HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1857, 2 June 1888, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Fbiday, June 1. I

The Houbc met at 2 30 p.m. QCISTIONB. Replying to questions, it was stated that ■tepa would be taken to avoid changes of text books In primary schools as muoh as possible ; that Government had received no Information as to a number of single men m and around Ohrlstohurch being so destitute that they were compelled to sleep In the park and other places, but enquiries had been made; that instructions had been given to the Collector of Customs not to enforce a bond for any additional Castome daties that might be imposed by the House; that Government wonld be glad to levy a speolal tax on absentee landlord! if satUfaatory means were found of doing bo ; that it was not proposed to discontinue either of the ocean mall aervlces to Great Britain ; that the question of calling for tenders from all banks la tho colony when needing money would , receive consideration ; that a Bill was being prepared dealing with runs, the leases of which fell m on the Ist May, 1890 ; that Government had no intention of asking the Bouse to vote a grant In aid towards enabling any harbor board m the colony to pay Interest on money borrowed by it ; that the question of restoring the " working average " In lien of the strlot •vertge In computing capitation allowance to eaoh sohool would shortly be before th« House, for financial Battlement ; that •n auctioneers' Bill would be introduced this session ; that no general order had been given to reduce the wages of men m the railway workshops by Is per day, and that an uniform rate of 9s per day was now paid the carpenters, coßohbullders fend painters. THE TAKIFI". Mi Ormond said he should move on going Into Committee of Sapply — "That with a view of reducing the taxation ■hown Id the Finanolal Statement to be necessary if certain aervloei are continued, this House Is of opinion :— (1) That the sohool age be fixed at six years, so that the saving named by the Colonial Treasorer, namely, £250,000 may be thereby secured ; (2) That the payment of subsidles to looal bodies be abandoned, m order that a saving of the duty proposed to be raised on tea may be secured ; (3) That m the present olroaroitances of the colony the ralilne of addltloasl revenue to the extent of £85,000 for two years by the imposition of a primage duty is Inexpedient, and the deficit for the last year should be added to the funded debt." The Premier said the resolution of the member for Napier was a very good one, and it would undoubtedly clear the way for the consideration of the tariff question. He should be glad, if the House desired It, to take the discussion at halfpast seven that night.. Mr Seddon, Mr Downie Stewart, and Mr Ballance oontended that the motion of the member for Napier was one of "no confidence." After farther debate Me O mond said he had no desire to embarrass the Government m any way. The Premier said he was not ashamed to iicettsia the ontnlon of the House In the w»7 proposed by th» member for Napier In order to get the country oat of its difficulties, and to see that no unnecessary taxation was imposed. CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL. Mr Smith gave notioe that he would move that the Customs Datles Bill be readftse ond time that day six months. The Premier introduced the Customs Daties Bill which was read a first time. The Honse rose at 5 30 p.m,