TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 985, 22 August 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

CABLE NEWS [PEE PRESS AGENCY.] T H EJVA R. London, August 20. The Russians hold strongly to the Shipka Pass. Sulieman Pasha, in making a reconnaissance near the Jenikoi Pass, where the Russians were strongly entrenched, the Turks were, according to a Russian official despatch, repulsed. London, August 20. The Nile has been stationary four days ; its level is fourteen feet below the average for the past three years. INTERPROVINCIAL. [per press agency.] Dunedin Museum. Dunedin, August 22. A public meeting was held in the Eirst Church last night to protest against the opening of the Museum on Sundays. Resolutions strongly disapproving of the action of the Museum committee were carried unanimously, and it was resolved to petition the Governor to have it closed on Sabbath days. PARLIAMENTARY. Last Night’s Proceedings, Wellington, August 22. Mr Reid resumed the debate on the Incidence of Taxation. It would be unfair to impose an acreage (?) on large lands remote from public works. Such a tax would probably disappoint expectation us a source of revenue. A land tax should be on valuation. The Government proposed carefully to reconsider the whole fiscal policy of the country during the recess. Sir G. Grey said he had omitted in a previous speech to allude to education, but he had a fair scheme to propose. He condemned the Government proposals as tyrannical and despotic, making the poor pay for Hie rich. He contended for equal rights for all classes in education, land, taxation, representation, and everything. Mr Thomson strongly critieiscdand condemned the financial statement. Mr Gisborne condemned the statement and the policy of the Government. Uc urged that the Government had better destroy the land revenue localisaton altogether than maintain such a sham as proposed. He strongly supported a property and income tax, but it was impossible to impose them this year. Ho preferred Sir G. Grey’s proposals to those of the Government, as being consistent with his previous action, while the Government were simply trimming their sails. Mr Stafford replied to Mr Montgomery’s attack on the accuracy of the financial statement and maintained that it was j accurate, clear, aud candid. Eleven years ago ho proposed a property apd iucoipo

tax, but then, it met with little favor. Tie was glad to see now that the House was only divided as to whether to impose such a tax next year or tin’s year. It was impossible to do the latter. He condemned the Government proposals regarding the land fund. Canterbury would rather give up the find revenue than submit to direct taxation. Ho opposed the removal of the sugar duty, ns sugar was largely used by the brewers and Natives. Mr Travers objected to either a property or income tax till other sources of revenue were exhausted. Of the two the latter was preferable. He urged the adding of the floating debt to the permanent debt, so as to save interest, and the public works would be extended not curtailed. He urged the selling of the railways to private companies, to complete and work. There would be no difficulty to do tins in London. He hi d no objection to an income tax. He would not agree to an additional tax while the land fund was not colonial. Ho suggested the imposition of duties on salt and colonial beer, the increase of the duty on sugar by a halfpenny, and the reduction of duty on clothing. He objected to an acreage tax. Mr Johnston warmly opposed either an income or property tax, which would deter the introduction of foreign capital, and so check the development of our resources and reduce wages. Ho denied that the present taxation on necessaries, which did not exceed a half-penny per head per day, pressed heavily on the working classes. The property tax woidd do so more heavily by reducing wages. He object ed to a repeal of the duties which encouraged local industries. Rather than impose additional taxation it would be better to withdraw the subsidies from local bodies, and take a larger portion o p the Canterbury land fund in aid of tk ■ colonial revenue. Mr Ballanco moved the adjournment of the debate, and t he House rose at 12.25.