GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 279, 27 August 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 22. Mr Stout in a long speech moved the addition of words to the effect that Government would forfeit the confidence of the House if they did not prepare, and circulate before the end of the present session, the Bill intended to give effect to the resolution next session. On this Mr Montgomery replied to Mr Stafford’s criticism on his former speech. Mr Macandrew urged the sending back of the estimates to be reduced to the limits of the revenue. Mr Rees spoke on the general policy of the ministry. Mr Burns opposed any change of taxation likely to injuriously affect local industries. Mr Fitzroy said the South would sooner give up their land fund than submit to additional taxation, and urged a general system of free selection at a sufficient price, according to the Canterbury system. Sir George Grey urged Government to readjust the representation on a fair basis and to immediately appeal to the country. Mr Stout’s amendment was negatived on the voices. Mr Pyke moved the insertion of the woods “an income” in the resolution. The Government accepted this The debate was then adjourned and the House rose at 12.5 a.m. August 23. The House met at 2.30. Mr Sheehan gave notice to move that the House on Tuesday go into committee of the whole, to consider G. B. Barton’s petition against the Judges. Newßillsintroduced:—Auckland College and Grammar School management (Lusk) Dtuiedin Municipal Loans Construction (Larnach,) Port Chalmers Library Reserve (Reynolds), Lawrence Water Works (Brown). On the taxation debate being resumed, Mr Pj ke’s amendment was agreed to by Sir G. Grey if he inserted the word “ general” before the word “ incidence” and struck out the words “ by expenditure on public works” in Sir G. Grey’s resolutions. Mr Stevens while supporting direct taxation on property, would resist in every way an inquisitorial tax on trades, professional, and industrial earnings, or profits, in the way of Income Tax, which at Mr Pyke’s suggestion, the Government had accepted. He objected to an acreage tax, and the reducing of customs da tie*. It. .would injure the credit, of the Colony, reducing borrowing powers and restricting public works. The tax on mortgages would fall on the borrowers, and not on the lenders. Regarding the land revenue he insisted that a definite substantial portion should be permanently settled on the districts. A sufficient amount of direct .taxation should be imposed, and the tariff revised, but without increasing the total amount. • Major Atkinson accepted Sir G. Grey’s amendment. The Government accepted the motion as directing them during the recess, to devise a scheme to make all kinds of property contribute fairly to taxation, and, if possible, to relieve the necessaries of life to some extent. They held themselves perfectly free as to the exact nature of the proposal they might deem wise in this direction. The matter had long been in the minds of the Ministry, but as yet they had no data to go on. Mr Reader Wood thought both sides of the House had gone mad regarding taxation, and no one had any facts to go on. Our finances were in a penniless condition, and something must he done to place affairs on a sound basis, but neither party were able to do it. The Band Fund should be made Colonial revenue, and he would mtfvw as an amendment—“ That in the opinion of thi-i House owing to the necessity there was last year of meeting part of the ordinary expenditure of the country by the issue of Treasury bills, and the fact that by the Treasurer’s Statement the receipts and expenditure cannot be eqiulis 'd with the appropriation of the Land Fund made by section 16 of the Appropriation Act, the Land Fund should at once be made part of the ordinary revenue, and appropriated by the House." Mr Reader Wood at great length criticised the Financial and Public Works Statements. He moved the amendment entirely on his own responsibility, and without any consideration or partv object. The Speaker ruled Mr Reader Wood’s amendment irrelevant. Major Atkinson’s morion, with Mr Pyke s and Sir George Grey’s amendments, were then agreed to. Mr Reader Wood then moved his amendment as a substantive motion. The debate was then adjourned until to-morrow. August 2d. The fLuise met, at 2. 00 Mr Swanson moved au adjournment!

till the evening on account of the football match, but it was rejected on a division by 43 to 14. The following new Bills were introduced:—Wellington Municipal Loans Consolidation Amendment, Crown Grants Act Amendment, Canterbury Rivers Act Amendment. The debate on Mr Reader Wood's Land Fund resolution was resumed, Mr Kelly thought it inopportune. The Government should during the recess consider the scheme for setting aside a fixed portion of all land .sales towards promoting settlement and opening up the country. Dr Wallis would not hold himself pledged to vote next session for either Property or Income Tax. He thought both sufficiently taxed. Mr Gisborne opposed mixing land revenue. The land revenue should be spent in opening up and settling land, and to a large extent by the local bodies in the district where it accrued. Mr Woolcock moved a further amendment to make Mr Reader Wood's motion read “ that after the present year the land fund should be Colonial revenue.” Mr Rowe said Mr Reader Wood’s proposal amounted to a vote of want of confidence. He would have supported the generalisation of the land fund if proposed in the ordinary way, but not this motion. The price of the land, and the system of administration should also be equalised. • Maj ir Atkinson said the question was so inopportune that he would not discuss it. The Government would not accept Mr Reader Wood’s proposal or any amendment of it, and would resign if beaten. Mr Reynolds thought the motion a dishonest one, and a gross breach of faith. If carried, the South would insist on Separation. Mr Gibbs opposed dealing with the question this session. Mr Joyce was ready to accept the generalisation of the land fund as a natural consequence of Abolition. Mr Hodgkinson said that a portion of the land fund should be apportioned for local purposes, if the necessities of the Colony compelled the seizure of the remainder. i’ Mr Lumsden would prefer Separation to losing the land fund. Mr Brown (Tuapeka) heartily supported the .motion. Mr Fisher opposed the motion, but if the land fund were to be taken it had better be done at once. Mr Reader Wood saw nothing in his resolution to prevent a portion of the land fund being devoted to. local purposes. He urged Mr Woolcock to withdrawals amendment, so as to allow a vote on a direct issue. Mr Woolcock refused to withdraw his amendment. % Mr Wood (Mataura) opposed the motion. Mr Shrimski also opposed the motion. Mr Stout would be willing to give up the land fund if a tax were imposed on real property, but not otherwise. He intended to move for an address to' the Governor to dissolve Parliament, so as to refer important questions at stake to the people. Mr Rees condemned those’who were, supporting the Government against their convictions on this question, *• The debate was interrupted at 5.30. Mr Hlslop resumed the debate on the Local Option Bill and replied to the m|gy attacks made on publicans and licensing benches; he supported the compensation clause. Mr Hursthouse supjMrted the Bill and opposed compensation. ..Mr Lumsden objected to those, who could not trust themselves, dictating tohim. He strongly protested against the circulars issued to hon. members by the Good Templars. Clubs, libraries, lecf-uves, etc, would be more efficiacious; remedy than the Bill, for intemperance. Mr Dr Lantour, referring to theGood Templars circular said that the unfortunate zeal of a few should notrbe allowed to prejudice a good cause. Rethought local option should be equal to either grant or refuse licenses. If compensation was due it should be paid from license fees. Mr Murray Aynsley opposed the Rill generally and strongly insisted on compensation ; the money for which should he raised by local rates. Mr Pyke refused to' recogniseany claim for compensation. Prohibition simply encouraged sly-grog selling. The educationoftheyoungwas the real remedy for intemperance. Attention should be directed to adulteration. Commissioners should be able to promise a license on the production of plana, before a building was erected on the* chance of getting a license. Mr Gibbs supported the principlebut not the details of the Bill. Mr Bryce thought the Bill should only apply to new houses. Mr Wood (Mataura) objected to the details of the Bill. Mr Teschemaker opposed the Bill, and supported compensation in theof established houses.

Mr Travers urged a general amendment of 'licensing and loans laws. He &ad-no objection to local option regarding new houses, 'Compensation should •not be given for good will. Mr Fox said he would reply generaldy on Tuesday in moving the Bill into Committee. The Bill was read a second 4ime on the voices. The Timaru Mechanics Institute Bill, : and Law Societies Amendment Bill ■were read a secsnd time. The Lyttelton Public Domains Bill, the New River and Harbor management Bill, and the Wellington College Bill were read a third time and passed. The Port •Chalmers Water Works Bill was passed •through committee. The House at 12.25.