House of Representatives.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 64, 13 September 1893, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30. The greater part of the afternoon was spent in discussion on the question of co-operative works, and answering questions took up the rest of the time till the dinner adjournment. After resuming a short discussion ensued, during whicli Mr Rolleston protested against the manner in which the finance of the Colony was being conducted by the present Government, the House went into committee on the Public Revenues Bill, which passed through without material amendment. The Land and Income Assessment Acts Amendment Bill was committed. Clause 4, Land and Mortgages of Building Societies exempt caused a long debate. Mr Ward wished to make the clause apply only to building societies, whose mortgages did not exceed £6000, but the Chairman ruled this amendment could not be put because it increased taxation. Cluuae 7, which fixes a penalty for non-compliance with the requirement of the Commissioner to furnish a return, was altered so as to allow a person reasonable excuse for noncompliance before the penalty is enforced. The minimum penalty was fixed at not less than £2 instead of £5. Clause 15, assessments to be made on land after the deduction of all improvements. Sir R. Stout moved the exemption of improvements be struck out.— Lost by 29 to 10. An increase in the graduated tax was affirmed by 23 to 14. A proposal to make special exemption in the case of the WellingtonManawatu Railway Company was lost by 29 to 14. The House rose at 3.30 a.m.