GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1778, 18 August 1888, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE CODNOIL. On Wednesday, The following Bi'ls were pissed:— Mackenzie Country Land Bill, Ross Compensation Bill, Post Office Foreign Parcels Bill, Rating Act Amendment Bill, District Courts Act Amendment Bill, Clyde Domain nnd Recreation Ground, and Waikato Agricultural College Model Farm Bill. On Thursday, Mr Walerhouae presented "a petition from Maoii chiefs protesting again 4 tbe Native Bill passed bv the House of Representatives becoming law, and asking that the chiefs might be heard ut tbe bar of the Council.—lt *as agreed that they be heard on Friday, and that the Council sit on Monday afternoon to consider the whole of the Native Bills. The Slaughterhouse Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed, The amendments Tiide in the River Boardß Act Amendment Bill by the House of Representatives were agreed to. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. On Wednesday, Replying to Mr Steward, the Premier siid !h»l Government proposed to expend £10,0*) in the establishment of labor settlements, as recommended by a deputation of Canterbury members. Mr Seddon resumed the debate on the motion that the amendments made bj tho Legislative Council in the Mining Act Amendment B 1) be disagreed with. He moved as an amendment that they be agreed with, and spoke at great length on the question.—After a debate the mo'ion was carried, and Messrs Allen, Griinmond, and Reeves were appointed a Committee to confer »ith the Counci l . The Native Contracts and Promises Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Mitchelson moved that the amendments made by the Committee io the Native Liud Bill be agreed to.—After a debate, the motion was carried, and the Bill was rend a third time and passed by 63 to 13. Mr Richardson brought up the report of the Committee nppoiaied to draw up re isoas for disagreeing with the amendments of iho Council iu tho Mining Act Amendment Bill, and, after some remarks in opposition from Mr Seddon, they were i)greed to on th" voices The Dicitrict Railways Purchasing Act Amendment Bill was conamitled. Clause 4» was ;mi"i) led, allowing reasonable coots to ouj'ir. ors nu f their witnesses. A new clause was added, euab ing Government to oiled two ye irs' arrears, Some other slight am odmonts were mide and progi»s-< wa« reported, «nd the House rose at 3.35 a.m. on Thursday morning. On Thursdiy, The P.'-mi'jr a kid leave to introduc» a ]| II to impose a property tax. St George G>ey moved as an amendment Hit t the word "property" be left tur, ami that ihe words "tax to remove the probity ux fr >m improvements, and Aubs.i mo a Ik id tax on the unearned iricrei*v,nt, »n I an income tax" in lieu thereof. The Chairman ruled the amendment out of order. «*

Mr Saddon moved that progress be reported, but ih s was lost. Sir George Grey moved a further amendment—" That the Committee is of opinioo that amendments should ha made iu the property tax which would reduce' the system of taxation, which is injurious to the interests of the country." The Chairman ruled the amendment out of order, aud the motion for introducing the Bill was agreed to by 50 to 19. Sir Grfoige Grey then moved to, add to it—" But the House ia of opinion that amendment should bo in the property tax altering the |M?em of taxation, 1 which is injurious to tbWhterests of the country." Mr Seddon moved to add " property tux as at present levied.'* After a lengthy discussion, during which the Premier saiU that the amendment was one of no-confideo«e, aid asked the House not to put itself iu (be position of directing the (Government to change (he incidence of taxation, which would result in a deficit of no less than £380,000, the amendment was lost by 40 to 17, and the Bill was read a first time. On the motion of the Premier, the House went into Committee to consider the mail service resolutions, of winch he had given notice. He said that the Government had come to I "no conclusion that it would be a fatal austake to abolish the mail service altogether, and they thought that forfcDightly snvices would be the bes\ *He hoped the House would not agree to the idea of abolishing the 'Frisco service, buc as the American Government had not dealt very liberally with tli* colouies they proposed lo reduce the i subsidy to £IB,OOO per annum, instead of r £26,000, and if the San Francisc > service could not be obtained for that they could negotiate with Canada. A fortnightly sorvce, alternitely by San Frncisco and ihe direct steamers, on the basis mention»d, would cost £39,000, giving a profi of £7OOO. A fortnightly direct service would cost £36,000, and give a profit of £IO,OOO. After oareful examination the Government had come to the conclusion that the advantages of keeping up communication with America were worth the difference of £3OOO, especia'ly if the. Canadian route was chosen. He proposed to have the resolutions dealt with mria&in. The course which Government would like to see followed would be a fortnightly service by means of alternative services via the Pacific and the direct steamers.. Mr Ward thought that a direct issue should be raised as to whether the San service should be retained &r not. He moved an amendment to that effecl. Mr Msh moved—" That in the opinion of the House a monthly service is sufficient for the colony." Messra Peacock and Withey and Captain Russell were in favor of subsidising the San Francisco service, and Messrs Verrall, Mackenzie, and Buchanan opposed it. At 12.55 a.m. on Friday progress was reported, and the House rose.