PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2195, 26 September 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Press Association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tlie Council met at 2.30 p.m. DOMINION DAY. Mr. T. Kelly moved in the direction of urging the Government that the Dominion Day holiday should be observed oil tlie same day as tlie anniversary of tno foundation of the colony, thereby avoiding the establishment of an additional holiday. The Attorney-General said the holiday question was before the Government Those holidays which everyono thought should be preserved would be preserved. r X'iio GJoveriiiuciit 7 did not/ feel that Anniversary Day, however, should be merged. It would be possible to keep these two days apart without adding to tho number of holidays already in existence. The Government hoped to bring a Bill down, its proposals dealing with the holiday question, this session. After this statement Mr. Kelly agreed to withdraw his motion.

FIRE BRIGADES BILL. The Fire Brigades Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. THE TARIFF. Amendments to the Tariff Bill were received from the House, and . the Standing Orders were suspended m order that they might be dealt with at once. The amendments were agreed to. WAITARA HARBOR BILL.Mr. Louisson moved the second reading of the Waitara Harbor District and Empowering Bill.. Mr. Samuel opposed the measure in a long speech, which had not concluded when tho Council adjourned at 5 p.m. until 7.30 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. On the Waitara Harbor Bill Mr. Samuel spoke for three hours in opposition. The debate was adjourned, and. the Council rose at 9.40 p.m. until Friday afternoon.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE. Mr. Hornsby raised a question of privilege respecting tho publication in the “Lyttelton Times” of a paragraph criticising members who had complained of defective reporting in Hansard and the press, and stating, inter alia, that the Hansard reports wore not flattering probably because they were verbatim. This, he thought, was a reflection upon members of the House and he for one intended to enter his protest. H'e praised the Hansard staff’s work, but complained that the press of the colony did not give fair play to members of the House. Members did not want any favors from the newspapers of the colonv, but tliev did want fair play. He would go the length of saying that there were members in the House who were, for various reasons, under the ban of the press, and he would have thought the press were above such littleness. He protested against the youthful members of the Dress sitting in judgment upon members of the House who had forgotten more than the former ever learned. He moved that the article -was a breach of privileges of the House. The Clerk read the article, which produced considerable laughter.

Mr. Barclay thought Mr. Hoimsbv magnified the importance of the paragraph, and he failed to see why valuable time should be wasted in discussing the subject when more important business was awaiting consideration. After considerable discussion, the Premier stated that while he did not approve of the paragraph, lie did not think it amounted to a breach of privilege. Possibly, it was a young man who bad written it. and he would not like to see anything done that would hamper his prospects. He ‘bought tlie matter might be allowed 'o drop now that it had bean ventilated. Dir. Massey deprecated the waste of time over the subject, and thought members should be able to submit To mitieism without being hurt-. The motion was negatived. DOMINION DAY. ' The Premier made a statemnt respecting Dominion Day. It was intended to bring . down legislation similar to that which existed in New South Wales and South Australia regarding holidays, which were always held upon Monday. The holidays would .be so adjusted as to overcome objections which had been raised. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.'

Replying to questions Ministers 6aid that the Admiral of the Australasian squadron had upon all occasions readily afforded the assistance of the fleet in searching for overdue vessels aud would doubtless continue to do so; that the Government employees are j being paid for Dominion Day; that I the question of introducing legislation I vith a view to promoting construction I of tramways in districts where the I settlers aro prepared to rate themI selves to provide interest upon the I 'apital required is an important one, I uid will be fully considered; that complaints of “ragging” new hands n the railway cleaning sheds have I been made at various times aud dismissal or severe fines have been imiosed where offences were proved, and suitable action will continue to be taken and severe punishment meted out wherever the offence is sheeted | home; that the question of introducmg and promoting the passing of a Model By-laws Bill prepared by the loads Department must necessarily depend upon the progress of business mow before the House; that the Har>or Boards Bill only deals with, the constitution of Boards and does not give taxing power, and a special Act would be required; that it is impossible tliis session to bring in legislation relating to the issue of a uniform set of school, books for the State schools of the Dominion, as tho subiect involves too many large considerations. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. HOUSE TAKES A HOLIDAY. The Premier moved that the House at rising adjourn until 2.30 on Friday. —Agreed to.

LAND TAX BILL. I The Land and Income Tax Bill was I further considered in committeo. I At clause 9 Oifo tenant liable for I graduated tax as if owner of fee I simple) Mr. Izard hoped the Premier j had given due consideration to tho I clause, as if it contained any error I it might lead to a great amount of I litigation. I Verbal amendments made by tho I Public Accounts Committee in tho I clause wero agreed to and the clause [ was passed. I At clause 10 desecs liable as if owI aers) tho Promior explained that tho I abject was to prevent the evasion of [ land tax by subdivision. The loss on I this account in the last couplo of I rears had been £IO,OOO a year. I Mr. Aitkon contended that it was I impossible for the Department to I know whether subdivision was real or I ietitious. Mr. J. Allen held that tho clauso ■stablished a now principle in 'taxation, inasmuchas if a mail held £50,900 worth of land in fee simple and a like amount in leasehold he was assessed for graduated tax as if he held the feo simple of £IOO,OOO. That would prove a great hardship where men held bona fide leases that they could not get rid of. The Premier said large leaseholders of land were quite as harmful as freeholders. If the leaseholders were exempted the freeholders would be able o defeat the Act and prevent settlement. Iho interests of the leaseclause S Wer ° falrlj ’ P rotectcd b T tho ~ Izard wanted to know whether the Government intended this session to bring in a Bill providing an equitable system of taxing leasehold. In ms opinion taxation should be on the reeholder to the full extent of his interest. Tho Premier replied that that was a matter for th*i Department.

Mr. Barclay -hold that tho result would ho'the insertion in future leases of a clauso providing that the lessoe should not bo liable, for any increase in taxation which might«ccruo under the Bill, and thus throw upon. tho owner of tho fee simpler tho liability to pay tho tax. Mr. J. Allen contended that the leaseholder should bo graduated on his interest as a leaseholder and not as under tho Bill on his interest, as a freeholder. Ho could uot rid himself of his liability by any urrangomont with his landlord. Tho original clause 10 was agrood to. A now sub-clauso (4) providing that tho .provisions of section 10 will not apply to leasehold estato existing at tho time of tho passing of tho Act unless tho owner or predecessor in title had been nt any time within tho five years next beforo the passing of tho Act the owner at law. or in equity of a freehold estato in laud subject to such loaso was carried. At clauso 10 (shareholders liablo as if owners of company’s land) considerable discussion ensued. Tho Promior emphasised tho necessity of safeguards against evasion. The clause as amended by tho Public Accounts Committee was passed. Clauso 12, making two companios having tho same shareholders one in tho eyes of the law-, was passed undiscussed. Clause 13 (joint owners to bo assessed both jointly and severally) evoked considerable discussion, but was passed as brought down from tho Public Accounts Committee. Clauses 14 and 15 were agreed to, progress was reported, and the House rose at 11.25 p.m.