FRESH PROPOSALS OF THE MINISTRY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 26 August 1880, Page 2

FRESH PROPOSALS OF THE MINISTRY.

(from our own correspondent. )

(by telegraph from christchurch.) * Wellington, August 25.

In moving, the second reading of the Beer Bill, the Colonial Treasurer, stated that in the the calculated expenditure was L 3,473,000, but the Committee of Supply had made reductions to the extent of L 167.000, which included the audit department. Then, taking the 10 per cent, reductions On salaries, the total reductions amounted to L 218,000; but the total net saving for the year was 1497,000. The total amount put down on the Estimates for expenditure for the year was L 3,100,000, but, as calculated, there would be a surplus at the end of the year of L 134,000. He believed that the whole of the estimated revenue would "come through, though, perhaps, the railway revenue might have been slightly overestimated. '1 he savings effected this year, if carried out next year, would amount to 1(252,000. It might be said that the 10 per cent, reduction was not permanent, inasmuch as there I had been chajigesand amalgamations which would the expenditure of the counI try to that extent. Withregard to the Local I Government and Rating Bills, he. was.sorry that there was no chance of those measures passing that session, although they were of great importance. Such important measures, could not be passed without proper consideration and discussion, and in the present session it would be impossible to give them that attention which it was so desirable they should receive. It would take at all events six weeks to give them the attention which they ought to receive, and it would be "unreasonable to prolong the session to that extent • even for such a purpose. The Government abandoned the Bills with great regret. The Government desired to do a great deal more important work than they now found they. could do this session. There had been more talking and wasting of time than had been anticipated, but this was not the fault of the Government, and he had no shame, in the matter whatever. ("Oh, oh, and hear, hear.") He repeated that he felt no shame. It would have been more objectionable on tlieit - "'t if the Government had tried to c>°?c«j the House and to keep it in session for the lengthened period he had mentioned. Now, perhaps, the House would like to know something about the subsidies.—(Hear, hear.) Locking at the necessity of the locaj bailies, the Government proposed, to. pay one-half for . the remaining nine months of the year. That would amount to LIOO,OOO. The Government was only exceeding what had been proposed by the local Bills by L3.Q,000. The Government proposed to take 20s per cent, from the land fund* *vnd he hoped the proposals of tho government would meet with the approval of tho House.— (Heai\ hear.). Under the circumstances they had done thw best, and he hoped ,the country would agree with them. He still hoped and maintained that they were i going to be a great country,—(Hear, hear.) They were not satisfied with doing the work of the present year, but they always wanted to look three or four years ahead. With regard to the Bill now before the House, he would now say a few words. It was the Act of 1878, with very few alterations. It was similar to the American Act, which was declared by Mr. Gladstone to be beautiful in its simplicity. Exception had been taken as to the estimate of Government as to the amount which the tax would bring into the Treasury. According to the brewers.themselves,, the amo>unt which the tax would produce would be L 135,000. His experience* however, went ,to s.how that it wa,s not reasonable to expect th§ fulVestimate. Up to the present time, they had only received revenue i from the beer tax up to the rate of LBS,OOO. He very much regretted haying to introduce the Bill. It was a form ■of taxation which was objectionable, but they were in such a condition that they could not help themselves, notwithstanding the reductions which had been made in Committee of Supply. He moved that . the Bill be read a second time. ■' Mr. Header Wood said that to a large extent the statement just read had upset the Financial. Statement made a couple of months ago. He knew they had made large reductions in Committee, amounting to L 197,000. What was the object of the reductions but to avoid taxation? Xet they were now told there sould be no reduction of taxation. Would the, Uouse agree to this? It was a question which ought; to be submitted to, them. For his o.wn, part, he felt, quits certain that they could reduce the beer- duty to one-half and rediuce the property tax from one penny to, ctae hslihpenny. In his opinion the latter Bill should have been first introduced, Ho should very much like to know why they wanted the beer tax. With regard to the property tax, it was just possible that the House would make great changes in it, so that the beer duty would not be necessary. He did not think the debate should be forced on s The next Bill, the Property Assessing Bill, would give the House an opportunity of expressing its opinion upon the- whole question of taxation as contained in the two Bills, one of which and the other of which shortly would be,, before the House. ,

Mr. Macandrew saitt the remarks of Mr. Wood had very- rav'.h anticipated what he was aibaut to say. He did not believe the tax of sixpence on <Jeer was required, but would not disctfss the-question now, but reserve to himself the right to do so in Committee. It seemed to. him that the policy of the Government was to wear out the Bfaqse. The Bill now before them to have been brought down at least %yro. Bppnths ago. He did not believe hi jsiy further taxation at all. As the House very Treasurer, he believed, was wrong as to the amount which the tax would realise and he had his information too from the Premier. Instead of L 58,000 it was more likely to realise L 150,000. He should hot oppose the second reading of the but in Committee he should have a gQoti deal mbre to say. jAfter discussion, the Bill was read a second time and. considered in Committee, when- the tax; was reduced to 3d per gallon, : ;; , , , . .

The Property Assessment Act, exempting furniture.' and personal effeots-, has seen w.i.thdraxn., P ; The Premier : ;sadd< thS begau.se the bger dujfcy had been re-

duced to threepence. The Premier ox. plained that in consequence of the roduc* tion it was necessary to re-consider the measure. Tho real reason is becauso of numerous amendments ' were proposed and the complications that would ensuo between tho Government and thoir sunporters. Tho Government talked of asking the House to ro-consider tho Boor Duty Bill, but are not likely to do so if they abandon the Property Assessment Bill.

To-day the Colonial Treasurer asks leave to introduce the Financial Arrangements Act designed, to carry out the pr 0 ~ posals he enunciated—viz., half subsidies for nine months, virtually a third for the" yeaV, and in addition to impound 20 per cent, of the land fund hitherto paid to the counties. Mr. Pyke says he will 110t permit such a gross injustice to be perpetrated, but will insist on the full sub., sidies being paid for twelve months especially if 20 per cent, of the land fund is withheld.

It is argued that the subsidies are due on the rates collected up to 31st March 1880, though it is not payable for six or twelve months afterwards.