PARLIAMENTARY.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 101, 28 September 1878, Page 2

PA RLIA MENTAR Y.

HOUSE OF KEPRESEtfTATIVES.

WBMlxaxoy, Friday evening. In reply to Mr Wafcofield, the Government said that £50,009 was daducted from the subsidies to local bodies, and from Hospitals and charitable aidf, under the authority oE the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876. The basis of division was shown m a return which was laid before the table. Mi* Swanson proposed that tho debate on Clause 4, of the Land Tax BiU should be reported m "Hansard," but the proposal was negatived. The Electoral Bill was read a third time, and passed without opposition. The House went into Committee upon the Land Tax. Mr Whifcaker proposed that the proceed a of the Land Tax, and land sales bo created a. separate fund, to be applied to meet the interest on the loans, and publicworks, the new loan charges to be met by an increase of the land tax, also thegeneral principle of valuation to "ba laid down by the House, and the' general system of valuation "under* taken by the Government. Mr Bowen did not wish to see improvements upon small holdings exempted. Mr Sanders thought that aU tha lands m the Colony should be subjected! . to the land tax, with ho exceptions. Mr Gisborno proposed that the landt tax should be a penny, other reduction* to be made m proportion. Mr Hodgkinson, said that small holdings were better able to pay the land tax than the clause next above. Mr Wbolcock proposed a sliding scale thus :— £soo, a farthing 5 £50ata £1000, a halfpenny; £1000 4o £200(V three farthings ; above £2000", •penny to the land tax. Mr Carringfcon supported the amendment. Mr Ballance opposed it, because below a certain sum the tax would not pay the cost of collection. ; Mr Atkinson approved of Mr Whita* ker's proposal, and Mr Bastings oU* jected to the amendment. Mr Wakefield said that the.; Premier was bound to support the amendment,, and quoted his speech of last year,, say* ing that no classes should be exempt..