PARLIAMENTARY.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 78, 14 September 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ' The House met on Tuesday evening. Mr Pyke resumed the debate on the Land Tax Bill, deprecating the cavils of members at the details of the Bill. He heartily concurred in its- three main principles—the tax on land, the exemption of small holders, and the taxing of the unimproved value. Referring to the arguments of the member for Geraldine, he admitted that unimproved land possessed no value for the State, but it possessed a considerable value for the owner. He would support the Companies’ Income Tax Bill, but would like to see gold mining companies exempted, as they are already taxed by the gold duty. He thoroughly approved of the Beer Tax. He agreed generally with the proposals re the customs. The ad valorem duty ought to be abolished, it was a great incentive to defraud. If it were possible, he would prefer to see all duties abolished, so that our harbours might be tliranged with vessels bearing products from all climes and countries. He hoped Government would stand by their measures, and compel the large dividend drawer and the wealthy land owner to contribute to the cost of Government. . Mr Wason deprecated the imputations cast by Govt on importers. He was for free-trade, and considered the tinkering with the tariff an insult to free-trade. The lowering of the tax on fight wines, and putting a tax on beer were changes for the worse. The land tax was sneaking and invidious. It appeared to him that tha tax looked very like confiscation. It was well known that the pastoral class was not a wealthy one. He agreed with others that unimproved land was valueless. The theory of the “ unearned increment” was mere bosh. He believed the American invention of reaping and binding machines did more to sell land in Canterbury than the Public Works Policy. Mr Curtis approved of the principles of the Bill, but would oppose it because the. proceeds of taxation were not going to be

impartially distributed over the Colony, Sept. 11.

Mr Reeves gave notice to move when in Committee of Supply, for the imposition of ;i duty nt 2s 6d a ton on all coals imported into th ■ Colony. Mr "Wakefield asked what had become of the Licensing Bill. Mr Sheehan promised that the Native Lands Bill should be in the hands of members on Wednesday next. Dr Hodgkinson moved—“ That the House considers it desirable that the Government should, during the present session, bring in a Bill for the re adjustment 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 the Government concurred with the motions, and would offer no opposition. Several members thought the answer of the Premier not explicit enough, Mr Sheehan thought it was. Mr Pyke would prefer putting no more irons in the fire. He would say—Pass the measures already brought down, before introducing new Bills. On the motion of Mr Feldwick the debate was adjourned for a fortnight. Mr Sheehan informed the House that the murderer of the Maori woman at Waiapu had been arrested, and that one of the Maoris who had been committing the thefts on the West Coast had been arrested in Te Whiti’s district. Mr Hunter resumed the debate on the Land Tax Bill, praising the simplification of the public accounts and the increased grants for education, and hoped the present Native Minister would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor. Although owning a large tract of land, he would vote for the Land Tax Bill. As to the beer tax, he would oppose it, because he thought the Government should not be any longer mixed up with those liquor questions. He was opposed also to the tax on companies. It was practically asking for a share of the profits of those companies, and was likely to have a deterrent effect upon all other industries. As to a property tax, it would not be fair for the General Government, as well as the local bodies, to tax improvements. Mr Seymour thought the bill unsatisfactory to both House and country. The unearned increment he thought delusive, a thing difficult to arrive at, and likely to lead to considerable litigation, But no one need vole for the bill under the idea that supporting Mr Wakefield’s amendment was the only alternative. Mr Montgomery quoted J. S. Mill to show that it was impossible to levya tax on the “unearned increment.” No one but the owner could value improvements. The tax would not fall fairly. While affording support to the Government generally, he must say that he had expected " different measures altogether. Had a property tax being brought down, two-thirds of the House would have voted for it. He would vote for the second reading. Mr Joyce approved of the Government proposals, except the taking the duty off grain. Mr Stevens opposed the proposals. The revenue cannot be reduced, and as the working man receives great benefits, as notably in free education, he could not in justice demand relief from taxation. If further taxation is required, property should bear "t. and he advised Government to accept the amendment of the member for Geraldine.

After several other members had spoken, and Mr Wakefield’s amendment had been lost, Mr IMlance replied, upholding the Bill. The Government would resist any attempt to emasculate the Bill in Committee. If the House threw out the Bill, the whole of the financial proposals of the Government would be upset, and the money must be found elsewhere. r J he colony was not yet prepared to face an income tax. The remission of the grain duty would not affect the farmers, because we are an exporting counfay. Sept. 12. Mr Bartou presented a petition containing 492 signatures, praying for aid to Catholic schools. Mr Bheehan informed Mr Wakefield that Government did not intend to go ou with the Licensing Bill this session. The House agreed to sit on Mondays on Government measures only. A motion re the construction of a bridge over the Taieri, afforded a text for some warm passages. The Premier blaming the late Government for introducing a bad system of aiding local works. The Government would at present decline to make any promises to construct bridges aad the like. Mr Wason replied, warmly, and Mr Thompson backed him up. Mr Green was astonished at the hubbub his motion had raised. Mr De Labour, in a speech of two hours long, moved the second reading of the Judicial Commission Bill. The object of this Bill is to ascertain and define the powers of judges of the Superior Courts. At the request of Mr Sheehan, the debate was adjourned. The matter was too important to be dealt with hurriedly.