HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES1

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2273, 30 June 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1

SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS, Mr Seddon asked the Minister for Education whether lie will cause to be printed a uniform series of examination papers, such papers to have questions given in accordance with the standards issued by the Educational Department, and under which children attending the public schools of the colony are classified and taught. The lion. AY. liollcston replied that the .subject was one of importance. Cuvernment could not take upon themselves to dictate to the education boards, but a specimen paper would be printed and fm warded to the Hoards, as a guide to the inspectors in conducting the 'examinations. UHI’RKSKXTATIOX 111 1.1,. The Representation Bill was introduced by the Hon. J. Hull, and read a first time, and its second reading lixed tor Thursday week. NO-i'ONEIDENGIC DEBATE. The no-conlidence debate was resumed by Air Speight, who hoped that the Colonial Sen-clary would soon find himself associated with those who were mure in accord with his feelings. The

Colonial Treasurer appeared to arrogate to himself the sole power of understanding tlie finance of the country. The fact was, that if lie could finance for the present, he appeared to care very little indeed about the future. The whole scheme of the statement was taxation, local and general. It was out of the question to talk about the House educing the estimates. It would have o be done by the Government itself. They bad been told by the Government that this reduction could not be made this session, but it would be attempted during the recess. That was simply locking the door after the horse was stolen. It would have to bo done and done at once.

Mr Fulton supported the financial proposals of the Government, and complimented the Treasurer in having exposed the bad financial condition of the colony.

Major IV Whcoro deprecated excessive taxation as likely to drive people out ol; the colony. lie suggested that no further railway works should lie undertaken unless at the cost of the districts requiring such works. Mr Gibbs thought that it was wrong to make so so many exceptions under the property tax. With the principle of the tax, however, he agreed.

Mr Tainui condemned the tax on native lands, and also the Native Bills brought forward.

Mr Andrews supported the land tax. lie contended that they had made roads, harbors, Ac., not for the benefit of property as defined by the property lux, but for the benefit of land, lie approved of the beer tax. Two-tbirds of the Innacjq the crime, and pauperism of the land, was occasioned by the use of drink, and it was only right that it should be taxed for the maintenance of the miscrydthad been instrumental in making, lie advocated the extension of the stamp duties, so that everyone receiving say from £1 to £5 should pay Id, and so on, an additional Id being charged for every additional £o. Rigid departmental economy was needed. Ho believed the Land Transfer department atWellington which produced a revenue of £2.050 and cost £1,770 might he worked on contract for £3OO. It was the Government (hat would have to do (ho work of retrenchment, and it could not be delayed. The country would bo up in arms against the existing outrageous state of things. At a time when they had so many unemployed to look to, was it not monsterous that additional salaries were asked to be voted for, the Speaker, Chairman of Committees, and Clerk of Parliament. He referred to the alowance of £IOO to Chairman of Committees £250 to a Sergcant-at-Arms and £SOOO for Hansard as unnecessary and expensive luxuries. To avoid taxation, he submitted that land which had been enhanced in value by public improvements should be required to pay for these improvements. Referring to the proposal to withdraw the subsidies, ho said he felt sorry for that proposal. It was a compact entered into with the local bodies, and he would say that they ought to stand by it. If they were not faithful to their own, so to speak, family compacts, they could not expect that they would stand well in the estimation of the outside world. What they had to face was taxation, but before they could face taxation they would be bound to reduce their expenditure. air Allwright said he had some experience of what was known as the great Liberal parly, and he concluded that, the followers of this Government were in reality the only true Liberals. Last session ho had voted against the property tax under a misapprehension, hut he now believed it was just what; the country required. Mr G. McLean charged the member for Wanganui with disloyalty and ingratitude, and submitted that the money now paid to volunteers should be reduced, and that the natives should be forced to sell their lands. The House adjourned at 12.30.