WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3017, 16 October 1878, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Tuesday. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. In the Legislative Council to-day, the Hon. Mr Reynolds renewed his motion for leave of absence, which was granted on a division of 19 tol2. THE BAT OF ISLANDS BOLL. The motion of the Hon. Dr Pollen for the production of all papers connected with the Bay of Islands electoral roll was agreed to. . THE REPEALS BILL. ' The amendments made by the House of Representatives in the Eepeals Bill were •agreed to. THE ELECTOBAL BILL. In the Electoral Bill, on the 14th clause (qualification), the Hon. Mr Watorhouse moved»the insertion of the words "not being a Maori." After some ' discussion the Hon. Col. Whitmore accepted the amendment. The committee here adjourned at 7.30., ' THE LAND TAX BILL. In the Council last night, after the din* ncr adjournment, the debate on the Land Tax Bill was continued: Hon. Mr Hall thought the ordinary revenue should be made to meet the ordinary expenditure. The Government were blinding the country by taking large slices of the land fund in aid of the revenue. That supply must soon cease. He did not think the existing taxation on the working classes was oppressive. While he approved of the. property tax, he thought the Government unwise in sacrificing the tea and sugar duties. He would not complain of the wrongs of Canterbury,' but he must speak of the condition of the Lunatic Asylum in his district, which was a disgrace. The same might be said of gaols. He disapproved of the exemption under £500, and. of improvement exemptions, as calculated on an unfair basis. And were not Maori exemptions unjust, and calculated to raise up feeling against them P Then, was it fair to make the tenants of the Crown pay for the very improvements which tended to dispossess them P i Mr Peacock opposed the second reading. Dr Grace had said that this bill was a concession to an ignorant public opinion. That opinion had been fomented by the late stumping tour. This was essentially a class tax, and, as such, would be detrimental to the best interest of the colony. Mr Holmes said property holders were prepared to bear their fair share of taxation, as had been shown by the speeches of those who had preceded him. He thought the negotiations for the late loan had been most fortunate, and the principal credit belonged to Sir Julius Vogel. He disapproved of the exemptions under £500. The tax to have been imposed should have been an income and property tax, with £150 limit.

Mr Robinson while opposed to the bill, would like other hon. gentlemen in the same predicament to vote for the second reading. He could find no justification whatever in taxing the tenants of the Crown. In concluding, he said he was j^nfidenithftt,lhfljMjiinffclAMfil_WOuld_

be willing to bear their fair share of taxation.

Colonel Whilmore, in reply, said the Government's was the only honest financial statement .which had been made for years. There was a great deal (o be said in favor of Crown tenants. Speaking ot the native exemptions, he knew they could not be justified ift principle, but in practice they were necessary. Speaking of the Beer Bill, the Government had just thrown over a little cargo to lighten the. ship.

The Becond reading was carried on the voices, and the Council adjourned at 1 a,m. • -, ' ■