GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1388, 5 September 1885, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. The report of (he Joint Committee on the Godlin Moth Bill was agreed to. The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Legislative Council Bill was resumed. Sir Frederick Whitaker said owing to the lateness of the session he did not propose to push the Bill further than the second reading this year. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary protested against the second reading of the Bill but notwithstanding this opposition the Bill passed its second by 22 to IT, The Council went into Committee on the Mining Companies Bill, which was reported with amendments.

The Gisborne High School Bill was read a third time on the voices. The Patea Harbor Board Bill was committed, and progress on it was reported. The third reading of the Bankruptcy Act 1873 Amendment Bill was agreed to by 18 to 13. The Mines Act 1877 Amendment Bill was committed, and reported with amendments.

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p,in. on Thursday. The adjourned debate was resumed on the question that the following resolution he agreed to: —“That in establishing a system of relief for the aged and indigent poor it is expedient that it should bo conducted by Boards elected by the contributors ; that the funds to be administered should be derived from endowments, voluntary contributions, legacies and contribution from the State, but that no special rates shall be leviable for this purpose.”

Sir F. Whitaker moved that all the words of the resolution after the word “that” be omitted with the view to insert the following words : —“ (1) In establishing a system of charitable aid a clearly defined distinction should be drawn between involuntary and voluntary pauperism, and with that object provision should be made for relieving the aged, helpless, and destitute, chiefly in kind; (2) no relief should be given to those able to work, but in cases of necessity work should be found for them, the rate of wages not to exceed one half the ordinary rate of wages of the district; (3) one half the funds necessary, after deducting voluntry contributions, etc., should be provided by a rare, and the other half for the present by a contribution from (be consolidated fund ; (4) the funds should be administered by local Boards, who should also levy the rates.” After a lengthy discussion both the resolutions of the Committee and Sir Frederick Whitaker were rejected by 21 to 8.

The Hospital and Charitable Institutiom Bill was committed, reported with amendments, and the Bill was ordered to be recommitted.

Mr Wilson moved the second reading of the Land Bill, which was agreed to on the voices.

The Council adjourned at 11.5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m., on Wednesday. Replying to questions, Ministers stated; That Government considered that quite enough concessions had been granted to Agricultural and Pastoral Societies for the conveyance of exports to shows per rail; that the circular recently issued to managers of newspapers re scale ‘of advertising charges was for the solo object of checking accounts sent into the department; that the Hon. Mr Stout would during the recess consult with the Sneaker regarding the advisability ; o'f having printed an index of despatches that have passed between the Secretary, of State for the Colonies and the Government of t tie colony from , the establishment of the colony to the close of 1884 ; that Government intended t 0 make inquiries into the action ,of several Assessors of Native Labels'; that during the recess there would he printed any important reports made during the early history of the colony, and now out of print.

Mr Fisher moved ifchat there be laid before this House, returns showing the result of tendering for printing of ten million Telegraph forms required.by the Government, giving the names of the tenderers .and the amount of each tender. —Agreed to. The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel moved that the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill (No. 2) he discharged from the Order Paper.—Agreed to.

The House went into Committee on the Auckland Railway Land Compensation Bill, which passed without amendment.

The House went into Committee on the Cor.n’ies Act Amendment Bill, in which a great many amendments were made, when progress was reported The Auckland Railway Land Compensation Bill was read a third time and the House ruse at 12.50 aim.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. The Hon. Mr Stout gave notice to move that the House at its rising tomorrow adjourn till Saturday at 2.30 p.m. for consideration of the Federal re olutions. Mr Stout also gave notice to move on Saturday—■‘That =t is inadvisable that this colony should join he Federal Council of Australasia under (he existing Federal Council Bill.”

Major Atkinson suggested that Monday should be devoted to the consideration of theTederaliesolulions, and.after a -discussion the Hon. Mr Stout said he would consider the matter and give his decision next day. Replying to questions, Ministers stated : That a report on the various kinds of coal in the colony suitable for making “ Dawsou’s Water Gas ” had been received and would be laid on ,the table; that local bodies were in possession of; coo'es of the Municipal Corporations Bdl and the supplementary order papers with the various amendments proposed by members on the Bill would also be forwarded to these bodies!

The House went into Committee on the Auckland Harbor Board (No, 2) Bill, Several members opposed the Bill, which' was for the purpose of reconstituting.the Auckland Harbor Board. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. : ■' : ' The House resumed at 7.30.

The House went into 'Committee for the further consideration of the Property Assessment Bill.

In cdauso 2, the Hod, Mr Stout moved that “ property !' shall include all,teal and personal property, and extend to and include every interest of any kind whatever, and all property, which; may be estimated or valued as an asset of' any company.—Agreed to.

In clause 13—property subject to taxation—Mr Sutter moved to reduce the £SOO exemption to £2OO. The Chairman said he could not put this without the consent of the Crown being obtained, and Mr’Sutter then moved that the clause be struck out altogether, , The Chairman ruled ho could not put this from c ihe chair. A discussion to<k place, and c'auses 13, 14, and 16 were postponed, : but, at a later stage, after the other clauses hud been considered, passed without amendment. In clause 18 —property exempt from taxation—Mr Donald Reid moved to strike off £3OOO as the amount of exemption of agricultural improvements, and to insert £IO,OOO. The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel considered the proposal in the Bill was a very, reasonable compromise. He reminded toe Committee that the present Bill abolished many exemptions. Major Atkinson regretted that in a Consolidation Bill the Government should bring in what they called a compromise between a property tax and an income (ax. He thought the state of the finances would not warrant them making so many exemp'iens. Ho submitted that the’ Govern•aent should not force such a clause upon them, and felt certain that if the Hon. Treasurer remained in the office till nest .session, he would be compelled to repeal the Bill they were now discussing. He hoped these clauses would be struck out, and in the absence of any information as to the result on the revenue of the colony be moved that sub-section 2 be also struck out.

After several other members had spoken on (he clause, Mr W. White moved that the word “ agiicultural ” be struck'.out.

A long discussion ensued, after wfiich the word “all,” preceding agricultural improvements, was struck out by 29 to 20.

The Hon. Mr Stout t said that as the Committee had by this vole affirmed the amendment of (he Member for Egnaont, he would move that 'sub-sections. 2 and 3—agricultural improvements and engines and machinery exemptions—be struck out.—Agreed.to. i - • '

Clause 27, providing, that.partiesjto a mortgage may agree as toithel payment of a tax on a mortgage,, was struck out on

the voices,

The schedule of the—BWt“Was"Hthen agreed to.

The House went into Committee for the further consideration of the Counties Act . Amendment, .Bill. . Several new clauses avero added to the Bill,-and it (was (hen reported with ; amendments, read a third time, and passed. The Property Assessment Bill wap re* ported from Committee,, read a third time, and passed.

Mr Sutter resumed the debate on the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, the. second sea ling, of, which was carried, op.a division hy 24 to 21,. and the Hquqp j-oso qt 12.30 a in.