GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 985, 22 August 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Telegraph.] [per press agency.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, August 21. The business done to-day was unimportant. Dr. Pollen obtained leave to give evidence before the Select Committee on Native Affairs. Several Bills were read a first time, and several a second time. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, August 21. Leave of absence for fourteen days was granted to Mr Rolleston. the gazette. Replying to Mr Cox, Major Atkinson said that the Government would supply Road Boards with copies of the “ Gazette.” imprest supply bill. A further Imprest Supply Bill for £250,000 was received by message from the Governor. Sir George Grey objected to the House being taken by surprise. Under present circumstances not more than ten days’ supply should be granted. Major Atkinson said supplies were absolutely required. He regretted that he had not informed the House earlier. Sir G- Grey objected to a quarter of a million Supply Bill being rushed through without notice at one sitting. Major Atkinson explained that the matter vas urgent. Mr Reader Wood denied that the matter was one of such urgency that notice could not have been given. Mr Staeeoed regretted that due notice had not been given. Could the Minister for Public Works show that contracts falling due required immediate provision for payment. At this period of the month there would not be any salaries due. Unless in the matter of contracts, there was no urgency. Mr Ormond said he could not name any particular amount due to-day or to-morrow, but large payments for contracts all over the colony were continually becoming due. The Bill passed through all its stages up to the third reading. On that a resolution was moved that it be read a third time to-morrow. This was negatived on the voices, and the Bill was passed. incidence of taxation. The debate on Sir George Grey’s Incidence of Taxation Amendment was resumed on the luotion to go into Committee of Supply. Mr Murray said the question at issue was not a new one. It had been discussed on the hustings at the last election. It was only fair to throw a proper share of public burthens on property improved by public works. The time had now come when further taxation was necessary. We could no lunger live on Treasury bills and land revenue. Financial legerdemain should cease. He thought the profits on railways were to a large extent visionary, especially considering the light, unsubstantial, temporary character of the lines. The deficiency on railways should fall on property, benefited in some cases to an enormous extent. It was most unfair to tax the general community through the Customs for this purpose. He moved that the word immediately” be struck out of Sir G. Grey’s amendment, and that the words “ next session ” be inserted in lieu thereof. Mr Reid endeavored to move the substance of the Government amendment read by Mr Bowen on Friday as a previous amendment, but, after a long discussion on points of order, The Speaker ruled that he could not do so. Mr Reid continued the debate. He dwelt on the large interests involved, which demanded careful, prudent, and temperate consideration. He defended the Government from Mr Fyke’s charge of not leading the House, The Opposition were bound together by no common principle, but were anxious to snatch at anything to injure the

Government, At present the precedent of their high model, the Imperial Parliament, really did not apply here. Members here were not so bound to party, and their greater individuality tended to render real representative Government difficult. He denied that the Government had in any way abandoned their position, by professing readiness to consider the question of taxation next session, although they had not invited that consideration in the budget for the present year. Ho defended the accuracy of Major Atkinson’s estimates, and replied at length to Mr Stout, in reference to education reserves. The Government, he said, must provide for the education of the youth in all parts of the colony. He thought the Government proposal on the taxation question itself to judgment and good sense of the House. Sir George Grey’s motion must be considered in the light of his speech, which, despite being eloquent, was lamentably deficient in argument and policy, and would cause grave anxiety in some parts of the colony. Could Otago and Canterbury members agree with Sir G. Grey’s land revenue proposal. The debate was interrupted at 5.30 p.m.