EVENING SITTING. Wellington, 11.40 p.m.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1244, 19 June 1880, Page 2

EVENING SITTING. Wellington, 11.40 p.m.

When the Hou^e resumed, Colonel Trimble continued, expressing his warm approval of the proposal to rate native and (Yowii lands, and also of the Government's action on the West Coast. Mr Ballance condemned, the policy of

the Government on the West Coast. The mere making of roads would never settle the difficulty. What was wanted was, settlement of people on lands by. military tenure. The Opposition did not j hope for a majority in the House; but they desired to place fairly before tbe country their views on the financial proposals of Ministers. He complained of the tone in which the Premier met this intention. Ihe Property Tax Had been destroyed in principle by exemptions. It was no longer a fair all-round tax when furniture was exempted. Why should machinery be taxed, or agricultural implements? He strongly condemned an official Board. The whole derangement in the finanoial position of the country was due to a failing of land sales, which had also occurred in other places. He condemned' administration by Royal Comrairtjfons composed of defeated candidates. He complained strongly of the unfair manner in whioh the present Government had misrepresented the finances of' their predecessors. The real deficit of 1878-76 was only £19,000, He thought that great reductions could be made in the judicial* and Crowa lands departments. The estimates showed a net' increase, of £6,400 in departmental expenditure. . He strongly objected to the proposed method of dealing with local bodies about main and district roads. The poorer bodies would never be able to comply with the conditions. Mr Ballance is still speaking.