GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2086, 16 August 1890, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOU3E OF EEPBE3BNTATIVB3. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. * GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. After some discussion, a motion by Mr Mitchelson, that during the remainder of the session Government business take precedence of all other business on Thursday, was agreed to on the voices. ' INTEKCBPTING SUPPLY. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Pratt moved as ah amendment that in order to encourage the settlement of native lands, it is expedient that the duty payable on natiye land should be reduced from 10 per cent, to 5 per cent., and made payable anaually instead of in a lump sum. He pointed out that a committee of the House had recommended that relief should be granted in the direct tion asked for, and the Premier had promised last year that he would consider this natter during the recess. But as far as he (Mr Pratt) could learn, nothing whatever had been done. The excessive duty retarded the settlement of native lands, both in the North and South Island. Several other members having spoken, Mr Mitchelson said that the Government could not accept the amendment. They could not afford to remit such a large amount ai 5 per cent, on sales of land. The motion for going into Committee of Supply was lost by 35 to 27, and Mr Pratt's amendment was carried. Mr Seddon moved a further amendment to the effect that machinery used in colonial industries and mines and agricultural implements should bo exempt from the property tax; Mr Marchant said that only. last session the Government had brought down a Bill to give effect to this principle, and it was most strenuously opposed by the Opposition,. The amendment was simply another .deliberate attempt on the part of certam members to waste the time, of the House.

Mr Fish strongly resented Mr Marchant's remarks. „'., », i The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. : The House resumed at 8.30 p.m. ; Mr Seddon's amendment was lost by 39 to 34, and the House went into Committee of Supply for consideration, of this Estimates. cojoiittke op supply. i Stock braneh—£2B,s92. Mr Taylor asked whether the £2700 for the importation of stoats and weasels had not been already spent. Mr Kichardson said that about two* thirds of the vote had been spent, but the expenditure would cease now., | Mr Taylor moved that the Tote.be struck out. After a discussion lasting four hours, during which amendments were^pro-. y posed, the total vote, £28,592,' wai passed without alteration. • Justice Department—£l26o. ] "' - A lengthy discussion ensried 6b this vote, which was still proceeding at 2 a.m.

The House sat until 4.50 . a.m. wrangling over the Estimates, and all the reduction they effected was £2&. The galleries were cleared. On Thursday, the LA.W OF LIBEL BILL was read a first time.

BILLS PASSED. I The Borough of Devonport Empowering and Endowment Bill,. Wellington School of Design . Bill, Auckland Harbor Board Empowering Bill, Timaru Charitable Aid Institution Vesting Bill.Tuakitoto and Kaitangata Ijakes Bill, Palmerston North Ke? serves Bill, and Kihikihi Cemetery Reserves Leasing Bill were committed, read a third time, and passed.

QUESTIONS. Replying to questions it was stated that there was nothing in the Sating Act which would exempt volunteer drill sheds from taxation; that, the Government were not about to appoint four lieutenants to the Permanent Artillery; that the Government had not yet received sufficient information to enable them to state whether they would give facilities for passing this session the Strikes and Arbitration ■ Bill, but they would carefully consider the matter; that the Government was not aware whether any friendly societies had applied to have their aocounts audited by the Audit Departmeat, but it was impossible with the - present staff that the Audit Department could undertake this'extra work, more especially as the House had lately largely reduced the vote for this department; that the Government were doing their best to preserve from sale all natural enriosities in the shape of hot or mineral springs,- but that it was difficult in many cases to do so and at the same time facilitate settlement.

INTERCEPTING SUPPLY. On the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Mr Taylor moved, as an amendment, that the Government should take the necessary steps to obtain a permanent location for the legislative capital of the colony by purchasing 1500 acres of land on the Canterbury Plains, to be laid out as a township. The amendment was lost, without idisoussion, by 36 to 29. THE ESTIMATES. The sum of £590 was knocked off Supreme Court Department, £445 off Bankruptcy, £650 off the E.M. Court, £ISOO off Prisons, and £SOO off Contingencies. ■ r ' The House rose at 1 a.m.