 1860. Resolutions on Defence, moved by Mr. Parkes, on 20th December, having been somewhat amended, passed, as follows: "That, having regard to the present complications of Foreign Governments, and the hold which great Maritime Powers have in the seas of this Hemisphere, it is impolitic and unsafe to neglect the means of preparation at our command for protecting the Colony in the event of its being attacked by an enemy. "That the regular troops in the Colony ought to be supplemented by a National Militia composed of citizens of the Country. "That the true principle of military defence, and the only course which would ensure effective resistance in extreme circumstances, is to habituate the subjects of the Queen in this Colony to the use of arms, and to foster among all classes a loyal and patriotic spirit of reliance on their own valour and military organization. "That an opinion herein expressed is not intended to apply to the protection afforded by Her Majesty's ships-of-war in the Australian waters. "That the foregoing resolutions be conveyed in an Address to the GovernorGeneral, with a request that His Excellency will be pleased to bring them under the consideration of the Executive Council; and also to transmit a copy of the same to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies." The Assembly was, on 31st January, 1860, informed by Message that, in accordance with the request contained in the resolutions, they had been forwarded to the Secretary of State; but that it must be obvious to the Assembly that upon a question of such importance it would be impossible for the Government to give a hasty opinion. Relative to this, Mr. Parkes moved, on 7th February, that the GovernorGeneral's Message was highly unsatisfactory, and that it be referred back to the reconsideration of the Government. This was negatived by 24 to 16. On 20th December Mr. Robertson moved certain resolutions which set forth that the Minister charged with the control of the expenditure for Public Works ought to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly; and that the House particularly disapproved of the office of Public Works being held by a gentleman who had never been elected to Parliament. The debate terminated on the 21st, when the previous question was negatived by 31 to 15. On 23rd December Mr. Henry Mort succeeded Mr. John M'Phillamy (who had resigned and whose seat had been declared vacant on 6th December) as member for West Macquarie. Mr. Samuel Henry Terry, on 24th January, took his seat as Member for Mudgee. A Bill to limit the duration of Legislative Assemblies, introduced on 20th September by Dr. Lang, was, on 4th February, 1860, ordered to be read a third time that day six months. On 31st January Sir Daniel Cooper informed the Legislative Assembly that in accordance with an intimation already given, he begged to resign his office of Speaker to that Honorable House. Failing health warned him not to persist in the performance of duties which had become too onerous for him. He thanked the House and Honorable Members generally for all the favours and kindnesses bestowed; and hoped the same forbearance would be extended to his successor in the Chair. Whereupon Sir Daniel Cooper retired from the Chair of the House. Mr. Plunkett then proposed to the Assembly Mr. Terence Aubrey Murray as Speaker. The motion was seconded by Mr. Henry Parkes, and supported by the Rev. Dr. Lang. Mr. Murray was then unanimously elected, and presented to the Governor-General on the following day (February 1). A vote of thanks to the late Speaker was, on the same day, passed by the House. In Committee, on 2nd February, resolutions relative to telegraphic communication with the United Kingdom were agreed to, to the effect that the Government of New South Wales should be authorized to grant a subsidy not exceeding £9,625 per annum, for a term not exceeding twenty-one years, to any Company of the stability of which satisfactory assurance should be given, to induce such Company to construct and maintain a telegraphic line from the Colony to East Java, upon certain specified conditions. Also, that steps should be taken without delay to communicate with and settle the proportionate contributions of the other Colonies in aid of those from New South Wales and Victoria. This was afterwards ratified by the House. Relative to the Steam Postal Service, Mr. Parkes moved a series of resolutions on 21st February, to the effect that the House confirmed those passed by the late Legislative Assembly on 6th August, 1858, and was of opinion that the important object thereby contemplated should be carried out with as little delay as possible, and in such manner as would secure to New South Wales the administrative control of the line when established. That the House was therefore prepared to concur in passing an Act to enable the Government to enter into a contract for this service, without reference to the Imperial Government, provided that the passage through to England after a certain date should be guaranteed by the contracting Company not to exceed forty-five days, and provided that the yearly subsidy to be paid by New South Wales should not exceed £75,000, subject to reductions to the extent of the contributions from other Colonies. resolutions passed by a majority of 23 to 12. The A Public Lands Bill was introduced by Mr. Black on 16th February, but its further progress was stopped. A Bill to abolish State aid to religion was introduced by Mr. Forster on 11th February, but was discharged on 27th April. A Bill to amend the constitution of the Legislative Council (substituted for a former one, withdrawn on 9th February) was introduced on 14th February by Mr. Forster. On 22nd |