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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2149, 3 August 1907, Page 2

THE LAND TAX BILL

REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC AC-

COUNTS COMMITTEE.

IK OPPOSITION SEEK IN VAIN FOR REPRESENTATION.

(Special lo Times.)

AV ELLINGTON, August 2. When the Land Tax Bill was brought down by Governor’s message this session the Opposition asked Lh it it be referred to the Public Accounts Committee, but tlio Govern-j me; t would not take the hint. To- I day however, the Premier, who lias charge of tlio Bill, informed _ tlio House that -after carefully considering the Bill tlio Government had come to tho conclusion that it was desirable to lot it go to the Public Accounts Committee. Ho, therefore, proposed to move the second reading of tho Bill pro forma, in order that this could bo done. Members had represented to him that the operations of the Bill wore of a very technical character, and that it was desirable that the clauses should bo considered by tlio Public Accounts Committee, with tlio assistance of the Crown Law officers. This process would facilitate tho progress of the Bill through tlio House. In regard to tlio main policy of the Bill that was clear to everybody. Mr. Massev said it was wonderful

as time went on how the right 1i0n.,gentleman caauo round to the Opposition’s views. That was another concession to them. Ho and others had asked that this Bill bo referred to tho Public Accounts Committee, in,-] bo would have preferred it if it had been done in the ordinary way at an earlier date. He went on to sav lie hoped the committee would make somo alterations in the measure, because be had no hesitation in saying that it contained some drastic provisions that should not ho agreed to by Parliament unless they were

considerably modified.. Mr. AVilford referred to tlio insidious retroactive and retrospective provisions which tho Bill contained, and deprecated any attempt to affect existing contracts. (Hoar, hear.) Mr. Jus. Allen urged that if the Bill were sent to tlie Finance Committee Sir Joseph Ward should now see his way to allowing the Leader of the -Opposition to sit on that committee. That, lie said, would be only a fair tiling to do. Mr. Tlios. McKenzie also referred to the. far-reaching nature of the measure. He hoped tho committee would make it more perfect . He thought more equitable treatment should be extended to those who follow the farming industry. Ho was proceeding to speak about the merits of tlio Biil when Mr. Barclay rose to a point of order, pointing out there was really no motion before the House. Tlio Speaker said the indulgence of the House was generally granted to the Leaders of tho House who wished to speak, a statement that in view of Mr. Mackenzie’s political position was received with roars of laughter. Mr. McKenzie added tint there should lie an endeavor to differentiate between fixed incomes and earned incomes, i.e., between the precarious incomes and those earned through investment. Mr. Horries also expressed the hope that Sir Joseph Ward would seo his way to appoint Mr. Massey on the Public Accounts Committee. It was almost a right that he should be there; last year Mr. Tlios. McKenzie had agreed to go off tlie committee in his favor.

Sir Joseph Ward: “That’s not correct, so far as I know. I’ll leave the lion, member to say.” Mr. Tlios. McKenzie: “I don’t remember the incident, but it is just the sort of thing 1 would do.” (La tighter.) Mr. Horries added that this was

ill© blue riband committee of the House, and yet th© Leader of tlie Opposition was not included in its members. Now that Mr. McKenzie was off the committee Mr. Massey should lie put on it. Sir Joseph Ward said he had agreed to put Mr. Massey on tho committee if either Mr. AV. Fraser or Mr. Jas. Allen would retire in his favor. Mr. Massey said he could not agree to that. As to Mr. McKenzie’s offer it was made in tho House. He (Mr. Massey) remembered it perfectly. Sir Joseph Ward: “All I can.say is I did not hear him.”

Air. Herries a little later quoted from Hansard of August 24, 1906, pngl3l, showing that Air. Tlios. Mc-

Kenzie had said he was quite prepared to allow his name to lie struck off in favor of the Leader of the Opposition. He further showed that Si.' Joseph Ward had’ heard this offer, and Sir Joseph AVard had replied that lie had made the same offer to one of the lion, gentleman’s own party that day. Thus Sir Joseph Ward must have heard the offer, and .vet now that Mr. McKenzie was off tlio .committee the Leader of the Opposition had not yet taken his place. Si-- Joseph AVard read -tile statement referred to from Hansard, and proceeded to state that tlie debate was not on the setting up of the Pubho Accounts Committee. Opposition members: “Oh I Yes it was.!’

Sir Joseph AVard (after further scrutiny): “Yes, th-i-Vs right; it was one on the setting up of the committee, but the lion, gentleman did not ask me at any time to strike his nanie off the committee.’’

Air. Tlios. McKenzie said that when ho asked about tlie incident lie liad no recollection at the moment that he had made the offer.

Sn Joseph AVard repeated that Mr. McKenzie had not personally asked him to strike his name off. An Opposition member: “Wliat moii could you want than his statemen; in the House?”

Mr. Massey pointed out that there "-ere ten members on the Public Account. Committee, and that out of these ten only frivo were representatives of tb e Opposition. Pie thought it only right that the country should knou that there wero only two membeis from that side of the House on such an important committee. That was not a fair representation. When Mr. McKenzie’s name was struck off, lie contended, the Government should have added the name of an Opposition member. The people should be made aware of the fact that in regard to the most important committee of the House the Right Hon. the Premier refused to allow the Leader of the Opposition to appear thereon. ; , S' l ' Joseph Ward denied that he .-md refused this, and reiterated his -statement that he would allow Mr Massey to go on, if either Mr. James Allen or Mr. W. Fraser retired. He sai 1 Mr. Thos. McKenzie was not an Opposition supporter. Mr. Massey said lie had previously refused and would still refuse to go on the committee at the expense of either Mr. Allen or Mr. Fraser. The discussion then dropped. The Public Accounts Committee, to whom the Rill will be reform], consists of tne following members: Messrs. McKab, Jas. Allen. E. G. Allen, Colvin, hitman, W. Fraser, Graham, Laurcuson, Stills, and tbe Premier.