The Feildin Star. SATURDAY, AUGUSTS 1883. The Property Tax.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 25, 4 August 1883, Page 2

The Feildin Star. SATURDAY, AUGUSTS 1883. The Property Tax.

«. The whole Colony would be much disappointed at the miserable failure made by the Opposition in the debute on the Property^Tax. Jt was,, wellknown that .Vinisters would carry their point, but it was understood and h ped that an interesting; and instruc tive debate would ensue. Mr Mostgom fry made one of his customary speeches, simple minded, innocent and vapid. Mr Dargaville was put forward to attack the finaices of the Colonial Treasurer, his friends believing 1 that his experience in bankingand commerce would make him almos\ if not quite, a match far the Vlajor. The attack was a n.iscable failure. He^appe^red to have, omitted to post himself in the past history of the Property Assessment Act, 1879, yet it was on two defective clauses in this Act, which had been repealed at the instance ofthe Colonial Treasurer, that he based his attack. His speech is described by a contemporary as '• lively and imaginative." He said the Treasurer was only the willingtool of a " rin» " in Auckland who ruled the finances of the Colony, and he (the Treasurer) would not keep his seat a week it he had not their support at his back, and so on ad navsevm. '1 he Treasurer, in his reply to certain chnrg-es made by Mr Dakoaville, said that he would move for a select committee to enquire into them. As our readers are aware the motion was carried by a majority of sixteen. This miserable attempt at a debate is the more disappointing because so much was expected. The opposition bad 1< d the country to suppose they were g*oin£ to offer a most determined front against the motion, and yet when the time came they were apparently quite unprepared, either with facts or fig-ures to assist them. The only way we can account for their sudden collapse, is that the members of the party (sic) accepted Mr Daoarville at his own valuation, and confided to him the task of breaking- a lance with the doughry Major. When thpy saw their chamtiion defeated and rolled in the dust, their hearts failed them so that they humbly accepted defeat with the exception of one or iwo " small fry '* who made an attempt \o re-open the discussion when it was too late. After such an exhibition of weakne s, the Opposition must, for the remainder of the session, accept whatever measures are put before the House, wi*h nothing-more than afeeble protest from some member who has a little nerve left to make a show of resistance, if only to satisfy his constituents.