House of Representatives.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 13, 15 July 1893, Page 2

House of Representatives.

Sir Robert Stout introduced the I Licensing Act 1881 Amendment Bill. j Replying to Mr R. Thompson, the Premier said ho should consider whether he would this session set up a special committee to consider any fresh clnims of old soldiers nnd volunteers. A lengthy discussion arose on the whole question of those claims nnd was carried on for upwards of two hours. Several members took strong objection to the action of Government in refusing to answer questions, and another discussion, Insting for nearly an hour, ensued. Messrs Geo Hutchison, Captain Russell, and others declared they would put the questions standing in their names day after duy until they were answered by Ministers. The debate hnd not concluded when the house took the 5.60 adjournment. The House resumed nt 7 30. Mr Moore resumed tho debate on the Fiunucinl Statement, nnd urged that some .Minister should be put up to answer Sir John Hall's speech on Wednesday evening. On every ground he thought the colony had reason to be satisfied with the manner in which the railways hod been managed under the Commissioners' regime, nnd the proposal to give tho Minister of Public Works a sent on the board, with power to veto, would be resented by the mercantile community throughout, tho colony. He quite agreed with .Mr Eurnslinw, when he said that Government hnd used their position to keep some of thi- hills on the order paper trom hem** c-ntMilercd by the Hou jo. As to exemptions, he thought concession* >ho«i!-l he made in the case of p*»rtrioi*li i ps m furmitu lands, in the !-nmc way us -uui tiers in business. Mr Willis cniignitulni'd Mr Ward on liis able statement and >aid that Although the Opposition huJ attacked it they were not able to find much fault wiih it. He trusted sever.*-! other In rge properties, in addition to the Cheviot estate, would be acquired by Government for .settlement nud pointed out, that as the natives were desirous of selling their hind there should be no difficulty in obtaining it. The Graduated Tax was one of the greatest blessings the colony possessed, as it would cause the bursting np of large estates, which werea curse to thecounyry. Government were deserving of the highest praise for their endeavors in the interests of the unemployed. He announced his intention of supporting th.- proposal to give Government representation on the Railway Board, and in conclusion deprecated the waste of time which generally went on in the Honse. Mr Bruce spoke in condemnation of the Government policy, saying Ministers were unworthy of the confidence of the people of the colony. The Hon. Mr Reeves spoke at considerable length in answer to the speeches > of the Opposition members, and against Sir John Hall in particular, and said the ' Government were determined to maintain a strong finance, but they refused needlessly to reduce taxation. He strongly i defended the graduated tax, and said the Cheviot estate had been purchased in order to protect Government finance and encourage settlement. The debate was adjourned on the , motion of Mr Mitchellsoo, and the House i rose at 12 35. am.