HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4547, 1 August 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30. In reply to enquiries Ministers stated that New Zealand blankets and flannels were largely used in the gaols and industrial schools; in the colony, and so was New Zealand 'coal. Telegraph forms could not be printed in the colony at any* i thing like the London price, as ascertained I by tender.—Government were favorably, disposed to reduce the railway freight on linseed, the same as on other grain, but grass seeds were not included in the reduction.—Government would quarantine all imported dogs for six months as a safeguard against hydrophobia. The House then went into Supply, when a resolution authorising an imprest allowance for another month was agreed to. Major Atkinson moved the second reading of the Property Tax Bill. He did not intend to make any speech, but to afford an opportunity for Sir G. Grey and Mr Montgomery to bting on a discussion as to the desirability of a Land Tax as against the Property Tax.—-Mr Montgomery thought this was the proper time to consider whether a property tax was a fair and just one in its incidence. He did not think it was. It would not be necessary if landimprovedby railwaysandpublic works was charged with its fair share of taxation to meet the interest on the cost of inch works. The present law unfairly taxed public companies' money, the operations of which were beneficial to the colony. It was a direct tax on the industry of the country. It was an unjusttaxon consumers and industry, and it should not be sanctioned by the House. Land should be fairly taxed and not be allowed to be held by a few who stood in the way of the more profitable occupation; for, land was the property of the State; and this' State should make holders improve it by a tax. He would only tax land legs any mortgages on it, and he would not tax improvements. He would not tax land with the cost of public works which had not directly improved the value of land. A moderate income tax should also be imposed. He thought the colony was now standing on the brink of financial disaster owing to the constant drain for interest which was going out of the country, amounting in all to £3,447,000, estimated on both public and private indebtedness per annum. He opposed the bill.—Mr Dargaville opposed the bill. Ho reviewed the general financial policy of the Government and aacused Ministers of regulating that policy to suit the requirements and interests of the Bank of New Zealand, instead of the House or the people of the colony. Mnjor Atkinson was not the Treasurer of the colony; he was v only the accountant—the willing tool—of a financial ring, of which the present Premier had since the Consolidation of Loans:in 1867 been one of the chiefs, and which governed the country. It was a scandal to find within the last few days the Premier's name as a director of anew Loau Company established by the ring. He strongly urged a land tax as fairer, and in every way preferable to a property tax. The Government, he knew, would carry the bill, but it was because they were supported by class legislation, and political corruption.—Mr Turn bull urged the Government to reduce the expenditure rather than increase the taxation. He would vote against the bill.— Major Atkinson said he was not anxious to take the House by surprise, and would give way if any member !'wished";to speak; (Cries of no) He regretted that the threatened debate on finance and taxation had so collapsed, Mr Dargaville ought to feel ashamed of the speech he had made. As to the charge made. by Mr Dargaville against the Premier and himself, in relation to the Loan Consolidation Act of 1867, he pointed out that be himself had voted steadily against that bill, the Premier was not then in either House, and had nothing to do with the Act. If Mr Dargaville I would not move for a Select Committee to i inquire into the troth of the allegations, he would do it himself. The two clauses of the Land Act Tax which Mr Dargaville had quoted and based his arguments of corrupt favouritism on, had long been repealed, and were not in force at all; they were put in the original Act to attract foreign capital, and after foil consideration by the House, and when in operation, it was found they were not required for that purpose, they were repealed, and the Loan Company had to pay as all others had. Had the local quarter of a milliom loan been floated most of it would have been taken up by the Post Oflioe Savings Bank Depositors, who would then have got 5 per cent, instead of 4| for their money. Had not the million loan been raised there would have been nothing to carry on with on on the 31st March. He knew no means of getting 'better banking arrangements than at present or he would adopt them. He would never agree to hand over the colony to the associated banks, as that would- make them the real governors of the colony. The real safety lay in dealing with one bank, and being able to change it if necessary. He entirely disagreed with Mr Montgomery's figures, and did not think the colony was paying more than 2| millions as interest outside the colony. The stocks of goods now in bond were unusually large, and there was no reason to believe that the Customs this year would fall off. The revenue last year had been relieved, . and charges borne by the revenue instead of by loan. —Mr Montgomery here said he would j prove it.—Major Atkinson continued defending the fairness of the property tax, as compared with a land tax and an income tax. '■ ;

On a division the bill was read a second timo. The division was as follows:—Ayos, 49 : AUwright, Atkinson, Beetham, Bryce, Buchanan W. C, Connolly, Dick, Dodson, Driver, Fergus, Fitzgerald, Fulton, Green M. W.,Hamiiu, Hobbs.Harßthouse, John, too 0, J., Johnston W. W., Kelly, Lee, Levestam, Mackenzie F. W., Mason, McDonald, Mcliwraith, McMillan, Mitchel son, Morris, Munro, Peacock, Pearson, Petrie, Postlewhaite, Kolleston, Shaw, Shephard, Stevens, Sutton, Siranaon, Tawbia. Thomson H. Tomoana, Trimble, Whitaker, Whyte J. 8., Wilson J. G>, arid Wrifiht.. Noes, 33: BarroQ, Bathgate, Brackeu, Browu J. (J,, Buchauau J. (Napier), Oadiuau, Dauiel, Dargaville, DaLantour, Duncan, ■ Feldwick, Fish, George, Grey, Harris, -Holmes, Hutchi-; son, Ivess, Joyce, Macandrew, McDonald, A., McKenzb J., Montgomery, Moss, Pilliet, Seddon, Sheehan, ■ Shrimski, Smith, Te Wheoro, Thompsou J. W., Tole, Turnbull, and White W.—On the motion for the committal of the bill, Sir G. Grey complained that the Governs meat hid stifled the debate by no one on its side speaking.—After remarks from Messrs J, McDontJd, Bracken, M. W, Green, Hursthouse, Lerestan, and othew,

the bill was ordered to be committed on Thursday.—Mr Dargaville said that he would accept Major Atkinson's challenge, and more for a committee to inquire into the loan consolidation transaction of 1867.

The Bankruptcy Bill was, on Mr Con. Nolly's motion, and by a dmsion of 39 to 27, recommitted to further consider clauses 61 and 139. Clause 61 was restored to its former position in the original bill on a division by 34 to 28. Clause 139 was, amended to give priority of claim to assignees costs.

Latbb.—This day. After the usual adjournment," the Bills of Exchange Bill was further considered in Committee and reported with amend" raents; the Married Women's Property Bill was also considered in Committee, and progress waa reported.—The House rose at J 2.5. y