Parliamentary.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3253, 11 July 1889, Page 2

Parliamentary.

In answer to questions it was stated the Postmaster-General would shortly propose a reduction in the fees charged for registration ol letters within and sent outside the Colony. The Government did not see their way at present to propose legislation in connection with llax, The Government had nn desire to hurry the Charitable Aid Bill, but believed that by giving reasonable time it could be passed this session, Mr Buchanan moved that the leave of absence for one month granted to Mr Beetham be extended to the end of the session, Carried,

The Church Property Trust Bill and Municipal Corporations Bill .were read a first time. Mr Duncan moved that, in .tho opinion of this House, a Bill should be introduced by thej Government during this present session to provide for the homo distillation of all spirits used in the Colony; such Bill to make provision for tho early erection of ono or more central distilleries of sufficient capacity to produce all the spirits consumed in New Zealand, under such excise regulations as shall effectually prevent smuggling or illicit distillation without raising or lowering tho price to tho consumer, The debate was adjourned for a week.

Mr Barron moved, (1.) That, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that the Property Tax, unless it can bo abolished at an earlier dite, should bo annually decreased, so that itjshall not exceed tliiee farthings in the pound for tho present year, one halfpenny for the year 1890, oue farthing for the year 1891, after which date it shall entirely cease; (2,) That any deflioieucy in the revenue occurring thereby should bo made good by further retrenchment in the public service,

The Minister of Justice said the proposal uow made was practically to reduce tlio property tax by L 90.000 this year, but he did not show how it was to be met,

Mr Moss moved as an amendment, That in the opinion of tin's House, the property-tax is unfair in its incidence harming in its effects, and an obstacle to the progress ind settlement of the Colony. H.e might bo aafcud to propose a substitute for tlio property tax but ho would be prepared to go in to that afterwards, By this amendment the principle could be affirmed without making the question one of the existence of the Government. The debate was adjourned. The second reading of the Cemeteries Act Amendment Bill was agreed to. The second reading of the Private Schools Bill was lost on division by a majority of twelve. The House rose at 12.35.