House of Representatives.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 11, 13 July 1893, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The Premier gave notice to move the next day that Mr Guinness be appointed to the position of Chairman of Committee in place of Mr Rees. The Premier announced that Government would allow, the financial debate to proceed without interruption. Mr E. M. Smith resumed the debate on the Financial Statement. He Warmly approved of tho budget and was particularly pleased with the proposal to tax Native lands, and deal with them in the same manner as land to Europeans He supported the Cheviot purchase. He spoke at seme length of the great mineral resources of Taranaki, and said he intended to proceed to England after the general election in order to advocate those resources and to induce population to come to the colony. Mr Swan said that although he was an Opposition member he must admit that, tnken on the whole, there was a large amount of good in the Financial Statement. Sir John Hall said the Colonial Treasurer had asked for the indulgence of the House, but be rejd hardly have made that request for he (Hall) felt that no one on the Government side of the 1 House was more worthy to succeed Mr Ballance than the member for Awarua, and any reference he should have to make to Mr Ward would, he hoped, be of a friendly character. He contended the real surplus of revenue over expenditure for the past year was only £38,000. The sum claimed by the Colonial Treasurer including £163,000 brought forward from the previous year aDd £83,000 in interest which was still owing. This system of stating the surplus at more than was actually available was to be deprecated. As to expenditure he was thankful for the honest admission of Government that the annual depaitmental expenses were increasing by £30,000. With regard to the Cheviot purchase he thought, where the payment of such a large sum of money was concerned, more detailed reference should have been made to it in the statement. Alluding to thenonborrowing proposals of Government, he asked how they could be reconciled with the fact that Treasury bills were being issued for Hie purchase of public nnd private lands and for making roads. He believed the truth wns that Government had come to the end of the loan money Sir Harry Atkinson had left them, and they were now thrown upon their own renources. The proposed exemption ot improvements would principally accrue to town and suburban districts, and would mainly apply to people living in handsome residences, who would not contribute in the income tax anything like what was contributed by the small farmers. JSeither could he look upon the prupo.-eJ KruduateJ tax with approval. After referring to the necessity for arevision of the tariff. Sir John went on io sny the pnraßrnjih relating to the Bailwuy Commissioners was the black sj>ot in the statement. It was an entire calumny to say the Commissioners were influenced by political feelings, and be held if a M mister were put on the board there would be a constant slate of conflict and confusion. He also touched on many other points in the statement, and expressed particular approval of the new bunking arrangements, which he considered would be very advantageous to the colony. Government had evidently decided to stiunt several questions, not* ably nntive land and local Government, and he regretted to see this. To Lib mind the Government finance was particularly weak, and the position should seriouslj engage the attention of Parliament. Sir John concluded his speech with a detailed criticism of the Premier's addresses in various parts of the colony. The Hon. Mr Carrol followed Sir John Hall in the Financial debate. Bis re* marks for the most part being confined to Native matters. He said the Maoris throughout the colony were desirous of selling large tracts of land to the Government, but it took time to acquire these blocks. On the question of taking native land, great care would have to be exercised. Mr Blake having spoken generally in favour of the policy of the Statement, the debate adjourned, and the House rose at 12.15 a.m.