GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2632, 13 September 1882, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

fPEB PBBSB ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, Sbptbmbbb 12. The Council met at noon. THE LAND BILL.

The Pbemiee announced the arrangements come to by the managers of the Land Bill Conference, which, after discussion, were put seriatim. In clause the words “ onathi d ” were restored in place of “one-fifth." In clause 31, the residence clause, an exception was made in the case of leaseholders being minors. These are to bo allowed to reside with their parents or guardians tor three years, under pain of forfeiture for a longer period. Clause 33 was restored. The purchasing clause (35) was amended, so that reserves in mining districts should not bi affected by its operation. In clause 37 the word “ gold " was inserted before “ mining.’’ On Mr McKenzie’s clause a limit of three years was attached to the operation of the proviso added to the clause on the motion of Mr Holmes. Clause 76 was struck out. The report of conference was agreed to. PBOPBBTY TAX BILL. This Bill was road a first time. LIPS ASSUBANOE BILL. This Bill wo* postponed until next yean PABLIAMBKT BUILDINGS. The resolution of the House of Ropresentatives as to the custody of the Parliament buildings, was agreed to. THE BAILWAY BILL. The Conference on the District Railways Bill reported that they considered the question of privilege should be deferred until next year. OEMBTEEIES BILL. The Hon, Mr Mahtbll moved the second reading of the Wellington Cemeteries Bill, The Pbemibb moved it be read this day six months, which was carried. EDUCATION eisbevns, The Hon. Mr Olives moved the second reading of the Education Reserves Act Amendment Bill. Sir Qbobge Whitmoeb objected, and the Council divided. Ayes, ; nocs, 5. SECOND BEADING. The Pbbmisb moved the second reading of the Property Tax Bill. Carried. IN COMMITTEE. The Council then went into committee on the following Bills : —Properly Tax, Licensing and Education Reserves, which were reported and passed. APPBOPBIATION ACTS. The Appropriation Acts were read a second time, committed and passed. The Council rose at 530 until 3.30 tomorrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, Septembeb 12. The House met at noon. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. Resolutions were reported from the Committee of Supply, The Hon. Mr Bbyoe moved “ That the item £SOO for removal of the Native Land Court to Wellington from Auckland be omitted.” Ha said that the item was virtually provided for by a vote on the supplementary estimates for the establishment of Native Lands Registrar’s district. He reiterated the statement made in committee when the item was under discussion as to the nature of the proposed change in the locality of the Native Lands Court head office. Mr Sheehan said it would be most unfortunate to remove the Court from Auckland at this time. He proposed to add as an amendment to the motion for omitting the £SOO vote the following: House does not view with favor the removal of the Native Land Court from Auckland to Wellington.” Mr Whitaxeb advised the withdrawal of the amendment proposed. He concurred in the opinion that it was not desirable to give effect to the removal. It would bo viewed with great distrust by the Natives. The Government had been warned of this, and still the Native Minister was prepared to take the responsibility. Under these circumstances he thought it would be better to leave him to the responsibilities ho had undertaken without seeking to hamper the Government with the amendment. Mr Sheehan said that, in view of the fact that the amendment was not under the circumstances likely to be carried, he would do as suggested, and withdraw the amendment. The motion for the reduction of the vote was put aud carried, new bailwats. The Hon. Major Atxinson said, in answer to a remark by Sir John Hall, that all fresh railway works undertaken this year would be liable to be dealt with specially as regards taxation in the event of Parliament determining so to do next session. Mr Daeoatillh protested against such a doctrine. It was most unfair that properties improved by railway communication in the psst should go free, and other lands be specially taxed. The only solution of the difficulty was the imposition of a land tax, levied in such a way ao to overtake city property. Ur Montgombbt understood that what was meant by the Treasurer’s statement was that Parliament was free to deal with the whole question next session as it might think fit. Mr Oonolly would certainly object to any special taxation applying to future benefits, while those of the past escaped free. If the one was to bs specially taxed he would do his best to get the other taxed also. He could not agree in the opinion that a lend tax was a solution of tho difficulty. On the contrary, ha thought a property tax was a much fairer way of overtaking all who benefited by those works. Mr Peabson moved that the item £BOOO, for rebuilding bridges in the Taiori district, be struck out.

Mr Huesthouse concurred in tbe motion, expressing aa opinion that it was moat unfair that a notoriously wealthy district should hare provision made for rebuilding its bridges, while other poorer districts never had a bridge at all.

Negatived on the voices. THE MEMBERS JOE BTANMOBE AND PBiNKLIN

NOETH.

On the motion for going into committee of supply, Mr Sheehan moved as an amendment, that tho House approves of payment in full being made of tho honorarium to the members for Stanmore and Franklin North.

The Hon. Mejor Atkinson supported the amendment. But for extraordinary circumstances over which they bad no control those members could have been present, and it was hard that they should have deductions made for tho time they were absent. Mr Wynn Williams wes astonished to listen to such a proposal. These men wore not members cf the House at all during the time it was proposed to pay them as tuch. They were no more entitled to pay the money asked for to these gentlemen than they were to pay it to the first person they met in the street. Tho question put to go into committee cf supply. Ayea, 13 ; noss, 31. The amendment was then put and carried. LAND BILL. The report of the managers in the conference upon the Laud Bill was received aa-3 approved of. APPEOPBIATION ACT, 1882 3. This Act was introduced and pssssl through all its stages. LAW PBACTITIONBES BILL. A message was received from the acting Governor, recommending that certain amendments be made in the Law Practitioners 3:I ! , which were agreed to. DISTRICT BAILWATS BILL. The report from the Conference with lativo Council on tbe District Biilwiys Amendment Bill was received and agreed t . The House adjourned at 6 p.m. till teu tomorrow.