PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 756, 12 September 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, September 11.

In the Legislative Council to-day, the Rabbit Nuisance Bill was read a third time, after discussion, in whiah the continuing of the bonus was strongly advocated. Colonel Whitmore said the matter could be considered in the House of Representatives, which closed the discussion.

The second reading of the Administration Bill was moved by Mr. Wilson, and agreed to without discussion. • In moving the second reading of the Road Board Bill, Colonel Whitmore said this and other local Bills did not involve any policy of the Government, and they would not press them on members. He thought property should be represented, but sufficient plural voting was not likely to be passed by Parliament. It was not likely the Bill would become law this session, and the country would have an opportunity of considering it during the recess.

The Hon. Mr. Hall thought the Bill an important one, and was glad of the footing on which the Government had placed it. He advocated extreme simplicity in these local measures, seeing the men who would have to administer them. He, too, would give a vote to property in proportion to rates paid. The Hon. Mr. Holmes said the general impression was altogether in favor of Road Boards, as against County Councils. He should like to see six or eight of these boards empowered to combine. He thought the Bill should be pushed through this session, which wag disagreed with by Mr. Waterhouse.

The Bill was then read a second time. Col. Whitmore moved the second reading of the Rating Amendment Bill, going shortly through it. Throughout the sitting the Colonial Secretary spoke with considerable difficulty, and as though he were decidedly unwell. The Council adjourned at ten minutes to five, till next day.

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m.

The Premier said with reference to Major Atkinson's suggestion yesterday, that the Government had no objection to sit on Monday, and make Thursday a Government day. He gave notice accordingly to formally move in the matter to-morrow,

Mr. Sheehan, replying to notice of motion given by Mr. Sutton, said the Government intended to go on with the Native Lands Bill, and that it would be in the hands of members on Tuesday next.

Mr. Hodgkinson moved, that this House considers it desirable that the Government should, during the session, bring in a Bill for readjustment of representation in the House ; or if such a Bill cannot be got ready during the present session, that the Government be requested to prepare one during the recess. The Premier said it would only be necessary to say that the Government concurred with the motion, and would therefore offer no opposition. After some discussion, Mr Wason moved as an amendment the omission of all the words after " House " in the earlier part of the motion. Mr Feldwick moved the adjournment of the debate.

The House then divided, the result being—For the adjournment, 48; against, 11.

Mr Pyke moved the adjournment of the debate to that day six months.

The amendment was lost on the voices. The Rabbit Nuisance Bill was read a first time.

The first order of the day was the committal of the Regulation of Mines Bill. Mr Sheehan suggested that the Bill be withdrawn. Next session the Government would introduce a measure to meet all the requirements. The Bill was discharged from the Order Paper. September 12. At last evening's Bitting, the debate on the Land Tax Bill was resumed by Mr. Hunter, who congratulated the Government on what they had done in simplifying the mode of keeping the public accounts, and hoped they would go further in that direction. He also expressed his gratification at the increased grant in aid of education. He would vote for the Land Tax Bill, though he would admit that he was one of that class which was open to the charge of having acquired a considerable tract of land, but every acre of it had been purchased from the Crown. He quoted figures from his books to show that where, before the alterations in the tariff, he paid L 134 in the year on sugar, woolpacks, &c, he would save over L 79, so that while he would have to pay a land tax of L 65, he would be a clear gainer of Ll6 16s. He opposed the beer tax, beoause he thought the Government should no longer be mixed up with liquor questions. He approved of the removal of the tax on grain, and would like to see the tax taken off timber. Though the tax on companies was insignificant in itself, it was a step in the wrong direction. It was practically asking for a share in the profits of companies, and would have a deterrent effect upon all other industries, for there was no guarantee that growing industries might not be asked for a share of their profits. Mr. Seymour thought the Bill was not satisfactory to the House or country. He spoke strongly upon the departure in the Public Works policy from the original system of main trunk railways, and compelling certain portions of the Colony to pay a land tax towards the construction of lines in other parts. He must oppose the Land Tax Bill.

Mr. Montgomery said the tax would not fall fairly. No doubt the Government thought it would benefit the farmers, but it would not. While affording a general support to the Government, he must express his opinions, and say he expected different measures. Still recognising that all the aspirations of the Government were liberal, ho would vote for the second reading. Mr. Joyce combatted the Beveral objections raised against the Government proposals, but opposed taking the tax off grain. After some further debate, the Bill was read a second time by 40 to 7. The following is the division list : Ayes, 40—"VIessrs Baigent, Ballance, Barton, Bryce, Bunny (teller), DeLautour, Dignan, Feldwick, Fisher, Fitzroy, George (teller), Green, Grey, Hamlin, Henry, Hislop,. Hodgkinson, Joyce, Kelly, Macandrew, Manders, M'Minn, Montgomery, Moss, Murray, Nahe, Pyke, Reeves, Howe, Sheehan, Sutton, Swan-

son, Tawiti, Teschemaker, Tole, Turnbull, Walli3, Whitaker, and Wood. Noes, 7 —Messrs Atkinson, Outten, Gibbs, Hursthouse, M'Lean, Stevens (teller), and Wakefield (teller). Pairs—For the Government : Messrs Gisborne, O'Rorke, and Woolcock. Against: Messrs Williams, Wason, and Richardson. The second reading then passed on the voices.