PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1344, 18 August 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(From our own Correspondent.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATB I?S. WELLINGTON. On Thursday afternoon the House met at the usual hour. Mr Driver brought up a report at , under, and moved that it lie on the table and be referred to Government: (1) That no contract for a direct steam service should be entered into before next Session of the General Assembly. (2) That in the meantime Government should make such arrangements consistent with efficiency as will be least burdensome on the public revenue, (3) That in making such arrangements due regard should be paid to the claims which the New Zealand Shinning Company have on the colony. 4() That having regard to the safety and comfort of passeugers, Government should give preference to unsinkable ships. (5) That the Bluff be included in the ports of arrival and departure, which shall be optional for the steamers under arrangement with Government. Mr Hurst moved that the report and evideuce taken be printed. He pointed out that the Austral was considered unsinkable. Mr Macandrew insisted that unsinkable ships were quite possible, models being on view in the Committee rooms invented by a shipwright residing at Port Chalners. Mr Swanson doubted the possibility of such a thing, and considered the use of such a term rendered the report ridiculous. Mr Rolleston understood the Committee were of opinion that the proposed Government contract should not be concluded, nor any other contract until next session, but that in the meantime suitable arrangements should be made for the conveyance of passengers and freight, and full data obtained to lay before Parliament next session. Government were prepared to carry out this view, and to call the attention of the AgentGeneral to Jolster’s designs for unsinkable vessels. Mr Hurst’s proposal to print the report and evidence was carried, and the amended motion was agreed to. On the motion for going in Supply, Mr Smith moved, as an amendment, that, in the opinion of the House, a land tax should be imposed. He explained that he moved tho amendment with the concurrence of Sir George Grey, who had given notice of a similar motion. Interrupted hy the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. Sir George Grey, in a very long speech, supported tho amendment pointing out the vast evils resulting all over the world from land land monopoly, and the enormous and dangerous social and political power which euoh monopoly gave, and the injustice done by it to the great muss of the people, who all had a national right to a share of the land in this colony. The poor were oppressed and unfairly taxed while a dangerous governing class was growing up. The only remedy he contended, was a land tax. Mr Levestam was in favor of a land tax, but thought the present au inopportune time to discuss the matter. Mr Stewart admitted it could not now be discussed on its merits, ns against a property tax, but he strongly supported the amendment. After considerable discussion in which Messrs Moss, J. W. Thompson, Ivess, Fish, and Green took part, the latter expressing his approval of the tax, although he could not vote for the present amendment, and the others all supporting it, the House divided on the motion to go into Committee of Supply, which was carried by 42 to 28.