HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 184, 3 September 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Monday. In the House of Representatives the Imprest Supply Bill, No. 3, for two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, being a matter of urgency, advanced through all its stages, and passed. Some objection being taken to so many Imprest Bills before the Estimates were passed, Mr Ballance explained that they were at present spending sixty-six thousand pounds per week. The remainder of the sitting was in Committee on the Disqualification Bill, No. 2. In subsection 1, of section 6, which exempts anyone from taking the office of Supreme Court Judge, or Agent-General, words were introduced exempting the Attorney-General, if he accepted either of the above offices, and ting was carried by 47 to 17. Mr Barton wanted the words "Solicitor-General" also included, but this was negatived. The debate was interrupted by 5.30. r\ ii xr Tuesday. On the House resuming at 7-30, Mr Wakefield opened the debate on the Land Tax Bill by an attack on the proposals of the Treasurer geuerally in a speech of considerable length, in which he criticised in a hostile spirit the various points in the Government proposals. He pointed out that the country was in the happy position of being able to arrange its taxation without a view to revenue, but simply for the adjustment of the incidence of taxation, and that could best be done by abandoning subsidies and devoting the land fund entirely to public works. He had, at great personal sacrifice, helped to put the Government in power, and, in saying what he bad, he had spoken as an independent member, who wished to see a Government that was able to bring down good measures, and strong enough to carry them. He moved as au amendment that all the words after "That" be omitted, with the view of inserting the following words :— " whilst this House is of opinion that whenever the necessity of the colony:requires further revenue direct taxation should be resorted to, it is of opinion that no such taxation should be adopted while subsidies and funds raised by taxation are paid from the consolidated fund to local bodies." Following Mr Wakefield came Mr M'Lean, who adversely criticised the financial proposals at some length. Messrs Macfarlane and Wallis also expressed dissatisfaction at many of the proposals, and the debate adjourned at 11-45 p.m.