PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 749, 4 September 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, September S. In the Legislative Council to-day, the Colonial Secretary stated, in reply to Mr. Hart, that the amalgamation of the offices of Registrar and Sheriff hud been done on the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown. The Literary Institutions Bill was read a third time, and passed. . On the question to go into Committee on the Oamaru Waterworks Bill n. long debate A motion was made by Mr. Waterhmise to commit the Bill to that day six months. Ultimately the debate was adjourned for a fortnight. The Catlin's River Cemetery Bill was read a second time, on the motion of Mr. Reynolds. The Council last night introduced a clause in the Juries Act, abolishing exemption of militia officers from service on special juries; also a clause exempting bank managers from service. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. Moss presented a petition from several hundred sons of old settlers at Auckland, on the ground of hardships and services during the war with the Natives, and praying for such relief as the House might grant. Before going on with the business on the p: pr, Mr. S'-ieehan said lie would make his statement on Native Affairs if tiehate on the Land Tax Bill were not finished. They intended not to proceed with any other business uutil after that debate was finished. Mr. Hobhs asked if the Government would lay before the House any information they possess respecting the South Sea Islands' trade. The Prtni'er said a return was in course of preparation, showing what was imported from the different islands.

lii ivply to Mr. Murray, Mr. Macan■ireiv sah'l the reason why the Railway Depigment in Ota go c e.itinue to use, Newcastle coal insl-.ea.rl of Kaitaniiata was ■hat the latter caused clinkers, and had otherwise been found unsuitable as compared wMi Newcastle coal. The adjourned debate on the Land Tax Bill was resumed by Mr. Gisborne, who congratulated the Colony that for thelirst time for \v.-:.-j years it was brought face ; it.-.- with ihe question of finance. The •v:. :iple of the Government proposals he considered was the equalisation of taxation throughout the C.loiiy. Whether it was carried oit in a suitable manner niirht be open to discission. He wonll nave preferred that the Government had come down with an income tax pure and simple, which would fall solely upon the wealthy. He would oppose the amendment. Mr. Rowe said it was with regret that he had to characterise the proposals of the Government as eminently unsatisfactory, and unworthy of the Treasurer and the Ministry. He was opposed to all the proposals for taxation. Mr. Kelly thought the Government had not sufficiently considered the question of the value of improved land. The qu siion was full of complications and ditHcnlties, and the tax would result in great injustice to very many people in the'Co'onv. Mr. Thomson went into statistics reimrrUug freehold and pastoral lands .of the Colony, to show that the Treasurer was quite out in his calculations with regard to the amount he would realise by the land tax. [We are compelled to hold over the report of yesterday's sitting.]