GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 601, 31 August 1878, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 30. In the house to-day, Replying to a question, the Government said they did not intend to introduce a Bill this session for abolishing Grand Juries. Mr Fox pointed out an error in the ! Land Tax Bill, which puts a. half-penny per £IOO, instead of half-penny per £l. -Mr Bal lance said it was an obvious printer's error. Mr Sheehan will make his statement on native matters on Tuesday. ' j. Mr Ballance informed the House that on Monday next he would ask for another imprest supply. I In reply to a question, it was said | the Agent General was informed of the j prop.wed reduction in the duty on sn<nr, i and that the bonus offered regardinc j beßt sugar was not withdrawn. I Some dissciißsion ensued over the j Disqualification Bill No 2. j Mr M'Lean said the AttorneyI General ought to have taken the House into his confidence. ; and that the Bill | was re illy for the iud-mnification of I members of the executive who held j seats illegally. I Mr Stout siid he had no objection to strike out that clause altogether. Mr Barton, made a vehement speech asrainsfe the Bill, which! he said, was not to disqualify wool growers who

came to the House and voted in block For the retention of the lands bf the Crown on which tuny fatened. and prevented poor men getting into the House by votinir against payment of members. The Bill was read a second time (Mr Barff alone protesting), and as a matter of urgency the H>>use went into committee, but was interrupted by 5.30. It is understood the debate on the financial proposals will be taken this evening on movingr the second reading of the Land Tax Bill.- ,

Mr Wooloock asked if, during the recess, the Government would cause a survey for a line of railway from the nearest available point of the Brunnertoti and Amberley line to Rpefton, with the view of a branch line being constructed under the District Railways Act.

Mr Mueandrew was understood to say.he would have no objection to taining a snrvey if a company were prepared to construct a line. Mr Reeves asked if Government intended, to call" tenders for a pack-horse mail t«n-vtce between Foxhill and Hampden, once weekly. Mr Fisher said that when the road was passable the Government intended to call for tenders again. August 31. On tie House resuming last night. Mr Ballance, in moving the second reading of the Land Tax Bill, delivered a long and argumentative speech, justifying all the Government proposals aud adducing a quantity of statistics in support of his argument. The Honorable gentleman did not confine his remarks to.the,,Land Tax -Bill,: 'but ■} tuuehed upon all matters connected" with the general .scheme- of Govern", ment finance, and invited a free debate on the whole question. . He spoke for over an hour and a quarter and sat ! down amidst great applause. | He was followed by Mr Wool cock, | who replied in detail to many of the arguments of the Treasurer, whose proposals he held to be merely, tinkering with the tariff; he especially comhatted the imposition of the tax upon Joint Stock Companies and Loan Societies as unjust, and repressive of the in-, dustry and enterprise of the colony. Mr heartily .supported the bill, but took a strong ■objection to many of the details and to some taxes imposed i in other Government bills. ;"

Mr de Lafcqnr strongly supported all Government hills iu a very long speech'. Mr Sutton said he calcnlatvd that all the remission of taxes in the tariff,on the necessaries of life amounted to 2s 9d per head.

The. debate and House was adjourned at 12.30.