PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4252, 17 August 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Yesterday.

The House met at 2.30

In reply to a question Ministers said a sum would be placed on the estimates to aid local bodies in obtaining rock boring apparatus and diamond drills on the basis of local bodies paying one-third of the cost.

Mr Connolly's motion that the Justices of Peace Bill be recommitted, was carried on a division of 39 to 36, in order to strike out the proviso inserted last night, allowing justices to hear indecent cases ia private. The proviso was struck out, and the hill read a third time and passed. THE LOAN BILL. Mr Moss thought that the works upon which the money was to be spent should be specified, otherwise there would be a most unseemly scramble when the money became available.

Major Atkinson said that the expenditure would bare to be allocated by appropriation. On clause 3, Major Atkinson moved the addition of the words " provided ttiat not more than one million be borrowed in the year commencing January, 1883." Mr Johnston said that a section from Blenheim southward would be provided for. Government recognised that it was a necessary work whether it became part of the main trunk or not Another section from the Canterbury side would also be made. No new works would be under* taken; the money would be strictly appropriated to ihe extension of works already commenced, auc which are not in a complete state.

The Committee divided on the motion for postponement: —Ayes 25, noes 57. Mr Hutchison moved a further amendment, to make the clause read " borrow and raise in New Zealand instead of Great Britain or elsewhere." He said that there were eight and a half millions of money lying idle in the banks of this colony, and it would be a manifest advantage to have the interest paid to persons resident in the colony. Mr Dargaville said it was an utter fallacy to say they were eight and a half millions of money unproductive in this colony. There were deposits to that amount, but it was employed by the banks in making advances to the colonists themselves to get on with. The loan could not possibly be negotiated within the colony without seriously disturbing commercial relations.

The amendment was negatived on the voices.

Mr Turnbull moved that the sum be reduced from £1,000,000 to £250,000 per year.

Mr Dargavillc said they were doing wrong to limit the Government in its borrowing operations. What they should do was to say to Government, watch the money market and negotiate the loan the most favourable moment. New South Wales had negotiated a loan under circumstances like these, and it was able to use the unemployed funds to advantage, having borrowed at a low rate of interest.' They had affirmed their confidence in the

Government, end it was not right they should place any restrictions on Government in the matter. They had been fairly beaten, and should recognise the fact. He thought it unnecessary to borrow, this money, but the House had decided otherwise, and it was now desirable to borrow on the best terms they could. ■

After further discussion, the question was put that the amount remain as printed—Ayes, 46 ; noes, 16. Question put:—"That the additions proposed by Major Atkinson to limit the amount to be raised to one million a year be agreed to. —Passed on the voices.

Mr Dargaville moved an additional clause to the effect that no money be expended on fiho Blenheim South, Waikari .North, or Oiago Central lines, an til the routes had been fully surveyed, their cost estimated, and the plans, etc., approved by Parliament. The members who voted for a similar clause beiug inserted on the North Island Loan Bill would only be showing their consistency in voting for a similar clause being inserted in this bill.

After some discussion, in which Mr Pyke took part, as to the merits of the Otago Central line, Major Atkinson suggested that the amendments should be withdrawn, as it could be more properly moved when the Public Works and Immigration Bill came down. Mr Dargaville agreed, and the amendment was withdrawn.

Mr Shrimski, moved, as a new clause, if the net returns frr>m a railway be not sufficient to pay the interest upon the money expended, then the Governor-in-Council shall raise an amount sufficient to pay such interest by imposing and levying a tax upon all lands within fifteen miles from either side of such railway."

The Chairman ruled that the motion could not be received. It was of a taxing nature, and the mover could move the re committal of the bill in order that the clause might be inserted. This day. After the usual half hour adjournment, Colonel Trimble, on resuming the Chair, said he had consulted the Speaker, who considered Mr Shrimski's clause quite in order.

Mr Shrimski accordingly moved it. Major Atkinson opposed the clause, as such a provision in the Bill would ruin the general credit of the colony, and entirely defeat the whole intention of the bill. The proposal was utterly impracticable. Mr J. C. Brown supported, and Mr Kelly opposed the clause. Sir George Grey warmly supported the clause as a mo3t valuable and opportune proposal. It would raise instead of injuring the credit of the colony. All land which benefited by public works expenditure whether on railway roads or bridges should be taxed.

Messrs Fish and Steward supported the clause.

Mr Macandrew thought this the most hopeful proposal made for years. The tax, however, should be on provincial districts, as originally proposed. Mr Pyke asked why town property should not also be taxed. «

Mr Moss approved of the principle but thought the clause oat of place in the loan bill.

Sir John Hall thought the matter too important to be hastily dealt with, and suggested the, propriety of reporting progress;

Mr Montgomery approved of the sug« gestion and Major Atkinson concurring moved to report progress. Mr Seddon strongly opposed this and said the proposal was really a land tax in disguise.

Sir George Grey hoped the matter would be dealt with on its merits, not as a party question, it was a most important motion. To report progress was carried by 53 to 21, and leave given to sit again. The House rose at 12.35.