PARLIAMENTARY.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 85, 9 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. On Friday last the House adjourned till Monday amid great uproar. The i Land Tax Bill had been carried the previous night, by 40 to 19, Mr Wakefield’s motion for its re-committal being lost by a very slender majority. The Customs Tariff Bill was also passed. Mr Ballance moved the second reading of the Beer Duty Bill, when Mr Johnston moved as an amendment that it be read that day six months. This gave rise to a considerable amount of warm work on Friday. On the Bill being called, the Premier stated that it had been decided to withdraw it, and also the Companies’ Tax Bill. On hearing the Premier’s statement a number of members spoke very strongiv, both for, and against the action of the Ministry, Mr Wakefield suggested that if any other tax were considered necessary to make up a deficiency caused by the withdrawal of these Bills, it should be something in the shape of a Property Tax. Mr Bowen suggested that Government should withdraw all four Financial Bills, get the estimates passed, and prepare a new scheme of taxation during recess. Mr Bryce could not find words to express his astonishment at the announcement, after all that the House had heard about the measures being a necessary part of the Government policy. Major Atkinson said the defeat of Ministers was due to their inordinate self-conceit, which had led them to believe that whatever proposals, wise or unwise, they offered would be accepted by the House, and to a great extent the belief had been borne out. The Ministry were in a very awkward position, but h$

Was not in favour of a no confidence motion. Mr Johnston amendment being still before the House, the Bill could notbe ■withdrawn until that amendment whs disposed ef, and the debate was adjourned till Monday. On Monday Mr Wason resumed the debate. He hoped the whole <f the Bills would be withdrawn, and the session brought to a close as soon as possible. Mr Fyke, condemned the Government for their retreat, but at the same time ' denied that the Opposition had gained a victory. Mrßallance said the withdrawal was the result of accident. Members asserted, but it was not true, that he had said Government would stand or fall by these two Bills. It was true that he had asked the House to take the Government proposals as a whole. If these two Bills were withdrawn or otherwise, last Government did not think fresh proposals should be submitted this session. They would not do justice to themselves in preparing any fresh scheme at present. Mr Johnston’s amendment was lost on the voices, and the second reading of the Beer Bill fixed for Tuesday. The Companies’ Income Tax Bill was withdrawn.