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Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 7, 8 July 1893, Page 2

House ot Kkpresentatiyes. Mr Fergus was granted leave of absence for a fortnight on account of domestic affliction. Replying to Mr T. Mackenzie, Mr Ward said be saw no necessity for amending the Land and Income Tax Act ' in the direction of enabling mortgaged small farmers to enjoy certain exemptions and privileges, as small farmers were at present under the Act entitled to deduct mortgages and an exemption of improyements up to £'8000. After considerable discussion, Mr Ward said that, as the result of personal observations, he had no hesitation in declaring that the bulk of the small farmers were perfectly satisfied with the existing system of taxation. Mr Wilson asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he would instruct one of the newly appointed yeterinary surgeons to proceed aa soon as possible after his his arrival, to the West Coast of the North Island, and there to make an . exhaustive enquiry as to the cause of the great loss of sheep in that district, and make in his report to the Government any suggestions which he thinks might) avert loss. Mr McKenzie said he would be happy to comply with the request, and as soon as one of the surgeons arrived he would be Bent to the district to make enquiries. The Cheviot County Bill, to bring the Counties Act, 1886, into force within the Cheviot County, and Tongariro National Park Bill, to authorise the setting apart of a certain tract of land in the vicinity of Tongariro Mountain as a National Park, were read a second time. Mr Beeves moved the second reading of the Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Bill, to amend the law relating to shipping and seamen. A long debate ensued, during which Mr J. Mills expressed the opinion that the measure was brought forward at the instance of the Maritime Council of Dune* din, bnt the Hons. McKenzie, Seddon, and Beeves stoutly denied there was any power behind the throne in the matter, nor was the Bill aimed at the Union Co., as had been alleged. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. The House rose at 12.