GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2533, 25 July 1893, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The .douse met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. MANUFACTURES AND INDUSTRIES. Ou the motion to set up a Select Committee to consider how the manufactures and industries of the colony may be encouraged, a lengthy discussion arose on the whole question of freetrade and protection. Eventually the motion was carried. OFFENSIVE WORDS. Mr O’Connor called attention to a matter which, he said, affected the dignity of the hlouso. He referred to the charge made last night by one member against another, to the effect that that member’s hands were reeking with corruption. He (Mr O’Connor) thought that statements of that kind should not be allowed in the House, and that they must have escaped the Speaker’s notice. His opinion was that, in a case of this kind, the Speaker should instruct the chief reporter of Hansard to omit such an offensive charge. The Speaker said that he certainly had not heard the remark in question. If he had he should not have allowed it to puss. He could not, however, undertake to give the instruction suggested by Mr O’Connor, as it would be too much power to place in the hands of the Speaker. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. Mr Carncross resumed the debate on tho Financial Statement. In the course of his remarks he congratulated Mr Ward ou the Statement, tiie Minister of Education and Sir John Hall on their speeches; while he did not approve of the Railway Commissioners, thought the House should hive more control over the railways; thought Colonel Fox’s report was just what was wanted, and c nduded by urging a reduction in medical fees. Mr Mackenzie (Clutha) followed on very similar lines. The point which Mr Carncross had raised with regard to the reduction of medical fees was worthy of every consideration. The question would have to bo dealt with seriously before long, as it was of vital interest to the poor, r classes in the colony. He said that to far as Mr Ward could break though officialdom, ho believed ho had endeavored to tell the truth, and lay before them an honest statement of the affairs of the colony. He strongly condemned tho income tax, and said that there was certain to be a great loss by that form of taxation. He spoke strongly in defence of Sir Harry Atkinson’s admi nistratiou, and concluded by stating as matters now stood the workers of the colony were paying the bulk of taxation, and a premium was offered by the Government to the affluent middle classes in order to receive their votes at the General Election. Mr Pinkerton thought that Mr Ward should congratulate himself upon the fact that Mr Mackenzie and other able men ou that side of the House should have been able to find so little fault with his Statement. He thought the Cheviot estate very suitable for close settlement, and praised the efforts the Premier had made in the direction of securing reciprocity. Mr McGuire thought the results of the year were very satisfactory, especially compared with the financial crisis they had lately seen in Australia. He condemned the co-operative system of carrying ou public, works. Mr Biiick said that they must all be . with the moderate tone of the i -d of the absence of anything Budget an n , id that being tl to create alarm . f col should feel that the Imam were perfectly safe in the hands. He warmly supported the Cheviot purchase, which he felt sure would turn out a profitable investment; but he did not favor the proposal, which he understood would be made by the Government, to resell a small portion of the property. As an abstract principle he contended that the Government should hold all the laud in the colony. He was opposed to a graduated tax ou principle, and thought that tho Treasurer should instead have rather reduced or abolished exemptions. Mr C. H. Mills moved the adjournment of tho debate. The motion was agreed to, and the House rose.