When the New Zealand Stamp duties were proposed last year, precisely, similar promises were held out. Complaint was made, and very justly, that the Customs tariff was oppressive ; that, in many respects, it bore heavily upon certain classes of the population ; that it teuded to drive commerce into the hands of other colonies ; and that its incidence was unequal. The Treasurer pointed to the expenses of the late war ; showed that there were some arrears that it was abso lutely necessary to meet ; that the Stamp duties he proposed to levy would enable him to meet those pressing engagements ; and that, although he did not anticipate being able to dispense with that particular tax in future, as it laid under contribution certain classes of society who were but lightly taxed in proportion to their means, as compared with the bulk of the people, the proceeds would enable the Government to go fully into the question of revenue in future, and to reduce the Customs duties, which were acknowledged to be oppressively high. It is a somewhat curious comment upon these high pro fessions that, instead of^ny attempt to grapple with a question of such vital importance to the prosperity of the country, the Ministry actually proposed to adjourn Parliament for two years. Had they indicated a continuance of present arrangements for the express purpose of rapidly reducing the debt in* ourred by the war, there might have been , some shadow of excuse for refusing to deal with flic

The schooner 'Rifleman,' which, arrived in the Manukau yesterday, brought up 56 West Coast miners for the Thames diggings. A meeting was held at the Star Hotel, Albert ■treet, last evening, convened by circular, to consider the desirability of holding the annual regatta on the occasion of his Royal Highness's visit. Captain Daldy trasr called upon to preside, and after some discussion a resolution was adopted, appointing a committee to attend the meeting called by his Honor the Superintendent, and represent the shipping interest, collect information as to the g*nera arrangements for the reception of |his Royal High ness, and report to another meeting to be held at the lame place on Monday next. We publish in another column a report of the proceedings at the adjourned meeting of shareholders of the Otahnhu Public Hall, held on Monday even ing, at the Hall. 