PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4935, 3 November 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Per Pbess Association^

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Wellington, Saturday.

On tbe motion for the third reading of the Drainage of Mines Bill, Dr Pollen moved that it be r«ad a third time that day six months. —The bill was read a third time by 18 to 12, and afterwards passed.

The Municipal Corporations Bill was read a second time and committed, being afterwards reported with amendments.

The Electric Lines Bill was also considered in Commit '.cc, read a third time, and passed.

HOUSE OF EEPEESSNTATIVES.

Our report of Saturday's sitting concluded at the lunch adjournment. On the House resuming, Te Ao continued his speech, expressing a hope that Mr Bal* lance's speech would be printed and circulated in Maori.—Mr Bryce regretted that no arrangements had been made with the natives as to land adjacent to the proposed railway, as he considered that the lands should bear a part of the cost, inasmuch as they were to be banefitted thereby.—Dr Newman thought that too much importance should not be attached by the House to the great chief's (Wahanui) utterances, but he advocated the remodel ling of the Native Court.—Mr Grigg expressed his gratification at the references made by Wahanui to the danger of the liquor traffic in the King Country, and hoped the Government would give effect to his wishes to have it prohibited.—Sir George Grey suggested that as no indication had been given by the Government as to what clauses were to be substituted for those which were to be struck out, the bill in its new form should be printed and circulate i, and that the House should go into Committee on Tuesday.—Agreed to.

The Loan Bill was read a second time.

On the motion for the second reading of the Property Tax Bill, Major Atkinson opposed the measure as relieving one class at the expense of others.—Mr Montgomery also opposed the bill on the ground that it was wroDg to reduce taxation while ob* liged to borrow further to do it.—Sir G. Grey spoke against the measure, as also did Messrs Buckland and Buchanan.—Mr Shrimski advocated a reduction in the tax, which he said was ruining tiie country.—* Mr Eolleston intended always to vote against the financial proposals of the Government. — Dr Newman opposed the bill as in^nded to relieve the wej'thy classes. —Mr Earron was in favor of a Land as against a Property Tax, but this was not the time to reduoe taxation.— Mr Moss opposed the bill.—Mr Macandrew's only objection to the measure was that it did not go far enough.—Col. Trimble opposed the bill.—Mr W. C. Smith was strongly in favor of the measure, arguing that the tax pressed heavily on the working men.—• Mr Gillies supported the b?U. —Mr Bea-. cock would vote for the, bil}.—Mr Men* teath opposed the measure,—»Mr Hamlin could not vote for the measure, although it meant a reduction of taxation, as it would lead to the substitution of a Land Tax for a Property Tax.—The Colonial Treasurer reviewed and criticised the arguments that had been used against th© measure. —The second reading was carried on a division by 40 to 21. Xhe House adjourned till Tuesday. i