PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 131, 2 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT ARY.

Wellington, Tuesday uight. The House met at 2 30 this afternoon. Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would move the repeal of the Property Assessment and Property Tax Acts. Mr Pyke gave notice that he would ask, if the Government proposed introducing a Bill for the suppression of religious and party proceedings. Mr Hursthouse gave notice that he would ask what steps were to be taken to prevent the spread of pleuro-pneumonia from the North to the South Island. A new Licensing Bill was introduced by message from the Governor, and read the first time. The following Bills were introduced and read the first time:— Regulation of Elections Bill (Mr Hall); Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill (Mr Hall); Election Petitions Bill (Mr Hall); Native Reserves Bill (Mr Rolleston); Native Land Sales Bills and Native Lands Contracts Validation Bill (Mr Tain ui); Ahnaturanga Land Bill (Mr Bryce); Municipal Corporations Acts Amendment Bill (Mr Hutchinson.) Colonel Trimble moved the Address in Reply. He believed that the late plentiful harvest would be the means of relieving to some extent the commercial depression, and looked to this source, coupled with the rise in the price of wool, for a complete revival of trade rather than to any further loan operations on the part of the colony, and the prospect of peace at Home would also tend in the same direction. The Treasurer's prediction of a deficiency in the revenue had been more than realised, the deficit for the nine months ending the financial year being close on one million. The steps taken by the Government to make good the deficiency by means of direct taxation wei c more reasonable than those projected by their predecessors, which he very strongly condemned. He contrasted direct with indirect taxation, contending that the former was preferable, inasmuch as the cost of collection was smaller. He deprecated the feeling that had been raised against the property tax, and maintained that it was not inquisitorial. He defended the appointment of the various Commissions. He advocated a prudent, but not a cheeseparing economy, and urged that no money should be spent upon the defence of the ports until it had been clearly shown that the expenditure would be a judicious ono. He pronounced in favor of the continuance of free education, and defended and explained the interim report of the Native Commission, and said that Te Whiti had rendered good service in always preaching peace. Mr Russell seconded the motion, and Baid the speech was free from the pretenlioualanguage with whichjthe previous one had abounded. He said that although depressed the colony was still sound, and he believed that more prosperous times were at hand. In revising the Counties Act, he hoped that increased borrowing powers would not be given. Mr Macandrew said the speech had many faults, but they were those of omission rather than commission. Had they been told that the property tax would be repealed the announcement would have been bailed with satisfaction all over the colony. He had no hope of much good resulting from the Industries or other Commissions. The best part of the address was that which afforded a prospect of a short session. They had too much legislation, and too little administration. He supported the motion. Dr Wallis criticised the address, which, he said, was one of the worst speeches he had ever heard. He would prove that the Government had committed more blunders in eight months than their predecessors in two years. The debate was interrupted by the dinner hour. Wednesday; Last night Dr Wallis spoke at great length on the non-fulfilment of promises, and the errors of the Ministry. Major Te Whero approved of Colonel Trimble's praise of Te Whiti. Tawhai concurred, and urged a reduction in the public debt Sir G. Grey spoke strongly against the property tax as oppressive to all classes, and contrary to the first principles of taxation. He urged Ministers to repeal it. Mr Hall defended the tax as inevitable in the present circumstances of the colony. Mr Pyke strongly condemned the property tax, and ridiculed the various Commissions. The address was then agreed to, and the House rose at 9-45.