HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 19, 13 August 1891, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The Land and Income Assessment Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 20. — Boards of Eeview to beappointed. Dr Newman and Mr E. Thompson thought County Councils should have a say m the appointment of these Boards. After discussion. Sir John Hall moved an addition to the clause, " That no person holding a Government office should be capable of sitting on the Board of. Eeviewers." - ■ Clause 20 was passed with the addition proposed by Sir John Hall. A long discussion took "place on schedule " A," which provides for the tax to be assessed on the actual value of the land. Mr Shera moved that all improvements - be exempted from, the Act, and he .was strongly supported- by Sir George Grey; and Messrs Guinness and Fisher, Sir George Grey felt perfectly certain that sufficient funds could be obtained by a fair land tax, and he intended to fight • the matter to the utmost. Mr Hon J. Ballance asked the Committee not to go any further than the Government proposed at present, but to leave the Bill as it stood till next session. If the Government then found that the circumstances of the colony warranted them in doing it, they would go to 'the I full length and exempt all improvements,; Mr Shera's amendment was then lost by 22 td 35. Wednesday, August 12. The two following Bills were introduced and read the first time: — Hon Mr Ballance, The Public Trust Office Act Amendment Bill ; Hon Mr Beeves, The Workmen's Lien Bill. The Land and Income Assessment Bill was further considered in committee.; The Bill was reported with amende ments, and it was ordered that they., should be considered on Friday. The House rose at 1.5.