PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 201, 24 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Monday night. The House re-assembled at 2*30 p.m. Tbe report of the Public Accounts Committee re tbe i>2oo(> improperly expended in connection with tbe Waimate Plains was read, recommending tbe matt>r should be investigated by (he Auditor-General. The Electric Telegraph Act 1875 Amendment Bill was recommitted, and after some discussion, the clause authorising the special wire was negatived by 35 to 29. Progress was reported. ot* Mtg'or Atkinson moved the BBcond reading of the Beer Tax Bill. He said the Government intended to abandon the Local Rating Bill, and in lieu thereof proposed to pay onehalf of the subsidies for the remaining niue months. Referring to the Bill itself, he said it was practically the measure brought down in 1878. He thought tbe estimates made of the amount to be realised under the impost was not over-estimated. The total duty they had collected was at the rate of £58,000 per annum ; stil 1 there could be no doubt but many of the brewers had been holding back. He regretted having to impose tho tax, bufc their necessities were very great, and it was unavoidable. Mr Render Wood said tbat after the -statement made that a saving of £197,000 had been effected on tbe Estimates, he thought they might reduce the taxation — beer from 6d to 3d, and property from ld to-£d. The debate should nofc be forced on until they had time to consider these facts. Mr Macandrew adopted a similar view, but thought the matter should be further dealt with in Committee. Mr Gisborne spoke against the Bill. Mr Barron moved the adjournment of the debate. The debate waa interrupted by the 5 30 adjournment. Tue.d.y. The debate on the Beer Duty Bill was continued by Mr Shephard, wbo opposed it, as did Messrs Mosa, Reid, and Sir G Grey. Messrs Hirst, Murray and Lundon supported it. On a division the Becond readiog was carried by 51 to 20. The Council's amendments in the Auckland College and Grammar School Bill were agreed to. Major Atkinson briefly moved the second reading of the Property Assessment Act Amendment Bill. Mr Wood strongly opposed the Bill. The tax might be reduced one-half, and the proposed exemptions were mischievous. He would move the following exemptions :— All steam engines used for maunfacture, pumping and mining; wearing apparel, books, &c, in actual use; agricultural implements in actual use ; the exemption clause being reduced from £500 to £300, and that, according to the Treasurer's own statement would leave taxable property to the extent of £110,000,000, which at a balf-penny in the £ would realise £229,000, the beer tax at 3d per gallon, £40,000, and stamp duties £10,000, making a \ total of £279,000, leaving a surplus over the / £250 000 required by the Treasurer of £29,000. Mr Saunders and Sir G. Grey opposed the Bill. The latter in referring to Mr Wood's speech referred to the animals which proverbially left a sinking ship, and said the Government ship was evidently sinking. Messrs Sutton, Fox, Seddon, Speight and Stewart supported the Bill generally, and Mr Macandrew condemned it in toto, but would vote for fche second reading. This was carried on a division of 31 to 9, and the House rose at midnight.