GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1814, 13 December 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, December 12. Captain Bailub’s motion that the Bills •not passed in one session should betaken up next year at the place where they were left, met with on unfavorable reception, and was •■withdrawn. On the motion of the Attorney- General ■it was agreed to sit on Saturday, Government Bills to bo taken first. The Standing Orders as to the passage of public Bills were suspended for the rest of tho -session. Tts Registration of Dogs Act was thrown • out. Second readings Slaughterhouses Act Amendment Bill, and Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Amendment Bill. Third readings—Wellington Harbor Board Bill, Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bill, and Electoral Acts Repeal Bill. The Council adjourned from 4.20 till 2.30 nest day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, December 12, Tho House met at 2.30. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. Mr Stevens brought up the report of the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Shhimski asked how it was that the report in question had already been printed in the “ Timaru Herald.” He had just road it in that paper. Mr Stevens replied that the report had been drawn up within tho last half-hour, and it was quite impassible it could have been published as stated. QUESTIONS. Mr Andrews asked if the Government •will taka the necessary steps to extend the money order system to £2O, instead of £lO, as at present. Mr Hall replied in the negative. The postal statistics did not warrant the department in believing that the concession was required for the public convenience. Moreover, it would be impossible to get foreign Post-offices to recognise the innovation proposed. Mr Andrews asked if the Government will make provi.ion for persons to make deposits in Post-rffico Savings Banka without being compelled to produce the pass book. Mr Hall replied that the proposed change would expose deposits to malversation, and create a very great deal of trouble to the department. Further consideration would be given to tho question, in so far as it related to friendly societies’ deposits. Mr Gisboenb asked whether tho Government will, in accordance with tho report of the Hokitika-Greymouth Railway Committee, ordered by the House to be referred to the Government, direct a survey to bo made to show tho best lino of diversion in order that it may pass through Kumirn, Goldaborough and Stafford Town, and, ahould tho coat of the diversion not increase tho original estimate of tho whole lino or only necessitate a small addition thereto, will tho Government proceed with tho lino in the direction indicated ; also, whether the Government would, in tho meantime, as recommended by tho committee, prosecute with all practicable dispatch, the formation of the lino and bridges from Hokitika to the Arahura and from Greymouth to the Teromakau, Mr Oliver replied that tho proposed deviation would cost £IOO,OOO, and tho Government were not prepared to incur such an increased expenditure. working men’s club sites. The House wont into committee on the Working Men’s Club Sites Bill. Dr. Wallis aa ! d there was no reason why this privilege should bo conceded to working men’s clubs. There were other equally deserving institutions, such ns Mechanics' Institutes, Temperance Societies, Christian Associations, As., which ought to be included. Colonel Trimble wished the term “working men ” defined, They were »U working

men, and ho wished to know if they were ail equally aimed ot by the Bill. Mr Andrews suggested that these clubs wore in many instances simply devices for getting licenses for houses to sell liquor which would not otherwise bo licensed. He was opposed to tho Bill in toto. It would be far better to assist these clubs as the occasion arose, so that each case might bo judged of on it* own merits. Mr Hutchison insisted that clubs of this kind were not mere drinking shops, as had been interred by the last speaker. Sir G. Geby said the objects of these institutions were very easily defined. _ They wore all founded upon the principle of affording instruction. He was a member of one of these clubs himself, and testified to the efficient manner in which they were conducted. Mr Gisboenb also testified to tho good conduct maintained in connection with those clubs, and expressed an opinion that it would be well to encourage their establishment. Mr Ireland opposed the Bill. Mr Andrews suggested that the Government should reserve to itself tho power to prevent these clubs degenerating into more drinking saloons and places of resort for other vicious purposes. Mr MuebAY spoke in similar terms, and suggested that a proviso should bo added to tho Bill to tho effect that no spirituous liquors should be sold on tho premises. He concluded by moving that a clause to that effect be added to tho Bill. Tho additional clause was put and negatived on tho voices. The Bill as pointed was passed. OIACO HAEBOE BOABD. The Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill was committed. Mr Maoandbew said that, if the House agreed to allow borrowing powers to tho extent of £250,0C0, it would be cornmilling an egregious blunder. Tho money already spent had besn spent in a reckless way. Had they given only £20,000 at first ho believed they would have had much more efficient work. Fifty thou and wounds was sufficient for securing a dredge, and that was all that was required. The great mistake had been in giving tho Board too much money, and it bad gone to work in a hop-skip-and-jump way. The Committee would be doing wrong to commit tho district to tho large expenditure. The result of Sir John Ooode’s report, he believed, would be to show that the whole of tho money had boon thrown into the sea. Sir J. Ooode had told him that, if the works went on as they were goiog, ho believed they would rise some morning and find tho bar wholly blocked up. Mr Dick said Mr Maoandrew, who represented Port Ohalmors, was simply actuated by jealousy, so as to prevent ships going past that port to Dunedin. The channel was partly cut to Dunedin, and unless they got the money asked for that work would be rendered useless. All the works carried on by the Board had to be approved of by the Governor in Council. Mr Macandkbw denied that he was acting in the interests of Port Chalmers in this matter. "Were he to do otherwise than he had done, he would be wanting in his duty to Otago as a whole. Mr Shbimski said Dunedin was simply attempting to take away the trade from Port Chalmers, and centre it in Dunedin. That theory was just as correct as tho one put forward by Mr Dick. Mr Muebay supported the Bill, and stated that property in Dunedin would be seriously endangered if tho interests of the harbor were not properly conserved. Mr Baebon moved that tho amount be restricted to £IOO,OOO. Ho thought that would prevent the Board from dealing extravagantly with its funds. Mr McLean defended the Board and its works against the imputations made. Ho thought, however, it might, under the circumstances, be judicious to accept the amendment of Mr Barron. Mr Thomson said that fifteen years ago evidence was given before a committee of the late Provincial Council to the effect that certain harbor works then proposed would injure tho mouth of the harbor. Recent events had borne out that evidence, and he desired to see tho Board restricted in its operations, so as to prevent the mouth of the harbor being further damaged. He moved that tho amount be reduced by £50,000. Mr Stewaex said already a large amount had been expended, and in present circumstances that expenditure was of no practical value. Mr Reid thought £IOO,OOO quite sufficient under the circumstances. On the question that the amount be restricted to £50,000, a division took place, the result being—Ayes, 18 ; noos, 23. The amendment that the amount be £IOO,OOO was then put and carried. Mr Maoandbew moved the insertion of a now clause, to the effect that a portion of the money should be spent on the entrance to the harbor. The House divided, when the ayes were 25, and the noes 27. bills passed. The Working Men’s Clubs Sites Bill was reported, road a third time, and passed j also the Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill ns amended. CUSTOMS DUTIES. Major Atkinson moved the second reading of tho Customs Duties Bill. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7 30. CUSTOMS DUTIES DILL. The debate on tho Customs Duties’ Bill was resumed. Mr Moss said, looking at the now tariff there was one or two items demanding explanation. Green fruit, for example, was a most perishable commodify, and preserved milk again. They had Holloway’s pills, on which 25 per cent, was to be paid. Tobacco and wine were other articles to which the speaker referred aa unjustifiable in the circumstances. All this meant that they were imposing taxes on the masses which ought properly to have been borne by property. Ho hoped tho Treasurer would see his way to strike out a great many of the items proposed. Unless that were done tho outside public would feel dissatisfied. That while members were very chary about touching property, they were perfectly reckless in dealing with that which affected tho masses tho Customs revenues.

Sir George Grey considered some of tho duties proposed to be of a moat objectionable nature. Certain articles, necessaries of existence, were to bo taxed 50 per cent. These burdens would be felt specially by the poor. At that very moment the taxes were b<ing taken off large landed properties. The Go verument had already modified their pro posals, and he hoped still further modifications would be given effect to. He hoped they would not insist upon the ad valorem duties until further taxation on land had been provided for. Dr. Wallis said the Government hud proposed a two-fold system. They proposed to levy a tax that would fall most heavily on tho smaller class of property holders, and another tax on the Customs revenue. The essentials of life, clothing, shelter and’bread, were proposed to be taxed. The last tax was the moat objectionable of all, and ought not to be imposed. Tho taxation on wine and tobacco, right in itself, was objectionable in another way. It was a temptation to illicit distillation, adulteration, and smuggling. Then, again, saddlers, coachuiikers, and halters were all, singular to say, exempted. He could not see how that should be. It was useless to oppose the Bill; still he felt it his duty to protest against tho vexatious nature of the proposals put forward. Mr George objected to the proposals put forward for taxing the necessaries of life. He instanced tobacco in particular, which, to the working classes, was not a luxury, but a necessary of life. Major Atkinson said that some members who had just spoken were very patriotic. They had shown how th y would reduce taxation, but they had failed to show how they would pay the colonial burdens. The House divided, when tho Ayess were 41 and the Noes 21. The Bill was accordingly read a second time, STANDING ORDERS. A debate took place on tho motion that Standing Orders be suspended to admit of fresh business being taken alter 12 30 Tho motion wa) objected to on the ground that most important business was brought on at a late hour, when the house wee thin and members exhausted. During the discussion members walked out, leaving an ii sufficient number to enable the question to be put. THE JIVE MILLION LOAN. Mr Hall read the following cablegram just received from London:—“Premier, N,Z, —Loan subscribed more than twice over.

List closed. We congratulate you. Until wo found it imperatively necessary, we delayed giving guarantee not to bring any loans on market for three years. —Loan Agents, London, 11th.” TOBACCO MANUFACTURE. The Tobacco Manufacture Bill was read a second time. ASHBUETON WATER WORKS. The House went into committee sn tho Ashburton Water Works Bill, which passed, and was reported. CUSTOMS DUTIES. Xu committee on tho Customs Duties Bill, a motion to amend clause 3 by making tho collection of duties specified, with the exception of spirits, tobacco, and wines, to operate on the Ist April concurrently with tho property tax duties, was put and negatived. The Bill was reported and passed without amendment. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT BILL. The Property Assessment Bill was recommitted. The f dlowing amendments were put and carried :—Section 2 After tho sub-section “ properly ” insort “ assessment moans an estimate of tho value of any property as well os tho amount of tax imposed on a property, and includes all matters comprised in any statement of property required by the Act.” In tho same section, in the sub-section, “notice,” after tho word “business,” at its first occurrence insert “ in the colony.’ Section 12, omit “ to which any person is entitled,” and substitute “of which any person is owner.” Section 16, add thereto: “ And no such Insurance Company shall be liable to taxation under this Act in any further respect.” a Section 24, add to the proviso : “ And th interest of any occupier of such land shall be estimated at the sum such interest might bo expected to bring if offered at public auction for cash.”

Section 25, add thereto : “ (0) All vessels of every kind.” Section 77, omit oil words of tho section after “Deputy Commissioner ” in tho sixth line, and substitute “ on behalf of tho Crown by suit in his own name.” Tho Bill as amended was reported. Mr Maoandbew, on the motion for tho third reading, said that, although modified, it was still unsatisfactory. Tho llouso hud no right to impose additional taxation. So long us the Houso found tho ways and means, so long would the extravagance of Government go on increasing. The existing taxation was sufficient to provide for peace, order, and good government. Assuming that he was wrong, bo would say this was not tho way to do it. Why should tho people at the Bay of Islands, for example, bo taxed to meet tho deficiency on railway expenditure when there were no railways within miles of them. That deficiency should have been made up by imposing taxation on those who had derived special benefit from the railways. Ho would therefore divide on the question of tho third reading. Mr Db Latoue said that the Government promised they would take tho Houso into their confidence, and state tho amount they intended to levy under tho Bill. Mr Gisboene also recorded his protest against tho Bill. The course proposed was unnecessary if tho estimates had been properly reduced. He reiterated the reductions in the estimates, which he had already suggested, and proceeded to say that these reductions, coupled with other modes of retrenchment, would have been sufficient to meet all the emergencies of the case. The tax proposed was costly and troublesome in its operations. It was likewise calculated to damage the interests of colonization, and crush tho very springs of industry. It was a tax calculated perhaps to cure the malady, but at tho same time it would kill tho patient. Even at this late stage of the proceedings ho would ask the Government not to proceed with the measure further. Mr Shephaed also protested against tho Bill. Major Atkinson replied. Ha asked how these retrenchment problems had not been described long ago. Mr Maoandrew had a million of money when he took office two years ago. He borrowed two and a half millions, and whoa ho left office there were liabilities amounting to tw.o millions on the loan. That made five and a half millions, in addition to which there were £400,000 deficiency bills. These were the facts of tho caso, and ho asked tho House to draw its own conclusions. As a Government they had recourse to further taxation. At the same time they had pledged t hemselvcs to oh serve tho utmost economy, and that pledge they intended to fulfil. They proposed to levy a tax of a penny under the Bill. The motion for tho third reading was then put, and the House divided. Tho ayes were 38, and the noes 25. On tho question that the Bill be passed, Sir Geo. Gbey said he disputed tho truth of what had been stated by the Treasurer. The fact was when they took office the chest was empty, besides which, they found themselves inheritors of a system of extravagant expenditure. They were having money taken out of their pockets unnecessarily, and when they remonstrated they were met with insult. The remarks of tho Treasurer were insulting to the House, and ought to ba brought forward as a breach of privilege. Mr Whitaker rose to make an explanation, which was followed by one from Mr Lundon. In tho course of thoir remarks tho former gave a flat denial to the latter. Ho said ho would pledge his word against that of Mr Lundon, and leave it for tho House to judge. Mr Lundon was about to reply, when the Speaker ruled him out of order. Sir G. Obey stated in continuation that he hardly knew what to say. Ho believed what Mr Lundon said was true, and when he attempted to speak in defence of his veracity he was put down. The question for tho third reading wrs then put and carried on the voices. The Bill was then read a third lime and passed.