PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 802, 31 August 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

—o— Wellington, August 21. Tho debate on the incidence of taxation was resumed this afternoon, but interrupted almost throughout by tho raising ot points of order as to tho order of tho amendment. Mr Murray moved an amendment to the effect that a change of taxation should be considered next session. Tlie Hon. Mr Reid, in speaking to that amendment, agreed with the principles laid down by Sir George Grey, but argued that time was necessary to consider them. The greater portion of his speech consisted of flippant and personal references to Mr Stout and his law. Ho argued in favor of big land speculators, and he spoke amidst frequent outbursts of laughter, and pleaded apparently with a strong consciousness of weakness. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment foT dinner. Great dissatisfaction prevails with regard to tho decisions of the Speaker; r They are nearly always questioned, and l)p appears to side with the Government on mbsl points. Mr Murray’s amendment has taken tho wind out of the sails of the Government, as a motion staving off tho question till next session was on tho orler paper in the name of the Premier, Other amendments will likely bo moved before the question comes to an issue. Mr Donald Held resumed the debate on taxation question in the evening. He said all property hail been improved by Public Works expenditure. The fault in Sir George Grey’s proposal was. that valuable laud could only bo taxed at the same rate as poor country land. Tho House ought to release land which was enhanced in value by the Public Works expenditure from hearing a fair share of its burthen. All property taxation was based on the liability of improve 1 property to boar taxation, therefore persons who could not improve their property could escape taxation. Sir George Grey’s proposals would injuriously affect struggling industrious Settlors. Sir George Grey’s finance was speculative, and no Treasurer would bo justified in proposing such a scheme to the House. Sir George Grey’s proposal to take L 380,000 from the Customs revenue Would be impossible. The whole subject required very grave consideration, and could not be done this session. He looked with tho greatest confidence to the decision of the House, and thought they ■would recognise the proposal of tho Government as very reasonable. Sir George Grey, in explanation of what Mr Reid said this afternoon, said ho was opposed to the Government on their scheme of education. In their scheme the Government exercised the same system of tyranny and despotism which in other things they endeavored to force upon the country. They wished to create a paupered class in this country and raise up a Colonial aristocracy. Sir George Grey was speaking as the Telegraph Office closed. August 22nd. The supply of talk on the taxation question and things in general : ia'apparently inexhaustible. Instead of coming to au end last night, it seems doubtful whether the debate will end even to night. There is really nothing to fight about now, as almost all members are agreed that a property and an income tax next year are inevitable, that the necessaries of life should, if possible, be relieved, and that nothing can he done in either direction this year. It will create no surprise if, when the question is put, there is no division. Last night the weight of talk was contrary to Sir George Grey, and went decidedly in favor of the Government, Messrs Reid and Stafford making very powerful speeches. Mr Stafford came to a most sudden and singular stop, however ; people could hardly believe it when ho sat down, as he seemed just working up to something good. It is said ho had lost his notes, but ho is not a speaker who depends much on notes, nor would he pulled up in the middle pf a subject by that loss. To-night Messrs Reader Wood, Boyce and others arc expected to speak, and it is said Mr Stout will make a second speech. Mr Balance spoke very well this afternoon, but was not pronounced on cither side. Mr Wonlcoek talked a largo amount of John Stuart Mill and water. Tho tactics of the Opposition are said to be to prolong tho talk as much as possible without appearing actually obstructive, and to delay the transaction of all real business until, at last, they come down with a direct vote of want ot confidence, one of the grounds being the inability of the Government to oai'ry business on in tire House. This vote will probably be moved by either Mr Montgomery ar Mr Stout. August 23. Last night’s debate served chiefly to show how injudicious and entirely undisciplined tho Opposition are. Mr Lusk’s really admirable spcoob was by arrangement amongst themselves to have closed the discussion, and by showing that all parties wore substantially agreed, have obviated tho necessity for demanding any division. It was arranged further, that unless Mr .Sheehan or Mr Brown did so from any special unforeseen reason, no ono should call for a division on Mr Murray’s amendment to substitute next session for immediately on Sir George Grey’s amendment. Mr Stout, however, demanded a division, and the result was, that tho Government were forced to vote for tho retention of the word immediately, while Sir G. Grey and his supporters had to vote against their own proposal. Then Mr Stout made a very violent speech in attack on the Government, and concluded hy a rather absurd amendment. Ho was followed by Sir G. Grey and Mr Roes, who well backed him up in doinc; their own side every possible injury. Mr Reid was their special object of attack, and lie was at last goaded into again defending himself. In doing so, he entered into a long account of his relations with the Opposition last session, and his statements as to what took place at caucuses were flatly contradicted by Mr Ilislop. From 10.30 to near midnight was spent in wrangling attacks. Then demands were made to adjourn the debate, Mr Wakefield, Mr Joyce, and Mr J. C. Brown all expressing the most anxious desire to address the House on tho main subject, hub urging they could not do justice to it at that hour. To day when the House met, none of the threo were present, and none ot them said a word all tho afternoon. The Government at first opposed the adjournment of tho debate, and then the bell was rung for a division, but Ministers yielded to the voices. Then there was a long talk ns to whether it should ho resumed to-day or tomorrow, and ultimately tho former was carried on a division. To-day Mr Stevens made an exceedingly sensible speech, although he spoke With great difficulty, being only partially recovered from a severe attack of bronchitis. Major Atkinson followed, speaking well, but postponing to some other opportunity

liis reply to the criticisms on tho Financial Statement. Header Wood then rose and made a very long and able speech, Which would have been more appropriate to a want of confidence motion than anything else. Ho concluded by an amendment, tho tenth during tho debate, to malco tho land fund Colonial revenue; but this being ruled irregular, Major Atkinson’s motion, with Sir George Grey’s and Mr Fyke’s alterations, was carried without a dissentient voice. When tho question ot going into Supply again arose, Mr Wood moved proposal as a substantive motion. The debate on it is adjourned till to-morrow night. The resumed debate on the Local Option Bill goes on. Yesterday evening, whilst the House was sitting, Messrs Manders, Brown, Joyce, and Bastings had an interview with the Hon. Mr Ormond, with reference to tho bridges owned by private persons, and subject to tolls, over tho Clntha and other rivers in their Counties. They urged that, as tho Counties had to maintain the main roads, Government should buy the proprietary rights in these bridges and abolish the tolls. The Hon. Mr Ormond expressed himself favourably, and promised to submit the matter to the Cabinet. A vote for a bridge over tho Kawarau, at the Arrow Bluff, was also mentioned, but nothing definite was arranged. August 24th. The Local Option debate last night was very dry, and to-day there has beeu a very thin House, most of the members being at the football match. Except Mr Stout’s, all the speeches were tame and uninteresting. Mr Thomson has given notice of a Bill to apply 25 per cent, of the Land Fund to County purposes in promoting settlement. Messrs Bastings and Larnach have loft in tho Arawata. August 25th. The sneaking on Friday night was very good. Mr Travers spoke exceedingly well, and made somo telling points. Mr Pyke caused groat amusement by his apology to Mr Reader Wood for some interruptions, of . which the latter had complained. Mr Pyke apologised most elaborately for the manner of his interruption, and assured Mr Wood he would never again interrupt him, because he Would walk out of the House whenever the honorable member rose to speak. There was an immense roar round the House, and Mr Wood, who had been asked to attend, . as M r Pyke was going to apologise, looked savage. After the division, which took place at half-past eleven, everyone thought the House would adjourn, but Sir Geo. Grey got up and made a long speech in his usual style about the Piako Swamp and other laud transactions, referring specially to some sale now advertised, which be wished stopped. He was more than usually bitter, and tried to be pathetic, hut was really ridiculous. Major Atkinson replied briefly* but warmly. Mr Stout made along speech, attacking Ministers on all sides, and Mr Moorhouse spoke for the first time this session, making a slashing speech, attacking in very sarcastic style the various prominent members of the Opposition, making the House roar by his description of their peculiarities. The Speaker had to call him to order once for certain references to Mr Gisborne. Mr Whitaker wound the proceedings up by saying ho would on an early occasion reply once for all to Sir George Grey’s charges about land transactions.