GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2129, 11 July 1907, Page 3

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME.

(Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, last night. The Premier announced this afternoon that the Financial Statement would he brought down next Tuesday ni<rht. He said that" before the Financial Debate was proceeded with the Land Bill, Endowment Bill and Land and Income' Assessment Bill would "be circulated so that members would have full information regarding the Government’s proposals. Later on the Native Land Bill would be circulated also. Mr. T. MaclCenzie: "Will the Land Bill be referred to the Lands Committee ? Sir Joseph .AVard'. A cs; put members are anxious to have full information concerning the proposals," . Mr. Massey: Yes. AVe are all anxious to know what is in the bill. (Laughter.) - Mr. T. MacKenzie: AVe would like to know what will be in it when it comes back from the committee. (Laughter.) ' ' , ~ Sir Joseph AVard: I don’t think the committee will be able to improve iipon it- (Renewed laughter.) . Continuing, the; Premier said .it would be quite useless and improper, as 'well as Unnecessary,- -for people to interview the Government regarding their proposals at tho present puncture. The posals at the present Juncture. The proposals -had been settled- by the Government and would bo submitted tc the House.

Mr. Massey asked ..whether the re Eo'rt of the Lands Department would e laid on the table before the delivery of the Financial Statement and whether the Taxation Bill would be referred to tho Public Accounts Committee.

The Premier replied that the Lands report would be brought down, but the Taxation Bill would not be referred to the committee. If they were proposing a general alteration of the Land and Income Assessment Act it would be right to refer the Bill to the Committee, but in the present case this would be unnecessary. Every member would be able to understand the proposals. In reply to Sir. Fish er the Premier said that it was not intended to set up a special com mittee to deal with the tariff propo sals. A committee might have been set up twelve months ago, but thr time for that had gone. The pro posals would, of course, be brought down in Committee of the AVhole. Sir. Fisher: They will be a special committee.

The Premier: No, certainly not. Mr. Fisher: Will any facilities be given to manufacturers to give 'evidence upon any particular point? The Premier: This is the wrong time for that. Those who wanted to do that should have done it month? ago. All representations that had been jsent in had been considered. II the proposals were referred to a special committee it would probably be taken as an intimation that there war no intention to pass a Tariff Bill this year, as to put a Tariff Bill ever through committee in the House must take some weeks.