The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 235, 18 October 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18.

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS

Tho Land Tax Bill has passed the ordeal of the Legislative Council. Honorable gentlemen in that august body appear to possess the wisdom of the serpent, at any rate. Nearly all the speakers opposed the Bill. They could hardly be expected to swallow the bitter pill without making wry faces. They would, however, vote for it on the ground of "expediency." That is, thej' were afraid that if they.rejected this very mild attempt to adjust the incidence of taxation somewhat fairly, they would find themselves face to face with some far more sweeping measure, or, as Mr Waterhouse courteously worded it: "He would vote for the second reading, on the ground that he would not give an opportunity to the demagogue class of inciting the passions of the people !" The same speaker made the astounding contention that" the propertied classes already have more than their fair share of taxation. Tho statement that property did not bear its fair share of taxation was disgraceful. • It reminded him of Carlyle's words, ' England is inhabited by thirty millions of people, and the majority of them are fools.'" Pretty " tall " language this for a retired ironmonger! His fellowmen other than the " propertied classes' are " fools " and " demagogues." And this gentleman has absolutely been Premier of New Zealand! The fact that men so utterly ignorant and selfish can obtain political power in a democratic community is a melancholy proof of their being a good deal of truth in Carlyle's severe words. When will the average British public learn that the ownership of sheep and acres does not imply the corresponding possession of ability or disinterestedness, or any of the qualities essential to a legislator ?

The Council has made some alterations in the Electoral Bill as regards the Maori franchise. As it now stands the dansc is the same as originojiy introduced in the House of Representatives. The Maori

vote is restricted to the names of Natives which appear on the ratepayers' roll of the district for which they claim. The remainder of the business was of an unimportant nature, several measures which have already been fully debated, being passed through their final stages. The Premier announced that if the House would give its assistance in disposing of the remaining business, the prorogation would take place on Tuesday next.