HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3567, 2 June 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Tuesday. The House met at 2.30. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Vincent Pyke gave notice that he would ask if Government proposed introducing a bill for the suppression of religions and party processions. Mr Hursthouse gave notice that he would ask what steps were to be taken to prevent the spread of pleuro-pneumonia from the North to the South Island. KEW LICENSING BILL. A new Licensing Bill was introduced by message from the Governor, and read a first time. BILLB INTRODUCED. ' The following bills were introduced, and read a first time :—Regulation of Elections Bill (Hall); Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill (Hall); Election Petitions Bill (Hall); Native Reserves Bill (Rolleston); Native Lands Sales Bill, Native Lands Contracts Validation Bill (Tainui); Ahuturangi Land Bill (Bryce); Corporations Acts Amendment Bill (Hutchison). ADDBESS IN BEPLY. Col. Trimble moved the Address in Reply. He said he believed the late plentiful harvest would be the means of relieving, to some extent, the commercial depression. He looked to this source, coupled with a probable rise in the price of wool, for the complete revival in trade, rather than to further loan operations on the part of the colony. The prospects of peace would also tend in the same direction. The Treasurer's prediction of a deficiency in revenue had been more than realised, the deficit for the nine months ending the financial year being close on one million. The step taken by the Government to make good, deficiency by means of direct taxation was more reasonable than that projected by their predecessors, which he very strongly condemned. He contrasted direct with indirect taxation, contending the former was preferable, inasmuch as the cost of collection was smaller. He deprecated tHe feeling that had been raised against the Property Tax, and maintained it was not inquisitorial. He defended the appointment of various commissions. He advocated a prudent, but not a cheeseparing, economy, and urged that ,no money should be spent upon the defence of ports until it had been clearly shown the expenditure would be a judicious one. He pronounced in favor of a continuance of free education, and defended and explained the interim report of the Native Commission. He said Te Whiti had rendered good service in always preaching peace. < !

Mr W. R. Russell (Napier) seconded. He said the speech was free from the pretentious language with which previous speeches hed abounded. Although depressed, the colony was still sound, and, aided by the labours of the Industries Commission, he believed more prosperous times were at hand. In reviewing the Counties Act he hoped that increased borrowing powers would not be given. Mr Macandrew said the speech had many faults, but they were ones of omission rather than of commission. Had they been told that the Property Tax would be repealed, the announcement would have been hailed with satisfaction all over the colony. He had no hope of much good resulting from the industries or other commissions. The best part of 'the add res 3 was that which afforded a prospect of a short session. They had had too much legislation and too little administration. He supported the address, which, he said, was one of the worst speeches he had ever heard. He would prove that the Government committed more blunders in eight months than their predecessors had in two years. [Speech interrupted by the dinner hour adjournment.]

On the House resuming at 7.30 o'clock the debate was continued by Dr Wallis, Sir George Grey, Mr Hall, and Mr Pyke, and the second reading was eventually carried without dissent. The House adjourned at 9.45 p.m.