GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2225, 9 July 1891, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WELLINGTON, duly. 7 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The 'Council met at 2.30 p,m. TIIIRU READINGS.

The Promoters’ and Directors Liability Bill, the Repeals Bill, the Partnerships Rill, and the Indecent Advertisements Bill were read a third time.

ROUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The House met at 2.30 pan, REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

Replying to Mr , McGuire the | Premier said that when the l Native Land Bill came down he hoped that it would contain a provision to the effect .that the; natives who held land in their -own right should be responsible for a fair share of the rates. THE GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS ACT REPEAL BILL. Mr Jackson Palmer moved the introduction of the Government Railways Act Repeal Bill. Mr Buek.land contended that this measure was opposed to the Standing Orders.

The motion was agreed to. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE,

Mr Wilson resumed the debate on the Financial Statement. He could not support the proposals in the Financial Statement as at present submitted by the Government.

Mr Valentine asserted that since the initiation of the Property Tax there had been a gradual improvement in the condition of the country, and declared that if the taxation proposals of the Government were given effect to, they would practically result in the depopulation of the colony. Mr Fisher attributed the present depressed state of the colony to the large amount of interest which had to be paid, owing to the reckless borrowing of past Treasurers, £2,000,000 having now to be sent to London annually for interest out of a revenue of £4,000,000.

Sir John Hall protested most emphatically against the proposal to tax the English bondholders, which, to his mind, amounted to absolute dishonesty. The Minister of Lands had exhibited a map of his (Sir John Hall’s) property in the House no doubt to damage him in the eyes of his fellowmembers. It was certainly an unusual proceeding, and had never been adopted in the House before. If Mr McKenzie had wished to draw a fair picture for the House, he should have shown the worthless land as distinguished from good land. He (Sir John Hall) might say that he had lived in that district for forty years, he had contested more elections than any other man in the House, and had never lost a single contest, and the nearer he got to his own home the more support he received. That he thought was a sufficient proof of the estimation in which he was held by the settlers of his own district.

Mr Rhodes complimented the Government on the surplus they inherited and at last doing justice to their opponents by admitting there was a surplus. He expected, however, the Government would have brought down a reduction, on the tea duty, but practically the only change in taxation this year was the reduction in postage, and the totalisator tax. He was not opto the reduction in postage, as it benefited one class and many other people as well. The totalisator tax, however, Avas distinctly a class tax, but if it Avere proposed to do aAvay Avith the totalisator altogether it should be done openly. Then there Avas £30,000 for reading, Avhich also met his approval, but he complained that no encouragement Avas given to village settlers in his locality. They heard a great deal about the unpopularity of the property tax, but Auckland Avas the first to complain of the tax, as the people there , paid a great deal more under that tax than they Avould under a land tax. He opposed a land and income tax, . and said the result of it would be to let off'the Avealthiest people in the community. In his oavu case he should pay 7s (id less by the graduated tax than he had to pay under the present property tax. No one would be better pleaded than he to see the large estates taxed, but they Avere going the Avrong way about it, and lie thought a progressive tax on improvements Avas, a most monstrous, proposal. Mr Wright condemned the Government policy. Mr Buchanan moved the adjournment of the debate. The House rose at 1,45 a.in.