PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1967, 14 June 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Tbleobape.] [feom oxtb own oobbespondent.] WEELINGTOST, June 12. The Government are considering, and probably will adopt, a greatly simplified mode of assessing and collecting the Property Tax, with a view of removing the only ground for the irritation and opposition to the tax at present existing. I understand that the plan which is now before the Cabinet and likely to be decided on is to cancel all present forms and issue fresh schedules, extending by a month the time allowed for sending in returns. The information demanded will be simply a declaration of the net value of the taxable property possessed by each person. Each property holder will have to put down the net value of all his property including good debts due to him, but excluding his personal effects, furniture, books, &0., also all debts owed by him and other exemptions specified by the Act. This will simply throw the entire responsibility on each property owner himself by making every man value his own property and deduct the exemptions to which he is legally entitled, severe penalties being imposed in case of a declaration proved to be wilfully or negligently false. This appears likely to meet with general approval, as satisfying the objections raised to the tax.

A rumor was Bet afloat yesterday by an enterprising special that the Government had received a cablegram announcing Sir J. Vogel's resignation of the Agent-Generalship and Mr George was put up to ask tbe question, to which the Premier replied that there was no truth in the report. I may as well explain the position between Sir J. Vogel and the Government,' which is as follows :—The present Government have adhered to the line of action followed by the late Ministry in regard to Sir J. Vogel, informing him’ distinctly and positively that he must resign either his appointment as Agent General, or else sever his connection with the various companies he had been so active in promoting. In the event of his accepting the former alternative he was offered the agency for the inscription of future loans at a commission, I believe, of one-twelfth per cent. Sir J. Vogel accepted this alternative, and is understood to be holding bis office merely at the convenience of the Government, and until other arrangements can be matured. I hear that largo reductions in the Agency are contemplated by the Government. Some little surprise has been created by the announcement which Mr Bryce was understood to make yesterday, that he did not intend to deliver any Ministerial statement on Native affairs this session. I find that this purpose has been accurately understood, and 1 that he will not deliver any statement

Instead of this, he will, in moving the second reading of the various Native Bills, give such explanations and information as may be called for, but without entering into Native affairs generally. His view, I believe, is that under the present circumstances, and considering the different aspect of Native affairs under this Government, as compared with that prevailing when they took office, a Native statement would be too much like a mas blowing his trumpet. He seems to be sanguine that the Native legislation proposed for this session will have the effect of sweeping away once and for ever the manifold abuses which have so long prevailed in that hot-bed of corruption—the Land Purchase department, the revelations of which, I believe, will be absolutely astounding when Mr Bryce discloses them to the House, as he most likely will in moving the second reading of one of tho Native Bills, It is still uncertain when Mr Oliver will bring down his Public Works Statement, but I am disposed to think that it will not be for another fortnight at least, and perhaps still later. It obviously must depend to some extent on tho recommendations of the Railway Commission, otherwise their appointment would be a mere farce : but it is understood that their report will not be ready for nearly a month, and it is probable, therefore, that they will make some sort of ad interim report, sufficient to enable Mr Oliver to frame his Public Works Statement and estimates, in accordance with their recommendations, so far as tho Government concur in them.