GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 1147, 2 June 1880, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[new ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Jane 1. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. One petition and four batches of papers were presented, thirteen notices of motion and questions given for the following day, and a notice to introduce fourteen new Bills, eleven being by Whitaker. The Address in Reply was brought up by the Committee and read. It was merely formal. Dr Grace gave notice to move its adoption the next day. Oue Sessional Committee was appointed, and notice given for several others. The House adjourned at 2.45.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, June 1. The House assembled at 2.30 p.m. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would,' on the IGth, move for a repeal of the Property Assessment and the Property Tax. ; Mr Pyke gave notice that he would ask the Government whether it was the intention to bring in a Bill to prohibit religious and party processions. Mr Uursthouse gave notice that he would ask what steps the Government intend taking to prevent the spread of pleuro-pneumonia from the North to the South Island. A new Licensing Bill was introduced by a message from the Governor, and read a first time. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time : —Regulation of Elections Bill, Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill, Election Petition Bill, (Hall) ■ Native Reserves Bill (Rolles : ton) ; Native Lands Bill, Native Lands Contract Valuation Bill, Takomoana Tauranga Land Bill (Bryce) • Bill to Amend the Several Acts Relating to Municipal Corporations (Hutchison). After discussion, Hall’s motion—- “ T hat as a general rule committees should not exceed ten members ” —was agreed to. Notice was then given of the appointment of Sessional Committees. Colonel Trimble moved the Address in Reply, and referred to the allusions in the speech to the late monetary pressure, which ho thought would be re-

moved by the abundant harvest, and the vise in the price of wool—not by recourse to further loan operations. I ho ncession ol the Gladstone Ministry to power was an a.vsmanoe tint peacewould be preserved. The deficiency flaring the nine months constituting the past financial year was a million more than was estimated. He strongly deprecated the proposal of the Grey Government to tax Colonial bondholders at the rate of 3d in the pound. He defended the Property Tax as a tax which touched the rich and not the poor, and urged that the outcry against it was in consequence of it being a new tax. It was the difference between direct and indirect taxation, and direct taxation was tho best and cheapest. He hoped before the Government went) to any great expense in the matter of fortifications they should he careful to ascertain if the expenditure was judicious. The speaker would not advocate aug change in tho educational system. If they levied a charge of 10s per head on every child atlending school, it would not exceed .£28,000 per annum, and would prove tho means of stopping education. The various Commissions that had been appointed were necessary for the purpose of gaining information* and not for the shirking of response bility by the Government. With regard to the report of the Native Commission, it would have a beneficial effect. Captain Russell seconded the motion, and believed the time was not far distant when Europeans and Natives would be found living amicably together with only one law and one Government. He believed that a review of the Counties Act was necessary, but objected to giving Counties large borrowing powers. Mr Macandrew contended that the Property Tax was working injuriously, in causing people to leave the Colony. Dr Wallis contended that the speech was one of tho worst he had listened to, and that the present Government had committed more blunders in their* eight months of office than their predecessors had in two years. The motion was then put and carried, and a committee appointed to draw up an Address. Sir George Grey contended that the true Cause of depression was to bo found in the Treasurer's alarming statements, which caused a panic. It would have been better to proceed vigorously with the public works. He urged, that the Property Tax would fall on the poor and not on the rich. He appealed to the Ministry to‘repeal tile Tax. Mr Hall pointed out that although the last speaker had urged the’abandonment of the Property Tax, still he did not point out any means by which the deficiency could be overcome. He had been challenged to state the policy of the Government. It was • this—To amend the laws, reform its administration, and place the finances Oil a sound basis. After some further discussion, the motion was carried on the Voices, and the House adjourned.