GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1428, 12 September 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [PEB PBHS3 AOENOY.j Wednesday, Settsmbeb 11. BABBIT NI ISANCE BILL. In the Council to-day, (.ho Rabbit Nuisance Bill was read a third time, after discussion, in which the continuing of the bonus was strongly advocated. Col. Whitmore said the matter could be considered in the House of Representatives, which closed the discussion. ADMINISTRATION BUD. The second reading of the Administration BUI was moved by Mr Wilson, and agreed to without discussion ROAD BOARDS BILL.

In moving the second reading of the Hoad Hoard Hill, Col. Whitmore said this and other local Bills did not involve the policy of the Government, and they would not press them on members. He thought property should be represented, but sufficient plural voting was not likely to be passed by Parliament. It was not likely the Hill would become law this session. The country would have an opportunity of considering it during the recess.

The Hon, Mr Hall thought the Hill an important one, and was glad of t ho footing on which the Government had placed it. He advocated extreme simplicity in these local measures, seeing the men who would have to administer them. Ho too would give a vote to property in proportion to rates paid. Mr Holmes said the general impression was altogether in favor of Hoad Hoards as against County Councils. Ho should like to see six or eight of those Hoards empowered to combine in Council. Ho thought the Hill should be pushed through fills session. This was disagreed with by Mr Waterhouse.

The Bill was then road a second time RATING ACT AMENDMENT.

Coionel Whitmore moved the second reading of the Hating Act Amendment Hill, going shortly through it. Throughout the sitting the Colonial Secre.

tary spoke with considerable difficulty, and as though he wore decidedly unwell. The Council adjourned at leu minutes to live till next day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 11, The House met at 2 30. DUTY ON COAL. Mrjj ßeeves gave notice to move when in Committee of Supply for tho imposition of a duty of 2s 6d a ton on all coals imported into the colony. LICENSING BILL. Mr Wakefield gave notice to ask when tho Licensing Bdl would be in the hands of members, and whether (he report that the Government intended to abandon tho Bill was true. ORDER OF BUSINESS. The Premier said with reference to Major Atkinson’s suggestion yesterday, that tho Government had no objection to sit on Mondays and make Thursday a Government day. He gave notice accordingly to formally move in the matter to-morrow. NATIVE LANDS BILL. Mr Sileehan, replying to the notice of motion given by Mr Sutton, said tho Government intended to go on with tho Native Lands Bill, and that it would be in the hands of members on Tuesday next. CHRISTCHURCH LAND TRANSFER DEPARTMENT, Mr Wakefield asked the Government whether they had received any information as to officers of tho land transfer department at. Christchurch acting as agents for private persons, and whether it. was true that one of tho officials in that office had resigned his situation rather than give up his agency receipts P Mr Sheehan said it was true as regarded one officer, that lie was allowed to choose under which king ho would serve, and that he elected to servo under tho private king. This was done without his (Mr Sheehan’s) cognisance, otherwise tho person would have received instant dismissal. READJUSTMENT OF REPRESENTATION.

Dr. Hodokinson moved that tho House considers it desirable the Government should, during tho session, bring in a Bill for tho re-adjustment of representation in tho House, or if such Bill cannot be got ready during the present session, that Government be requested to prepare one during the recess. He procot (led to argue against tho present unequal state of representation, some districts being over represented, and others not adequately represented in proportion to population, and that the* present Parliament having been returned to carry out abolition, did not represent the people now. The hon, gentleman spoke at some length to show that there was general dissatisfaction throughout tho colony at the working of the present local bodies, and generally that adissolution and a new Parliament were required.

The Premier said it would only be necessary to say that the Government concurred with the motion, and would therefore offer no opposition. Mr McLean thought it would he more becoming in the Government if the gentleman at the head of it had given some little intimation to the mover as to what they intended regarding the measure asked for. Mr Stevens was glad the Government agreed with the principle of the resolution, but thought it a pity they were not more explicit upon a matter of such importance, and he hoped some member of the Government would vet amplify what fell from the Premier, and let them know whether they could do anything in the matter this session. Mr Gjsboune hoped the Government would yet see their way to bring down such a measure this session. He would rather see an adjustment of representation than an extension of the franchise such as proposed. The former was calculated to be more beuclicial than the latter.

Mr Fitzroy thought the House and the country ought to be getting tired of the vague and peculiar answers of the Premier to questions. This measure was far too important to be treated in a light way. Mr Pyke hoped the Government would not introduce such a measure this session. To his mind there was no probability of a dissolution, which could only come about through the will of Ministers, because no party or combination of parties in the House was strong enough to defeat the Government measure. The House had now been sitting seven weeks, and hatched nothing. No measure of any importance had yet passed, and if (he Government did not mind, members would begin to heave off, and the Government would probably find themselves in the position of having no House to pass their measures. He would therefore say—“ Pass the measures already brought down before introducing new Bills.”

Mr Sheehan said the Government were prepared to accept the advice of the hon. member for Dunstan. He thought the Premier’s reply to the mover of the motion was quite explicit enough for all purposes. 1 f members were not so anxious to rise at midnight all business might be got through in four weeks. The Native Land Bill was the only measure of importance the Government had still to introduce.

Mr Wason pointed out that the provincial district of Canterbury required at least six additional members to place it on an equal footing with a certain pocket borough. The Premier had sympathised with the people on this matter, and, lie believed, went so far as to promise tho people at .Ashburton that representation would be adjusted. He therefor moved us an amendment tho omission of all the words after “House ” in the latter part of the motion. Mr M Anders took tho same view as the member for Dunstan.

Mr Wood thought there was too much business before tho House now to introduce a general measure such as asked, but some temporary one should be brought down to remedy the most glaring inequalities of representation, but he hoped tho motion would be withdrawn.

Mr Feld wick deprecated private members forcing new business upon the Government, especially when it was proposed to take away a private members’ day. Ho also disapproved of such a motion coming from a supporter of the Government, because if any people had confidence in it, it was their supporters. To end the matter he would move tho adjournment of the debate.

Tho House divided, the result being —For tho adjournment, 48 ; against, 11. Sir k Douglas asked that the debate be postponed for six months, instead of a fortnight as proposed, otherwise tho country might be deceived, as it was quite impossible that they could deal with such a measure now.

Mr Sheehan hoped the hon. member would not oppose the adjournment for a fortnight. Sir It. Douglas intimated that ho would withdraw his amendment.

Mr Fyke said he could not understand the attitude taken up by the Minister of Justice. Why not state to the House that the Government either did, or did not, intend to bring in a Bill to alter the representation this session ? And, as he wished to ascertain the intentions of the Government, he would himself move the ad journment of the debate to that day six mouths. . The amendment was lost on the voices. RAIiIUT 'NUISANCE. The Rabbit Nuisance Bill was brought down from the Upper House and read a first time. -MAORI MURDERER. Mr Sheehan took the opportunity of informing the House that the murderer of the Maori woman at Waiapu had been arrested, and that, one of the Maoris who had been committing thefts on the West Coast, had been arrested in To Whili’s district. REGULATION OF MINES. The first order of the day was the committal of the Regulation of Mines Bill. Mr Sheehan suggested that the Bill was too large to be introduced by a private member, and considering the amount of business before them, ho thought Dupre was little chance of passing the measure that session. He suggested that the Bill be withdrawn. Nest session the Government would introduce a measure to meet all its requirements. Mr Woolcock expressed regret that the Government did not see their way to go on with so important a measure, the want of which must unavoidably lead to a large loss of life in consequence of the unsatisfaotory

state of the mines. lie hoped, at any rate, the Government would appoint a mining inspector. Mr Wason said that, after what fell from the Minister of Justice, it would bo useless to press on the Bill. It was thereupon discharged from the order paper. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. Mr Beetham’s motion for the organisation of an engineering department in conjunction with the survey department, to lay off necessary lines of communication through Crown lands, was withdrawn, on the understanding that the Government would pay evciy attention to tlie matter. The House rose at 5.30,

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 30. LAND TAX HILL.

Mr Hunter congratulated the Government on what they had done in simplifying the mode of keeping public accounts, hoping at the same time they would go still further in that direction. Ho also expressed gratification at the increased grant in aid of education. He paid a high tribute to the late Native Minister, and hoped the present Native Minister would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, in order to complete the great work the late Minister carried so far. As to the Land Tax Bill he would vote for it, though he was free to admit ho was one of that class who was open to tho charge of having acquired a considerable area of land, though every acre of it had been purchased from the Crown. As to the alterations in tariff, he quoted figures from his own books to show that whereas before these proposals he paid on sugar, woolpacks, Ac., £135 in the year, he would now save over £79, and in regard to land tax lie would pay £62. Ho was thus left a clear gainer of £l6 16s. As to the beer tax, he would oppose it, because he thought the Government should not be any longer mixed up with those liquor questions. He was not a beer drinker himself, but was opposed on principle to tho tax, because lie thought tho matter out. As a free trader he supported taking tho duty off grain, and would also like to see it oil timber. Though the tax on companies was insignificant in itself, it was a step in a wrong direction. It was practically asking for a share of the profits of these companies, and was likely to have a deterrent effect upon all other industries. There was no guarantee that other growing industries might not also be asked for a share of their profits. He denied that there was any foundation for tho grave charges brought forward in the House against the importing class in regard to ad valorem duties. Coming to what had been said regarding the tax on property, ho pointed out that it would not be fair for the General Government, as well as the municipalities, to impose a tax on improvements. He referred to the remarks of tho Attorney-General regarding the raising of loans by Sir J. Vogel, to show that the Attorney General had, unintentionally no doubt, conveyed a wrong impression regarding Sir J. Vogel’s action. Ho regretted there was a tendency now to soy that tho history of the colony was now beginning ; that they had turned over a new page. But the history of New Zealand was a continuous page, and, looking hack, (hey would find they had a great many able administrators, and amongst t hem ought to be mentioned tho name of Mr Gibbon Wakefield, the real founder of the colony, and one who in his sphere had done more for the poor man than perhaps any other man.

Mr Seymour thought the Bill not satisfactory to the House or country. He referred to Sir George Grey’s amendments lest session, by which he proposed to save £350,000, and make it up by an income and property tax. It was naturally to bo supposed that the Ministry this session would have tried to legislate in that direction. But the promise had only been kept to the letter, not in the spirit. The unearned increment ho thought delusive a thing difficult to arrive at, and likely to lead to considerable litigation. He animadverted upon the departure in the public works policy from the original system of forming main trunk lines and compelling certain portions of the colony to pay a land tax towards the construction of lines in other parts. He must oppose the Land Tax Bill, and would point out that no hon member need vote for the Bill under the idea that they must do that or support the amendment of the member for Geraldine.

Mr Montgomery compared the policy propounded by the Premier last year with the proposals now brought down. His policy then was to tax all property and reduce the taxes on the necessaries of life by £300,000, and that was the sort of policy he expected this session. He quoted from Stuart Mill, to show that it would bo impossible to levy a tax on the “unearned increment.” Who hut the owner of land itself was capable of valuing tlie cost of improvements. Then he asked them to consider the power which would be placed in the hands of the valuer. Then the tax would not fall fairly. No doubt the Government thought it would benefit the farmers, but it would not. The improvements of a farmer would consist of his house, stable and fencing, probably a thousand pounds worth, whereas a man with five acres of land in town would have to spend about five thousand upon it in erection of houses. Before making such sweeping charges against merchants in regard to ad valorem duties, it should bo remembered that the cost of drapery goods, iron, and other articles had greatly fallen in price, and that the colony had lately been manufacturing largely. He opposed the beer tax, because it must fall on the wages class. The joint stock companies tax meant a tax upon the savings of enterprising men of small means, while the large companies escaped. While affording general support to the Government, ho must express his opinions, and say he expected different measures altogether. Had a property tax been brought down, two-thirds of the House would have voted for it. If the Land Tax Bill did become law, he believed it would be repealed next session in favor of the property tax. Still recognising that all the aspirations of the Government were liberal, ho would vote for the second reading. He did not want to see an appeal to the country on the Bdl, and all the business of the country stopped. Mr Joyce combatted several objections raised against the Government proposals, but was opposed to taking the duty off grain. Without protection, the colony would now have been occupied most ly by cattle and sheep, and no more people than just sufficient to carry on the necessary business of the runs. He thoroughly approved of the principles of protection, which, carried out to its legitimate issue, was for the benefit of the poor man. He believed the time was not far distant wdion the House and country would be divided between free traders and protectionists. They approved the principle of the land and beer taxes, and, on the ground that the Government proposals generally contained so much that was good, as compared with what was evil, he would vote for the second reading.